Coquitlam approves new YMCA recreational centre next to Burquitlam Station

Dec 14 2019, 3:35 am

Earlier this week, Coquitlam city council approved the municipal government’s partnership to build a new YMCA recreational facility, new community facilities, new SkyTrain park-and-ride facility, and new and improved parks next to the Millennium Line’s Burquitlam Station.

This package of projects is a partnership between the City of Coquitlam, YMCA of Greater Vancouver, and Concert Properties, which is constructing the area’s largest mixed-use development to date.

The developer’s project entails about 2,700 homes within eight towers up to 50 storeys, with one cluster at Burquitlam Park just east of the SkyTrain station and a second larger cluster located roughly one block south at Whitgift Gardens. This includes about 1,600 market condominium units, about 900 purpose-built market rental units, and up to 100 non-market rental units operated in partnership with 43 Housing Society.

Artistic rendering showing both parcels – Burquitlam Park (right) and Whitgift Gardens (left) – of Concert Properties’ redevelopment in Burquitlam. (Concert Properties)

Site plan of the Burquitlam Park portion of the Concert Properties redevelopment in Burquitlam. (Concert Properties)

In exchange for this density, Concert Properties is making community amenity contributions towards the area worth over $100 million, including a land swap that provides the space for the new amenities and facilities, and expanded park space.

The new 55,000-sq-ft Burquitlam YMCA, located on a portion of Burquitlam Park, includes an indoor pool, gym, fitness studios and equipment, multi-purpose space, daycare, and a family development centre. This is double the size of the original community centre planned by the city for the site.

burquitlam coquitlam ymca

2019 artistic rendering of Burquitlam YMCA. (Stantec Architecture / City of Coquitlam / YMCA of Greater Vancouver)

burquitlam coquitlam ymca

2019 artistic rendering of Burquitlam YMCA. (Stantec Architecture / City of Coquitlam / YMCA of Greater Vancouver)

It will cost $77 million to build the new YMCA, with the municipal government contributing $52.6 million, mostly from developer fees. YMCA will contribute $38 million in capital, cover operating costs, and manage the facility, which will be co-owned in a 50-50 partnership with the city.

A 3,700-sq-ft community policing station will receive $4.7 million from the city.

There will also be an underground parkade with 229 vehicle parking stalls, including 115 stalls for the YMCA, 76 stalls for the park-and-ride, 31 stalls shared by the park-and-ride and rental housing visitors, and seven stalls for the community policing station. The city is contributing $5.5 million towards the park-and-ride.

With city council’s approval, construction will begin later this month on Burquitlam Park, with the site fenced and cleared. Excavation will begin early in 2020, with the YMCA, community policing station, and park-and-ride completed in Fall 2022.

“After years of planning this innovative and complex project, we’re thrilled to soon be seeing shovels in the ground,” said Coquitlam mayor Richard Stewart in a statement.

“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.”

Concert Properties Burquitlam

The two sites of Concert Properties’ redevelopment in Burquitlam: Burquitlam Park and Whitgift Gardens. (Concert Properties)

To achieve the project, there is a land swap, with the city allocating 1.3 acres of Burquitlam Park towards the mixed-use development and YMCA in exchange for the developer’s 2.55-acre parcel next to Cottonwood Park and a $700,000 contribution for park improvements.

As a result, Cottonwood Park will nearly double in size to over four acres, with enhancements such as a combined ball diamond and sports field, a multi-sport court, and outdoor games tables. Construction on the park is set to begin in Spring 2020 for a completion in Spring 2021.

Concert Properties Burquitlam

Artistic rendering of Concert Properties’ Burquitlam Park redevelopment in Burquitlam. (Concert Properties)

Concert Properties Burquitlam

Artistic rendering of Concert Properties’ Burquitlam Park redevelopment in Burquitlam. (Concert Properties)

Concert Properties Burquitlam

Artistic rendering of Concert Properties’ Burquitlam Park redevelopment in Burquitlam. (Concert Properties)

Concert Properties Burquitlam

Artistic rendering of Concert Properties’ Burquitlam Park redevelopment in Burquitlam. (Concert Properties)

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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