The City of Coquitlam’s effort to build accessible and inclusive facilities has been recognized with a pair of gold certifications from the Rick Hansen Foundation.
COQUITLAM, B.C., May 26, 2025 – The City of Coquitlam’s effort to build accessible and inclusive facilities has been recognized with a pair of gold certifications from the Rick Hansen Foundation.
Maillardville Community Centre and Town Centre Park Community Centre recently received gold ratings under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ program. The awards highlight Coquitlam’s dedication to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for members of the community, regardless of age, ability, or background.
Built for Accessibility
Opened in 2022, Maillardville Community Centre is a 22,000 sq. ft. facility built with universal accessibility at the forefront of its design. Features include:
- tactile indicators, braille signage and colour-contrasted markings for people with low vision;
- a hearing loop at reception for individuals with hearing impairments;
- wheelchair accessible showers;
- universal washrooms with accessible, private spaces, and;
- audible and visual fire alarms.
The more than 11,000 sq. ft. Town Centre Park Community Centre (formerly known as the Innovation Centre) was renovated and opened in 2024, and accessibility features were built into its modernization. Features include:
- accessible entrances with vertical bars for hand and foot power-operated door access;
- platform lift;
- sound damping to minimize background noise, and;
- audio accessibility and communication enhancement technologies.
To learn more about the facilities’ accessibility features and programs visit the Maillardville Community Centre page and the Town Centre Park Community Centre page.
Building on Success
This is not Coquitlam’s first accessibility achievement—in 2023, Glen Pine Pavilion earned the Rick Hansen Foundation’s gold certification for excellence in accessible design. City Hall, Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, and Dogwood Pavilion have also been certified.
The City strives to create spaces that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming. That includes prioritizing barrier-free design when updating existing amenities and planning new parks or facilities, like the Northeast Community Centre in the Burke Mountain neighbourhood. For more information, visit the Northeast Community Centre page.
To learn more about how the City is advancing ways for people of diverse ages, abilities and means to have access to recreation opportunities, visit Recreation Accessibility Resource Guide.
Advancing Accessibility in Coquitlam
The City is committed to enhancing accessibility by removing barriers for people with disabilities and other equity-deserving groups. Through the development of our first-ever Accessibility and Inclusion Plan, the City aims to formalize and expand initiatives that promote inclusivity, fostering greater access to City services and participation in community life to the fullest extent possible. The City also supports a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities and other equity-deserving groups through ongoing collaboration and open dialogue with residents, local organizations, and our Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
To learn more about the City’s journey to better serve our vibrant and diverse community by incorporating accessibility and equity, diversity and inclusion in all City business, visit Accessibility and Inclusion Plan.
Media contact:
Jennifer Keefe
Director of Community Recreation, Culture and Facilities
jkeefe@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3599
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.