Just before the end of Summer 2025, the City of Port Coquitlam will unveil “Gateway of Giants” — a new public art installation honouring hometown hero Terry Fox.
The municipal government told Daily Hive Urbanized that no artistic renderings or visuals of the major installation will be released ahead of the unveiling ceremony outside Port Coquitlam Community Centre, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. Members of the Fox family will be in attendance.
But what is known about this installation’s design is that it features two bronze sculptures that show Fox during his formative years growing up in Port Coquitlam.
Both figures are designed to be “approachable and relatable,” inviting passersby and visitors to walk right up to them, touch them, take photographs, or sit on a nearby bench for a moment of contemplation.
It will be permanently installed at the public plaza for the main entrance into the new community centre in downtown Port Coquitlam.
Main entrance plaza into Port Coquitlam Community Centre, where Terry Fox’s “Gateway of Giants” sculptures will be located. (City of Port Coquitlam)
The installation is designed by internationally renowned Spanish sculptor Casto Solano, who is known for large-scale artworks that use corten steel and bronze materials. He also has several other works in Metro Vancouver, such as a Fraser River-inspired sculpture outside Fraser Heights Recreation Centre in Surrey and a life-themed installation, featuring the sculpture of a young boy, outside Edgemont Village in North Vancouver.
The new sculptures of Fox will also serve as a gateway into the new “Terry Fox: Inspiring Local Champions” exhibit inside the community centre, which opened this past spring. The permanent exhibit celebrates and honours Fox’s resilience and determination, and fosters community spirit, with interactive displays and artifacts such as Fox’s spare prosthetic leg, an Adidas running shoe, a Marathon of Hope t-shirt, and items from his school years.
“The Gateway of Giants sculptures are a powerful tribute to Terry Fox’s enduring spirit and deep roots in our community,” said Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West in a statement today.
“Terry grew up here in Port Coquitlam, and it’s where the foundation of his journey was laid. Seeing his story reflected in these sculptures — especially the depiction of him as a young teen — brings it even closer to home. This artwork will inspire both residents and visitors to reflect on Terry’s legacy and to discover the strength within themselves, just as Terry did right here in PoCo.”‘
This region is, of course, already home to a very iconic public art installation honouring Fox — the 2011-installed series of sculptures representing the steps Fox took during his Marathon of Hope, designed by local artist Douglas Coupland and installed at Terry Fox Plaza outside BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver. A single statue depicting Fox in his run was also installed at the Burnaby campus of Simon Fraser University in 2001.
Terry Fox Plaza at BC Place Stadium. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)