COQUITLAM, B.C., June 14, 2023 – Coquitlam residents will be first in line when the City’s 2024 winter recreation program registrations open up this November.
At Monday’s Council-in-Committee meeting, Council gave staff the go-ahead to introduce priority access to program registration for Coquitlam residents, starting with the winter 2024 program season, which opens for registration in November. The new protocol will help ensure that Coquitlam’s residents – including the taxpayers who subsidize City recreation services – have the first opportunity to register for programs in their community.
Resident Registration to Open 48 Hours in Advance of General Registration
Coquitlam offers a variety of registered recreation programs for all ages and interests, including fitness, aquatics, skating, arts and culture, and programs specifically for children, youth, adults and seniors.
Most registrants in Coquitlam programs live in the community; in recent years, about 75 per cent of program participants were Coquitlam residents. However, on average, 73 per cent of people on the waitlists were also from Coquitlam, indicating that many local residents may not be getting into the programs that interest them.
Some neighbouring municipalities have already moved to providing priority resident registration access. Coquitlam has had requests for similar priority access, particularly for popular programs such as swimming and skating.
With this change, more residents will have easier access to their programs of interest. Residents will have the opportunity to register for recreation programs 48 hours in advance of the general public. This change aligns with the approach taken in a number of Coquitlam’s neighbouring municipalities.
Additional details will be publicized in the lead-up to winter program registrations.
Financial Assistance Available for Recreation
It is now easier than ever to access financial support for Coquitlam’s recreation services. The City’s Financial Assistance for Recreation program is more user-friendly with a much simpler application process and income verification, and more flexibility than ever. Each year, qualifying Coquitlam residents will receive 50 free drop-in visits plus a $225 credit they can use for an expanded range of admissions, passes, programs, lessons, exam fees, supplies, rentals and more. For details or to register online, visit Coquitlam.ca/FinancialAssistanceRec.
Stay Informed on Coquitlam Parks, Recreation and Culture
To stay up to date about Coquitlam Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities news and updates:
- Subscribe to the PRC E-news Newsletter at coquitlam.ca/enews to receive bi-weekly parks, recreation and culture updates;
- Check out the weekly City Page on page 6 of the Tri-City News or at coquitlam.ca/connect;
- Follow @cityofcoquitlam on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube; and
- Download the free CoquitlamConnect app from the App Store or Google Play, or through the links at coquitlam.ca/coquitlamconnect.
Media contact:
Jennifer Keefe
Director Community, Recreation and Culture Services
Prcs_info@coquitlam.ca
604-927-4386