Much of the city's vibrant activity revolves around the events held at the Evergreen Cultural Center. Visitors and locals can experience the fines arts through; theatre, comedy, visual arts workshops, and art gallery.
On Southern Coquitlam the rich French-Canadian heritage has a place all its own at Heritage Square in well known Maillardville. Arts, history, culture and the simply pleasures of the outdoors that are intertwined with Coquitlam can be found at every turn. Whether on business or pleasure time out and indulge in the city's hospitality and leisure activities.
Population: 112,980
Highlights:
Coquitlam City Centre Aquatic Complex
Town Centre Stadium and Park
Evergreen Cultural Centre
Public Safety Building
The David Lam campus of Douglas College
The Pinetree Community Centre
Hoy Creek - "Salmon Come Home" Event - salmon run (fall)
Coquitlam River
Minnekhada Regional Park
Pinecone Burke Provincial Park
Place Des Arts
Red Robinson Show Theatre
History:
The First Nation Coast Salish bands lived in the area of Coquitlam (and much of the coast line) for thousands of years prior to the arrival of European explores in the 1800's. The Coast Salish used the surrounding rivers for salmon harvesting, cedar trees for materials, and the rivers and oceans for transportation. Their cultural presence is preserved in the area in local museums, carvings, totems, and traditional works in local gift stores and galleries.
The arrival of the first white explorer, Simon Fraser occurred in 1808, however, European settlements, agriculture in particular, would not appear until after 1860. The sawmill industry of Fraser also brought about an extraordinary community of French-Canadians, the largest Francophone centre west of Manitoba, which was named after a young French Oblate, Father Maillard. Much of this vibrant community is evident still in the street names and homes on the slopes of South Coquitlam.
Climate:
Summer average 18 degrees Celsius
Winter average 5 degrees Celsius
