Residents of Coquitlam and its surrounding areas will find a lot of things to do, ranging from arts and cultural activities to shopping and recreational sports. In addition, the city's proximity to Vancouver and other Lower Mainland municipalities allows residents to participate and enjoy a wide range of activities both inside and out of the community.
Coquitlam residents head to the Evergreen Cultural Centre for arts and culture. The Centre features a 264-seat theatre, rehearsal space, art studios and public gallery. The venue is home to the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Coastal Sound Academy and the Stage 43 Theatrical Society. Other theatres in the area include Port Coquitlam's Terry Fox Theatre and the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody.
Maillardville, Coquitlam's "French district," is home to the Place des Arts, a non-profit teaching arts centre that offers visual arts, acting, music, and dance programs. The Place des Arts also holds several concerts and exhibitions for the public, by both faculty and students. The nearby Place Maillardville is an all-ages community centre in Coquitlam that offers numerous leisure activities, including French language programs.
Coquitlam's Heritage Square contains a lot of historic sites, scenic gardens, bike path and an outdoor amphitheatre. Visitors to Heritage Square also enjoy the Mackin Heritage Home and Toy Museum.
Residents can also enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters at SilverCity Coquitlam, a 4500-seat, 20 screen multiplex movie theatre.
The Hard Rock Casino is a popular destination for an evening's worth of fun. Along with the 900-plus slot machines, poker rooms and roulette tables, the casino offers several options for dining or social gatherings. And the Red Robinson Show Theatre is a stop for some big name touring acts, from musical groups to stand-up comedy.
Outdoor lovers can take advantage of over 2,000 acres of green space in Coquitlam. There are over 80 municipal parks, the largest of which is Mundy Park in the centre of the city. Pinecone Burke Provincial Park and Minnekhada Regional Park sit on the northern border of the city, while Colony Farm is a large park on the Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam border that has numerous walking trails filled with wildlife and gardens.
Coquitlam is near freshwater lakes. Buntzen and Sasamat Lakes in nearby Anmore offer some nice fresh-water beaches, while saltwater beaches can be found at Belcarra and Rocky Point.
There are also numerous sports and recreational fields in the city. Coquitlam has several places to enjoy a game of baseball, football, cricket, croquet, lawn bowling, soccer and bocce. Golf is a popular activity and Coquitlam has several well-known golf courses and country clubs. The city also has two major aquatic centres and several outdoor swimming pools and water parks.
Spectators can find many opportunities to enjoy watching their favourite sports. Coquitlam's proximity to Vancouver easily allows residents ample opportunity to check out major league sporting events, including NHL hockey, CFL football and MLS soccer. However, the city is home to the Windies Cricket Club, which plays in Mackin Park. The Coquitlam Adanacs take on rival teams from the Western Lacrosse Association down at the Coquitlam Sports Centre.
