COQUITLAM, B.C., Aug. 4, 2021 – Starting Aug. 9, residents may once again spontaneously drop by select Coquitlam recreation facilities to swim or skate, lift weights or shoot some hoops.
In line with easing public health restrictions, the City will reintroduce drop-in public swimming, skating, weight room access and gymnasium sports on Aug. 9 at Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (PSLC), City Centre Aquatic Complex (CCAC) and Eagle Ridge and Spani Outdoor Pools. It will be the first time in a year that residents will be able to use Coquitlam recreation facilities without pre-registering for a timeslot.
Patrons should note, however, that both pools and arenas will have limited capacities until staffing returns to a full complement. Visitors may want to call ahead.
Drop-ins Gradually Return
Drop-in activities returning to Coquitlam on Aug. 9 are:
- Public swimming at all City indoor and outdoor pools;
- Public skating at PSLC (excluding select specialty drop-ins);
- Weight room access at PSLC; and
- Youth gymnasium court bookings.
Other Drop-ins Remain Pre-registered
For now, all other drop-in activities will remain pre-registered – including Stick, Ring and Puck, group fitness classes, the Innovation Centre weight room (with additional timeslots), and adult gymnasium court bookings – to help manage capacity and provide an enhanced customer service experience.
The weight room at Glen Pine Pavilion will also reopen Aug. 9 for pre-registered access Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The weight room at Pinetree Community Centre will remain closed until Sept. 7.
To support residents in their return to recreation activities, the City is continuing to subsidize the temporary reduction in drop-in fees over the summer – $1 for children, youth and seniors, $2 for adults and $5 for families – through its Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP).
Outdoor pools will maintain CSRP pricing until they close for the season on Sunday, Oct. 3.
Access to City facilities continues to follow current health protocols. Since July 1, recreation patrons have had more freedom to move around City facilities and are no longer required to wear masks indoors – although masks continue to be recommended, particularly for those 12 years and older who have not had two doses of vaccine.
More Changes Coming Sept. 7
Drop-in and registered opportunities will continue to expand following the anticipated move to Step 4 of BC's Restart on Sept. 7. This will include the reopening of Pinetree’s weight room and a full inventory of weight room equipment at the various sites.
The Innovation Centre weight room – set up temporarily during renovations at CCAC – will continue with pre-registered drop-ins until the new CCAC space opens in late October.
With the move to Step 4, the subsidized drop-in rates will phase out in September as services and operations return to normal levels and the use of the ONE PASS card resumes.
Skate and helmet rental fees will be re-introduced starting Sept. 7 as well.
Watch www.coquitlam.ca/registration for service updates over the coming weeks and months during this period of transition.
Coquitlam a Leader during Pandemic Operations
Coquitlam was one of the first Metro Vancouver municipalities to successfully re-open facilities, including recreation programming and City Hall, beginning in June 2020. Coquitlam is also one of the few municipalities that was able to keep these important services open throughout subsequent waves of the pandemic, with the exception of PHO orders related to specific areas of the City’s business (e.g. indoor group fitness classes, adult non-fitness and sport programming, etc.).
Since the onset of the pandemic, the City of Coquitlam has been operating with sound operational health and safety plans in alignment with Provincial Health Orders. For more information about the City’s response and services during the pandemic, visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19.
Register and Stay Informed
To sign up for activities and to keep up-to-date on program offerings and updates:
Stay informed about City news and service changes by:
Media contact:
Vinh Truong
Community Recreation Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-4386 (4FUN)
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca