If you use Coquitlam’s sports fields – and even if you don’t - the City wants to hear from you.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Oct. 30, 2020 – If you use Coquitlam’s sports fields – and even if you don’t - the City wants to hear from you.
With its 2013-2023 Sports Field Strategy almost built out, Coquitlam is kicking off public engagement today as it begins developing an updated strategy to guide future field use and investment from 2022 to 2032.
A survey and map input tool will be available at www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/sportsfields from Nov. 2 to Nov. 20 to collect input from members of organized sports groups, casual field users, potential new users and other stakeholders.
Opportunities to Have Your Say
The City wants to hear from a wide range of existing and potential field users as it seeks to assess future needs, maximize the City’s investment, and identify opportunities for different types of uses and new users.
Visit www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/sportsfields to learn more and try out digital tools designed to collect feedback through a safe, physically-distant format. Options include an online survey and a mapping tool where participants can drop a pin on the map to provide comments on specific fields and locations. Visitors can also sign up for project updates.
Those who prefer in-person interaction can also contact City staff with questions and comments at pbailey@coquitlam.ca and 604-927-3577.
Planning for Future Sports Fields
Much has changed in Coquitlam since the 2013 Sports Field Strategy was adopted. The City has made significant investments in its grass and artificial turf field inventory, introduced an agreement with School District 43 for the joint use of facilities, developed targeted strategies for senior and youth recreation, and adopted a policy to ensure fair decisions on field allocation.
At the same time, new issues have emerged, including a drop in organized sport participation by youth ages 12 to 18 and a need for additional learn-to-play programs in more age groups. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of robust, updated strategies for planning, managing and operating the City’s outdoor assets, including fields.
The updated strategy will address:
- Priorities and timelines for new fields and related infrastructure;
- Meeting current participation trends and future needs;
- Providing casual and recreational use opportunities for all ages;
- Maximizing the use and quality of existing fields;
- Allocation of field time; and
- Financial considerations related to providing and operating fields.
Led by an experienced consultant, the strategy development will include community engagement, a review of existing City policies and plans, and analysis of population and demographic data, trends, best practices, current practices and benchmarking.
Next Steps for the Strategy
In conjunction with the public consultation, the City will be directly consulting user groups and other stakeholders in November.
The input will inform the development of a draft strategy to be presented in fall 2021 to Council and the community for feedback. The final strategy is anticipated to be adopted by the end of 2021.
The terms of reference, staff report and other background documents are linked to the consultation website www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/sportsfields.
Media contact:
Chris Siddaway
Community Partnerships & Policies Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3556
csiddaway@coquitlam.ca