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Facility Naming Process – December 2019

The City of New Westminster is currently in the process of identifying a name for the new aquatic and community centre, including the option of selecting an Indigenous name for the facility.

In 2018/2019, the City undertook an engagement process with urban Indigenous peoples living and/or working in New Westminster to hear feedback on how the new aquatics and community centre can be more welcoming for Indigenous peoples using the facility. The results were compiled into a final report, including a series of recommendations, which can be found here.

This City is in the process of actioning many of these recommendations, including a Call for Indigenous Public Artwork, and engagement on the development of an Indigenous name for the new aquatic and community centre.

As part of a larger commitment to Reconciliation, the City of New Westminster (as directed by City Council) is engaging with representatives from the urban Indigenous community and representatives from local First Nations to participate on a Joint Naming Advisory Panel which will be tasked with providing recommendations to City Council for a potential name(s) for the new facility.

Engagement Opportunities

The City is soliciting input and stories from New Westminster residents on what this space means to you and to our community now and in the future. There are two ways to share your input:

Online Survey

An online survey is available from December 10, 2019 to January 21, 2020.

Open House

An open house will be held on January 14, 2020 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Community Centre.

The information gathered from this process will be used to inform the Joint Naming Advisory Panel in their process of identifying a name to recommend to City Council in early 2020.

It is the City’s hope that identifying an Indigenous name for the NWACC will provide an opportunity to reflect and honour the territory and language of the peoples who have lived in what is now known as New Westminster since time immemorial.

Community Update – June 2019

Thank you to everyone who participated in our most recent phase of engagement for the Future New West Aquatics and Community Centre!

Through our engagement activities in the spring of 2019 with the broad community, local Indigenous peoples, and community groups regarding privacy swims, we received feedback to further improve on the needs of the community to ensure they are reflected in the new facility.

Here’s what we heard:

Over 90% of respondents agree the proposed design supports the community principles of flexibility, accessibility, sustainability, social connectivity and connectivity to nature.
The top aquatic priorities are swimming lessons, fitness swimming and sports/training.
The top priorities for recreation are overwhelmingly health and fitness and enjoying sport for recreation.
In terms of outdoor activities for young children aged 2-9, respondents showed a preference for adventure and climbing, and youth aged 9-15 showed a strong preference for pick-up sports courts with movie nights and social seating areas.

Feedback from the Indigenous, LGBTQ and Muslim communities included:

Need for culturally relevant spaces and appropriate representation of Indigenous culture.
Safe and welcoming spaces for Indigenous people, particularly youth.
Decreasing barriers to access including subsidy programs for youth and low-income families.
Desire for privacy swims to facilitate participation in aquatic activities in a safe and inclusive environment.

For more information on the feedback received during the engagement process, please see the 2019 Community Engagement Report.