About New Westminster

New Westminster is Western Canada's oldest city, founded in 1858. This historic urban community is home to 66,000 residents and a real estate market of approximately 32,500 homes. New Westminster is located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, set along the banks of the Fraser River, in the Burrard Peninsula. It is a small city, covering just over 15 square kilometres. 10th Avenue marks its northern boundary, Brunette River marks the boundary to the west, Marine Drive marks the boundary to the east, and the Fraser River marks the boundary to the south. Surrounding communities include Coquitlam to the north east, Surrey to the south east, Delta across the Fraser River to the south, and Burnaby to the west.

New Westminster has a rich cultural heritage and history extending back to 1858, when it was established as the first capital of the Colony of British Columbia. The name "New Westminster" was chosen by Queen Victoria herself, which earned New Westminster the nickname of the "Royal City". Since then, this Royal City has become home to a vibrant, dedicated community. Even after a devastating fire in 1898 which destroyed most of the downtown area, New Westminster sprung back to life with the help of its devoted residents.

The city of New Westminster is home to many restaurants, business services, shopping centres, and community centres. Nightlife entertainment includes a diverse selection of pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants, as well as the popular Starlight Casino. The art and cultural scene is robust, and popular attractions include the Smason V Maritime Museum, the Police Museum, Irving House, the Discovery Centre, and the Arts Council Gallery. You can also take in one of the many annual events and festivals in the city: check out the Royal City Farmers Market, experience the Cultural Crawl in August, attend RiverFest in September, or checkout the much-loved Hyack Festival in the spring.

There are many great parks and greenspaces in New Westminster, and a network of multi-use trails throughout the city. We have great recreational facilities, including the Canada Games pool, and the Mercer Stadium. Both the Millennium Line and the Expo Line of the SkyTrain run through New Westminster, connecting it to greater Vancouver area. In addition to the public school system, New Westminster is home to the independent school Urban Academy, and four post-secondary institutions including a campus of Douglas College and the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Official City of New Westminster website: https://www.newwestcity.ca/