The parking may be a sore point and the heating and cooling continue to be a concern but the new Poirier Forum is fully booked during peak hours this fall, Coquitlam city staff say.
The Forum — the $3.9-million dry-floor facility that opened in February south of Dogwood Pavilion — will see three new sports groups begin training next month: Coquitlam Metro-Ford and North Coquitlam United soccer clubs, and Coquitlam-Moody Ringette Association.
Vinh Truong, Coquitlam's community recreation manager, told The Tri-City News there has been a big uptick in the daytime use of the Forum since the 25,000-sq. ft. venue opened last winter, with pickle ball at capacity for the 2.75 hours it's booked each day.
Members of Dogwood Pavilion, the seniors' centre next door, are considered primary users for the city along with hockey and lacrosse clubs; however, private organizations such as Vancouver Inline Hockey League are also clambering for regular floor time, Truong said.
Athletic groups aren't the only users. This December, more than 100 exhibitors will be selling their wares at the Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair — a popular annual gathering that used to be held in a rink at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex across the road.
"The response to the Forum has been really great," Truong said. "In fact, many people are asking for us to build more indoor space because the demand is so high."
Meanwhile, Perry Staniscia, Coquitlam's general manager of strategic initiatives, said the city will hire a consultant to advise how the existing parking lot can be reconfigured.
Users of both Dogwood Pavilion and the Poirier Forum have complained about the lack of stalls and there's not much room when the Coquitlam Farmers Market takes over part of the parking lot on Sunday mornings (the market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday from May through October). A report is due before city council by November.
Still, the reconfiguration, if approved, would only be a temporary fix as city parks managers are expected to be studying the entire Poirier sports precinct next year or so.
The Forum will also be used for the 55-Plus Games, to be held from Sept. 20 to 24, 2016, as well as Coquitlam’s 125th anniversary celebrations next year.
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