Coquitlam holds groundbreaking ceremony for Burke Mountain rec centre; 2029 opening date scheduled
After years of planning, the shovels have hit the ground on Burke Mountain.
A host of officials were on hand Tuesday to mark the groundbreaking of the 80,000 square foot community centre and to announce a $10-million contribution from the province.
The neighbourhood has been growing in recent years, noted Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Jodie Wickens.
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“With that growth, it’s important to make sure that we have services that people rely on,” she said, explaining each level of governments shares a “collective responsibility” to build complete communities.
Most of the centre is set to be paid for with development cash and external grants. The city is also planning to use debt financing at key points to keep the burden from taxpayers, according to a release from the city.
A previous estimate put the total cost of the facility at $152 million. However, given recent tariffs and counter-tariffs, “the scale, duration, and specific goods affected continue to shift significantly,” noted a 2025 city staff report.
Having announced plans to leave council after this term, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart reflected on the significance of the centre.
“It’s especially meaningful to see this project moving forward as one of the final major civic initiatives in my time as mayor,” he stated in a press release. “I look forward to this centre becoming a true gathering place where people of all ages can come together, build relationships and create lasting memories for years to come.”
The facility is set to include a six-lane pool, sauna, a double gymnasium, fitness centre, and a branch of the Coquitlam library.
Wickens emphasized the importance of the centre.
“That’s what turns a growing neighbourhood into a complete community,” she said.
The project is set to include 237 parking spots, including 128 underground stalls.
Set to be finished in 2029, EllisDon Construction Ltd. is responsible for “all aspects of construction.”
Based in Mississauga, Ont., the employee-owned construction company built the retractable roof on the SkyDome, now the Rogers Centre.
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