Anvil Centre 10-year Review

Project Update, July 2024: Following the community engagement process and reporting, City staff worked collaboratively to develop a set of recommendations that respond to what we heard through the engagement. The recommendations were presented to Council for discussion and feedback at a meeting on July 15, 2024. Click here to access a recording of the meeting, and a report that includes the recommendations.

Council voted to approve the recommendations, and staff have already started to implement some of the items. Some recommendations will require funding, and City staff will include these costs in the upcoming annual City budget process.

Project Update, May 1, 2024:

The results are in! Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend a workshop, stop by a drop-in, and/or participate online. Input and feedback collected through the engagement have been summarized and compiled in a What We Heard Report. Click here to read the report!

A summary of the engagement process and community input gathered is also being shared with Council on Monday, May 6. Click here to access the Council report and a recording of the meeting.

Following the presentation to Council, staff will collaborate to develop a set of recommendations that respond to Council’s direction and the input collected on Anvil Centre through this engagement. Check back here for updates on this process and recommendations developed.

Anvil Centre is almost 10 years old! As we approach this milestone for the City-owned cultural and conference facility we have a chance to reflect on what’s working well and whether any adjustments or new opportunities should be considered.

We want to hear about your experiences at Anvil Centre, and what ideas and suggestions you might have to:

• build on the existing programs and services,
• bring more people in, and
• deepen the community’s connection to the facility.

The City wants to make sure Anvil Centre is serving the downtown and broader New West community well, and we are open to ideas that will enhance what is currently offered in the facility. However, the City intends to continue current services, and major renovations to the building are not planned. We will work within the existing building configuration to respond to what we hear from the community about priorities for this public facility.

What is Anvil Centre?

Anvil Centre is a vibrant cultural venue and conference centre located in downtown New Westminster. This multi-use, City-owned facility is designed to accommodate a wide variety of events, conferences, community programs, workshops, exhibitions, performances, and cultural experiences. Anvil Centre is home to the New Media Gallery, New Westminster Museum and Archives, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Anvil Theatre, and more.

Construction of the Anvil Centre was funded through Provincial gaming revenue, and the funding agreement specified that the project must contribute to economic development and include convention/conference space.

Important Note: The Anvil Office Tower (main entrance on Eighth Street) is not operated by the City of New Westminster and is not part of this public engagement process. We are exclusively seeking community input about the four-storey Anvil Centre cultural and conference facility (main entrance on Columbia Street).

How can I engage?

All voices are welcome – both regular and occasional visitors to Anvil Centre, and those who have rarely or never been. If you are not a regular visitor, we are curious to know why!

There are a range of in-person and online options to share your feedback and ideas. Feel free to participate in the way(s) you most prefer. Note: this engagement is more of a conversation and less suited to multiple-choice survey questions. That's why many of our engagement activities are dialogue-based, but we're still offering some quick-input options.

Scheduled engagement events:

Workshops (both in-person and virtual): Join one of our community workshops (virtual or in-person) to share your thoughts on the role of Anvil Centre in community life.

1. Virtual – Tuesday, February 13, 6:00-7:15 pm (workshop completed)
2. In-person at Anvil Centre – Thursday, February 22, 6:00-7:15 pm (workshop completed)

Drop-ins: Only have a few minutes to weigh in? Stop by one of our free, fun drop-in events to answer a few quick questions. Stay for 10 minutes or as long as you'd like. There will be snacks, prizes and activities for kids! Plus, this is your chance to join us on a tour of Anvil Centre. No registration required. Stop by on the below dates and times:

1. Monday, February 19, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (event completed)
2. Thursday, February 29, 5:00-7:00 pm (event completed)

Online engagement options:

• Survey: Take our quick, 3-question survey to share your experience visiting Anvil Centre, or tell us why you don’t visit.
• Discussion Forum: Join the moderated conversation with your fellow community members! We’re rolling out a new question each week, so check back often to participate in each of the conversations and read what others are saying.
• Ideas Board: Share your suggestions on how we can make Anvil Centre feel more welcoming and community-focused. Tell us your ideas, and check out what others are suggesting!

All online tools will be open until end-of-day on March 4, 2024.

Input collected through this engagement will be used to help inform recommendations to enhance the facility and offerings of Anvil Centre.