The Soda Fest + Affordable Housing Project

Issue #353

Author

Carla McNeil
September 13, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

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 🗓️ New West Events - Plenty of options to enjoy!

 🗞️ New West Local News - The Soda Fest + Affordable Housing Project

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 21.7 2014 - Record low 9.3 2016

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

September 13, 2025

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

🛍️ Hyack Square Market Days – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎭️ New West Comic Fest – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

🛝 Leader in the Park at Westminster Pier Park – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

🎉 Brazilian Heat Fest – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Thrive Parents Autumn Picnic in the Park – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🗣️ Invisible a Society of Prison – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎶 Sing to Heal – 4:00 PM at Sanctuary on 6th

🎸 Live Music Saturdays with Angie Faith – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

September 14, 2025

🏃 45th Annual Terry Fox Run – Registration opens at 9:00 AM

📝 Our City, Our Homes pop-up info session – 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🛝 Leader in the Park at Westminster Pier Park – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

🎉 The Cove Turns ONE! – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🥗 OPA! A Greyhaven Lunch & Social at Stefano’s – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🐶 Animal Health Clinic at St Barnabas Church – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

⛸️ Public Skate – 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM

🎨 Abstract Art Build at Anvil Centre – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

☠️ Death Cafe New Westminster – 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

🥯 Baking (Ages 6-12) at Queensborough Centre – 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM

📚️ Summer Reading Club Wrap Up Party – 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

September 15, 2025

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

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

🧘 Vibrations of Renewal: A Sound Healing Journey – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak – Starts at 5:00 PM

🎨 Downtown's Living Room at Anvil Centre – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

✨ Guess what’s popping up later this month? The very first Soda Fest is happening on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 12–6 p.m. at Sapperton Park!

🎉 This free, all-ages celebration is being put together by the Sapperton Business Collective with a fizzy boost from Heartberry Soda, the City of New Westminster, and City to Suburb Real Estate Group.

🥤 You’ll get to sample sodas of every kind, sip on mocktails, try non-alcoholic beers, and discover new favorites—plus, if you fall in love with a drink, you can buy it right from the vendors on-site.

🎶🍔 The fun doesn’t stop with the drinks. There will be live music, tasty eats from local food vendors, and plenty of activities to keep the good vibes going all afternoon.

☔ Rain or shine, Soda Fest is set to be a bubbly, family-friendly party you won’t want to miss!

Construction is underway on a new 89-home development in New Westminster that will provide safe, affordable housing for youth leaving foster care and mothers in vulnerable situations.

Located at 1923 and 1927 Marine Way, the project will offer studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom rental homes with rents geared to income. Priority will be given to young people aging out of care, as well as mothers facing challenges such as reuniting with children, risk of custody loss, or leaving violent situations.

Aunt Leah’s Foundation will own and operate the building, drawing on its long history of supporting youth and young mothers in the region. Residents will also have access to services at Aunt Leah’s Society Outreach Centre, including life skills training, education, food support, and cooking programs.

The Province, through BC Housing, is investing over $14 million in the project, with ongoing operational funding. This development is part of B.C.’s $19-billion housing plan, which has delivered or started more than 93,600 homes across the province since 2017, including over 700 in New Westminster.

Completion is expected in summer 2027, creating a supportive and stable environment for young residents and families to build brighter futures.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s a rainy day’s favorite sport? 🏅 

Splashing around! 💦 

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