If you recently passed by New Westminster City Hall, you may have wondered why it had taken on a purple hue.
The Record checked in with the City of New Westminster to see why city hall was recently sporting purple lights. It turns out, city hall was decked out in purple lights from Feb. 1 to 7 in recognition of Eating Disorder Week in B.C., a week that works to prevent and promote early intervention of eating disorders and to create awareness of the issue.
Requests for illuminating city hall are considered on a first-come, first-approved basis. Lighting requests are approved by the mayor
Here’s a look at days in 2023 that city hall is scheduled to be lit up- as well as the colour of lights and the reason city hall is being illuminated:
* Feb. 22 – blue: BC Girl Guides Day.
* March 24 – red: World Tuberculosis Day
* March 26 – purple: International Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness
* April 7 – green: Green Shirt Day (Canadian Transplant Association)
* May 15 to 19 – blue and green: World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day (May 17)
* Sept. 18 – teal/blue: Big Brother and Big Sister Day.
Through the years, city hall and/or Anvil Centre have been adorned with a variety of coloured lights, including orange for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and rainbow colours for Pride Week.
In January 2021, council directed staff to develop a lighting policy for all civic buildings. Renovations at city hall included exterior lighting that could change colours, something that previously could only be done at Anvil Centre.
