A joint school and park will soon rise on an empty parcel of land in Burke Mountain.
And, in the coming weeks to months, the City of Coquitlam and School District 43 (SD43) will refine their plans for the 23-acre site along David Avenue.
A timeline laid out in a staff report to be shared at the Monday (April 17) council-in-committee meeting states a public open house will be held on April 26, followed by site works in June, depending on permits.
The concept park design is expected to be ready in the summer, followed by submission of a school permit application, and a final park concept should be ready by the winter of 2023-24.
School construction could start in early 2024 followed by park construction in early 2025.
Once the design for the site is completed, the city and SD43 will finalize a joint use agreement covering specific operating protocols, rights and obligations for the use of the facilities in accordance with a framework laid out in the 2015.
Coquitlam has set aside $8.8 million for the park, which includes a $5-million community amenity contribution from local developer Wesbild Holdings.
However, cost estimates won't be firmed up until the park design is further along, with capital costs included in the 2024-2028 capital plan.
Michael Thomas, SD43 board chair and Port Coquitlam trustee, will be at the meeting to talk about the "strong relationship" between school and city officials in developing joint plan.
The new Burke Mountain park and joint 1,000-seat middle/secondary school are expected to be complete in September 2026.
Here's what the park plan entails so far:
- 400 m running track with sport lighting
- Artificial turf field (lining in consultation with SD43 and Coquitlam Field Sport Association input)
- Four full-size tennis courts
- Externally accessible washrooms within the new secondary school to be defined through the Joint-Use Agreement (JUA) with SD43
- Parking
- Minimum 60 stall parking lot to be confirmed as part of a future report as defined by the JUA with SD43, with additional "on-street" parking
Updates about the plan, including the open house, will be provided through the project web page, social media, neighbourhood information notices and site signage.
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