A new outdoor amphitheatre could be coming to the east side of Coquitlam's Lafarge Lake.
The project is still early in the planning stage but on Monday, city council voted unanimously in favour of endorsing the concept and providing $1 million for a preliminary budget. Staff estimated the total cost of the amphitheatre would run between $1 million and $2 million.
When it is completed, the outdoor event area and plaza would play an important role during large civic events, such as annual Canada Day festivities and the 2016 BC Seniors Games, said a city staff report.
"I think this is an important project," said Coun. Brent Asmundson. "We are trying to attract new events and we want to return some of the events that have left."
Coquitlam's Town Centre Park Master Plan, which was written in 1995, identified the area for a future events and performance site, said a city staff report. Renderings of the project showed a large amphitheatre on the eastern shore with seating facing the water and a stage on the edge of the lake.
Staff said builders would work with the existing topography when preparing the site, working the seating into the natural slope of the area.
The design would also have to accommodate between 100 and 1,000 spectators and be big enough to allow for a mobile production infrastructure, including lighting and stages, according to the project criteria.
Public consultation on the initiative is expected to commence next year.
