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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014
W E S T M I N S T E R
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NEWS,
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◗ CITY HALL
Hyack grant slashed
OPINION
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ENTERTAINMENT
www.royalcityrecord.com
THE CHANGING CITY: IT’S ABOUT INCLUSION, NOT EXCLUSION
BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
The City of New Westminster has hacked the Hyack Festivals Association’s grant in response to ongoing concerns about “dysfunction” within the organization. In recent years, the city has provided the association with about $150,000 plus in-kind services to organize events on the city’s behalf. City council has approved up to $15,000 cash plus in-kind services for the Hyack Parade, and $10,000 for the Canada Day fireworks. The association had requested $185,000 in cash and $30,000 in in-kind for the Hyack Festival and parade, Canada Day celebrations, summer concert series, the Christmas parade and celebration, the Hyack float and associated expenses, the Miss New Westminster ambassador program, and staff and administration costs. “I can’t imagine a New Westminster without a Hyack parade. I know my family loves going up every May to watch the parade. I know my family is not alone. Thousands of families in New Westminster enjoy that parade,” said Coun. Jonathan Cote. “I certainly hope the organization can take some time this year to reflect upon what happened last year and can start to do some work on rebuilding some of the relationships.” While Cote supported the grant for the association, he said it’s time to “put this issue to bed” for the year and deal with more important issues. “I think what has happened with Hyack has been a distraction to our ◗Hyack Page 4
CINDY GERING 604.779.1292
Larry Wright/THE RECORD
New vision: Ross Chilton, executive director of Community Living B.C., in the organization’s new offices – the former Westminster Club on Columbia Street. The property was sold by court order in December.
Closed doors set to open again BY DON HAUKA REPORTER
editorial@royalcityrecord.com
Perhaps the most inclusive and welcoming agency in B.C. is transforming an exclusive penthouse club into a public forum. Community Living B.C. is ripping down walls, tearing down panels and taking up flooring as they begin renovating the former digs of the Westminster Club on Columbia Street. And that has its executive director, Ross Chilton, feeling on top of the world. “It’s a beautiful building – the views of the river are stunning,” said Chilton. So is Community Living B.C’s vision for the 7,400-square-foot premises on the top floor of the seven-story Westminster Building. Chilton said his organization plans to open the doors of what was once the exclusive preserve of one of the most exclusive
tic wood panelling and look. old boy’s clubs in Canada to the public. The renovations will be ongoing for the “The coolest part is the design – it incorporates meeting space that we will make next several weeks. Chilton said the orgaavailable at low or no cost to other commu- nization hopes to open its door by late summer. nity organizations,” he said. The property was sold “There’s not a lot of meeting to Community Living B.C. space that’s free or almost free ◗MORE ON THIS STORY in early December by court in the city.” order for $1.3 million. The Chilton said the two meet- An elite roost: The WestWestminster Club had wined ing rooms – one a 24-seat space, minster Club was a place anddinedmembersandguests the other seating 12 – will be for the power brokers of in the building since 1912. It available for free or minimal the city to meet. ran into financial trouble as cost when Community Living See page 3 membership dwindled and is not using it. debts mounted. Community “We don’t need it all the Living B.C. was the only bidtime, so it just makes sense to have it available to others. It’s about der for the property. The irony of having an open-door organiinclusion: inviting the community into your zation take over from a closed-door club is space,” Chilton said. Almost the entire interior will be reno- not lost on Chilton. “We’re not an exclusive vated and remodelled. But one room – the club – we’re an inclusive organization. We club’s former library – will retain its authen- want to be a part of the community.”
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