News Flash

The City has made it easier to play, move and connect outdoors thanks to the installation of lockers with free sports equipment at 14 parks across the City.

COQUITLAM, B.C., March 30, 2026 – The City has made it easier to play, move and connect outdoors thanks to the installation of lockers with free sports equipment at 14 parks across the City.

Through a partnership with Equip Sport, the new lockers are stocked with recreational equipment such as balls, table tennis paddles, skipping ropes and other gear that park users can borrow by using the Equip Sport mobile app. The program operates on an honour system, with users borrowing equipment for play and returning it to the locker when finished so others can enjoy it as well. 

Placing equipment directly where people gather removes common barriers to recreation and makes it easier for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy spontaneous, active play in Coquitlam’s parks. 

Coquitlam is the second municipality in British Columbia and third overall in Canada to introduce this program, demonstrating leadership in innovative approaches to making sport and recreation more accessible for all. This initiative is financially supported by Canadian Tire JumpStart Charities, allowing community members to use the equipment free of charge while operating at no additional operational cost to the City. 

Game On at These Select Parks

These lockers are available at 14 Coquitlam parks, with some locations featuring multiple stations. Available equipment varies by park and is monitored and maintained by EquipSport.

• Blue Mountain Park (table tennis, fitness – jump rope and 5lb weights)
• *Burke Mountain Pioneer Park (basketball, fitness and soccer)
• Buchanan Square (table tennis)
• Como Lake Park (table tennis and fitness)
• Cottonwood Park (basketball, soccer and fitness)
• Crestwood Park (basketball and fitness)
• Eagle Ridge Park (soccer and flying disc)
• Galloway Park (basketball and fitness)
• Mountain View Park (soccer, football and rugby)
• Mundy Park (disc golf)
• Norm Staff Park (basketball and fitness)
• Sheffield Park (basketball and fitness)
• *Town Centre Park – (soccer, football, fitness, volleyball, table tennis, foosball and basketball)
• *Victoria Park – (basketball, fitness, soccer and football)

*Denotes multiple lockers on location

Residents can learn more about this program, including getting answers to Frequently Asked Questions by visiting coquitlam.ca/SpotlightOnSport.

A New Way to Play in Coquitlam Parks

Getting started is simple. Download the free Equip Sport app, unlock a locker at a participating park and start playing. When finished, simply return the equipment so others can enjoy it. 

The service provides the opportunity to try new activities without needing to purchase or store equipment.

Whether meeting friends for a quick game, spending time outdoors with family or trying something new, the lockers make it easy to turn everyday park visits into opportunities for movement, connection and fun. 

Stay Informed on Coquitlam Parks, Recreation and Culture

To stay up-to-date about Coquitlam Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities news and updates:

• Subscribe to the PRC E-news Newsletter at coquitlam.ca/enews to receive bi-weekly parks, recreation and culture updates; 
• Follow @cityofcoquitlam on BlueSky, Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube; and
• Download the free CoquitlamConnect app from the App Store or Google Play, or through the links at coquitlam.ca/CoquitlamConnect.

Media contact:Brian ForresterManager Sports Servicesprcs_info@coquitlam.ca604-927-4386

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

There is one week left for Coquitlam property owners to pay their 2026 utility bill before penalties apply. Payment is due March 31, 2026.

COQUITLAM, B.C., March 24, 2026 – There is one week left for Coquitlam property owners to pay their 2026 utility bill before penalties apply. Payment is due March 31, 2026.

If you haven’t yet received your bill, contact Revenue Services at utility_info@coquitlam.ca or call 604-927-3050. 

After March 31, a five per cent penalty will be added to amounts unpaid. A further five per cent will be added if unpaid after October 1, 2026. 

Find a list of payment options at coquitlam.ca/UtilityPayment. 

Sign-up For Reminders

Receive reminders and important information regarding your utility bill and property tax notice right to your email inbox by subscribing to the Property Tax and Annual Utility Bill email reminders at coquitlam.ca/NotifyMe. 

Media Contact:

Brian NorthManager Revenue Services604-927-3050utility_info@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

As bears wake from hibernation, Coquitlam residents are reminded to secure household attractants to ensure local bears seek only natural food sources.

COQUITLAM, B.C., March23, 2026 – As bears wake from hibernation, Coquitlam residents are reminded to secure household attractants to ensure local bears seek only natural food sources. 

Be a Bear Smart Household

As one of 12 official Bear Smart communities in B.C., Coquitlam uses a mix of education and enforcement to raise awareness and make sure everyone is doing their part to keep both bears and humans safe.

