PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Oct. 1, 2021… After more than four years of construction, Port Coquitlam will celebrate the official opening of its new community centre tomorrow, bringing new amenities, excitement and energy to the City’s downtown.

Built in phases, the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) at 2150 Wilson Avenue will open its modern indoor and outdoor spaces to the public on Oct. 2 at a grand opening that complies with all public health requirements and features award winning musicans and a variety of performers, free recreation activities, an outdoor beer garden featuring local craft beers, food trucks and a chance to visit the new amenities. Details and protocols can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/pccc.

“Tomorrow will be a milestone for Port Coquitlam as we cut the ribbon on one of the biggest projects in our city’s history,” Mayor Brad West said. “It seems like only yesterday we were standing on the construction site with shovels in hand. Having this project delivered now — on time and within budget during a global pandemic — is something we can all be proud of as a community. There couldn’t be a better time for heightened excitement, opportunities and new amenities in our city, in our downtown, to enhance the health and quality of life of our residents.”

Constructed within its planned timeframe and budget, the $132-million PCCC is the city’s second largest construction project to date, after the $134-million Coast Meridian Overpass. The City constructed the project with design-build partner Ventana Construction and owner’s representative, Tango Management. 

The $132-million project has been funded by the City (a combination of land sales revenue, phased-in property taxes and a parcel tax from 2017 to 2020) and the Government of Canada. The project received $12.5 million in federal infrastructure funding through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component and $1.09 million through the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) (formerly the federal Gas Tax Fund), which is administered in B.C. by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

Tomorrow’s grand opening celebration will mark the full opening of the 205,000-square-foot (19,000-square-metre) PCCC, which replaced aging recreation facilities with a vibrant community hub featuring high ceilings, large windows and B.C. wood accents.

The facility houses three arenas (including a spectator arena with seating for 790), a gymnasium, a leisure pool, a fitness centre and studios, a children’s area for City Preschool and childminding, Terry Fox Library, a concession, the large Mabbett Hall and other multi-purpose spaces, washrooms and changerooms with universal and accessible options, and underground parking with 425 spots and a pick-up/drop-off area. There is also leased space for a future café and active rehab/physiotherapy.

Services and programming will continue to be safely and gradually introduced in the new spaces in line with health protocols and operational capacity.

The PCCC’s outdoor spaces are also ready for use, other than the outdoor gym that awaits equipment delivery, and is expected to be completed in early November. The main entrance on Wilson Avenue greets visitors with plaza seating and gardens. Access is also possible from the south-side plaza, which features seating, lawn, sport courts (including pickleball), playgrounds, a walking path, community gardens and an outdoor spray park connected to the leisure pool.

The south plaza will also be home to various tributes to Terry Fox that will be unveiled during the grand opening on Oct. 2.

“This is a wonderful upgrade to Port Coquitlam’s recreation facilities, and one we hope will encourage more people to get back to the fitness and recreation activities they previously enjoyed,” said Cllr. Steve Darling, Council’s designate for recreation issues. “As services continue to ramp up, we look forward to even more sport and recreation opportunities at both at the PCCC and at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre on the north side.”

Watch portcoquitlam.ca/restart and portcoquitlam.ca/pccc for updates.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca