He had a tough time whittling down his list to 125.
That was the magic number for Coquitlam tourism manager Eric Kalnins as he compiled his things-to-do menu for the city's new Travel & Experience Guide.
After all, 125 is this year's anniversary for the city and all civic pride — from parties to publications — have to incorporate some aspect of the milestone in 2016.
The guide, which also captures the celebratory theme of Stories Told, Stories to be Created, came out this month and is much thicker than last year's edition, Rendezvous Coquitlam.
Its distribution is also much wider. There are now 35,000 out in circulation — 10,000 more than last year's run — including at tourist centres around the province and Washington State and, this summer, along the Tsawwassen-to-Victoria BC Ferries route as well as at the Vancouver International Airport.
The content is significantly different from last year's, too.
There is more information about where to bike — a nod to TORCA, the Tri-Cities Off Road Cycling Association, and the boom of the sport.
There are also nuggets about Coquitlam's past provided by city archivist Emily Lonie. And there are notations about big events coming us such as the 55-plus Games, the U19 Men's Lacrosse World Championships and, of course, Coquitlam 125 activities like Kaleidoscope (July 23 and 24) and a community heritage picnic at Blue Mountain Park, designed to recreate a scene from a Booth Farm picnic 125 years ago (Sept. 17).
What isn't in the guide, however, is the Evergreen Line, whose opening date has been bumped to early 2017.
Kalnins said the guide primarily caters to locals looking for a staycation and out-of-towners — particularly families visiting Coquitlam for the day or weekend for a sports event — and are wanting something to do for a few hours.
Cool off at an outdoor pool, work your legs on the Coquitlam Crunch or dine out at one of the many multi-cultural restaurants, it suggests. And Kalnins points the way to specific eateries — some of which are well known, others hidden gems.
Kalnins said Coquitlam's food scene is becoming more of a draw because of the city's connection with the Lower Mainland Tourism Alliance, which promotes West Coast food experiences.
Still, the 48-page guide can also be useful for American tourists capitalizing on the low Canadian loonie value. "We are such a bargain for them," Kalnins said, "because their dollars goes a long way right now."
Last October, Coquitlam city council endorsed a five-year plan to invigorate tourism. In 2013, the city set aside $200,000 annually for three years from casino revenues to finance the program and to pay for a tourism manager; Kalnins' position ends next February.
His strategy focuses on three key areas: tourism management, branding and identity, and destination and industry development.
It also sets goals to move the city from a Level 4 out of 10 (its current rate for tourism development) to a Level 6 in five years and, in two decades, a Level 8 — the same ranking as Whistler.
The cost of this year's guide was $40,000, which was offset by $25,000 in advertising. Free copies are available at Coquitlam civic facilities or online at www.coquitlam.ca/explore.
