Port Coquitlam
The City of Port Coquitlam is situated between three rivers, with the Fraser River to the south, Pitt River to the east and the Coquitlam River to the north. Easily accessible via surrounding highways and transit, Port Coquitlam is surrounded by trails and parks, and offers a thriving and vibrant business community. Port Coquitlam is also the home of Terry Fox, who inspired the world with his cross Canada Marathon of Hope!
Unparalleled Welcoming Community
Regardless of the time of year, the city presents residents with a wide array of activities suitable for all ages. Leigh Square, an outdoor plaza, acts as the hub for Port Coquitlam's focus on Arts, Culture and Heritage. Six months of the year, the square hosts a weekly farmer's market featuring live music, a kid's area, and countless local farmers and crafters; there is also a seasonal Christmas market to help residents get into the holiday spirit. Festivities throughout the city continue with year-round events like Easter in the Square, Music in the Park—Lion's Park free summer concert series—and Cinema Under the Stars which showcases various family films at parks around the city.
The city also hosts an Artist-in-Residence program which affords artists the 'opportunity to research, develop and produce new or ongoing bodies of work.' Community activities continue—the list is endless— adult artist drop-in classes, seasonal workshops such as wreath making, block parties, the Poco Grand Prix & the Rivers & Trails Festival. For those looking to become a member of an active community, Port Coquitlam has something for everyone.
Great Place to raise children
Outside of Poco's newly minted recreation facility, proximity to nature, and community offerings; the city offers many child focused activities. Hyde Creek Recreation Centre offers a slew of programs from Kids in the Kitchen, to gymnastics, or Playmania (a parent participation play hour), and the Childminding Play Centre offers parents up to an hour of free time. Port Coquitlam is also very proud to offer Beyond the Bells a before/after school recreation program in partnership with the local school district. The program's primary goal is to facilitate accessible activities that focus on equal participation and an opportunity for children to create new friendships. 'Move, create, & connect' is Port Coquitlam's motto for it’s rich Summer/Spring camp offerings. The brand-new Terry Fox Library offers endless programs and opportunities for children of all ages. And don't miss Children Services seasonal activity guides for children 0-6 and 5-10 years of age.
Flourishing Craft Brewery Scene
Port Coquitlam is home to five breweries, three of which form an easily walk-able night out on the northside of PoCo; Northpaw, Tinhouse, & Provincial Spirits, Poco's only distillery. Patina Brew House & BBQ, located on the southside, offers a new experience with craft brews, smoked meat along with other BBQ specialties. Taylight & Brothers Brewing round out the city's current offering, with PoCo Brothers opening soon! Regardless of your taste these exemplary craft establishments have you covered.
At Nature's Doorstep
PoCo’s parkland totals 266 hectares and a total of 46 kms of trails! Regardless of where you reside in Port Coquitlam the peace and tranquility of an escape into nature is never far away. Poco Trail encompasses nearly all of the city with its 25km loop, & both the Coquitlam and Pitt Rivers run the breadth of the city. The Coquitlam River is the perfect spot for fishing, lazy river tube rides, swimming, and even the occasional summer BBQ. Lions Park is Poco's premiere play area, having received a million-dollar upgrade in 2015, and is the ideal place to take the whole family. With multiple sports fields (including an artificial turf field), tennis courts, meeting facilities, and a concession; Gates Park acts as a hub for sports and is often the focal point of Tri City tournaments. Area parks continue with the southside’s Colony Farm Regional Park which offers over 11km of trails while acting as a wildlife habitat for over 200 bird species; located on the city’s northside, Blackburn Lagoon Park, opened in 2018, is a 27-acre site with two lagoons, designed to be the cities first urban oasis.
State of the Art Recreation Facility
Phase one of the city’s new recreation facility has recently been completed. There is a multi-level, 8500 square foot, fitness centre which offers an array of amenities including; cardio equipment, functional training zones, personal/group training areas, two fitness studios offering weekly yoga and fitness classes, a weight room, & a spin studio. The facility also includes a leisure pool with two swimming lanes, a lazy river, play features, and accompanying steam room, sauna, and hot tub. There are also two skating arenas, a games room, several multi-purpose rooms, and Wilson Lounge & Kitchen. The lounge is especially important to the city as it offers café-style seating which serves lunch and snacks for seniors’ weekdays along with offering a wide array of senior focused activities; there is also an all-ages activity schedule on evenings and weekends.
Phase two of the facility is set to complete by the end of 2021 and will include: the Jon Baillie Arena with a 780-seat spectator section, a gymnasium, a children’s area with more multi-purpose space, an underground parking lot, as well as outdoor plazas and sport courts.
Easily Accessible
Downtown Port Coquitlam is only six minutes from the Coquitlam Central Sky Train station and is home to Poco Station, a main bus hub offering connections to anywhere you need to be. The station is also a stop for the West Coast Express with multiple departures to Waterfront station starting at 6:00 am Monday to Friday. The entirety of Port Coquitlam sits between Lougheed Highway and the Mary Hill Bypass ensuring you are never too far away from Highway One and quick access to downtown Vancouver.