Coquitlam confirms plans to move forward on major construction projects

While inflation, higher financing costs, and supply chain problems haven’t gone away, the construction sector is as stable as it needs to be for key capital projects to move forward in Coquitlam.

City staff confirmed plans to move ahead on a host of projects including the Burke Mountain Athletic Park, Fraser Mills Community Centre, and the Town Centre Park tennis court expansion.

While he was pleased to hear the news, Coun. Steve Kim emphasized that market volatility isn’t necessarily “in the rearview mirror.”

Kim discussed the need for frequent staff updates in the event of an abrupt market shift.

“Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow?”

The city has backup plans in place for each initiative, noted the city’s director of major capital projects Tobi May.

“In general, everything is pointing towards favorable conditions for us to go to market on these major projects,” she told council.

The discussion on capital projects briefly veered into how some assets are used, with Coun. Teri Towner recounting her visits to Mundy Park.

A lot folks seem to use the fields as a dog off-leash area,” she said, asking if there might be a way to gently remind residents not to allow the park to go to the dogs.

“Dogs get more use out of it than the softball and baseball that it was built for,” agreed Mayor Richard Stewart. “I know that signs are going to be ignored, but they’re easier to ignore when they’re not there.”

One project elicited conflicting advice from council.

The Coquitlam Crunch South Extension, which would run up Mariner Way to Mundy Park, is currently a lower priority.

Coun. Dennis Marsden said he was “quite comfortable” with pumping the brakes on a Crunch extension.

“Not a high priority for me,” he said.

Coun. Brent Asmundson differed, calling the crunch extension an “amazing asset” as well as a tourist draw.

“It’s probably the least expensive capital dollar project that we can move through,” he said.