Dock Fire in Queensborough + Hyack Square Market Days

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - A mix of sun and clouds

 😜 Rain Joke - Why does rain show up in every vacation photo? 🖼️ 

 🔦 Business Spotlight - Graham Construction & Engineering Inc

 🗓️ New West Events - A Mix of What’s Happening

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Kyla M.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Dock Fire in Queensborough + Hyack Square Market Days

 🤖 How well do you know New West?

 😆 Meme of the Day

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Strong communities are built in more than one way.

Some of that work is easy to see. It shows up in the buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces people use every day. Other times, community-building happens more quietly — through service clubs, local fundraising, youth programs, and businesses choosing to support the places where people live, learn, work, and gather.

For Graham, one of the sponsors of this year’s Rotary Pot of Gold Golf Tournament, both kinds of community-building are part of the story.

Graham is a construction solutions company with deep roots in Canada and offices across North America. In 2026, the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary — a century of helping shape the places where people live, work, learn, and connect.

Here in New Westminster, that story is especially visible.

Graham is the construction manager for the Douglas College 808 Royal project, one of the most significant developments currently underway in downtown New Westminster. Located across from the existing Douglas College campus at Eighth Street and Royal Avenue, the project will bring new academic space and the college’s first-ever student housing to the heart of the city.

For residents who have walked, driven, or taken SkyTrain through downtown New Westminster, the project is hard to miss. But beyond the construction site itself, the finished building will have a lasting impact. It will help create more space for students to learn, provide much-needed student housing, and support the continued growth of Douglas College as an important part of New Westminster’s downtown community.

That local connection makes Graham’s sponsorship of the Rotary Pot of Gold Golf Tournament especially meaningful.

The Pot of Gold Golf Tournament brings together businesses, community members, and Rotary supporters for a day of golf, connection, and fundraising. The funds raised help support local programs and charitable initiatives, including work that benefits youth and community organizations in New Westminster.

For a company involved in building physical spaces, supporting Rotary is another way to invest in community — not through concrete, steel, or design plans, but through people.

As Graham celebrates 100 years in business, its involvement in New Westminster is a reminder that building better communities takes many forms. It includes the large, visible projects that change a city’s skyline. It also includes the sponsorships, partnerships, and acts of support that help local organizations continue their work.

The Douglas College 808 Royal project will leave a lasting mark on downtown New Westminster. Graham’s support of the Rotary Pot of Gold Golf Tournament adds another layer to that local story — one rooted in connection, generosity, and a shared commitment to helping communities thrive.

For New Westminster residents, the tournament is more than a day on the golf course. It is a chance for local businesses, regional partners, and community supporters to come together in support of programs that make a difference close to home.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

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Tuesday June 23, 2026

🍽️ New West Fun-Loving Retirees Lunch at Spaghetti Factory – 11:45 AM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📝 Work BC Employment Services Drop-In (Queensborough) – 1:30 PM

📚️ Young Readers Book Club (9-12 years) – 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM

🎤 Ukulele Level 1 at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🚴 Tuesday Night Rides – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

💃 Swingin' In the Park(let) at Sapperton Plaza – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

🎸 Georgie's Local Tuesday Night Jam Session – 7:00 PM

🙋 FRDCS 2026 Annual General Meeting – 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Wednesday June 24, 2026

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

⚽️ Fired Up for Football - Canada Vs. Switzerland Watch Party – 11:00 AM

🎨 The Gallery at Queen's Park: Plein Air in the Park – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎸 Kids Rock Band Jr. at Mechanics of Music Studio – 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM

🎤 Find Your Voice at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🗣️ Middle Matters Discussion Group – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Drag Bingo & Trivia – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎭️ Drag Trivia at The Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Thursday June 25, 2026

🍅 New West Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎙️ Rock Room Karaoke Nights at The Legion – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🧘 Sound Bowl Therapy with Restorative Yoga – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Howe Sound New West Bingpot! Thursday Trivia – 7:00 PM

❓️ Steel & Oak Thursday Trivia Night – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Game On with Melody Mangler at the Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🔥🚒Dock Fire in Queensborough Prompts Smoke Advisory for Residents

New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services responded to a dock fire in Queensborough this week, prompting a smoke advisory for nearby residents.

According to the City of New Westminster, crews quickly brought the fire under control, and there were no traffic impacts reported as emergency responders worked at the scene.

While the fire was contained, residents in several areas reported seeing and smelling significant smoke, including along Quayside Drive and other nearby neighbourhoods. As a precaution, the City advised residents to keep windows and doors closed to reduce exposure to smoke.

The fire occurred in the Queensborough area, with social media commenters identifying the location as being near a marina. At the time of the City's update, no information had been released regarding injuries, damage estimates, or the cause of the fire.

The incident serves as a reminder that smoke from fires can travel significant distances, even when flames are not visible from surrounding neighbourhoods.

Residents are encouraged to monitor official City channels for any further updates.

View the City's Latest Public Safety Updates

🛍️☀️Hyack Square Market Days Return for a Summer of Shopping and Entertainment

One of Downtown New Westminster’s favourite summer traditions is making its return. Hyack Square Market Days kicks off on July 11, bringing local shopping, live entertainment, delicious treats, and community fun back to the heart of the city.

Running every Saturday in July and August, plus two Saturdays in September, the market transforms Hyack Square into a vibrant gathering place filled with local artisans, makers, creators, and small businesses. Visitors can browse unique handmade products, discover one-of-a-kind gifts, and support local entrepreneurs while enjoying live performances and seasonal festivities.

Beyond the shopping, Market Days offers plenty of reasons to stay awhile. Expect live entertainment, prize draws, family-friendly activities, and a lively atmosphere that celebrates everything people love about summer in New Westminster.

Whether you're looking for locally made treasures, a fun afternoon downtown, or a chance to support small businesses, Hyack Square Market Days promises another exciting season of community connection and local discovery.

The market runs from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hyack Square.

Plan Your Summer Saturdays at Hyack Square Market Days

🔍️ Spot the details

Today’s Tin Man mystery has some great clues.

🎁 This week’s prize (June 18 - June 24):
Win a Canadian Flag from Jake Sawatzky MP.

Think you know the spot?
Head to Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

👉️ Your play guide is here.

You play on Facebook and Instagram. You win in the newsletter.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why does rain show up in every vacation photo? 🖼️ 

Photobomber. 📸 

Meme of the Day

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