With bears waking up from winter denning and spring break approaching, residents are reminded to follow the City’s Bear Smart guidelines:

• Store Garbage Carts, Green Carts and recycling in a garage or fully-enclosed structure inaccessible to wildlife, such as a heavy-duty shed or chain link fence with a roof.
• Green Cart clips are not bear proof and should not be relied on to secure carts outdoors.
• Freeze meat and strong-smelling food scraps until collection day.
• Put all food scraps in the Green Cart, not the Garbage Cart.
• Place carts and recycling at the curb after 5:30 a.m. on collection day.
• Keep your Green Cart and Garbage Cart clean between collection days.
• Keep freezers and refrigerators indoors.
• Keep pet food indoors.
• Suspend bird feeders and clean up fallen seed.
• Limit outdoor composting to yard waste and plant trimmings.
• Keep barbeques clean.
• Keep vehicles free of food, with windows closed and doors locked. 

Learn more about bear safety, City regulations and take the Bear Smart Pledge at coquitlam.ca/BearSmart.

Unsecured Attractants Put Bears and their Cubs at Risk

Unsecured garbage continues to be the most common bear attractant in Coquitlam and poses a serious risk to bears. With a powerful sense of smell, it only takes one household’s garbage to attract a bear into a neighbourhood – and once a bear finds an easy food source, it will return.

Bears will soon be teaching their newborn cubs how to forage for food sources. Making sure they don’t find an easy meal in your neighbourhood will help encourage cubs to forage in natural areas rather than our neighbourhoods and backyards.

Tips to Prevent Human Wildlife Conflict

In addition to securing wildlife attractants on your property, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent human-wildlife interactions in order to keep both yourself and your pets safe. This includes:

• Keeping cats indoors.
• Walking dogs on a short leash.
• Supervising your dog while off-leash in a designated off-leash area.

If you do encounter a wildlife on your property:

• Stop and remain calm. Often wildlife is just passing through and will simply move on if it finds no food source.
• Don’t scream or run.
• Make yourself look big.
• Talk in a low and calm voice while backing away slowly.
• Bring pets and children into the house.

Reporting Wildlife Concerns

To report wildlife attractants, including improper waste storage, call the City at 604-927-3580 or email BylawEnforcement@coquitlam.ca. 

To report a conflict with wildlife that threatens public safety or causes property damage, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

Media contact:Julie KanyaManager Environmental Education and Enforcement 604-927-3500UrbanWildlife@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

The City's contractor will be upgrading the storm main across Brunette Avenue, just east of Lougheed Highway. Work is expected to start March 23 and will be ongoing for three weeks. Work will take place nightly, Monday to Friday, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

What: Storm Main Replacement

Where: Brunette Avenue, just east of Lougheed Highway (Location Map)

When: Work is to begin the week of March 23 and will be ongoing for approximately three weeks.  Due to traffic volumes and public safety, construction will take place during nighttime hours, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. 

Traffic Impacts: During active construction, traffic will be limited to a single lane in each direction so please plan alternate route to avoid delays.  

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience.

For more information, contact:Public Works Liaison604-927-3550pwl@coquitlam.ca  

Sharpe Street will be closed at Dewdney Trunk Road, starting Monday, March 16 for approximately two weeks, as Metro Vancouver completes work on the Dewdney Trunk Road Water Main. Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays.

What: Metro Vancouver Dewdney Trunk Road Water Main Construction 

Where: Sharpe Street at Dewdney Trunk Road (Location Map)

When: Work is scheduled to start on March 16 for approximately two weeks. 

Traffic Impacts:  Sharpe Street will be closed at Dewdney Trunk Road and  traffic will be detoured.  In addition, the sidewalk will be closed at the intersection of Dewdney Trunk Road and Sharpe Street and pedestrians will be detoured. Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays.

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience as Metro Vancouver's contractor completes this necessary work. 

Follow the City on our social media channels Facebook and Instagram where we update regularly with info on traffic hot spots.

For more information, contact:Metro Vancouver Information Centre: 604-432-6200After Hours Emergency: 604-451-6610Email: icentre@metrovancouver.org (Include “Dewdney Trunk Road Water Main – Mariner Way Section” in the subject line of your email)Website: metrovancouver.org (Search for “Dewdney Trunk Road Water Main – Mariner Way Section” for more information or to sign up for project updates)

Single-lane alternating traffic will be in place along Robson Drive between Kenney Street and Blackwater Place starting March 9 for approximately 3 weeks, as Metro Vancouver completes underground utility relocation work. Please plan extra time.

What: Metro Vancouver Coquitlam Water Main – Underground Utility Relocation Work

Where: Robson Drive between Kenney Street and Blackwater Place (Location Map)

When: Starting Monday, March 9, for approximately 3 weeks. Work will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Traffic Impacts: Single-lane alternating traffic will be in place along Robson Drive between Kenny Street and Blackwater Place.  Please plan extra time when using this route or plan alternate route.

 Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience as Metro Vancouver's contractor completes this necessary work. 

 Follow the City on our social media channels Facebook and Instagram where we update regularly with info on traffic hot spots.

For more information, contact:Metro Vancouver Information Centre: 604-432-6200After Hours Emergency: 604-451-6610Email: icentre@metrovancouver.org (Include “Coquitlam Water Main – Robson to Guildford Section” in the subject line)Website: metrovancouver.org (Search for “Coquitlam Water Main – Robson to Guildford Section”)