Greenway Improvements + Costly City Hall Cafeteria

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌞 Weather - Sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - What’s a rain’s favorite type of music? 🎶 

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Annette U.!

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to choose from

 🗞️ New West Local News - Greenway Improvements + Costly City Hall Cafeteria

 😆 Meme of the Day

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July 29, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

🎶 Art in Moody Park: Live music ft. Nate Batara – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🏘️ OPEN HOUSE - Daycare for September 2025 – 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🥍 Lacrosse Pop-up – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Kelly O’Bryan’s Trivia Night – 6:30 PM

🗣️ New West Tenants Union Monthly Public Meeting – 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM

🎭️ Trivia Tuesdays at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:00 PM

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

🎩 Cabaret of Wonders – 7:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🗣️ Free Lounge & Learn Series – 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

July 30, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🏞️ Play in the Parks: Ryall Park – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎭️ Poetry in the Park – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🎨 Family Paint Party – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

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

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

July 31, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

📖 Storytime and Craft (2-6 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

🧶 Youth Knitting and Crochet Club (6-18 years) – 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

🌱 Sprout Club – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🍅 Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎸 Ukulele Jam – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎨 Original Gravity Art Gallery Reception – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

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

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

🎶 Queen's Park 2025 Summer Concert Series – 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

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

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

👷 Construction Starts on Major Greenway Improvements in New Westminster 🏗️ 

Work is officially set to begin on improvements to the Rotary Crosstown Greenway in Uptown, with construction kicking off July 28 along Seventh Avenue between Eighth Street and Fifth Street. The project is part of the city's broader Active Transportation Network initiative, aimed at enhancing street safety, accessibility, and environmental quality.

The upgrade includes the installation of protected bike lanes, a raised crosswalk for safer pedestrian access, new landscaping and public seating areas, and the addition of trees to improve the urban environment. These enhancements are designed to support a more walkable and bike-friendly neighbourhood, while also creating a more pleasant streetscape.

Construction will progress one block at a time and is expected to span roughly six months, depending on weather conditions. During this period, residents and commuters should prepare for temporary lane closures, parking restrictions, and shifts in traffic flow. However, access to homes, businesses, and waste collection services will remain uninterrupted throughout the project.

Work crews will be on-site weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with optional Saturday work between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For the latest construction updates and detour information, residents are encouraged to visit the city's Roadworks page.

🚧 Get the latest construction details here

🍽️ Affordable Meals, Expensive Cost: Debate Over New West Cafeteria Grows

A debate is heating up at New Westminster City Hall over a taxpayer-subsidized cafeteria that has been operating at a financial loss for years. One city councillor is questioning whether the facility, tucked away in the building’s basement, is still justifiable—especially in light of recent property tax increases.

Although technically open to the public, the cafeteria primarily serves city staff. It offers highly affordable meals, including $4 sandwiches and full breakfasts starting at $5.75. However, this affordability comes at a cost. The operation has reportedly lost nearly $350,000 over the past three years, funded by local tax dollars.

Critics of the cafeteria argue that such an expense is difficult to justify when the city has already imposed a 23 percent hike in property taxes over the same time period. With numerous dining options available nearby, they believe the service is no longer essential and should be reconsidered.

On the other hand, city staff have defended the cafeteria, stating that it serves a functional role within the municipality. Officials argue it supports both the operational efficiency of city hall and community access.

As scrutiny over municipal spending continues, the future of the cafeteria remains uncertain.

👉 Read the full scoop here

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s a rain’s favorite type of music? 🎶

🎶 Anything with a good beat! 🥁 

Meme of the Day

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