Coquitlam will continue to bustle with construction activity throughout 2021 and beyond, with projects valued at about $150 million either in progress or soon to be under way.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Jan. 26, 2021 – Coquitlam will continue to bustle with construction activity throughout 2021 and beyond, with projects valued at about $150 million either in progress or soon to be under way.
The major investment in new and enhanced facilities, parks, fields and trails is being delivered through the approved $356-million Five-Year Capital Plan for 2021-2025, and previously approved budgets according to City staff’s latest construction update to Council on Monday.
Busy Construction Schedule for 2021
Projects now in progress and scheduled for completion in 2021 or 2022 include:
- A 5,100-square-metre (55,000-square-foot) YMCA facility, community policing station and park-and-ride in Burquitlam (completion in 2022);
- The 2,000-square-metre (22,000-square-foot) Place Maillardville Community Centre replacement (completion in 2022);
- Arena 3 change rooms at Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (completion in early 2021);
- A universal washroom at the south end of Lafarge Lake for trail users (completion in early 2021);
- Burke Mountain Discovery Centre and coffee shop (completion by summer 2021); and
- Replacement of the Buchanan Square parkade roof, along with updates to the square’s public amenities (completion by summer 2021).
Approved construction projects set to begin in 2021 include:
- Further upgrades to Cottonwood Park, including a sport court, activity and parkour area (beginning in early 2021, completion this fall); and ball diamond, playing field, and turf for a sport field (beginning in early 2021, completion in early 2022);
- City Centre Aquatic Complex renovations and fitness area expansion (beginning in early 2021, completion this fall);
- Major upgrades to amenities, plantings and gathering spaces along Town Centre Park’s Lafarge Lake loop trail (beginning in mid 2021, completion in early 2022);
- Sheffield Park in Smiling Creek neighbourhood (beginning in mid 2021, completion this fall);
- Universal access washrooms at the Mundy Park trailhead at Chilko Way (beginning in early 2021, completion by mid-2021); and
- Austin Works Yard upgrades, including the vehicle maintenance building and workshops (beginning in fall 2021, completion in fall 2023).
More in Store for 2021 and Beyond
City staff will be seeking Council approval early this year for a new and upgraded fire training structure at Town Centre Fire Hall (anticipated completion by summer 2021), and a new artificial turf field at Centennial Secondary (anticipated completion by fall 2021).
Coquitlam is also planning more than two dozen major recreation and cultural facility projects in the next 10 to 15 years, as well as long-term planning for several park upgrades and improvements. These projects include the new Northeast Community Centre, upgrades at Blue Mountain Park and Glen Park, improvements to Spani Outdoor Pool at Mundy Park, a south extension of the Crunch Trail, and upgrades to the Innovation Centre.
Last year, the City began developing a new Major Recreation and Cultural Facilities Road Map (MRCFR). In addition to providing a guiding plan for Council and City staff, the high-level plan will provide more transparency for taxpayers by outlining the anticipated scheduling and costs to build, staff and run the facilities. The draft Road Map will be presented to Council in early 2021.
The City has applied for federal and provincial grant applications that, if successful, would offset costs by $5.7 million for the Spani Outdoor Pool, Coquitlam Crunch south extension and Town Centre Park Lafarge Lake trail upgrades.
A Look Back at 2020
Last year’s construction program brought a variety of upgrades to facilities and parks, including:
- Park upgrades such as a new playground at Mundy Park, tennis court resurfacing and other improvements at Hickey Street Reservoir Park, and new pathway lighting at Mackin Park;
- The Town Centre Park festival hub plaza and washroom/servery building;
- Replacement of the Cunnings Field artificial turf;
- Universal washrooms with running water and flush toilets along the Crunch Trail;
- Phase one of an expansion at Robinson Park Memorial Cemetery; and
- Replacement roofing at City Hall.
Providing Important Community Amenities During the Pandemic
Coquitlam continues to plan and build amenities for the present and future community needs, beyond the pandemic. This is made possible through long-term financial planning including the Five-Year Capital Plan for 2021-2025, as well as overall strong fiscal responsibility. Many of these projects are also funded outside of the municipal tax base through sources such as developer contributions.
Updates on parks projects can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/parkprojects. Information about other facility projects can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/facilityprojects.
Media contact:
Scott Groves
Director, Strategic and Capital Projects
Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities
604-927-6967
sgroves@coquitlam.ca