Construction is set to start on a unique partnership project that will bring a new YMCA recreation facility, an expanded Cottonwood Park, a Park-and-Ride, Community Police Station and more housing options to Burquitlam over the next three years.

The $77-million YMCA and mixed-use development by the City of Coquitlam, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and Concert Properties will bring recreation services, community amenities, and both rental and strata housing that will contribute to a growing Burquitlam neighbourhood.

“After years of planning this innovative and complex project, we’re thrilled to soon be seeing shovels in the ground,” said Mayor Richard Stewart. “This partnership provides substantial benefits to the city, bringing significant new amenities and much greater value than we could have achieved on our own. It will also play a key role in creating the exciting future we envision for the Burquitlam neighbourhood.”

The development site, located between Smith Avenue and Emerson Street, will include these components:

• A 55,000-square-foot YMCA with an indoor pool, gym, fitness studios and equipment, multi-purpose space, child minding, a family development centre and other amenities;
• A 3,700-square-foot Community Policing Station;
• A 229-stall underground parkade, including 115 stalls for the YMCA, 76 for the Park-and-Ride, 31 shared by the Park-and-Ride and rental housing visitors, and seven for the Community Policing Station;
• 4 acres of public open space, including the new redesigned Burquitlam Park;
• Transportation improvements such as new multi-use paths and an upgraded and realigned Emerson Street; and
• Residential rental and strata towers developed by Concert Properties, with up to 100 non-market rental suites operated in partnership with 43 Housing Society.

The YMCA facility is the beginning of a larger development that includes, in partnership with 43 Housing Society, the building of 100 below-market rental homes in a 308-unit rental building. The companion development by Concert Properties will include residential and strata towers over multiple sites that together will result in more than 1,000 rental homes – the largest provision of rental homes in a single project in Metro Vancouver.

The project will also see nearby Cottonwood Park almost double in size to four acres, with enhancements such as a combined ball diamond and sports field, a multi-sport court and outdoor games tables. Park construction is set to start in late spring 2020 and be completed by the end of 2021.

Concert Properties, which will manage the overall project construction, brings 30 years of real estate development and management experience, including successful delivery of the state-of-the-art Robert Lee YMCA facility in downtown Vancouver.

“We are proud to be delivering new community amenities and a variety of housing options, including purpose-built, below-market rental homes, to realize our shared vision for the Burquitlam neighbourhood,” said Brian McCauley, Concert Properties president and CEO.

Construction of the YMCA, Community Police Station and park-and-ride is expected to complete in fall of 2022. The rental housing and portion of Burquitlam Park will be completed in 2023.