Burke Mountain residents may have another option for their morning cup of joe by next summer, when a new neighbourhood hub opens its doors.
COQUITLAM, B.C., July 28, 2020 – Burke Mountain residents may have another option for their morning cup of joe by next summer, when a new neighbourhood hub opens its doors.
Yesterday, Council approved the final design of the Burke Mountain Discovery Centre and coffee shop to be located on the southeast corner of David Avenue and Princeton Avenue, the gateway to the future Burke Mountain Village.
With Council’s go-ahead, the City will begin constructing the approximately 3,60-square-metre (3,900-square-foot) building in September and seek an operator for the coffee shop – the first to serve the growing Burke Mountain hillside community in Northeast Coquitlam. The building is slated to open in summer 2021.
Building a Village Gateway
The Burke Mountain Discovery Centre will be both a neighbourhood gathering place and a source of information about future development on Burke Mountain, a master-planned community that will eventually be home to more than 50,000 people.
Designed with wood, glass and metal elements in the West Coast Modern style, the single-storey structure will offer expansive views of the Fraser Valley and Pitt River and be a short stroll from the future 16-hectare (39-acre) Burke Mountain Village, with its 2,000 units, 11,200 square metres (120,000 square feet) of commercial space, future community centre and other amenities. The building will include:
- A Discovery Centre of about 145 square metres (1,556 square feet), with a presentation area, meeting and programming space;
- A coffee shop of about 162 square metres (1,740 square feet) with indoor seating;
- A patio of about 157 square metres (1,685 square feet) with seating;
- Four unisex washrooms, two of which will be fully accessible; and
- A six-spot bike rack and on-site parking for 13 vehicles, including EV charging stations.
With its prominent and central location near parks and other amenities, the centre is expected to be a hotspot for the area’s current 15,000 residents and those moving into the 700-plus townhomes under active development nearby. The City has begun promoting the coffee shop opportunity and will issue a request for proposals in line with market demand, likely this fall.
Investing in the Future
Modelled after successful presentation centres for other large master-planned developments, the Discovery Centre will play an important role in supporting the long-term vision for Burke Mountain, where the City is a major land owner.
Planning for a distinctive, complete community on Burke Mountain goes back more than three decades, and is central to helping Coquitlam fulfill its obligation to the Regional Growth Strategy adopted by all Metro Vancouver cities.
The City has taken on the role as the primary land owner and land developer for Burke Mountain Village and other nearby development sites to have greater control over the area’s growth and to provide a source of revenue that will benefit current and future generations.
The Discovery Centre building has been designed to be used for about a decade, after which some of the services will be moved into the village and another use will be found for the site. Funded through the City’s capital budget and land sale reserve, this project will support the construction industry and provide dozens of jobs to contractors and tradespeople over the coming months.
For more about Burke Mountain plans and opportunities, go to www.coquitlam.ca/burkemtn. For information about the plans for the Burke Mountain Village, visit www.burkevillage.ca.
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 will feature 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 trails, parks, schools and 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 www.burkevillage.ca for information.