COQUITLAM, B.C., Aug. 1, 2023 – Following public feedback and further staff assessments, Coquitlam’s Northeast Community Centre is moving into design with the confirmation of the proposed building amenities and spaces, including a larger pool.
The project team provided a project update to Council on July 31, and are now moving forward with designing the planned community centre on Burke Mountain, incorporating a six-lane lap and leisure pool, gymnasiums, fitness, library, community space and other services.
Moving from planning to design is a major milestone for the project, which is the most significant civic facility to be built in Coquitlam in recent years. The design phase is expected to take place through late 2023 and into 2024.
Meeting the Needs of a Growing Community
The Northeast Community Centre is planned to open in 2027 in the future Burke Mountain Village. Work on the project to date has included a feasibility study, preliminary technical studies, a needs assessment, and a high-level plan for the building program, size and cost.
The City has also done extensive public engagement to get community feedback on the preliminary design plan for the facility, which includes:
- An aquatics centre with lap pool, leisure pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room;
- Two gymnasiums for court sports and daytime preschool programs;
- Fitness centre with weight room and studio;
- Community space including multi-purpose rooms, community kitchen, a ‘makerspace’ (i.e. collaborative working, learning and exploring space) and large atrium;
- Covered outdoor covered space for recreation and cultural programs;
- About 340 parking stalls;
- Public art; and
- A new branch of the Coquitlam Public Library.
New Pool Design Responds to Public Requests
The initial plans proposed a four-lane lap pool and a small leisure pool. While feedback from the public engagement was largely positive, there were questions around the proposed pool and aquatics programming.
Based on public requests for a six-lane lap pool, Coquitlam reassessed the City’s future aquatics needs and determined a larger pool at the Northeast Community Centre will help to keep indoor pool capacity under the 90 per cent target community-wide – even with a new pool at the Fraser Mills Community Centre, projected to open several years after the Northeast Community Centre.
Consequently, the Northeast Community Centre will now feature a six-lane lap pool and leisure pool similar in size to what is available at Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. The larger pool will accommodate 50 per cent more swims and lessons, allowing for multiple simultaneous uses while helping to address high demand for preschool age lessons and meeting the training needs of Coquitlam’s many aquatic sport groups.
Additional Project Updates
Staff also updated Council on other recent progress, including work on the Library Services and Spaces study to plan for the Coquitlam Public Library branch to be included in the space, and engaging with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation) on the project plans and related watercourse reconstruction works.
Public engagement will continue throughout the upcoming stages of the project, including consultation with the Northeast Community Ratepayers Association and advisory groups, as well as providing timely project updates to the community on the website and through social and traditional media.
A Phased Financial Approach
The 2023-2027 Five year Financial Plan includes $132 million for the Northeast Community Centre in 2024, in addition to $8 million previously allocated to the project. The plan also includes $12 million for Burke Village Park, to be located directly west of the Northeast Community Centre.
Funding for the Northeast Community Centre will be included in the 2024-2028 Financial Plan, and funded through a combination of reserves and future development revenue.
A phased approach has been introduced to spread out the capital funding requirements with the concept and detailed design work completed in 2024, site preparation and servicing in 2025, and construction in 2026 and 2027.
Increasing the pool size will result in a combined net increase of $40,000 in operating costs and contribution to the future building replacement fund.
Stay Up to Date about the Northeast Community Centre and Burke Mountain
For more information on the Northeast Community Centre project, visit coquitlam.ca/necc. Those interested in development on Burke Mountain can find information on coquitlam.ca/BurkeMtn or sign up for Burke Mountain updates at coquitlam.ca/NotifyMe.
About Burke Mountain Village
Burke Mountain Village will be a unique regional destination, and the social and commercial heart of the growing master-planned community of Burke Mountain in Northeast Coquitlam, currently home to about 15,000 people.
The 16-hectare (39-acre) village is anticipated to include approximately 11,200 square metres (120,000 square feet) of commercial space – including a grocery store, shops and restaurants – along with a public plaza, community centre, 2,000-plus apartments and townhomes, panoramic views, and easy access to nearby trails, parks and schools, as well as proximity to transit, including SkyTrain and commuter rail.
Formerly known as the Partington Creek Neighbourhood Centre, Burke Mountain Village is anticipated to begin development within the next several years. Visit BurkeVillage.ca for information.
Media contact
Ted Uhrich
Manager, Facility and Parks Planning
604-927-6710
tuhrich@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.