Kids Safe + Columbia Square

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌦️ New West Weather - Chance of a shower

🗓️ New West Events - It is going to be a busy weekend

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Kids Safe + Columbia Square

October 23, 2024 

 👦 Youth Connect - Drop in Wednesday – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

 ⁉️ Trivia Night at Georgie’s Local – 7:00 PM

October 24, 2024 

 🎉 Celebrate Diwali  – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

 ♠️ 2nd Annual Mayor’s Charity Poker Night  – 6:30 PM Start

 🌷Balcony Gardening – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

 🏼 Glass Skin Event at Manhas Aesthetics – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

 🎨 Flowing Landscapes in Watercolour – 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

 📽️ Archives in Films (16+ Years), The Ring (2002) – 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (Film contains adult themes and imagery)

 👻 Halloween Movie Night: Hocus Pocus – 6:30 PM

October 25, 2024 

 📽️ 2024 New West Film Fest – 7:00 PM to October 27, 11:00 PM (3-day Event)

 🍽️ Free Buffet Style Appies – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Poker room players only)

 🍷 WINE Friday at Pacific Breeze Winery 

 🧘Secret League of Extraordinary Kids - 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Pumpkin Carving Party – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (All Families Welcome)

 🦴 Night of Living Dead - Halloween Interactive Movie – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

 🖌️ Brush Hour Paint Night - Ghostly Forest  – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

 👻 The Ghosts of New Westminster - 7:30 PM OR 9:00 PM

  🎭️ Masquerade of Mysteries: Halloween Business Gala – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

 🏠️  Halloween Family Open House – 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

 👻 Ghoulish Gathering – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

 🧛 Fangtastic Fear Factor – 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 👁️ All Hallow's Eve Greetings from the Otherside – 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

 💃 Westside Swing Band 🎃 Live Band Swing Dance – 8:15 PM to 10:30 PM

 🏗️ Columbia Square Project Sparks Debate Over Density and Housing in Downtown

The Oct. 21 New Westminster council meeting saw a lengthy, heated discussion about a proposed development at Columbia Square Plaza, set to bring eight new towers and house 7,250 new residents. After nearly three hours, the council unanimously voted to delay the decision until a special meeting on Oct. 28. The development at 88 10th St. includes mixed-use housing, offices, retail space, and public amenities, but concerns arose about the lack of affordable housing. Initially, affordable units were part of the proposal, but they were later removed. In response, the council discussed redirecting 80% of density bonus funds toward affordable housing, estimated at $60 million. The developer countered with a new offer: to secure 20% of rental density at below-market rates under HILS (Housing Income Limits) for 60 years or the life of the building, overseen by a third-party nonprofit.

The council debated whether this new proposal should be formally written into the bylaw before moving forward. Some councilors, like Daniel Fontaine, felt uncomfortable making decisions “on the fly” without fully understanding the implications of terms like HILS. Ultimately, a unanimous decision was made to postpone the vote for further discussion.

The proposed development is a high-density, transit-oriented project featuring residential, office, retail, and community spaces. Highlights include up to 3,800 residential units, replacement of existing retail space, the potential for a school, and 9,500 square feet for not-for-profit childcare. The master plan process, along with public engagement, will refine the project further.

Read the full article HERE.

 📱 Keeping Kids Safe Online: Free Seminar on Digital Dangers for Children

Join us for an informative seminar hosted by Children of the Street titled "Keeping Kids Safe Online." This session will cover the risks children face on social media and online gaming platforms, how to set up parental controls for better protection, and how to spot signs of potential exploitation.

📅 Date: November 21, 2024
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Queensborough Middle School, 833 Salter St, New Westminster, BC

Following the seminar, the regular DPAC (District Parent Advisory Council) meeting will begin at 7:00 PM via the same Zoom link. The agenda includes a special Treasurer 101 for PACs presentation by DPAC’s treasurer, Krista!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and engage with your community!

Click Here to register for the Zoom Meeting.

👻 Have you seen our 🎃 Halloween 🎃 Events Special Edition? 👻 

Check it out HERE, and if you like what you see, subscribe.

If you know of an event that is not listed, drop us an email, and we’ll add it.

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If you have an idea for another category for this newsletter, email us and let us know. We look forward to making this newsletter a great resource for all New Westies.

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