For Immediate Release
Media Advisory
New Bettie Allard YMCA opens its doors to the community with nearly 3,000 members
January 27, 2023, Tri-Cities and Burquitlam, B.C. — The highly anticipated new Bettie Allard YMCA, a state-of-the-art, 55,000-square-foot facility, opened its doors to the Tri-Cities and Burquitlam neighbourhoods on January 17, 2023. The facility, located just steps from the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station’s Evergreen Line, is the result of an innovative partnership between the YMCA, the City of Coquitlam and Concert Properties.
Focus on healthy living and belonging
The Bettie Allard YMCA is specifically designed to meet the needs of the community with a focus on healthy living and belonging, providing generations of people with access to valuable health and wellness programs, and inclusive spaces to build connection. The facility features a gymnasium, walking track, studios for group fitness classes, strength and conditioning zones, along with a pool and aquatic areas — all under one roof. A dedicated Family Centre and community spaces, which includes a cafe, plazas and rooftop terrace where members can meet friends old and new, are also hallmarks of the facility,
Bettie Allard YMCA to bring services to the community
The project was announced in 2016 as a partnership between the City of Coquitlam, Concert Properties and the YMCA to jointly develop a community recreation facility at the heart of the Burquitlam neighbourhood, providing residents with new public facilities, infrastructure and benefits to enjoy for generations to come. This includes:
- A 55,000-square-foot YMCA with an indoor pool, gym, fitness studios and equipment, multi-purpose space, child minding, a family development centre and other amenities;
- A 3,700-square-foot Community Policing Station;
- A 222-stall underground parkade, including stalls dedicated for park-and-ride;
- 2.55 acres of new parkland, including the expansion of Cottonwood Park and a redesigned Burquitlam Park;
- Transportation improvements such as new multi-use paths and an upgraded and realigned Emerson Street; and
- Two residential towers developed by Concert Properties:
- 55One, a rental tower with 308 homes, includes 100 non-market rental suites operated in partnership with 43 Housing Society. Move-ins begin April 1.
- Myriad, a 50-storey tower with 468 condominium homes, is currently under construction.
Public invited to tour the facility and join the Bettie Allard YMCA
Interested members are invited to drop by the facility for a guided tour and to learn more about the amenities, programs and membership options offered. The Bettie Allard YMCA is open Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and on weekends and statutory holidays from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
A variety of membership types are available for individuals and families, and thanks to the generosity of donors, the YMCA offers an accessible financial assistance program that provides subsidies for health and fitness memberships for those who may need support to participate.
Additionally, Coquitlam residents are eligible for a special Coquitlam Resident Access Rate, which provides 30 hours per week of aquatic access, and 13 hours per week of fitness access at fees equivalent to Coquitlam rates. For more information on when the Coquitlam Resident Access Rate will apply, and information about everything the YMCA has to offer, please visit BettieAllardYMCA.ca.
Quotes:
“A project of this magnitude and significance would not have been possible without the incredible support from the City of Coquitlam and Concert, and the generosity of our valued donors and volunteers," said Heidi Worthington, President and CEO, YMCA BC. "Creating a welcoming, safe and inclusive centre of community is just as important to the YMCA as our high-quality programs and services. Now that we are open, we look forward to welcoming people of all ages, stages, backgrounds and abilities to the Bettie Allard YMCA, supporting their journey to live healthier, happier lives, and providing them with the quality experience they deserve and we expect to deliver at the YMCA.”
“After many years of planning and construction, it is so rewarding to see the Bettie Allard YMCA opening its doors, and to hear the positive feedback from Coquitlam residents,” said Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. “This is an important milestone in the transformation and revitalization of the Burquitlam neighbourhood and I once again offer my thanks and congratulations to the partners, the YMCA and Concert Properties, who made this possible.”
“We are tremendously excited to see the Bettie Allard YMCA come to life, and are grateful for our unique partnership between the YMCA and the City of Coquitlam making this facility, and this new transit-oriented, master plan community, possible,” says David Podmore, Chair, President & CEO of Concert Properties. “The YMCA fills a long-sought need, and combined with the additional housing we are building, this new community will help support the rapidly growing Tri-Cities/Burquitlam neighbourhoods.”
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About the YMCA BC
YMCA BC (formerly YMCA of Greater Vancouver) is a community-based charity powered by people with a shared commitment: to strengthen community. For more than 136 years, the YMCA has cared for kids, shaped leaders for tomorrow and helped generations of people come together to find support, get healthier and make friends for life. Each year, more than 120,000 children, youth, adults, families and seniors become happier and healthier through the YMCA’s life-enhancing programs and services, which are offered at more than 270 locations across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and Sunshine Coast. The Bettie Allard YMCA will support underserved families, new immigrants, young children and older adults in the rapidly growing Tri-Cities and Burquitlam neighbourhoods. For more information, visit gv.ymca.ca.
About City of Coquitlam
The City of Coquitlam is the sixth largest city in B.C., home to more than 150,000 residents. Coquitlam is an active and vibrant community that continues to attract new residents and new businesses that appreciate the quality of life, central location in Metro Vancouver, and countless opportunities for recreational, cultural and outdoor pursuits. For more information, visit coquitlam.ca.
About Concert Properties
Since 1989, Concert Properties has proudly developed, acquired and managed Canadian real estate in pursuit of building a people-first future. With over $8 billion in assets, we are backed and owned by over 200,000 Canadians, represented by union and management pension plans. Concert Properties comprises three corporate entities, Concert Real Estate Corporation, Concert Infrastructure and Concert Income Properties. Within these entities, we develop and manage rental apartments and seniors’ active aging communities; develop condominium homes; develop, acquire and manage commercial properties; and invest in, develop and manage public infrastructure projects across Canada. In each area of our business our vision remains the same: build resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities. For more information, visit concertproperties.com.
Media Contacts:
YMCA BC:
Oliver Lam
Director, Marketing and Communications
oliver.lam@bc.ymca.ca
778.227.7170
City of Coquitlam:
Michelle Frilund
Civic Engagement Manager
media@coquitlam.ca
604.218.3659
Concert Properties:
John Corry
Director, Corporate Communications
jcorry@concertproperties.com
604.602.3838