Achievements
As mayor of the Royal City for the past nine years (three terms), I am proud of the accomplishments that have taken place in our City. My open door policy has helped make this possible.
Achievements
Prior to each election in each term I have made pledges to our citizens, and list the status of these pledges in the table below.
| Pledge | Project | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rejuvenating Downtown | Interurban High-rise/commercial | Done |
| Plaza 88 High-rise/commercial | Done | |
| Hyack Spirit Square | Done | |
| Civic/Arts/Conference Centre | Done | |
| 2. Crime Reduction / Strong Policing Policy | Crime in City Down | Underway |
| New Chief and Inspectors | Done | |
| Strong Civilian Police Board | Done | |
| 3. Waterfront to be enhanced | Pier Park Construction | Underway |
| River Market Re-opened | Done | |
| Queensborough Water Piers | Done | |
| 4. Homelessness Reduced | Three Homeless Housing Projects Opened | Done |
| Homeless Coalition Formed | Done | |
| 5. Senior Facilities Enhanced | Thornebridge Seniors Home Opened | Done |
| Sapperton Pensioners Hall Upgraded | Done | |
| Century House Upgraded | Done | |
| 6. Sports Facilities Enhanced | City Playing Fields Upgraded | Done |
| Mercer Stadium Artificial Turf Field | Done | |
| Moody Park Rink | Done | |
| New Moody Park Outdoor Pool | Done | |
| Queensborough All-Wheel Park | Done | |
| Three new parks in Queensborough | Done | |
| Perimeter Trails in Queensborough | Done | |
| Canada Games Pool Upgraded | Done | |
| Queens Park Arena Wood Floor Upgraded | Done | |
| Queens Park Turf Field | Underway | |
| 7. Civic Facilities | Century House/ Youth Centre | Done |
| City Hall Upgrades | Done | |
| Fire Hall Upgrades | Done | |
| Downtown Civic Centre | Underway | |
| Queensborough Civic Centre | Underway | |
| 8. School Projects | Three New School Projects | Underway |
| 9. New Large Commercial/Private Developments | Plaza 88 on Eighth | Underway |
| - 10 Cinema Theatres | ||
| - Shopping Centre | ||
| - Three Towers | ||
| Brewery District in Sapperton | Underway | |
| Queensborough Shopping Centre | Done | |
| Starlight Casino | Done | |
| Lowes Western Training/Warehouse | Underway | |
| Columbia Square Development | Done | |
| 10. Social Projects Completed | New Daycare Facilities | Done |
| New Church Additions/Renovations | Done |
In part, a mayor’s responsibility is to ensure that our citizens are heard, and their needs and wants discussed and evaluated before action is undertaken. It is of course a team effort!
The Future
We are now in new and difficult times and are very fortunate that we have many projects “in the hopper” and can continue our way forward. We strive to select projects that will generate income and thus reduce the tax burden for citizens and business. Many of the developments in the City have been made possible with external funding, thus costing the City virtually nothing.
However, this is a time of great financial uncertainty and one of my goals during my next term of office will once again ensure fiscal responsibility and continuing to strive for the services and amenities that our citizens want and deserve. Our focus now will be to complete the existing projects – and my track record shows that we will. At the same time, based on my knowledge of the City’s needs, I will as always be on the lookout for opportunities.
I can state with confidence that New Westminster is in a strong financial position, and we will maintain our enviable position as “the city to work, play, live and raise your family in!”
Mayor Wayne Wright
waynewright@telus.net
Print a copy of this page…
The Boardwalk at New Westminster Quay
