Port Moody endorses long-range recreation plan amid growing demand

Port Moody is looking decades ahead as it plans for the future of recreation in the growing city – a new indoor pool, expanded community centre space, and more sports courts could all be part of that vision.

On May 12, council endorsed its Recreation Facilities Study, which will guide planning and investment decisions for recreational infrastructure over the next 25 years.

The study examines current recreation facilities, projected population growth, changing demographics, and shifting recreation trends to identify where future demand is expected to outpace existing amenities.

Mayor Meghan Lahti said recreation facilities play a vital role in community wellbeing.

“Municipal recreation facilities are an important part of our community – they promote physical activity, mental wellness, lifelong learning, and social connection in spaces where everyone is welcome,” she said. “As demand grows for recreation opportunities in Port Moody, we’ll continue to explore what kinds of facilities and spaces may be needed in the future.”

The study focused on community centres, aquatic facilities, arenas, multi-sport spaces, outdoor courts, and sports fields, ranking 23 different recreation amenities based on demand and broader community benefits.

Indoor aquatics ranked as the city’s top recreation priority, followed by gymnasiums and sports fields, according to a scoring table included in the report.

One of the study’s biggest recommendations is exploring construction of a new indoor aquatic centre ranging from 40,000 to 65,000 square feet. Staff identified the Port Moody Recreation Complex as the preferred location because it could integrate aquatic and arena services while allowing the city to redesign common gathering spaces.

The report notes Port Moody’s two outdoor pools currently see high usage levels despite their limited seasonal operation, recording about 1.1 swim visits per capita in 2023.

However, the study also warns a new indoor pool would likely reduce demand at existing outdoor pools, potentially leading to the eventual decommissioning of one facility. If the indoor pool is built at the Recreation Complex, the report suggests Westhill Pool may make more sense to retain because of Rocky Point Pool’s close proximity to the proposed new facility.

Staff cautioned the aquatic centre would represent a major long-term investment and could require underground parking, geotechnical analysis, and archaeological assessments because of site constraints.

The study also highlights growing pressure on the city’s existing arena infrastructure.

Port Moody currently has two ice sheets and one curling rink at the Recreation Complex. While the city currently has a higher per-capita capacity than neighbouring municipalities, the report notes that both sheets are busy during peak hours and could become overcrowded within five years due to population growth.

To maintain current service levels through 2050, the study estimates Port Moody may eventually require one to two additional ice sheets, potentially through partnerships with neighbouring municipalities or the private sector.

Community centre space is another area flagged for expansion.

Although Port Moody currently exceeds Lower Mainland benchmarks for overall recreation facility floor space per capita, the city only has one large gymnasium space, and it was operating at roughly 98 percent capacity in 2023.

The report recommends a new 30,000 sq. ft. community centre at the Kyle Centre site, potentially including gymnasium space, youth and seniors programming areas, and fitness amenities. Council already approved funding in 2025 for conceptual design work on a replacement facility

Outdoor sports amenities are also expected to grow substantially if population projections hold.

The study recommends roughly doubling the city’s inventory of outdoor courts over the next 25 years, potentially adding 20 to 25 new basketball, pickleball, tennis, or similar courts.

The report notes several pickleball and basketball court expansion projects are already underway and expected to be completed by 2026 and 2027.