The underground parkade at the new Port Coquitlam community centre (PCCC) won’t be open for two years.
And the parking crunch at and around the facility is a source of frustration for sports users and Terry Fox Library visitors — especially those with disabilities.
This week, in response to feedback since PCCC opened in late August, the city designated new parking stalls within the Wilson Avenue lot for people with mobility challenges.
That northside lot, which has 21 stalls, including two for the disabled, as per the BC Building Code, now has four extra accessible spots on weekdays from 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. — two close to the library entrance and two near the arena.
PoCo's chief administrative officer, Kristen Dixon, said staff are also working with HandyDART, which drops off disabled and elderly patrons in front of the library, to find alternative options.
In addition, the city has made changes to the Zamboni loading zone to allow for 15-minute drop-offs and pick-ups.
And it installed three-hour maximum parking signs at both the Wilson and Kingsway lots, plus signs where parking isn’t allowed. Bylaw staff will patrol the areas to enforce limits.
Terry Fox Library manager Kimberley Constable said she has heard a small number of complaints about the lack of parking.
And Joan Gould, acting president of the Wilson Centre Seniors Advisory Association, which programs the Wilson Lounge at PCCC, said while accessible parking hasn’t been an issue for her members, she hears parking grumbles from the public when she works the PCCC information desk.
“It’s the number one complaint,” she told The Tri-City News.
Dixon said city staff appreciate residents’ patience as the phased construction on the $132-million complex continues. The city is encouraging users to walk, cycle, carpool or take public transit in the meantime. Questions about PCCC parking can be emailed to: [email protected].
Once finished in fall 2021, PCCC will have more than 500 surface and underground stalls including 10 spots for accessible parking, she said.
“The underground accessible stalls are strategically located in the parkade to allow for easy access to both ends of the facility,” Dixon told The Tri-City News. “An accessibility consultant has been engaged throughout the project to ensure we are meeting a high standard for accessibility, going above and beyond the building code.”
