COQUITLAM, B.C., July 1, 2021 – Coquitlam residents can look forward to more services and fewer restrictions at the City’s recreation facilities beginning July 1.
With B.C.’s Restart Plan now at Step 3, Coquitlam is gradually increasing program capacity and making other changes to facility access and health protocols. For example, masks are no longer required indoors but continue to be recommended – particularly for those 12 years and older who have not had two doses of vaccine.
What to Expect at Recreation Facilities
Coquitlam’s gradual return to normal operations is guided by its 2021 COVID-19 Restart Framework, available at www.coquitlam.ca/covid19. The framework is based on B.C.’s Restart Plan and is in step with public health guidance by the Provincial Health Officer.
Effective July 1, visitors to most of the City’s recreation facilities can expect the following:
- Updated signs on new protocols, including masks being recommended but not required.
- No more health screening upon entry for facility patrons.
- More freedom to move around indoors, although some physical markers may remain in place for the time being.
Effective July 5, spectators will be permitted and some spaces that have been closed, such as lobbies, change rooms and the café at Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex will re-open.
More Drop-in Opportunities
Patrons will also see Coquitlam’s drop-in opportunities expand during Step 3. While pre-registration will continue over the summer to provide booking certainty and access to as many people as possible, spaces for drop-in swimming, skating, weight rooms, and gymnasium court bookings will increase in the coming weeks, and registered participants will have more freedom and options once on site.
Those booking swimming timeslots, for instance, will no longer be limited to a single lane and will be able to access the hot tub, sauna and slides at the indoor pools after July 5.
Through the summer, to support residents in returning to recreation activities, the City is continuing to subsidize the temporary reduction in drop-in fees – $1 for children, youth and seniors, $2 for adults and $5 for families – through its Community Support and Recovery Plan.
Blue Mountain Wading Pool has also returned to service after being closed since 2019. Similar to the City’s spray pads, access is free and no registration is required. Information about Coquitlam’s outdoor pools and spray parks can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/outdoorpools.
Safe, Gradual Return at Pavilions
As City operations slowly and safely gear up, some areas will re-open more slowly than others.
For example, at Coquitlam’s two 50-plus facilities – Dogwood and Glen Pine Pavilions – virtual programs will begin to transition to in-person over the summer, and activity groups offered in partnership with the Dogwood and Glen Pine Societies will begin to resume again, with a more programming planned for the fall.
Residents age 50 and up are encouraged to check for opportunities this summer through www.coquitlam.ca/registration (Adult section). Pavilion information can also be found at www.coquitlam.ca/glenpine and www.coquitlam.ca/dogwood.
Coquitlam a Leader during Pandemic Operations
Coquitlam was one of the first Metro Vancouver municipalities to successfully re-open facilities, including recreation programming and City Hall, beginning in June 2020. Coquitlam is also one of the few municipalities that was able to keep these important services open throughout subsequent waves of the pandemic, with the exception of PHO orders related to specific areas of the City’s business (e.g. indoor group fitness classes, adult non-fitness and sport programming, etc.).
Since the onset of the pandemic, the City of Coquitlam has been operating with sound operational health and safety plans in alignment with Provincial health orders.
For more information about the City’s response and services during the pandemic, visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19.
Register and Stay Informed
To sign up for activities and to keep up-to-date on program offerings and updates:
Stay informed about City news and service changes by:
Media contact:
Jennifer Keefe
Manager Community Recreation and Culture Services
City of Coquitlam
604-927-4386
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca