PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Sept. 6, 2019…Hockey season at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre’s two new arenas will begin as scheduled with no disruptions to the season.

The City of Port Coquitlam has modified its plans for temporary referee accommodations at Port Coquitlam Community Centre to address concerns raised by the hockey community.

The city announced its new plans after meeting Thursday night with arena sport groups about the temporary referee accommodations during construction of the 205,000-square-foot facility in downtown Port Coquitlam.

“We’re happy to have found a solution that works for everyone, in partnership with the hockey community,” Mayor Brad West. “We worked hard on getting the two arenas open for hockey season and when we heard the concerns, we took immediate action to address them.” 

Two new arenas opened Aug. 27, while construction continues until 2021 on new amenities that include a third sheet of ice to improve service to arena sports groups. A phased approach has been taken to ensure no disruption to arena, recreation and library services.

While construction continues, one of the eight team dressing rooms will now be dedicated to officials, including referees. An alternative dry space will be provided as a team dressing room when needed.

“We are very grateful to the City of Port Coquitlam for its quick response to our concerns, and recognize the effort it has made to avoid disrupting ice time during construction and to support the growth of ice sports with a third sheet of ice,” said Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association President Kim Egli. “We’re looking forward to starting the season next week in this great new facility, and to continuing our strong relationship with the city in the years to come.”

A memorandum released today by BC Hockey – which has jurisdiction over these issues at the provincial and local level – said the organization was satisfied with the steps being taken by the City of Port Coquitlam to provide temporary safe, private and secure space for officials while construction on the facility continues.

Once the PCCC is completed in 2021, four referee dressing rooms will be located close to the arena lobby, which provides access to all three arenas.

“Sometimes issues come up during construction, and we thank everyone for their patience, said West. “The inconveniences will be worth it, and in the meantime, we invite everyone to check out the amazing new amenities that are already open.”

New amenities now open at the PCCC include the two arenas, Terry Fox Library, a lounge and games room with dedicated hours for youth and seniors, multi-purpose rooms, the main lobby and a concession. An estimated 5,000 people attended the Phase 1 grand opening on Aug. 27.

Phase 1 will also include a fitness centre, opening by the end of 2019, and a new leisure pool, opening in early 2020.

Demolition will begin this fall to make way for Phase 2, which will open in 2021 and include a third ice arena, gymnasium, children’s area, more multi-purpose spaces, underground parking, and outdoor plazas and sport courts.

The PCCC is one of the biggest city projects in Port Coquitlam’s history. The facility is replacing aging recreation and library spaces with new and enhanced services to meet the growing community’s needs.

More information about the facility and construction is available at www.portcoquitlam.ca/pccc.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca