A plan to construct a performance and events plaza on the shores of Lafarge Lake has drawn plenty of feedback about the project's scope, potential noise and programming, said Coquitlam's parks planning and design manager and there is still time to comment on the project.
"We're hearing from people who are saying 'make sure it integrates more of a natural look,'" said Andre Isakov, who said people can still submit their comments online at www.coquitlam.ca (a downloadable form is available) until Feb. 9.
The original Town Centre Park Master Planning vision included an outdoor event and festival space on Lafarge Lake for gatherings, such as Canada Day, the Teddy Bear Picnic, and performances, and this year Coquitlam is looking at carrying out the vision, expected to cost between $1 million and $2 million.
But at least one resident doesn't like the idea and would prefer the grassy area dotted with picnic tables stay the way it is.
"That's the last green space in the park," commented Ariel Bowers, who often picnics or plays with her children in the area.
Above, an artist's rendering of the performance space for Coquitlam's Town Centre Park. Residents can still weight in on the project. - CITY OF COQUITLAM WEBSITE
Bowers is not impressed with plans that show a terraced slope and a concrete plaza on the east end of the lake and she worries about noise and wonders whether the tradeoff of grass and open space for a performance venue that will only be used a dozen times a year is worth it.
"I don't want to see a rock concert and a thousand people is a lot of people," said Bowers of the maximum amount of seating that could be considered for the slope.
She and some of her neighbours are also worried it won't be used enough to warrant taking out mature trees. "Because it's not developed doesn't mean it's not useful," Bowers said.
Plans are to build the tiered amphitheatre to hold between 100 and 1,000 spectators and space for mobile production infrastructure, including lighting and staging.
"We want to create a space that functions like a plaza, a gathering space," said Isakov, who said not all performances attract 1,000 people but there needs to be "scaleability" to accommodate some of Coquitlam's bigger events, such as Canada Day, and upcoming Seniors' Games and celebrations for Coquitlam's 125th birthday in 2016.
"Sunday afternoons could be very small scale performances, plays and things like that," he said, emphasizing that the space will still work well for family picnics, enjoying a coffee and socializing. "It's not just for events four or five times a year."
Funding for the project would come from fees developers pay, such as development cost charges, and density bonuses, and the city plans to apply for a Heritage Canada grant of $500,000.
Isakov said noise and crowd issues can be dealt with through programming and said consultation is taking place this week and construction could start this summer with a spring 2016 completion date.
