The City of Coquitlam has implemented new accessibility features to foster inclusivity and help guide patrons visiting the aquatics facilities at its two largest recreation complexes.
COQUITLAM, B.C., February 2, 2024 – The City of Coquitlam has implemented new accessibility features to foster inclusivity and help guide patrons visiting the aquatics facilities at its two largest recreation complexes.
With the launch of two new virtual facility tours, visitors to Coquitlam’s City Centre Aquatic Complex and Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex can now explore the accessibility features of aquatic facilities from the comfort of home.
Grant Funding Drives Accessibility in Aquatics
Coquitlam successfully received funding through the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Reaching Each and Every One: A Community Sport Intervention grant. A national organization, the CPRA supports municipalities to help realize the full potential of parks and recreation.
Equity, diversity and inclusion is a top business priority for Coquitlam and a focus of ongoing work highlighted at coquitlam.ca/edi. These tours serve as an innovative step towards continuing to create an inclusive environment in City facilities.
The City submitted and received funding to support Breaking Down Barriers – Adapted H20 which identified three areas of focus in line with the organizations commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion:
- Virtual tours of the aquatic areas at City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way) and Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier Street), viewable online at coquitlam.ca/aquatics.
- Creation of a new low-impact Aquafit class called Adapted Aqua Movement (course ID 140213), designed for those with mobility or ability challenges.
- Purchase of new accessible aquatic equipment, including hand paddles, hand floats and increased sizes of flotation belts. Other list of accessible equipment can be seen at coquitlam.ca/RecInclusion.
These responsive tours work on all devices, including desktop and mobile. They showcase facility layouts, with key details like washroom access and available equipment. The availability of virtual facility tours allow our residents, from various backgrounds, (e.g. people who are neurodiverse, people with physical disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, and newcomers) to be aware of these features in advance lessening unease in unknown spaces. View the videos and recreation accessibility resource guide at coquitlam.ca/accessibility.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Coquitlam
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is about breaking down barriers to ensure that everyone – regardless of ability, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation and other diversity characteristics – is able to live, work and thrive in a safe and welcoming environment. As an organization, Coquitlam is on a journey to better serve our vibrant and diverse community by applying EDI principles to all City work, policies, operations, language and services. EDI is a top organizational priority that guides decision-making across all lines of business. Learn more at coquitlam.ca/EDI.
Media contact:
Michael Fox
Manager, Aquatics
City of Coquitlam
604-927-4386
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.