A partnership between the City of Coquitlam, School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) and Wesbild Holdings has secured funding for a lit artificial turf field and other amenities at the new middle/secondary school and park planned for Burke Mountain.
Wesbild, known in Coquitlam for its communities on Burke Mountain and Westwood Plateau, has made a contribution of $5 million towards the future construction of a lit artificial turf field, running track and other amenities at the future Burke Mountain Middle/Secondary School and park site at David Avenue and Soball Street.
In addition to the financial contribution towards the field, Wesbild has also committed to donating and servicing the land for the six-acre Marigold Elementary School site in the Partington Creek neighbourhood.
The 23-acre joint middle/secondary school and park site comprises two properties, one owned by SD43 and the other owned by the City. Both the City and the School District view this joint school/park project as a top priority given the continuing growth in the area.
The future school, which is planned by SD43, to feature innovative green technology is now in the planning stages. Capital funding has been requested from the provincial government for a 2023 opening. The long-term plan is to construct a separate middle school on the same site when it is required by the local student population.
The park component, including the artificial turf sports field and sports track, will be funded through the $5-million Wesbild contribution and $3.8 million from development revenues through the City's Development Cost Charges paid by developers. Additional cooperative funding of $405,000 from the City and School District may also be accessed for the project. Wesbild presented the $5 million cheque at the Jan. 13 Council meeting.
The City and SD43 will be developing a joint-use agreement similar to other joint sites to provide for shared use of the site amenities.
The field and track will be used by students during school hours and by the Burke Mountain community at other times. It will be Coquitlam's seventh artificial turf field. An eighth field is planned in the future, also as a joint use amenity between SD43 and the City of Coquitlam, on the Centennial Secondary School site.
About Wesbild
Wesbild has been creating the places people live, work, and play since 1981. Wesbild approaches every new opportunity - a home, master-planned community, industrial space or shopping centre - with unwavering commitments to quality, innovation and environmental responsibility. Each Wesbild project has one thing in common: it is an inviting, thoughtfully designed place that brings people together. Wesbild is best known for our communities on Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain in Coquitlam, Predator Ridge in Vernon, and numerous neighbourhood shopping centres throughout B.C. and Alberta. Learn more at wesbild.com.
About Burke Mountain Middle/Secondary School
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) has submitted a report to the Ministry of Education requesting funding for the new school as it begins early phases of design. Furthering SD43's commitment to designing and building facilities to high environmental standards, utilizing the latest energy conservation practices, integrating innovative features in new buildings and retrofitting mature sites, SD43 aspires to open The Greenest School in Canada' in the hopes that the Burke Mountain Green School may become the new standard and model for future school construction.
Quotes
Kevin Layden, Wesbild President and CEO
"Wesbild is pleased to work in partnership with the City of Coquitlam and School District 43 to help bring schools to Burke Mountain. Our gift of $5 million towards a track and field for Burke Mountain will provide a new park space for residents and a place for students to play and grow."
Kerri Palmer Isaak, SD43 Board Chair
"The tripartite working relationship between School District 43, the City of Coquitlam and Wesbild demonstrates how much can be accomplished when we focus on working together. The park site, field and track, will be a fantastic complement to the planned Burke Mountain school and a great addition to the community."
Richard Stewart, City of Coquitlam Mayor
"This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through partnerships. The new field and track are sure to be well-used amenities for the growing neighbourhoods on Burke Mountain. With the City and Wesbild jointly committing $9.2 million in funding for the park amenities, we are lending our strong support to SD43's request for capital funding for the Burke Mountain Middle/Secondary School Site."
