PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Aug. 28, 2019… Two new ice arenas, a library and spaces for youth, seniors and families are among the new amenities that officially opened their doors today in downtown Port Coquitlam.

An estimated 5,000 people converged on the bright, modern 205,000-square-foot (19,000- square-metre) Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of the project’s first phase. The event gave the community a sneak peak of the new amenities, along with entertainment, activities and free barbecue, ice cream and skating.

“What an amazing and historic day for Port Coquitlam, to be opening one of the biggest projects in our city’s history,” Mayor Brad West said after the event. “We encourage everyone to drop by our beautiful new community centre and check out all the enhanced services that are now available.”

• The new Phase 1 amenities include:
  Two of the PCCC’s three planned ice arenas – for public skating, drop-in ice sports, lessons and ice user groups;
• Terry Fox Library – with digital and print resources, public internet stations and programs for adults and children;
• Wilson Lounge and kitchen – with café-style seating serving lunch and snacks for seniors on weekdays, and offering a variety of activities for all ages evenings and weekends;
• Games Room– with a variety of games including snooker, table tennis and board games, and flexible activity space for all ages, with designated hours throughout the week for seniors and youth;
• Two multi-purpose rooms for programs, fitness and yoga classes, community groups and rentals;
• A bright airy lobby with the main reception; and
•  A concession with snacks, burgers and grab ‘n’ go foods.

Phase 1 will wrap up by early 2020, with the opening of a new leisure pool and fitness centre.

Special events – including toonie skates and seniors’ and youth activities – are planned for throughout opening week. Information is posted at www.portcoquitlam.ca/PCCC.

“The opening of Phase 1 is a game-changer for recreation in Port Coquitlam,” said Cllr. Glenn Pollock, Council’s designate for recreation issues. “We expect these new spaces to inspire more people to get active and enjoy the many recreation opportunities our city has to offer.”
After the $134-million Coast Meridian Overpass, the $132-million PCCC is the city’s largest construction project to date. To be completed in late 2021, it is replacing aging recreation and library spaces with new and enhanced services to meet the growing community’s needs.

The PCCC is envisioned as a place where residents will gather and socialize, watch and participate in activities, and access a variety of services – and as a catalyst for future growth.

Economic benefits are already being seen, such as:

• Between 600 and 800 jobs, including on-site labour, manufacturing and shop production, supply and freight, design, safety and management;
• Up to 220 workers on-site at any one time, with consistently over 100 workers on-site each day for the past 15 months;
• About $15 million of the $132-million budget in direct contracts to local businesses;
• Spending by contractors in the community for meals and services; and
• A new multi-family housing complex being constructed on the adjacent property.

Groundbreaking and construction of the PCCC began in 2017, using a phased approach that has allowed existing amenities to remain open until they are replaced. The city is constructing the project with design-build partner Ventana Construction.

The $132-million project received $12.5 million of federal infrastructure funding through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component and more than $1 million through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
With the opening of Phase 1, demolition can 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.

• Hours during opening week will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday).
  Regular hours at the PCCC will be in effect starting Tuesday, Sept 3:
• Arena programs: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Sunday.
• Customer service hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Sunday (may be extended for events, rentals or youth/senior activities)
• Terry Fox Library – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and
  Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
• Youth Activities (Games Room and Wilson Lounge): 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 3
  to 10 p.m. Friday and 5-10 p.m. Saturday
• Wilson Lounge – seniors’ drop-in: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Saturday

More information about the facility and construction is available at www.portcoquitlam.ca/pccc. Questions may be directed to recreation@portcoquitlam.ca, 604-927-7529 (programs) or 604- 927-5420 (project).

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