New Westminster

During the time when the new Colony of British Columbia was being formed, New Westminster was considered to be the official capital by the then Lieutenant-Governor, Richard Moody. The cities name was provided by Queen Victoria, who named it after Westminster, that was part of the British parliamentary capital of London. Canadian Pacific Railway's completion in the year 1885 sped the growth and development of the city. The new rail line helped merchandise to be delivered via New Westminster's port and throughout Canada and the rest of the world. Lots of businesses and buildings were built along Columbia Street, that fast became an essential destination for business transactions and operations within the city.

Within the city is an active and thriving culture and arts community. Some of the participating groups consist of the Arts Council of New Westminster, Douglas College, Massey Theatre, New Westminster Symphony, Vagabond Players and Royal City Musical Theatre. The Arts Council of New Westminster promotes and supports the arts and culture within the community. Douglas College is the home of Douglas College Community Choir, Community Music School and Amelia Douglas Gallery for the visual arts. Literature Alive readings, the "Arts at One" concert, gallery exhibitions and theatre productions, and Community Music School presentations are public events offered by the Performing Arts and Creative department all year round. Massey Theatre is a facility which seats 1,260 people that hosts different productions and performances by the popular Royal City Musical Theatre and other local groups and international touring companies. The theatre likewise showcases the Joseph Plaskett Art Gallery. The New Westminster Symphony performs at the Massey Theatre and provides free classic and new symphony compositions to the people. The much-admired Vagabond Players are among the oldest community theatre groups within British Columbia. Its main site is at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen's Park.

There are 12 community parks within the New Westminster Parks and Recreation division, which provide a diverse range of amenities for both visitors and residents. Some of the parks include: Glenbrook Ravine, Friendship Gardens, Hume Park, Grimston Park, Landing Park, Mercer Stadium, Moody Park, Queen's Park, Sapperton Park, Ryall Park, Terry Hughes Park, and Waterfront Esplanade. Friendship Gardens provides people a pond and waterfall, a totem pole, walking paths and benches to relax and enjoy the many trees and flowers. Glenbrook Ravine is a great place for New Westminster people to view and stroll the loveliness of ponds, wildflowers, ferns, natural vegetation and waterfalls.

Westminster City has a thriving community. It has a regional economy which is well-integrated, along with numerous investors choosing the area for its educational institutions and regional workforce. It even is one of the highest ranked metropolitan areas for quality of life. In the Mercer survey's current studies, Metro Vancouver ranked 4th in the globe and 1st in the Americas for Quality of Living.