Overview
The Westminster Club was incorporated in 1889 as a private members club. It was New Westminster's oldest and finest business and social club for about 125 years, until the premises were sold in 2013. With several photos on hand and few other historic references online, this page preserves the club's latter days for as long as the pixels last.
The club occupied the penthouse, as well as one third of the sixth floor below it, of the Westminster Building at 713 Columbia Street from the time the building opened.
Location and Visibility
Circa 2000 the membership of the club was robust and their lavish all-night gala, and many other events, were well attended. A window seat was always the best view from which to watch the Hyack Festival and Fraserfest fireworks over the river. When the doors were closed in 2013 there were only 10 members left.
Exterior and Architectural Details
Interior Spaces
The top-floor elevator lobby opened into a gracious guest lounge area with the office at the back right. I had been to events and meetings before at the Westminster Club, but when I came in to see Yvette in the office about a community matter, Al took my dry cleaning, handed me a cup of coffee, and invited me to wait in the guest lounge. It had a wonderful view of the old CP train station, Hyack Square, Westminster Quay, and the Fraser River beyond. It was then that I decided that I liked being treated so graciously and became a member.
The lockers in the background held a member's favorite smoke or bottle. On one occasion a gracious gentleman offered me a shooter of 100-year-old Grand Marnier (not enough o's in "Smooooth" to describe it). Such, and other, libation could routinely be ordered by members. The bathroom included an early vintage, dark brown, tall-standing electric shoe polisher, disposable shaving assets, and more.
This library and the games room were designated smoking areas. This was the pre-iPhone era and both upstairs and downstairs had small telephone desk nooks from which to make calls.
Banquets and Celebrations
Games and Fitness
The love seat saw some games too. At one time there were a few member living units adjacent to this floor. Adjacent to the gym and games room was the co-ed bathroom with sauna.
What stories do the Westminster Club's historic members, wait staff, entertainers, and ghosts have to tell? Were Mandrake the Magician, or Raymond Burr of New Westminster's Burr's Office Supplies, ever guests?
Affiliations
The Westminster Club was affiliated with The Terminal City Club in Vancouver as well as with many of the finest business clubs in the country. Other affiliations included:
- The Union Club in Victoria
- The Saskatoon Club
- The Manitoba Club in Winnipeg
- The Hamilton Club
- The Edmonton Petroleum Club
- The Calgary Petroleum Club
- The National Club in Toronto
- The Laurentian Club in Ottawa (closed in 2000)
Archive and Links
Here is the Westminster Club's web page archive on the Wayback Machine.