PoCo
P st
FALL
Your Guide to a Vibrant Fall in PoCo!
2026 EDITION!
Building Tomorrow, Capital Project Milestones: Gates Park Sports Hub Multi-Use Sports Facility Groundbreaking Kingsway Upgrades And More! Enjoy Fall Fun In Port Coquitlam! Culture Days Fall Art Exhibition Opening Halloween Howl Bear Aware Info Session More Inside! Seasonal Safety Tips Fall Leisure Guide Holiday Teasers And More!
portcoquitlam.ca
Welcome to Fall in PoCo! As the leaves change and the pace of the year picks up, Port Coquitlam is entering a season of important milestones. From new sport and recreation amenities to major infrastructure investments, this fall marks meaningful progress on projects that will serve our community for years to come. Inside this edition of the PoCo Post, you will find updates on the completion of the Gates Park Sports Hub, the upcoming multiplex groundbreaking and the ongoing Kingsway Avenue upgrades. You will also find a full lineup of seasonal events, from the Fall Art Exhibition to the Halloween Howl and Remembrance Day, along with programs for all ages in the Fall Leisure Guide. This is also an important season for civic participation. The 2026 General Local Election takes place on October 17, and the newly elected Council will be welcomed at the Inauguration on November 9. We encourage everyone to make a plan to vote and to join us in celebrating the start of a new term. Whether you are lacing up for a game at Gates Park, learning something new at a recreation program or attending an event downtown, we hope this fall offers many ways to connect with your community.
PoCo By the Numbers - Recreation at a Glance
10,967
23,343
PROGRAM REGISTRATIONS
portcoquitlam.ca
97,948
DROP-IN PROGRAM VISITS
ONE CITY PASSES ACTIVATED
5,170
FACILITY BOOKINGS
PoCo Proud: Building Our Community Together Gates Park Sports Hub The Gates Park Sports Hub is now open, offering residents a new turf field, warm-up field and field lighting alongside a paved access road, expanded parking and a new pathway network. The park is a premier destination for sport, recreation and community gathering. Pickleball courts will open soon adding a popular new way to stay active at the park. Future enhancements in the design phase include paving of gravel surfaces, a new pedestrian main entrance and a grandstand, targeted for early 2027. Learn more at portcoquitlam.ca/gatespark.
Multi-Use Sports Facility Groundbreaking On Monday, October 5, the City will break ground on the new Multi-Use Sports Facility, a covered, mass timber building designed to expand year-round, dry-floor sport opportunities in Port Coquitlam. Planned features include new washrooms and change rooms, spectator seating, improved parking and site access, enhanced lighting and new pathway connections. The Government of British Columbia has committed $3 million to the project, alongside previously approved City capital funding. Construction is anticipated to be complete in fall 2027. Learn more at portcoquitlam.ca/multisportfacility.
Kingsway Upgrades Work on the Kingsway Avenue Upgrades continues to advance well. Over the past few weeks, crews replaced a short section of deficient sanitary main along McLean and Kingsway. Completing this work now will help avoid future cuts into the new pavement. Excavation has also started on the north side of Kingsway in preparation for road widening, and curb and gutter. On the south side, approximately 60% of the streetlight bases and conduit have been installed. The City continues to coordinate closely with local businesses throughout construction and thanks residents and drivers for their patience. Learn more at portcoquitlam.ca/kingsway.
portcoquitlam.ca/capitalprojects
Fall Events in PoCo! Celebrate Culture Days
Culture Days runs until October 4 with a variety of activities celebrating local arts and culture. The City invites residents to celebrate Culture Days with free arts and culture programming for all ages taking place throughout September and October. Held annually, Culture Days aims to support engagement with, and appreciation for, arts and culture landscapes of Canadian communities. Learn more: portcoquitlam.ca/culturedays.
Fall Art Exhibition Grand Opening - October 1
Join us for the opening reception on Thurs. Oct 1 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Meet the artists while enjoying live music and refreshments sponsored by Patina Brewing. We look forward to welcoming you to this inspiring evening of art and reflection. Learn more: portcoquitlam.ca/exhibition.
Bear Information Session - October 21
Join us for free Bear Aware information sessions so you can learn to properly secure food waste & understand bear behaviour better. Register here: portcoquitlam.ca/bears.
Time to Get Spooky Halloween Howl - October 24
Join us for the Halloween Howl on Saturday, October 24 from 11:30 am 1 pm or 2 - 3:30 pm at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre. Families are invited to enjoy a day filled with spooky fun and carnival excitement for children 10 years and under. Come dressed in your favorite costume and take part in activities like pumpkin bowling, fortune telling, and a haunted house. Registration opens for PoCo residents on October 8. For more information or to register visit portcoquitlam.ca/register or call 604.927.PLAY (7529).
Remembrance Day Ceremony - November 11
The City of Port Coquitlam invites residents, family, friends, and visitors to join in honouring veterans on Wednesday, November 11. A parade, organized by the Port Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133, will begin at 10:10 am along Shaughnessy Street from Wilson Avenue to McAllister Avenue, followed by a Remembrance Day ceremony at 10:45 am at Veterans Park, including a wreath-laying service at the cenotaph. The full program is available at portcoquitlam.ca/remember.
