Your New Year’s Eve plans may have been scrapped with the recent provincial health orders that started today (Monday).
But, if you’re still wanting to stay up to midnight on Dec. 31, nearly half a million lights will be turned on at Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake to ring in 2022.
Parks operations manager Wendy Wiederick said that because Lights at Lafarge is an outdoor activity — and not an event — the city can still keep the show on until 12 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Thousands of revellers have descended on the City Centre neighbourhood since the free annual display went up on Nov. 27; it concludes on Jan. 31.
But, with the cold, wet snap, turnout hasn’t been as high as expected.
Still, when the skies clear, the park can be busy once the lights go on at around 4:30 p.m.
Last night (Sunday), vehicles blocked the Pinetree/Guildford Way intersection to line up for parking at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
And while Coquitlam RCMP didn’t receive any complaints or calls for service, police are reminding visitors to take time with their commute.
“During the holidays an event like this will inevitably attract a large audience, particularly on an evening with clear weather. We would recommend that visitors choose a week night, take transit or plan for extra time for their visit,” Staff Sgt. Ted Lewko told the Tri-City News.
Philip Hartwick, executive director of the Evergreen Cultural Centre, also encouraged visitors to walk, take the bus or SkyTrain to get to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas station.
If travelling by car, he suggested using other parking lots around Town Centre Park to avoid the congestion (Evergreen ticket-holders can pre-purchase a parking ticket for matinees, and an attendant will be on site to limit entry on show nights).
“Everything has gone pretty well for us,” Hartwick told the Tri-City News. “We welcome the extra visitors to the Evergreen Cultural Centre and to view our outdoor exhibits. It’s been really great to see the area bustling and people learning about our arts centre.”
Meanwhile, Park Spark volunteers have a number of activities planned at Town Centre Park until the end of the year (from 7:30 to 9 p.m.):
- Dec. 20: scavenger hunt
- Dec. 21: dress up in lights
- Dec. 22: winter sweater night
- Dec. 29: mascot parade
- Dec. 31: light display on until midnight
• For more details about Lights at Lafarge, which is presented by Coquitlam Centre and sponsored in part by the Tri-City News, visit coquitlam.ca/lights. You can also get information on how to be part of the city’s volunteer Park Spark team by emailing [email protected].
