Coquitlam Introduces Plan For Reopening

The City has been methodically working through the logistics required to reopen public facilities safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the safety of the public and our employees as the top priority, the City must also consider service delivery, space, equipment, financial impacts and many other factors as it works to meet provincial and WorkSafeBC guidelines and public health protocols.Dates Set for Reopening City Hall, Recycling Depot, Spray Pads and Outdoor PoolsIn alignment with B.C.’s Restart Plan and direction from the Provincial Health Officer, the partial reopening in mid-June is anticipated to include select services at City Hall by appointment. Also planned for partial reopening in mid-June are the Coquitlam Animal Shelter, Town Centre Recycling Depot and spray pads. Registered access to outdoor pools is set to follow in early July.This is in addition to the core services the City has delivered throughout the pandemic – including waste collection, police and fire protection, drinking water and sewer – and new initiatives such as a Business Support Portal, the CoquitlamSPIRIT online activity and resource library, changes to policies and processes to support businesses and development, and a multi-sector Community Support and Recovery Plan with $5 million in initial funding.Safety Considerations Guide Reopening PlansThe City's phased reopening is aligned with B.C.’s Restart Plan and allows for potential scaling back or reclosing if necessary.The reopening has been a complex planning exercise, with factors including:

• Enhanced cleaning requirements;
• Deployment and training of staff;
• Physical alterations to ensure distancing, such as Plexiglas barriers, signs and floor markings;
• Use of appointments and registration to ensure physical distancing when accessing City services;
• Changes to practices and programs to reduce touchpoints and ensure distancing;
• Size of groups, space needs and potential changes in location; and
• Cost-effectiveness and financial impacts.

Coquitlam’s Plan for a Gradual ReopeningThe City is currently in Stage 1 of its Phased Reopening Framework, with the focus primarily on core services, essential in-person activities, online services and safe access to parks and trails. Outdoor amenities such as playgrounds and sport courts were initially closed in Stage 1 but recently reopened.Stage 2, anticipated in mid-June, is slated to include the partial and modified reopening of selected facilities on an appointment basis including City Hall, the Service Centre, the Animal Shelter, Archives and Community Police Stations. This would provide some limited indoor activities such as:

• Public hearings with physical distancing;
• Tax payments, development services and BusinessLinQ meetings; and
• Animal adoptions.

Expanded outdoor activities will include drop-offs at the Town Centre Recycling Depot, and registered outdoor recreation, fitness classes and children’s camps.The reopening of Coquitlam’s nine spray pads is scheduled for mid-June, with Eagle Ridge and Spani outdoor pools currently planned for modified reopening by early July, with measures in place to protect the safety of users and staff.Stage 3 would see indoor recreation facilities open for limited registered activities and most non-recreation facilities open for limited hours, while Stage 4 calls for the full resumption of services. The timing of both of these stages will rely on direction from the Provincial Health Officer and B.C.’s Restart Plan.To see a summary of the City of Coquitlam COVID-19 Phased Reopening Framework, visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19.Watch for InformationUpdates, including details on the appointment-booking system and swimming registration, will be posted in the coming weeks on the City’s social media channels and at www.coquitlam.ca/covid19.In the meantime, the community is encouraged to make use of online services such as:

• The free CoquitlamSPIRIT library of activities and resources for all ages at www.coquitlam.ca/spirit ;
• Information and resources for businesses at www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/business ;
• Up-to-date City information and services through the CoquitlamConnect mobile app (www.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamconnect);
• Access to tax, utility and dog licence accounts through MyCoquitlam (www.coquitlam.ca/mycoquitlam) and
• Other online services listed at www.coquitlam.ca/eservices.

Residents can also visit www.coquitlam.ca/registration to learn about and register for the City’s summer offerings. Registration began June 1 online and June 2 by phone at 604-927-4386 (weekdays only 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for statutory holidays).Supporting Our Community During the PandemicThe City of Coquitlam is here to help, with these resources:

• Visit www.coquitlam.ca/csrp to learn about the City’s Community Support and Recovery Plan, which is providing immediate and long-term support for the non-profit sector, businesses and residents;
• Visit www.coquitlam.ca/spirit for a free library of activities for all ages, including fitness, arts and culture, outdoor activities and ways to connect with your community; and
• Visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19 for updates on City services and initiatives and COVID-19 health resources.