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Shape New West’s Growth + Royal Towers Redevelopment
Issue #513
Carla McNeil
February 20, 2026
Inside the New West Spotlight
⛅️ Weather - A mix of sun and clouds
😜 Rain Joke - What’s my most committed relationship this month? 👫
🗓️ New West Events - Plenty of options to enjoy
🗞️ New West Local News - Shape New West’s Growth + Royal Towers Redevelopment
🏨 Someone just won a one-night stay at Arundel Mansion Hotel… is it you? 👀
📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!
Local New Westminster Weather
Historical Records for Today - Record high 10.2 2016 - Record low -4.3 2018
🤖 This week’s Tin Man stops:
🖨️ Printaca Colorama 🍰 Cake it Easy 🍺 Barley’s Homebrewing Supplies | 🛒 Pinoy Dragon Mart - 12th 🏞️ Thompsons Landing Park 🏹 Boorman Archery |
🎉 We have a winner! 🎉
Big congratulations to this week’s How Well Do You Know New West? winner:
Genevieve Deacon
You’ve won a one month pass to Dynamic Health and Fitness.
To claim your prize, please email us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Thank you to everyone who played and shared their local knowledge — we love seeing New West experts in action!
🔍️ Want to play again?
Learn how to join the fun
Check out all of our local New Westminster Events
February 20, 2026
🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
🖼️ Open Studio at Arrieta Art Studio – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
📚️ French Reading Buddies (6-9 years) – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM
👪️ Thrive Parents Peer Support for Parents – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
🎸 Sip n’ Strum Fridays at Mechanics of Music – 7:00 PM
🎲 Georgie’s Local Hot Bitch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM
🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM
🎙️ Howe Sound New West Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM
🍸️ Cocktails and Conjuring at the Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close
February 21, 2026
☕️ Men's Breakfast at New West Community Church – 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
👪️ Runoff Race! at FRDC – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
💑 Intro to Non-Monogamy Workshop – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
🛍️ New West Craft at River Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
💼 Franchising As A Business Decision – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
🎭️ New West Improv's improv comedy jam! – 2:15 PM to 4:00 PM
🎨 Building an Art Piece at The Gallery at Queen’s Park – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
🎩 Cabaret of Wonders – 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
🎭️ Notorious Comedy at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:30 PM
🎶 Forever Seger – The Silver Bullet Experience – 7:30 PM
🎭️ Vagabond Presents Moon Over Buffalo – 8:00 PM
🎙️ Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM
🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley
February 22, 2026
👪️ Runoff Race! at FRDC – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
🧑🤝🧑 ADHD Support Group – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
🪥 Healthy Smiles at The Cove Indoor Play – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
📖 My Language is a Garden -Storytime and Workshop – 1:00 PM
🎨 Exploring Oil Pastels at Arrieta Studio – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
🎤 Cindy's Art and Karaoke Cafe – 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
🎭️ Vagabond Presents Moon Over Buffalo – 2:00 PM
📿 World of Art Beading Workshop – 2:00 PM to 3:45 PM
📜 Poetry and Art Salon at Anvil Centre – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
🥁 THE RHYTHM CIRCLE - Black History Month Special – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
✨ Glow & Play at The Cove Indoor Play – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM
🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
🎩 Cabaret of Wonders – 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
The City of New Westminster is inviting residents, businesses, and community members to help shape the future of the local economy.
The City is updating its Economic Development Plan to support thriving businesses and institutions, create good jobs close to home, and attract new investment to New Westminster. The refreshed plan will serve as a roadmap for the next five years, focusing on building a resilient, growing economy that benefits all residents and strengthens overall community well-being.
City officials are encouraging participation from across the community — including residents, business owners, entrepreneurs, workers, and students — noting that everyone has a role to play in shaping the city’s economic future.
Community members can share their ideas by attending an in-person pop-up event, completing an online survey, or contributing to the City’s ideas board. Feedback is being collected until Sunday, March 1.
As an added incentive, those who complete the survey will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a New Westminster business of their choice.
Residents are invited to learn more about a proposed major redevelopment of the Royal Towers site at 140 Sixth Street.
The applicant has submitted a rezoning application to create a Master Plan for the property, which would guide a multi-phased, high-density development. An applicant-led open house will be held Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Inn at the Quay, Hyack South Room (900 Quayside Drive). The public will have an opportunity to review the proposal, meet the project team, and share feedback.
The early concept proposes replacing the existing building — originally constructed as a hotel and currently operating as market rental and retail space — with two 38-storey residential towers above a commercial podium, along with two six-storey rental buildings.
Plans include approximately 1,050 residential units, made up of about 850 market condominiums, 110 market rental units, and 125 affordable housing units. The proposal also outlines roughly 65,000 square feet of local-serving commercial space for office and retail uses, as well as 33,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space, including a central plaza and a courtyard along Sixth Street, plus other public realm improvements.
The Master Plan would be finalized following third reading of the rezoning amendment and before Council considers final adoption. Additional opportunities for public input will be provided as part of both applicant-led and City-led consultation processes. Online feedback to the applicant will be accepted from February 18 to March 6, with City-led consultation planned at a later stage.
For existing tenants, a Council-endorsed Tenant Assistance Plan is in place. The plan includes the right of first refusal for a replacement unit at the same rent. Lookout Housing Society has been retained to support tenants. Those with concerns can contact Tenant Assistance Coordinator Megan Kriger at 604-866-3487 or [email protected].
More information is available through the City’s Planning Division at [email protected] or 604-527-4532.
⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️
💘 What’s my most committed relationship this month? 👫
🤗 Me and my umbrella. ☔️
Groan O' MeterWhat do you say? |
Meme of the Day
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