Starting Dec. 15, diners and shoppers can park an extra half hour for free in Coquitlam’s City Centre.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Dec. 14, 2020 – Starting Dec. 15, diners and shoppers can park an extra half hour for free in Coquitlam’s City Centre.
With the holidays approaching, Coquitlam drivers will receive an additional 30 minutes of free street parking from pay stations in City Centre. Funded through the City’s multi-sector COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP), the program will run on a pilot basis for approximately six months.
The initiative is intended to attract local customers to Coquitlam’s premier shopping zone, where – as in other commercial areas – businesses have been struggling due to the pandemic.
A Bonus for Shopping in City Centre
On-street parking in City Centre continues to be free on Sundays and outside of peak business hours. While the program is in effect, visitors will be able to park for as little as a nickel in City Centre from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, when paid parking costs $1.25 per hour.
To take advantage of the offer, drivers will need to make the minimum payment either at a pay station (five cents in cash or 25 cents by credit card) or through the Flowbird parking app (25 cents plus the existing 35 cent app fee). The City’s parking enforcement will not begin until after the combined paid and additional free minutes are used up.
Visitors are encouraged use the free minutes to extend their stay and explore the local businesses in the area. The two-hour parking limit in City Centre will still apply.
Instructions will be posted at all 31 pay stations around City Centre once the program begins on Dec. 15.
The City already provides free parking in its lots and street spaces to those displaying a veteran’s licence plate, a tradition started in 2006.
For more information about parking in Coquitlam, visit www.coquitlam.ca/parking.
Shop and Dine Locally this Holiday Season
The new free parking program dovetails with the City’s recently launched Give Local campaign, which is encouraging local residents to shop and dine close to home as the holidays approach. The campaign includes contests, insider shopping tips and promotion of local retailers, restaurants and other businesses.
Tune in to Tourism Coquitlam’s (@visitcoquitlam) social media channels or www.visitcoquitlam.ca/givelocal for contest opportunities and the scoop on local places to safely shop, eat, drink and be pampered.
City’s COVID-19 Plan for Supporting Community Recovery
Introduced in spring 2020, Coquitlam’s COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan is a multi-phased recovery strategy made up of programs and initiatives to support all facets of the community through the pandemic. The CSRP provides targeted immediate and long-term support for businesses, residents and the not-for-profit sector. A wide variety of CSRP initiatives were introduced in spring and summer 2020, with more rolling out throughout fall 2020 and into 2021. Information about the program and new supports is posted at www.coquitlam.ca/csrp.
Join Coquitlam’s Efforts to #SupportLocal
The City of Coquitlam participates in the Tri-Cities #SupportLocal campaign and also launches its own initiatives to assist local businesses, many of which are struggling at this time. Coquitlam strongly encourages residents to #SupportLocal for their shopping and meals; go to www.wegotthistricities.com to view business listings and www.visitcoquitlam.ca for a directory of 200+ Coquitlam restaurants offering takeout, dine-in and delivery. See also the Support Local video on the City of Coquitlam YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/pg2IQdEZolE) to learn more.
Supporting Our Community During the Pandemic
The City of Coquitlam is here to help, with these resources:
- www.coquitlam.ca/csrp: Details about the City’s Community Support and Recovery Plan, which is supporting non-profits, businesses and residents through the pandemic;
- www.coquitlam.ca/spirit: Free activities for all ages, including fitness, arts and culture, outdoor activities and ways to stay engaged; and
- www.coquitlam.ca/covid19: City service updates and COVID-19 health resources.
Stay up-to-date about City news and service changes by:
Media contact:
Graham Stuart
Manager, Corporate Planning
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3918
csrp@coquitlam.ca