New Bettie Allard YMCA is open to members

Built by partnership between City and Concert Properties

JANIS CLEUGH

jcleugh@tricitynews.com

Tri-City residents now have a new place to swim, workout and socialize

The YCMA opened the doors to its Bettie Allard facility in Burquitlam last week with nearly 3,000 members who signed up for the early-bird rates

Located close to the Burquitlam SkyTrain station, the 55,000 sq ft venue is a partnership between the City of Coquitlam and Concert Properties, an area

Developer

FEATURES INCLUDE

• an indoor pool

• a gym with pickleball lines

• fitness studios

• a walking track

• strength and conditioning zones

As well, there’s a family centre, childminding and gathering spaces at a café, plazas and a rooftop terrace

The centre is open from Monday to Friday from 5:30 a m to 10 p m , and on the weekends and holidays from 7 a m to 9 p m

A variety of memberships are available; however, for Coquitlam residents, the YMCA has a special Coquitlam Resident Access

Rate, which guarantees 30 hours per week in the pool plus 13 hours per week of fitness

Heidi Worthington, president and CEO of the YMCA BC, said the Burquitlam “Y” wouldn’t have gone up without the help of the city, Concert Properties, donors and volunteers

‘INCLUSIVE CENTRE’

“Creating a welcoming, safe and inclusive centre of community is just as important to the YMCA as our high-quality programs and services,” she said in a release

“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”

Meanwhile, construction is currently underway on the “Heart of Burquitlam” at and around the Burquitlam Plaza strip mall, which is owned by Morguard Investments and will also be re-developed Once complete, the “Heart of Burquitlam” will include:

• a 3,700 sq ft community police station

• a 222-stall underground parkade (including spots for park and ride)

• 2 55 acres of new parkland, the expansion of Cottonwood Park and a redesigned Burquitlam Park

• two residential towers including 55One, a rental tower with 308 homes 100 of them non-market rental suites run by 43 Housing Society (move-ins start April 1) and Myriad, a 50-storey tower with 468 condos Visit BettieAllardYMCA ca for more details about the recreation complex and its programming