The success of Coquitlam’s Lights at Lafarge can be seen in the hundreds of people circling the lake on any given evening to take in the sights and lights.
It can also be seen in the traffic around Town Centre Park.
Coquitlam’s parks and recreation staff said the annual winter attraction is drawing thousands of visitors from across Metro Vancouver, causing traffic jams on Pinetree Way and taxing the area’s parking supply.
“I think the secret is kind of out,” said Raul Allueva, the city’s general manager of parks and recreation. “It has been incredibly successful.”
Allueva said the easiest way to get to Town Centre Park is by SkyTrain and that people should take public transit whenever possible.
He added that those who must arrive by vehicle should look for stalls in the upper lot in the northwest section of the park. Engineering and public works general manager Jozsef Dioszeghy said new signage has been installed leading drivers to additional spots.
The impacts of the increased traffic has been felt by the Evergreen Cultural Centre, Allueva said, which has a parking lot located next to the light display.
“They are bearing some of the brunt of the popularity of the event,” he said, later adding, “We are drawing the people there… and we want to make sure we solve this issue.”
Kathleen Vincent, Coquitlam’s manager of corporate communications, told council last week that a survey of attendees was conducted at the Lights at Lafarge display. She said staff are particularly interested in how residents arrived at the event. The information collected will guide the planning of the light display in the future.
SING-ALONG FRIDAY
Coquitlam is hoping to break its 500-person record for the number of singers at Jingle Bells Night this Friday at Lafarge Lake. The sing-along will take place between 7 and 8 p.m., with multiple singing groups stationed around the lake. The event is part of the Lights at Lafarge winter display, which features hundreds of thousands of lights in Town Centre Park. The lights are switched on each at night at dusk and powered off at 11 p.m., although they will stay on later on New Year’s Eve.
@gmckennaTC
