Should the new recreation complex on Coquitlam's Burke Mountain include an ice rink?
That is a question council is grappling with as the city moves ahead with plans for the new facility that are expected to be finalized next year.
Coun. Dennis Marsden said he had concerns about locating rinks on the mountain, noting the 10.5-acre property where the city intends to build the community centre in the future Partington Creek neighbourhood has a 28% grade.
The area also gets more snow than other parts of the city, making it difficult to get to during the coldest months of the year, he added.
"That would cause me some real concerns," he said during a committee meeting this week. "Is that where we want to drive our activity on those winter days?"
He added that the city gets better value when it builds multiple ice sheets next to each other, something that would be difficult on Burke Mountain, he added. Rinks are costly, Marsden said, noting he would be reticent to "put the most expensive pieces in the most tough to service area."
But not everyone at the council table agreed.
Coun. Craig Hodge said he initially was hesitant to support a rink at the new facility, but has since come around to the idea.
"The more I am hearing from the community, I think we need to explore it," he said.
Mayor Richard Stewart said although "28% is a heck of a grade," the city has built other large amenities on Burke Mountain, like soccer fields, and an ice rink is technically feasible at Partington Creek.
Still, he added that he is waiting to hear the results of an arena study to determine the best locations for the city's ice sheets.
"I really believe we need to figure out where the rinks will go," he said. "I suspect the rinks are in Town Centre. I don't know."
But Coun. Brent Asmundson disagreed that City Centre was a good place for the rinks, noting land costs in the neighbourhood are some of the most expensive in the city. There is enough demand for two rinks on Burke Mountain, he added, noting the facilities add to the city's dry-floor inventory during spring and summer.
"It adds to the flexibility up there," he said. "I believe an arena is needed up there."
According to a staff report, preliminary work shows the future community centre property could accommodate up to 100,000 sq. ft. of recreation amenities. The city is looking at a range of options, including indoor and outdoor programs, a community pool, multi-purpose rooms, a library and cultural spaces.
"While these preliminary programs will fit on the site… further analysis based on detailed topographic surveys for the sloped site are required so that costs can be confirmed," said the document.
According to the report, the city is studying a future expansion of the City Centre Aquatic Complex, on which staff will report to council separately.
Staff said they continue to gather information and engage the community, and will have a concept design for the new recreation complex ready by the summer. An open house will be held in the fall, which will be followed by plan refinements, with the final sign-off on the project expected to come to council in 2021.
