A breach in security at last night's Canada Day fireworks show has prompted the city and the company putting on the light display to reschedule the event to tonight (Monday).
According to a city press release, the fireworks were cancelled after some people entered a restricted zone.
Tens of thousands of revellers were at Town Centre Park on Sunday night, waiting for the fireworks to go off at 10:30 p.m.
The party will restart Monday with entertainment at 8 p.m. and the fireworks at 10 p.m., above Lafarge Lake.
Below is the text of the city statement:
The City of Coquitlam is inviting the lower mainland to wrap up Canada Day long weekend with an amazing fireworks display at Lafarge Lake. But it wasn't planned that way. After a fantastic Canada Day festival, the Coquitlam firework show originally scheduled for Sunday night was delayed as a result of a few people breaching a fence and entering the restricted fall zone for the fireworks show. An investigation is ongoing.
ArchangelFireworks, the award-winning entertainment company that has won the contract for the Coquitlam show the past two years, had to cancel the show due to security concerns. "Archangel prides itself on safety for our people and our audience and sometimes that means the show doesn't go on," says General Manager of Archangel, Candice Mitchell. "Entering a secured zone is reckless and dangerous and has potentially serious consequences."
"The record crowd deserves praise for their patience and understanding, while technicians and staff focused on trying to reset the system," said Mayor Richard Stewart. "Coquitlam has a reputation for putting on a great show and we know expectations were high. While there was much disappointment when the show couldn't go on, I want to thank the audience for being so understanding."
General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Lori MacKay, highlighted that: "Archangel has created a spectacular show and the City is determined that the show must go on." The City of Coquitlam is inviting everyone to come to Lafarge Lake Monday night at 8:00 p.m. for music and fun to finish off the Canada Day long weekend. The Coquitlam Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Cressey will begin at 10:00 p.m. "Canada is worth celebrating two nights in a row" says Mayor Stewart.
