Port Coquitlam, BC – Nov. 15, 2019 … Port Coquitlam’s upcoming capital plan will represent the city’s largest one-time investment in neighbourhood infrastructure to date, following through on City Council’s focus on “getting the basics right.”

About $26 million – half of the $52.7-million 2020-2021 capital plan approved by the Committee of Council this week – will be dedicated to upgrading road and utilities infrastructure in Port Coquitlam neighbourhoods.

Set for formal adoption Nov 26, the plan also includes funding for parks and playgrounds, sidewalks, multi-use paths, pedestrian safety and traffic calming measures, streetlights, downtown streetscape improvements, lane paving, the completion of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) and other key infrastructure projects. It continues the two-year format introduced in 2017 that has enabled Port Coquitlam to obtain competitive pricing and complete projects on time.

“We’re continuing to focus on planning and delivering the core city services that matter to our community, like improved roads, safer streets and parks,” Mayor Brad West said. “These are the building blocks for a safe, family-friendly community, with affordable places to live, good-paying jobs, thriving businesses, and services that people want.”

The city began a concentrated push to rehabilitate neighbourhood roads and utilities in 2017. To date, 12.6 kilometres of roads have been upgraded. The 2020-2021 program intends to upgrade another 9.6 kilometres.

Capital projects previously approved for 2020, totaling $24.4 million, would include:

• Continuing construction of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC),
• Year three of four-year city-wide LED streetlight conversions program,
• $1.9 million for sidewalk, pedestrian safety, cycling and traffic calming projects,
• Rehabilitation of 4.6 kilometres of road, including work on Coast Meridian Road, Prairie Avenue, Kingsway Avenue, Langan Avenue and Shaughnessy Street,
• Rehabilitation of more than 3.6 kilometres of utility infrastructure,
• Rehabilitation of the Fortress Park and Settlers Park playgrounds,
• Improvements to the PoCoMAP online mapping system,
• A new community garden and a Lions Park Whimsical Garden,
• Portable speed reader units, and
• Replacement of the waterslide stairs and pool tile at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.

An additional $716,400 in one-time enhancements is also planned in 2020, including:

• Pilot tax and utility payments at recreation facilities during busy periods,
• Renewal of the Master Transportation Plan,
• Review of policing services, and
• SkyTrain feasibility study.

Highlights of capital projects approved for 2021, estimated at $28.3 million, include:

• Completion of the PCCC construction,
• Completion of city-wide LED streetlight conversions,
• $200,000 for additional streetlights,
• Rehabilitation of approximately five kilometres of road and almost five kilometres of utility infrastructure,
• $1.8 million for sidewalk and pedestrian safety throughout the city, and traffic calming and road safety improvements around schools and parks,
• $1.15 million for upgrades to playgrounds, parks and trails,
• Streetscape improvements along Prairie and McAllister Avenue, and
• Extension of Donald Pathway into the downtown.

An additional $494,400 in one-time enhancements was also approved for 2021, including funding for a climate change adaptation strategy.

Funding for the capital program will come from various reserve accounts and interest savings from the refinancing of debt. The one-time enhancements are primarily funded through accumulated surplus.

“We’ve made core infrastructure a budget priority and our residents are starting to enjoy the results first-hand, in terms of better and safer streets, new amenities and other services,” said Cllr. Dean Washington, Council’s designate for budget matters. “We thank everyone for their patience with the construction and roadwork as we make these important upgrades across the city.”

For more information about the capital plan, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/capital.

Planning for the 2020 operating budget is now underway, with public consultation planned for February. Information will be posted at www.portcoquitlam.ca/budget in January.

– 30 –

For additional information, contact:

Farouk Zaba
Manager of Financial Planning and Systems
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel: 604.927.5280
Email: zabaf@portcoquitlam.ca
www.portcoquitlam.ca