Welcome curlers, to the 2008 – 2009 season. These are exciting times in Coquitlam. It appears that construction of the new curling rink will finally start this fall. Parking, however, may pose a problem, but in the end we will have a state of the art facility to enjoy. My executive and I look forward to ensuring that you experience another great year and encourage you all to help our curling community to grow.

Your president,
Barry Ayers

Junior Novice Spiel
January 24th, 2009
For more information and registration please contact:
Hosted by the Coquitlam Curling Junior League.
Invitation to all area Junior Novice Leagues.
To register your club team contact, Don Johnson by ph. 604.939.5594 or email

There is a lot to report on in with our ninth Sports Centre Renewal Project update as the construction proceeds on schedule. The renovation work inside the arena to strengthen the structural support we told you about last week is continuing as follows: reinforcing of the structural posts that run from the dressing room floors, through the concourse floors to the roof trusses with structural steel. City staff have ensured access to four dressing rooms for our user groups and created temporary, separate, draped-off changing areas.

You will notice when you are at the site that the City has provided uninterrupted construction access to the main arena Monday to Friday until 3:00 p.m. followed by clean up with work crews potentially working double shifts to expedite the renovation process. This will help shorten the length of arena shutdown time as well as maintain the integrity of the project.

Here is a list of some completed construction activities and work that will be underway during the next two months:

• All four large central columns that separate the new hockey and curling rinks are completed.
• Concrete footings and walls are in progress.
• Underground plumbing and electrical work is ongoing.
• Future parking areas are being developed and excavated.
• New storm lines have been completed with catch basins and other items getting installed.
• Structural steel is being fabricated off-site for delivery in May/June.
• Brick and block work is underway parallel to Aquatic Centre.
• Ground floor cement slab is nearly complete on west and north side – area parallel to Aquatic Centre and existing arena.
• Second floor slab work will begin this month on south side of existing arena.
• Renovation of zamboni housing will begin.

Please note that the existing parking lot on the south side of Chimo Pool and Aquatic Centre will be closed for several weeks as work begins on expansion and excavation of new parking between the pool and the library. The old Chimo Pool site will also be paved soon as a temporary lot. This work is weather dependent so firm deadlines are not available.

We appreciate your patience as we all deal with the challenges of operating in a construction zone.

Please remember to visit the Sports Centre Renewal pages on the City website at http://www.coquitlam.ca/arenarenewal. If you click on the Project Updates link, you'll find a photo gallery with images of recent construction activity. Feel free to call: 604.927.3599 or email: arenarenewal@coquitlam.ca for more information.

Thank you,
Sports Centre Renewal Team

There will be free curling/lessons from 1-3pm on Saturday, February 14th. This is being put on as part of the Spirit of BC week. Please pass this information around as this is an excellent opportunity to get some new curlers.

Next Thursday evening, February 19th from 5-8pm, is the opening of the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre - the official 2010 Winter Games curling venue. The Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre is located at 4575 Clancy Loranger Way at Midlothian Ave in Hillcrest Park.

Public Invitation (Requires Adobe Reader)

The New Rink is one step closer as this Saturday the City of Coquitlam held the ground breaking ceremony. Barry Ayers and many others from the Coquitlam Curling Association were on hand for the unveiling of the conceptual drawing as well as the Formal Ground Breaking which involved a rather large gold (yes, it was more yellow than gold but I digress) shovel.  (Photos courtesy of Vyper Photography, all rights reserved).