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SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010
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INSIDE FEATURE: Teenager on a mission ◗P13
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◗ ARTS
Gallery not part of civic centre BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
Some members of the arts community in New Westminster were shocked to learn that an art gallery isn’t being included in the future multi-use civic facility and are hoping the city will have a change of heart. The City of New Westminster held a community workshop on June 10 to identify the arts activities and functions that could be included in the multi-use civic facility. A fine arts gallery isn’t proposed for the centre, which will be located at the corner of Columbia and Eighth streets. Greg Magirescu, the city’s manager of arts and culture, said the city’s plan has always been to include display space for artwork, but it was never envisioned to have a civic art gallery like those in Vancouver and Burnaby. He said some of the multi-purpose spaces in the centre will have the ability to function as a gallery, as well as receptions for various events. “It would be a multi-use room,” he said. “It would still serve as a gallery. … It’s serving a dual purpose. That is really different than planning the art gallery of New Westminster.” Magirescu said a study was never done to determine the need for a formal gallery space, and the workshop was the first time that city staff had heard there was interested in having a civic art gallery. If it was to be included, ◗Art Page 8
Larry Wright/THE RECORD
Pride in the city: Bradley Jordan has bought a multi-unit building in Queen’s Park, where he’ll be renting out the units and make his own home in the penthouse. He’s making the move from Vancouver’s Davie Village to New Westminster – part of a perceived “gay migration” to the Royal City.
Is New West the new West End? More gays and lesbians are calling the Royal City home BY NIKI HOPE REPORTER
nhope@royalcityrecord.com
B
radley Jordan is moving from Vancouver’s “gay ghetto” to New Westminster. Affordability and accessible transportation are two of the driving forces behind his decision to go from Davie Village in Vancouver’s West End to the sleepy streets of Queen’s Park. It’s a trek that more and more people seem to be taking. A perceived “gay migration” to New Westminster has even grabbed the attention of Vancouver’s gay press. Xtra!, a newspaper that targets Vancouver’s
prices pushed him east until he stumbled gay and lesbian community, wrote a story upon an irresistible find: a multi-unit buildabout it in January. ing in Queen’s Park. Jordan will rent the There’s no way to definitively gauge – no census data or statistics – to prove that units and make his own home in the penthouse. gay people are making the move, but there “I wanted to live somewhere is an anecdotal sense that they are I was close to the SkyTrain (and) coming. continue to live in the city as Pride New Westminster founder IN THE opposed to living in the ‘burbs, and longtime New West resiwhich I think would be like dent Vance McFadyen says he’s death,” he says. “New West is noticed an increase. The gay night at the Heritage Bar and Grill on A SPECIAL SERIES a good alternative to the crazy nightlife in the West End. I’m Columbia Street has a hearty folreally not doing much in the West lowing, and the local gay bowling End. I’m not doing the bars. league has seen membership increase, he “(It’s) an easy sacrifice to move out to says. New West,” he says. For Jordan, the road to New West His only concern is that his Vancouver started in Vancouver. He was looking to friends aren’t as likely to visit him. buy an investment property in the Lower Mainland’s biggest city, but steep real estate ◗Putting down roots Page 3
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