portcoquitlam.ca/events
Get Active and Creative this Fall Start planning your fall activities today! Explore the full range of programs in the Fall Leisure Guide, available online at portcoquitlam.ca/leisureguide. Register online at portcoquitlam.ca/register for the following programs: • Arts and Culture: Try something new this fall in our new Try It! programs. Sing in a choir, make a mug, learn to crochet, explore printmaking, or play with watercolours. If you find your new passion, register for a full class. Learn more about Arts & Culture programming for all ages on pages 54 to 63. • Aquatics (All Ages): Interested in becoming a lifeguard? Check out our advanced courses offered this fall on page 26. We also have a new aquatic programs geared towards children aged 3-5 and 6-8 years of age – Aqua All Stars and Aqua Superstars on page 26. • Camps (Ages 3 to 17): Plan for the upcoming school year and enroll in a Pro D Day or Winter Break Camp! There are skating, arts, and even explorer camps available. Details in the fall leisure guide, pages 4-5. • Fitness (All ages): A variety of aerobics classes, yoga, and wellness classes for all fitness abilities. Schedule: portcoquitlam.ca/fitness. • Playschool Outside (Ages 3 to 5): Need an activity for your little one? Children will enjoy the outdoors and learning opportunities as they explore Hyde Creek’s beautiful natural forest and trails. Physical activity and imaginative play are part of the daily routine. Details in the fall leisure guide, pages 42-49. • Public Skating Programs and Lessons (All ages): Take private or group lessons to perfect your skating technique. Schedule: portcoquitlam.ca/skating. • Seniors Activities (Adults 60+): Create beautiful flower arrangements, play carpet bowling, learn a new language and more. Our social recreation programs help you connect with friends while learning new skills. Find out more about seniors’ programming on pages 50-53. • Youth (Ages 11-18): School is back in session, and Youth Lounges are open! Join us at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre Wilson Lounge and Hyde Creek Youth Centre for a welcoming supervised space for youth to hang out with friends. Find out more about Youth Programing on pages 36-41. For more information about program registration, contact Recreation via email at recreation@portcoquitlam.ca or call 604.927.PLAY (7529).
portcoquitlam.ca/leisureguide
SEE IT? We take great pride in providing quality service to our community. Did you know you can report any City services issues using the Sort & Report App, online at portcoquitlam.ca/report or by calling 604.927.3111. Scan QR code to download the app!
Stay Safe this Season
Protect Your Home - Check Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are the first line of defense in a fire, but they must be in proper working condition. • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas (such as hallways), and on every level of the home, including basements. • Ensure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. • Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button. • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services are committed to enhancing home safety by providing free smoke alarms to the community’s most vulnerable residents. Fire staff will install smoke alarms and conduct a home safety inspection. Residents can sign up at portcoquitlam.ca/smokealarm.
Be Ready for Emergencies - Download the Alertable App! On Thursday, October 15 at 10:30 am, immediately following the ShakeOut BC earthquake drill, the City will send out a test alert through the Alertable App.
What to do: • Download the free Alertable App today. • Keep your phone nearby on October 15. • When the test alert comes through, you’ll know your device is ready to receive real-time emergency updates. For more information about the program or to download the app, visit portcoquitlam.ca/alertable.
portcoquitlam.ca
Get Out and Vote - 2026 General Local Election on Oct. 17 Our next general local election will be held on October 17, 2026. General local elections are the most direct way for the public to influence their local government, school district or other local governance body by determining the individuals who then make decisions and govern on their behalf. In Port Coquitlam, the following positions are elected: 1 mayor, 6 City councillors, and 2 school trustees.
Ways to Vote: Advance Voting Days: October 7 & 10 Advance polls will be open from 8am-8pm on the following days: • October 7: Port Coquitlam Community Centre – Mabbett Hall (2150 Wilson Ave) • October 10: Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave) For more information visit portcoquitlam.ca/elections
General Voting Day: October 17 On General Voting Day, the following polling stations will be open from 8am - 8pm: • Blakeburn Elementary (1040 Riverside Dr.) • Castle Park Elementary (1144 Confederation Dr.) • Cedar Drive Elementary (3150 Cedar Dr.) • Central Elementary (2260 Central Ave.) • Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave.) • Kilmer Elementary (1575 Knappen St.) • Kwayhquitlum Middle (3280 Flint St.) • The Outlet (1100 - 2253 McAllister Ave.) • Westwood Elementary (3610 Hastings St.)
Stay Connected with Your City
WATCH THE LIVE STREAM
Committee of Council at 1pm: • Tuesday, October 6 • Tuesday, November 17 • Tuesday, December 1 • Tuesday, December 15 Inaugural Council Meeting: Meet Port Coquitlam’s newly elected council. • Monday, November 9 from 5-7pm at Mabbet Hall Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) Council Meeting at 5 pm: • Tuesday, November 24 • Tuesday, December 8 For the full agenda and to watch the meeting from the comfort of your home, visit: portcoquitlam.ca/council.
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Subscribe: portcoquitlam.ca/enews
Stay Connected and Contact Us: City Hall 2580 Shaughnessy Street Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2A8
portcoquitlam.ca
604.927.5411 Info@portcoquitlam.ca
Hours of Operation
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Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 4:30pm (Excluding stat. Holidays)
portcoquitlam.ca @CityofPoCo
CHRISTMAS IN THE SQUARE
November 28 | 4 - 7 pm Leigh Square Learn more: portcoquitlam.ca/christmas
WINTER MARKET
November 28 & 29 | 10 am - 6 pm Port Coquitlam Community Centre Learn more: portcoquitlam.ca/market
PARADE OF LIGHTS
December 5 | 5 pm Downtown Port Coquitlam Learn more: portcoquitlam.ca/paradeoflights
CPKC HOLIDAY TRAIN
Dates TBA Learn more: portcoquitlam.ca/holidaytrain
SKATE WITH SANTA
December 19 | 2:30 - 4 pm Stay tuned for registration details.
CHRISTMAS EVE SKATE
December 24 | all day Stay tuned for registration details.
For more information about City events visit portcoquitlam.ca/events