Coquitlam doesn't have a lot of special event space for large outdoor gatherings and so it's no surprise that it's planning to build an amphitheater on the shores of Lafarge Lake.
And why not? It's got the money.
The project is costing between $1 and $2 million and will be paid for with a combination of fees developers pay, such as development cost charges and density bonus fees, and might also attract a $500,000 Heritage Canada grant. The average local taxpayer isn't fronting the cost, at least directly, and the city says the plaza is needed for current and future events.
But is it? Coquitlam has held successful Teddy Bear picnic events and Canada Day without this plaza, and for many residents who have become fond of the park's natural attributes, even if the lake, a former gravel pit, is man made, this amphitheater is too much and not needed.
Some fear the amphitheater could overwhelm the park, which is already packed with amenities, and eliminate what little passive park space there is for a family picnic, a game of tag or a snooze in the sun. Others meanwhile, are just concerned about noisy concerts running late at night.
The city says it can handle all of these issues and, to its credit, there are benefits of putting an amphitheater on the east-end of the lake. The view will be spectacular and there will still be seating, something that's often needed for children and families during special events.
Some trees and picnic tables will have to be removed, but people will still be able to have picnics there, trees will be replaced nearby and, arguably, events such as Canada Day may be better show-cased then they are presently. Obviously, there is a tie in with the Heritage Canada grant and Canada's 150th birthday.
All that being said, there is the sense that this additional amenity is just too much and that it's not really needed.
If it's going ahead planners need to make sure that it fits in with the natural surroundings and that future programming is considerate of neighbours.
