Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Long-awaited Coquitlam gatherings on the horizon as city opens community event applications

Festivals, sporting events and fundraisers are being welcomed back to city parks real soon, but organizers must ensure any and all public health orders are followed.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
the-city-of-coquitlam-has-no-plans-to-cancel-or-postpone-events-due-to-covid-19
(Pre-pandemic) Summer Concert Series at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. | File photo

A potential sign of life revitalized for the Tri-Cities.

On Thursday (July 29), Coquitlam opened its application process for organizers looking to plan a community event in a city park this fall in anticipation of B.C.'s COVID-19 restart plan shifting to its final phase.

Step Four is scheduled to begin no earlier than Sept. 7 — the day after Labour Day — and is set to see an increased capacity for larger organized gatherings. No official limit on patrons is associated with Step Four as of this publication (July 30).

Events can include anything from sporting events and tournaments to festivals and fundraisers, and must meet all public health orders in place when the gathering takes place.

"These activities supported organizations, created local economic spinoffs and provided places for residents to connect and celebrate," explains Coquitlam cultural and community events supervisor Terra Dickinson in a statement.

"Many event organizers remained in touch with the City throughout the closure, and now that events are returning, staff are on hand to support them through the application process."

Dickinson points to the application process on the city's special events page for interested organizations looking to host a gathering of sorts.

It also includes information for fire safety, permit requirements, and accessibility checklist and related fees.

For more information, you're encouraged to visit the city of Coquitlam's website.

As well, the city of Coquitlam has decided to double its block party grant for 2021 by way of the Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP).

The total one can now apply for is $300:

  • $150 from the city's block party grant
  • $150 matched through the CSRP

Up to 100 grants are set to be made available for the remainder of the year on a first-come, first-served basis, the city explains, in an effort to encourage fun and safe social gatherings among neighbours.

Interested applicants — if approved — are encouraged to use the money for "top-up" expenses from local sources such as supplies, food, activities, or the hiring of a performer or children's entertainer.

For more information and criteria , you can visit the block party page on the city of Coquitlam's website.