The suburbs get more than their fair share of derision from culture mavens in cities with big marquees and big-name acts.
But there is little truth to the myth that communities such as Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody are cultural or entertainment wastelands. From community festivals, such as this weekend's Festival du Bois in Coquitlam to the recent - and fabulous - internationally renowned Wearable Art awards and show in Port Moody to high school productions such as the upcoming Les Miserables presentation at Riverside secondary school, the Tri-Cities have a thriving arts community.
When it comes to sports, the area is no slouch, either. Locally, we are a hotbed of sports action from hockey - such as the Coquitlam Express which recently signed a five-year deal to stay in Coquitlam - to baseball, where the popular Coquitlam Reds keep balls in the air and lacrosse, with the Minto Cup-winning Coquitlam Adanacs offering high-energy lacrosse, there is much to keep a sports fan busy.
Even high school sports can provide high-octane entertainment, and local athletes are making big names for themselves in Canada, down south and, even, just across the bridge at University of the Fraser Valley. Last week, for example, The Tri-City News highlighted the talents of Sam Freeman, a Coquitlam basketball star who is on the Canada West conference all-time list for three-pointers.
As well, the Tri-Cities boast not one but three world arts and cultural centres, the Evergreen Cultural Centre and Place des Arts in Coquitlam, and the Port Moody Arts Centre, which is about to undergo a significant expansion; as well, PoCo has Leigh Square arts village and each city has its own heritage centre. Even Red Robinson Theatre in Coquitlam offers world-class acts for the discerning viewer.
The thing is, there is so much to see and do here, there is almost no reason to cross a border or head downtown, with all the extra costs and time involved. So buy a ticket and say "in your face" to those who disdain the 'burbs for distant boroughs that offer little more than we have here.
