The design of Coquitlam's new aquatic and community centre on the Fraser River | Daily Hive

This is the design of Coquitlam's new aquatic and community centre on the Fraser River

Preliminary concept of Fraser Mills Community Centre. (Beedie Living/City of Coquitlam)

Coquitlam’s southwest area is slated to gain a sizeable public community and recreation centre serving a major new high-density residential neighbourhood along the Fraser River.

The facility will serve Fraser Mills, a new community being developed by local developer Beedie Living on a 96-acre former industrial waterfront site. The historic sawmill property is located at the foot of King Edward Street, just south of the Trans-Canada Highway, IKEA, and Cineplex, and west of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver.

The City of Coquitlam’s Fraser Mills Community Centre will be located on the development’s riverfront, next to an event-friendly public plaza.

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The approximately 60,000-sq-ft complex will contain an aquatic centre with a 25-metre, five-lane lap pool and a leisure pool with waterslides. It will also feature a full-size gymnasium, a fitness centre, multipurpose rooms, and casual gathering spaces.

The architectural design will make extensive use of mass-timber materials, not only for their “excellent performance characteristics” and ability to create a warm and inviting environment, but also as a nod to the site’s industrial past as a sawmill.

Based on the newly released preliminary conceptual artistic renderings, there will also be ample natural light by incorporating an extensive glass facade, which takes advantage of the site’s southern orientation.

Preliminary concept of Fraser Mills Community Centre. (Beedie Living/City of Coquitlam)

Construction on Fraser Mills Community Centre is expected to begin in 2028. Upon its completion in 2031, the facility will be owned and operated by the City of Coquitlam. The public amenity will be funded and built by the developer in exchange for the approved market density and uses within Fraser Mills.

“Through our partnership with Beedie, we’re creating more than new amenities — we’re creating a place that celebrates the history of the Fraser Mills site while looking ahead to the future of Coquitlam’s waterfront,” said Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart in a statement today.

“This investment will help shape a complete waterfront neighbourhood with welcoming parks, vibrant public spaces, public art, and a new community centre designed for active recreation and fun. Together, these spaces will create opportunities for people of all ages to gather, stay active and connect as the community grows.”

The ground-level of the building will include a 7,600 sq. ft. restaurant unit to help attract people to the neighbourhood and activate the adjacent plaza.

There will also be 265 vehicle parking stalls across three underground levels serving the community centre, plaza, and adjacent destination waterfront park. As more buildings at Fraser Mills are completed, the number of public parking stalls will increase to 350.

Additionally, a mobility hub is planned next to the community centre, providing bus stops, passenger pick-up and drop-off areas for ride-hailing and taxi vehicles, and shared micromobility options.

Preliminary concept of Fraser Mills Community Centre. (Beedie Living/City of Coquitlam)

Fraser Mills Community Centre is part of the City’s previously approved master plan for the redevelopment, which also includes nearly 17 acres of public parks and open spaces, much of it along the riverfront. The community will also feature a new public elementary school and childcare facilities with space for more than 400 children.

Three Fraser Mills residential projects are currently under construction and are expected to be completed in 2028 and 2029: Debut, Encore, and Chapter.

Upon the long-term completion of the entire redevelopment, Fraser Mills will contain more than a dozen high-rise residential towers with about 5,500 homes. These will include strata market condominiums and secured purpose-built rental housing, along with a neighbourhood-serving retail village closer to the water and significant creative and light-industrial spaces closer to the highway.

“We see the community centre as much more than just a building,” said Ryan Beedie, president of Beedie Living.

“It is truly the heart of Fraser Mills. It’s where neighbours will meet, kids will learn to swim, and the community will come together. We’re extremely proud to bring a facility of this calibre to Coquitlam’s waterfront.”

Existing condition:

Existing condition of Fraser Mills on Coquitlam’s Fraser River waterfront. (Google Earth)

Future condition:

Updated artistic rendering of Fraser Mills in Coquitlam. (Beedie Living)

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Updated artistic rendering of Fraser Mills in Coquitlam. (Beedie Living)

Artistic rendering of the Debut condominium tower at Fraser Mills. (Beedie Living)

Updated site plan of Fraser Mills in Coquitlam, with the park, open space, and recreational facilities highlighted. (Beedie Living)

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