December 9, 2019, was a historic day for the community of Coquitlam. After 2,624 days, the Coquitlam City Council formally approved the final project plan for a new YMCA for Coquitlam! Not only did the project plan receive approval, but the YMCA, Concert Properties and the City of Coquitlam staff received a standing ovation from Mayor and Council for the landmark achievement.

Over the last five years, YMCA staff and teams of experts have been working hard to craft this unique, three-party plan. Coquitlam Council’s approval of the final project plan, funding and tender award on December 9 allows for the construction of the new YMCA and mixed-use development to proceed on a portion of the Burquitlam Park site, located next to the developing commercial zone at Clarke and Como Lake roads that includes the Burquitlam SkyTrain station. The YMCA will be a true centre of community, and will come to Burquitlam alongside the municipality’s investment in an expanded Cottonwood Park, a Park-and-Ride, a Community Police Station and more housing options, built over the next three years.

“The YMCA and this partnership provides substantial benefits to the City, bringing significant new amenities and much greater value than we could have achieved on our own. It will also play a key role in creating the exciting future we envision for the Burquitlam neighbourhood,” said Mayor Richard Stewart.

Opening this Centre of Community will not only bring critically needed social infrastructure to the Burquitlam neighbourhood, but it also creates the opportunity to impact the lives of children, youth, adults and families for generations to come across the Tri-Cities.

We want to thank the City of Coquitlam, Concert Properties, YMCA staff and our community volunteers and donors who, together, are making this dream possible. It is because of your shared vision—for a generation of children and families who reach their potential—that we are accomplishing this important work together. Under the ongoing volunteer leadership of Tracy Price, Chair of the Coquitlam Campaign Cabinet, we are continuing our work to achieve our Community Campaign Goal for this vital and much-needed centre of community. Thank you to Tracy and the entire cabinet for everything you have done over the past number of years leading up to this milestone as well as all your efforts moving forward!

Save the Date for the Coquitlam YMCA Groundbreaking!

To recognize this milestone, we are looking forward to celebrating the official groundbreaking with you, our valued donors, volunteer leaders and more, on April 18, 2020. Formal invitations will be sent soon, so stay tuned.