The City of Coquitlam has opened a number of cleaner air spaces to provide short-term relief to individuals at risk and those suffering from the current air quality conditions in our area.
COQUITLAM, BC, August 20, 2023 – The City of Coquitlam has opened a number of cleaner air spaces to provide short-term relief to individuals at risk and those suffering from the current air quality conditions in our area.
The air handling systems in the following City facilities have been upgraded to provide improved interior air quality when the outside air quality is poor, as it is now. The public is welcome to access these cleaner air spaces during regular operating hours:
- City Centre Aquatic Complex, 1210 Pinetree Way (Sunday 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.; Monday to Saturday 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 pm)
- Dogwood Pavilion, 1655 Winslow Avenue
(Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ) - Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Court (Sunday Closed; Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
- Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, 633 Poirier Street (every day 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Information about real-time air quality readings for Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley communities, including Coquitlam, can be found at airmap.ca and https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html.
Check In On Individuals at Risk
Coquitlam residents are encouraged to check in on neighbours, family and friends who may be more vulnerable to wildfire smoke and poor air quality, such as individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular health conditions, as well as people who are pregnant, infants, young children and older adults. Ensure they are aware of Coquitlam’s cleaner air spaces and other indoor public spaces that may offer relief from poor air quality.
If you note symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, seek prompt medical attention. Call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
Media is also requested to assist in communicating this information to the public. Coquitlam will also be posting updates to coquitlam.ca/CleanAirSpace and the City’s social media channels.
What is a Cleaner Air Space?
Cleaner air spaces are publicly accessible indoor spaces with upgrades to air handling systems to provide improved interior air quality, and offer short-term relief during times of increased air quality risk due to wildfire smoke.
Coquitlam’s cleaner air spaces have charcoal filters to augment existing air filtration, updated mechanical systems that provide the option of recirculating interior air, and air curtains to help better seal facility entrances.
The sites are not intended for overnight or extended stays, but the City may extend hours of operation and provide additional facilities depending on the duration and severity of the air quality risk.
Protecting Your Health
Everyone can also take these steps to reduce their exposure to poor air quality, including:
- Keeping windows and doors closed at home
- Keeping vehicle windows closed and setting air conditions to recirculate
- Spending less time outside, and limiting outdoor physical activity;
- Staying cool and drinking plenty of fluids
- Buying a high-efficiency particulate air filtration system
- Stocking up on medications for respiratory conditions such as asthma
Media contact:
Nicole Kimmitt
Risk and Emergency Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-671-5207
nkimmitt@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.