Port Coquitlam residents looking for safe ways to have fun, stay active and healthy over the holidays and winter season can take advantage of the activities the City has planned. Activities include the popular toonie and holiday skates and swims and centrepiece-making workshops with the appropriate COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Pre-register at portcoquitlam.ca/register for the following activities one week before the program start date:

• Holiday skates at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) will run from December 21 to 31. Pre-register one week in advance of each skate.
• Holiday swims at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (HCRC) including length swims, public swims and leisure pool swims, will run daily from December 19 to January 3. Pre-register starting December 12.
• Toonie skate at PCCC and Toonie swims at HCRC on December 24 and 31. Pre-register starting December 17.
• Holiday centrepiece-making workshops at the Outlet in Leigh Square on December 16 (in person) or December 19 (virtual). All materials will be provided for both options. Pre-register starting December 11.
• Winter day camps for ages five to 14 will take place on December 21 to 23 and December 28 to 30 at the HCRC. Pre-register starting December 11.
• Holiday themed afterschool youth programs are available at the Hyde Creek Youth Centre Thursday to Friday from December 10 to 18 and restarting January 7.

Starting December 14, residents can also pre-register for winter recreation programs and art workshops at portcoquitlam.ca/register (December 16 for general public). Programs include:

• Public Skating programs at PCCC begin January 2. Skating lessons for ages 2.5 and up start January 11. More information at portcoquitlam.ca/skating.
• Swimming lessons at HCRC start January 4. Lessons are available for all ages. Parent or guardian participation is required for preschool and swim kids 1- 4 levels. Lessons run Mon/Wed, Tues/Thurs or on weekends. More information at portcoquitlam.ca/swimming.
• Outdoor Playschool at HCRC will run January 11 to March 19 for children ages 3 to 5. Kids can explore Hyde Creek’s beautiful natural forest and trails, play games and activities like shelter making, rock design, climbing and jumping, water and mud play and imagination building. More information at portcoquitlam.ca/children.
• Art All Ways at the Outlet at Leigh Square for children ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 12, will run from January 11 to March 8. Budding artists learn to express themselves through drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, mixed media, and print-making projects.

Residents are also invited to unleash their creativity in free two-part clay workshops with the City’s new Artist-in-Residence, Ratna Gandhi. The workshops will take place in December and January and draw inspiration from encounters with nature. Workshop participants will create unique ceramic tiles for the final art installation. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary. Dates and more information is available at portcoquitlam.ca/air.

Pre-registration for bookings at the PCCC weight room is also available. Note: HCRC and PCCC will be closed for statutory holidays (December 25, 26 and January 1).

Advance registration and payment is required for all programs at portcoquitlam.ca/register. The City offers a variety of supports and resources to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to get involved in recreation programs. More information about fees, resources and financial assistance is available at portcoquitlam.ca/recfees.

General Guidelines for Registered Program Access

• Drop-in attendance is not permitted. Spots must be reserved online and participants are required to set up an account at portcoquitlam.ca/register.
• Participants may withdraw from their session on-line up to 24 hours in advance with no penalty.
• Registrations are non-transferable.
• Participants will wait outside prior to the session they have registered for and leave promptly at the end of their scheduled time.

One City pass holders can now reinstate their passes for pre-registered activities by contacting recreation@portcoquitlam.ca or by phone at 604-927-7529. Passes will remain on hold during the pandemic unless the passholder requests reinstatement.

Protecting Public Health
Strict adherence to public health directives is in effect at all facilities. Measures include:

• Registered access only and limited participant numbers for lessons, programs and activities to ensure safe distancing.
• Hand sanitizing stations.
• Signs, physical barriers, floor markings and one-way traffic to ensure physical distancing and to direct traffic flow.
• One-way entrance and exit to and from facilities.
• Masks are to be worn by everyone 12 years and up, at all times as mandated by the Public Health Officer. Children ages 3 to 11 are encouraged to wear masks.
• Enhanced cleaning, particularly of common touchpoints such as door handles and countertops.

The city’s reopening plans will be scaled back or changed as necessary to ensure public health and comply with orders from the Provincial Health Officer.

Stay Informed
For information about the City`s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and links to public health resources are available at portcoquitlam.ca/covid19 or follow the City of Port Coquitlam on social media.

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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