Coquitlam backs three-year lease for hunting and fishing club

While its days may be numbered, the Port Coquitlam District Hunting and Fishing Club is set to stay in its spot next to Pinecone Park for another three years following a unanimous vote from Coquitlam council Monday.

The club first leased the land at 5000 Upper Harper Road in Coquitlam in 1956, and has organized a fishing derby, annual coho and schnook releases, as well as providing firearm target practice for police officers on the site. However, as development plans take shape on Burke Mountain, the club may need to look for another location.

“Your future pretty much rests on the decisions of council,” said Coun. Brent Asmundson.

Approval of developments at Hazel Coy and Burke Mountain Creek will “start the clock ticking on your lease,” Asmundson said.

Coquitlam has a plan to add 950 homes and approximately 2,750 new residents to the Hazel-Coy area. However, provincial housing legislation enacted in 2023 tied up city staff resources and led to Coquitlam deferring the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood plan, according to a city staff report.

“I would love if we could find a solution that keeps you in Coquitlam,” said Coun. Matt Djonlic.

Noting the prohibitive costs of an indoor firing range, Djonlic suggested there could be a “green buffer” between the gun club and housing on Burke Mountain.

“We’re going to keep kicking the can down the road as long as possible,” Djonlic said.

“I think kicking the can is not a viable option,” disagreed Coun. Craig Hodge. “Today, this is obviously a good use of the land, there’s nothing else there. . . . But it’s not sustainable.”

Noting the significant benefits to the community, Coun. Dennis Marsden said he’d like to keep the club in the immediate vicinity.

While Mayor Richard Stewart was supportive of the club, he asked if the Coquitlam-based organization might consider removing “Port Coquitlam” from their name.

“We did look at changing the name,” said the club’s first vice-president Steve Wade.

However, changing the name would come with a financial cost, he noted.

“We decided we could better spend the money on other things.”