The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is eyeing Coquitlam for its next community centre.
President and CEO Steve Butz told The Tri-City News yesterday the charitable group plans to start its market research next month to identify where the full-service facility would go and what programs could be provided to children, adults and families in the Tri-Cities.
The city of Coquitlam is partnering with the organization and will contribute up to $20,000 for the study that will include polling residents by phone, according to documents released on Monday for the council-in-committee meeting.
As well, the Y will look at launching a capital campaign study for the planned centre.
Lori MacKay, Coquitlam's general manager of parks, recreation and culture services, said in her report that Burquitlam and northeast Coquitlam are potential sites for the family community centre, which the city envisions as a 50,000 sq. ft. to 60,000 sq. ft. building with a pool, fitness area, gym, multipurpose rooms and childcare space.
"In addition to recreation programs, the YMCA would explore partnering with others on the delivery of social service support programs in such areas as health, new Canadian settlement and education," MacKay wrote in her report to the committee.
Currently, the YMCA runs a childcare resource and referral program on Austin Avenue.
"There are lots of questions right now," Butz told The News last Thursday. "Right now, our organization and the city have agreed to work together and that's a positive step.
"I think we are interested in understanding better ways to serve the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley, and Coquitlam is a community on the move and growing."
If approved, the full cost of the operation would be born by the YMCA, Butz said.
The YMCA has 170 program sites in the Lower Mainland, costing $35 million a year. Recently, it developed a strategic plan to expand its programs over the next decade.
This spring, the YWCA of Metro Vancouver and the B.C. government opened Como Lake Gardens, a four-storey building at 528 Como Lake Ave. for single moms and their children; the land for the affordable housing project was donated by the city.
