Coquitlam is providing free tents and covered spaces around the community to help provide safe outdoor activities this spring.
COQUITLAM, B.C., March 17, 2021 – Coquitlam is providing free tents and covered spaces around the community to help businesses and community groups provide safe outdoor activities this spring.
Coquitlam businesses, non-profit organizations and community members can now reserve free timeslots at one of six large tents or sheltered areas for classes, meetings, or other activities conducted with COVID-19 safety protocols. Further details, including locations and reservation information is available at www.coquitlam.ca/outdoorshelters.
The program follows the amended public health orders announced last week, which allow outdoor gatherings of up to ten people. These free outdoor covered spaces are provided through the Coquitlam COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP), which is supporting all sectors of the community through the pandemic.
More Options to Safely Provide Services
These covered outdoor spaces provide options for Coquitlam businesses and organizations that may be struggling to conduct activities or services indoors due to the current COVID-19 restrictions.
All locations are available for use seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 9:45 p.m. (last reservation at 9 p.m.). They can be reserved in 45-minute timeslots, with longer or multiple reservations possible at this time.
The available spaces are as follows:
- A tent at Mackin Park at the plaza (six by nine metres, or 20 by 30 feet);
- A tent at Princeton Park in the northeast corner at Princeton Avenue and Trafalgar Street (six by nine metres, or 20 by 30 feet);
- A tent at Spirit Square on Burlington Drive in City Centre (three by 12 metres, or 10 by 40 feet);
- The picnic shelters (tables removed) at Blue Mountain Park (10 by 47 feet) and Noons Creek Park (16 by 16 feet); and
- The stage canopy in Town Centre Park at the TD Community Plaza (available for reservations on March 27).
Users are expected to provide their own equipment, furnishings or floor covering, and to leave the area clean.
Installed last fall just prior to the health orders restricting all gatherings, the sturdy tents are designed to withstand high winds and will remain available throughout the spring and summer, subject to the current public health orders regarding outdoor gatherings.
Residents are welcome to use the covered spaces when they are not reserved. The City will monitor the program and may add limits or make more shelters available, based on demand.
More Supports Coming From CSRP
Coquitlam continues to roll out supports through its COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP), introduced in spring 2020 to provide direct relief to residents, businesses and non-profits, and to foster community resilience and recovery.
Initiatives implemented and on the way include grants to City cultural partners, increased business supports, and support for community and non-profit services and programs. To promote economic recovery, the City will also continue to monitor and leverage provincial and federal government stimulus funding announcements.
The CSRP is intended to be flexible and responsive to new challenges and opportunities, so programs may change or be added. Check www.coquitlam.ca/CSRP for updates.
Stay Informed on Coquitlam Parks, Recreation and Culture
To stay up to date about Coquitlam Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities news and updates:
- Subscribe to the PRC E-news Newsletter at www.coquitlam.ca/enews to receive bi-weekly parks, recreation and culture updates;
- Check out the weekly City Page on page 6 of the Tri-City News or at www.coquitlam.ca/connect;
- Follow @cityofcoquitlam on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube; and
- Download the free CoquitlamConnect app from the App Store or Google Play, or through the links at www.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamconnect.
Media contact:
Kathleen Reinheimer
Manager of Parks
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3533
kreinheimer@coquitlam.ca