TERRY FOX LIBRARY (2019)

OWNER/DEVELOPER

Fraser Valley Regional Library

City of Port Coquitlam

ARCHITECT

Architecture49 Inc.

STATEMENT OF WORK

Design-build, pre-construction, sustainable building consulting and construction

The Terry Fox Library is a two-storey branch with a children’s section on the ground floor and administrative offices and a computer lab on the second floor. The library offers literacy programs and digital technologies. The new library is situated on the north side of the $131.4M Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PoCo Rec Centre). The 375,800-square-foot complex consists of the Terry Fox Library, Wilson lounge, three arenas, aquatic centre, commercial kitchen, fitness centre, gymnasium, change rooms, community and outdoor space, and a 425-stall below grade parkade.

TERRANCE STANLEY FOX, CC OD

The new library replaces the Terry Fox Library that was opened in 1983 by Betty and Rolland Fox in memory of their son, Terry Fox. Terry was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist. After losing his right leg to osteosarcoma, Terry embarked on a Marathon of Hope to raise money and awareness for cancer research. He ran the equivalent of a marathon daily in an east to west cross-Canada run that ended after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres when the cancer returned and had spread to his lungs. Terry had raised $1.7 million when he was forced to abandon the Marathon on September 1, 1980. Since 1981, the annual Terry Fox Run has raised more than $800 million.