Paving the Future: City of Coquitlam’s Transformative Journey With Gordian’s Facilities Planning Solutions

The City of Coquitlam, located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada, is a dynamic and growing suburban city. Known for its rich natural landscape, Coquitlam offers residents and visitors a unique blend of urban development and beautiful green spaces, including the scenic Coquitlam River and the extensive trail network of Mundy Park.

This culturally diverse city is part of the Metro Vancouver area and boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, thriving retail sectors and a variety of recreational facilities, making it an appealing destination for families and individuals alike. Coquitlam’s strategic development plans and commitment to community have shaped it into a bustling hub of activity and opportunity within the region.

Challenge: Aging Facilities and a Growing Population

Fifteen years ago, the City of Coquitlam faced the daunting task of modernizing its approach to asset management. With facilities aging and the demands of a growing city increasing, existing systems were proving inadequate. Kevan Cornes, Facilities Assets Manager with the City of Coquitlam, realized that the city’s reactive approach to maintenance was inefficient and costly. The existing capital plan, driven by urgent needs rather than strategic foresight, forced departments to compete for funding, leading to piecemeal repairs and missed opportunities for comprehensive improvement.

Solution: Objective, Defensible Data Helps Create Strategic Plan

Determined to find a comprehensive solution, Cornes championed the adoption of Gordian’s VFA system, a robust asset management and capital planning tool that delivers objective and defensible data to understand the current condition of a facility. This decision came after extensive research, including a crucial demonstration that highlighted how Gordian’s capabilities aligned with Coquitlam’s needs, particularly its assessment flexibility and comprehensive reporting features. Gordian’s solution promised to integrate seamlessly with the city’s existing capital asset management tools while offering the much-needed strategic planning capabilities that were absent in the city’s previous system.

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Implementing Gordian’s facilities planning system was a phased process, strategically planned over three years to allow comprehensive data collection and system integration. The first phase focused on gathering detailed asset data and integrating it with the city’s financial systems. This integration provided the foundation for a proactive and predictive maintenance schedule, transforming the way Coquitlam managed its facilities.

Results: A Future of Enhanced Community Spaces and Services

The transformation was profound. Coquitlam moved from a reactive to a proactive capital renewal model, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. One of the standout projects facilitated by the effort was the renovation of the Poirier Community Centre.

Previously, renovations were done incrementally at Coquitlam’s hub for arts and educational programs — flooring one year, glazing the next. With Gordian’s system, Coquitlam consolidated multiple maintenance projects into a single, comprehensive renovation completed over six months. This approach not only saved money but also extended the building’s lifespan and improved its usability.

The benefits extended beyond fiscal savings. The city established an annual multi-million dollar reserve fund, which supported continuous, planned improvements without the need to compete for new funds each year. This strategic fund allowed for smoother project execution and long-term financial planning. Over the years, this model has not only preserved but has also enhanced city facilities, providing high-quality spaces for the community while keeping costs predictable and manageable.

The adoption of Gordian’s facilities planning solutions has had a ripple effect across the community. The improvements in facilities management have resulted in enhanced community services and spaces, increasing resident satisfaction and engagement. The strategic approach to asset management has also enabled Coquitlam to respond more effectively to community needs, prioritizing investments that offer the greatest benefit to residents.

“Gordian’s [planning] system has allowed the city to better account, plan, track and replace its assets in a comprehensive and defensible way. From customizing reports to…add[ing] a risk review to our assets, the system has allowed us to better position the city in its oversight of facilities assets.” — Kevan Cornes, Facilities Asset Manager, City of Coquitlam

Looking ahead, Coquitlam plans to continue leveraging Gordian’s facilities planning solutions to further refine its asset management practices. The city aims to expand its predictive capabilities, integrating more detailed analytics to guide future investments. This forward-looking approach ensures that Coquitlam remains a vibrant, well-maintained city, ready to meet both current and future challenges.

Coquitlam’s journey with Gordian’s facilities planning solutions illustrates the transformative power of strategic asset management. By shifting from reactive to proactive planning, the city has not only improved its infrastructure but has also set a new standard for municipal management — a testament to the vision and perseverance of its leadership and the robust capabilities of Gordian’s solutions.

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