The centre is open, the seniors housing is in progress and – if all goes according to plan – the Maillardville Community Centre Plaza will be open for lounging by the end of 2023.
During Monday’s meeting, Coquitlam council got their first look at plans for the plaza including moveable furniture, table games, a concrete slide, a lawn and some climbable rubber surfacing.
Pending final approval in May, construction is slated to wrap up later this year.
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“This is an aggressive timeline in order to complete the project to avoid further cost escalation and reduce the risk of winter delays,” stated a city staff report.
It’s a tight timeline but it’s also the right timeline, according to Coun. Craig Hodge.
“Costs are going up and again, trying to get the work done before the November rains hit is key,” Hodge said. “This is an area of our community that is under-served by parks so I know there’s a lot of expectation and anticipation for this.”
A final cost has not been determined. However, the city has $2.4 million set aside for the project.
“Given the ongoing construction cost escalations in recent years, staff anticipate that additional funding may be needed,” the report stated.
Hodge emphasized the need to reach out to the community, specifically naming Maillardville Residents’ Association.
“Given the short time frame, we may just have to actually make a few calls rather than just putting it out on the web,” he said.
The city already did some engagement on the project dating back to 2019, noted Coun. Trish Mandewo.
“We already did the consultation so it shouldn’t take too long because we are pretty much going to say, ‘This is what we heard from you,’” Mandewo said.
The plaza is meant to be a “direct physical link to historic Laval Square and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,” the report stated.
The city is currently looking for a partner to build the non-market seniors housing adjacent to the plaza. An applicant will be picked “in the near future,” according to a city staff report.
