A year-long construction project is slated to start at the Leigh Square plaza in downtown Port Coquitlam next month, the city announced on Wednesday.
The square, home to many local art exhibitions and festivals, opened in 2007 and is expected to get a new stage, water feature, and space for food truck parking.
The upgrades are also going to include fully accessible pathways and an extension of the Donald Pathway between Wilson and McAllister Avenue.
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“We’re planning to unleash the untapped potential of Leigh Square with these improvements,” wrote Coun. Dean Washington in a statement.
The updates to Leigh Square are part of a wider $11.85 million plan to revitalize Port Coquitlam’s downtown core — which include upgrades to Veterans Park and McAllister Avenue, and the opening of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre.
“Tied in with the recent upgrades to Veterans Park, the transformation of Leigh Square will provide important public amenities while supporting local businesses by encouraging people to stop and stay a while in our downtown,” Coun. Washington stated.
In 2021, renovations to McAllister Avenue kicked off the city’s downtown construction project.
Two years later, Veterans Park received a new entry plaza and sidewalk as part of Port Coquitlam’s second phase of downtown renovations. The park re-opened to the public last week.
Leigh Square, the city wrote, has been underused in between events and needed upgrades to attract folks to the plaza throughout the year.
Fencing is scheduled to go up around the square towards the end of July.
While Leigh Square is under construction, Port Coquitlam is expected to host events at Terry Fox Hometown Square on the corner of Mary Hill Road and Kelly Avenue.
