COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: COQUITLAM

I am very thankful to call Coquitlam home. Before moving to Coquitlam, I was living in Downtown Vancouver. I was initially a little apprehensive about moving to the burbs but now, almost 2 decades later I am so thankful I did. The City of Coquitlam has everything you could ask for in a community. You'll find fabulous restaurants, excellent shopping including Coquitlam Centre mall. Many sporting events at Poirier Sport and Leisure complex and Town Centre Park. Amazing outdoors! Over 80 parks such as Mundy Park, Ridge Park and Colony Farm. World class mountain biking trails on Burke Mountain and Eagle Mountain (above Westwood Plateau) plus excellent fishing opportunities in the Coquitlam River. Coquitlam also benefits from a world class transportation system including the West Coast Express and SkyTrain. Great schools! Coquitlam is served by School District 43 offering four public secondary schools, seven middle schools, and dozens of elementary schools. Finally Coquitlam homes remain relatively "affordable" compared to neighbouring cities like Burnaby and Vancouver.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COQUITLAM

The Coast Salish people were the first to inhabit the area, and archaeology confirms continuous occupation of the Coquitlam area for at least 9,000 years! Coquitlam is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation). The name Kwikwetlem is derived from a Coast Salish term that means "red fish up the river". The first Europeans started settling in the 1860s. Coquitlam is the sixth-largest city in British Columbia and one of the 21 municipalities that make up Metro Vancouver.