Billed as an outdoor space with the comfort of a living room, Port Coquitlam’s $5.8-million civic centre revamp will now go to the public for input.
Tuesday, Port Coquitlam city council approved the conceptual design to transform the civic centre — including Veterans Park, Leigh Square and an extension of Donald Pathway — into an open public space with double the room for festivals and Remembrance Day gatherings.
During the meeting, councillors expressed enthusiasm for the plans, noting approval by the local legion to relocate the cenotaph and support from local businesses.
“This really sends a signal to business, developers and the community that we are embracing the redeveloping. It’s the trigger to say to them, ‘We are serious about this, because there’s been a lot of talk for a long time,’” said Coun. Dean Washington, as he and his colleagues moved to take next steps on the project.
But not everyone was pleased by the plans.
Coun. Laura Dupont expressed concerns about the amount of “hard” landscaping, and the relocation of the bandshell and the cenotaph.
In opposing the plan, Dupont also took issue with the Donald Pathway design, suggesting it could be greener and meandering like the current pathway. “It doesn’t feel like a greenway to me. It seems there is a very little green to me,” Dupont said.
Despite her opposition, council gave approval to the next steps, which will include public input and design, with the goal of embarking on the civic centre upgrade in 2022.
Noting there will be opportunity for public feedback, Mayor Brad West said public comment is “open to every single individual in city. We invite them to submit their feedback. All comments we will take away.”
The public is invited to share their feedback on the draft concept from March 10 to 24 through an online survey available at portcoquitlam.ca/downtown.
According to the city, the updated civic centre will attract more people of all ages to the downtown, improve safety, visual nightlines and connectivity, and create “an atmosphere that is fun, lively and green, with lighting for night-time enjoyment.”
