Burquitlam may see as many as four new public murals this year, city says

Following its first city-wide street beautification project last year, Coquitlam is aiming to add multiple new murals and other forms of public art to the southwestern corner of the city. 

The Burquitlam and North Road neighbourhood, specifically, may see as many as four new murals by the end of the calendar year. 

Since launching its two-year streetscape program last summer, the city has looked at spreading public art to other districts of Coquitlam, said Karen Basi, Coquitlam’s manager of community recreation. 

“Burquitlam, that’s a significant neighbourhood, and North Road,” she said. “This was an opportunity to look at another part of the city and focus on the areas that are in commercial areas.” 

City staff have identified two possible mural locations in both neighbourhoods.

In Burquitlam, Coquitlam is hoping to place one mural on a blank wall at 555 Clarke Road that backs onto a city-owned parkette, and a ground mural on a closed section of road on Brookmere Avenue between Whiting Way and North Road. 

The ground mural, which would be visible from the SkyTrain, may include seating space to allow for community gatherings at the respective sites, Basi said.  

On North Road, Basi added, Coquitlam is in discussions with property owners of a blank wall at 345 North Road — formerly the home of a Wings restaurant — and a wall part of the SOCO development near the Lougheed SkyTrain station that also borders a multi-use pathway. 

“Nothing is finalized but we’re in discussions with the owner of the property that used to be Wings,” said Basi, adding that the other mural projects have also yet to be confirmed. “We’re working through it right now — the goal is to have the work completed by the end of the year.” 

New bike racks, benches and a youth-led mural project at the Poirier Youth Centre are also planned for this year. 

The projects will be accompanied by a few other additions to the City Centre district.

Across town, Coquitlam is looking to add ornamental tree lighting on Glen Drive, Pacific Street and The High, and another new mural in front of a new entrance to the Coquitlam Public Library on Pinetree Way.

The work comes more than two years after the project was first introduced to council in March 2022. 

It’s partially funded through the city’s land sale reserve fund ($900,000) and a Destination B.C. grant ($435,000). Two local artists combined to create two murals of more than 1,100 feet on Brunette Avenue as part of the streetscape project. 

The initiative also backed a recent mural that was completed by members of the Kwikwetlem First Nation at the Town Centre Park Community Centre. 

“There was lots of really positive feedback form the public, especially around the murals,” Basi said. “You add these elements and you create a sense of place, you animate an area and make it feel more inviting.” 

It remains to be seen whether the streetscape initiative will come back in 2025. City staff are expected to report back to council by the end of this year, which will determine whether Coquitlam will be keen to continue adding splashes of new paint across town. 

But whether the project gets renewed or not, Basi said she hopes the beautification efforts encourages alternative modes of transportation — walking and cycling — and adds another layer of character to the city. 

“Whenever you create unique and creative elements to a city, I think it adds to that community’s character,” she said. 

“As you build out that inventory, there’s an opportunity for people to explore the city.”