Grant Granger, New Westminster News Leader

A year ago, Trevor Maddern and his partner Heather Murray moved into Downtown New Westminster into a condominium in the Interurban building.

Since it’s across the street from where the city will build a civic centre, they took an interest in the early public meetings.

In the group discussions, said Maddern, there was some talk of a need for fitness and child care facilities. When the latest plans were revealed, however, neither idea was included.

Last week, the pair put up a petition in their building calling for fitness and child care to be included and within two days it was overflowing with signatures. Now they’ve set up a Facebook page to collect more signatures and are going to circulate it in the area to drum up more support before presenting it to city council….

“It would increase the number of families and young adults moving into the area. It would seem obvious to me,” said Maddern, adding that despite his concerns, he is excited about what is happening in the area….

She said child care and recreational facilities were also identified as possibilities, but they didn’t meet the DAC requirements. In addition, new school projects at the nearby John Robson and St. Mary’s Hospital sites are being considered as Neighbourhood Learning Centres which could include child care facilities and community gymnasiums….