Feds chip in as much as $67 million on Burke Mountain rec centre

The ground is broken and the money is pouring in.

The federal government is set to contribute as much as $67.4 million toward the Burke Mountain Community Centre, according to an announcement Wednesday.

The city has not released the total cost of the centre.

“Cost estimates are not being released at this time to help protect the integrity of the competitive bidding process, and to maximize the city’s ability to achieve the best value for residents,” stated Coquitlam director of capital projects Tobi May in a message to the Dispatch.

The federal investment is meant to: “meet the needs of a growing community and give residents real, everyday access to recreation programs and services,” said Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam MP Ron McKinnon.

McKinnon called the project a blueprint for governmental cooperation, praising Coquitlam’s mayor and council.

“Thank you to all of council for looping me in from the very beginning, long before a funding application ever landed on my desk. That is exactly how something like this should come together,” he said.

McKinnon dismissed a question about tariffs affecting the project, answering: “Tariffs are not going to affect this project.”

The federal funding is coming from the Build Communities Strong Fund, which includes a clause to prioritize Canadian materials and suppliers.

Mayor Richard Stewart noted the historic nature of the contribution in his remarks.

“This is the largest investment in Coquitlam infrastructure by another level of government in our community’s history,” he said. “We couldn’t have done it without Ron.”

The funding also includes $10 million from the provincial government and $4.6 million through the city’s housing accelerator fund. Those partnerships allow the city to add infrastructure while lessening the impact on taxpayers, Stewart said.

“Perhaps it took too long, but we’re here,” he said.

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.

The city is also planning to use debt financing at key points to keep the burden from taxpayers, according to a prior release from the city.

The 80,000 square foot community centre is slated to include a six-lane pool, sauna, a double gymnasium, fitness centre, and a branch of the Coquitlam library.

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.”

The rec centre was previously set to be complete by 2027.