N E W
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
W E S T M I N S T E R
INSIDE: Fighting the Elizabeth Fry plan ◗P5
NEWS,
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◗ CIVIC CENTRE PROJECT
Developer pulled out after the election BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
The City of New Westminster learned that the Uptown Property Group was pulling out of the civic centre project nine days after last fall’s civic election, according to the city’s director of engineering. Jim Lowrie said the Uptown Property Group notified the city of its decision to withdraw from the project on Nov. 28, 2011. Bart Slotman, vice-president of the Uptown Property Group, said the company decided to withdraw from the project “several months ago” but wouldn’t specify when that took place. “It was not before the election,” he said about rumours the decision was made before the Nov. 19, 2011 civic election. When told that some community members believe the decision was made before the 2011 municipal election, Slotman said that is “false” information and “is not correct.” Slotman said the Uptown Property Group “worked very hard” with the city to make the project work. “In the end, we made the decision not to pursue it,” he said. “It was not the right decision for our company.” With the city’s decision to proceed with the office tower without having a partner, some community members have voiced concern that the city is taking a big financial risk and will burden taxpayers for years to come. “It may not be the right opportunity for us, but it may be the right opportunity for someone else,” Slotman said. ◗Slotman Page 8
Jason Lang/THE RECORD
A mermaid’s tale: An entry from the B.C. Renaissance Festival took part in the Hyack International Parade, held May 26 in New
Westminster. For more photos from the parade, visit www.royalcityrecord.com.
Parade a ‘tremendous success’
The 41st annual Hyack International Parade attracted big crowds to the Royal City. Held Saturday under sunny skies, the annual parade featured more than 100 entries, including floats, marching bands and mascots. “I felt that there was great energy around the parade,” said Douglas Smith, executive director of the Hyack Festival Association. “I think it was a tremendous success.” Bill Radbourne, president of the Hyack Festival Association, said it’s estimated that the parade attracted 20,000 to city streets. “Anytime you get a beautiful weekend like that, it is going to turn out perfect,” he
In future years, Smith said parade orgasaid. “If you get rainy weather, everyone nizers will continue to reach out to muldisperses.” Radbourne said some people have ticultural communities and recruit floats, mascots and marching bands for estimated there were as many as the annual parade. He said the 35,000 people in the uptown area MORE ON THIS association will focus on the qualjust after the parade ended and Our view: No ity control of the parade and take the Uptown Live! street fair got simple feat. steps to ensure it is a stellar standunderway. See page 6 alone event, which could include Smith believes the parade was Uptown fun: the best it’s been in years. Inaugural event is limiting the number of entries and requiring entries to be juried “Portland and Spokane were a hit. See page 3 before they’re permitted in the here for the first time in memory,” parade. he said. “That was a huge feather “It’s just about making sure the colour in our cap for them to come here.” While Portland’s band has regularly and pageantry is as good as it could posattended the parade, its float has not sibly be,” he said. – By Theresa McManus, staff reporter attended since 1993. ADVANTAGE REALTY
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