Community invited to Port Moody unveiling of augmented reality art installation at Ioco Townsite

On July 26, 2025, the City of Port Moody will unveil a new augmented reality public art installation by Jayeson Lyonns. The project – entitled Ioco Townsite Augmented Heritage Site Tour – commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Ioco Townsite.

In 2021, the City sought a public art piece to commemorate the centennial of the Ioco Townsite. Planned in collaboration with the Port Moody Heritage Society (PMHS), this interactive art installation transports visitors back to the 1930s, featuring animated figures who narrate a collective tale woven from reference photos and residents’ stories curated by PMHS.

“The Ioco Townsite provided a community for workers in the neighbouring refinery and played a key role in the early industrial growth of Port Moody,” says Mayor Meghan Lahti. “While most of what stood there is no longer around for us to see, this art installation offers us an immersive glimpse at what life was like. As the City of the Arts, it’s important to be able to experience this part of our heritage in such an imaginative, creative way. The site tour encourages us to explore what was once the vibrant centre of Ioco and reminds us of the importance of community. We invite members of the community to join us at this event or to stop by on their own time to take a tour into the past.”

The tour was created to preserve the heritage site in a way that engages visitors interactively. Using mobile phones, visitors will be introduced to five story-telling residents, such as a teacher and soldier from the late 1930s, within a 3D re-creation of the social centre clubhouse and bowling green that once existed. Using an augmented reality technology to create an immersive experience, the former surroundings and resident guides appear through the screen to be in the physical space.

Jayeson Lyonns will be on site during the unveiling. He is a visual artist and educator. Born in New Westminster, B.C. and raised in the prairies, Lyonns’ studies at Alberta University of the Arts eventually led to careers in visual communications, design for video games, and instruction for digital arts and animation. His exhibitions make use of technological enhancements, inviting the observer to engage in an alternate, augmented reality on their hand-held devices.

Also on site for the unveiling will be PMHS volunteers, who preserve some of the history of the area and operate the POMO Museum. For more information on the society and the museum, visit pomo.museum.

Please join us for the unveiling:

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 10am-12pm, with opening remarks at 10:15am
Location: Ioco Townsite on the bowling lawn (Ioco Road and 1st Avenue)

This is an outdoor event and will proceed rain or shine. The location is not wheelchair accessible, and a mobile phone is required to view the augmented reality experience. Please be aware there is no parking lot at the Ioco Townsite and street parking may be limited.

The unveiling event marks the official introduction; however, community members are encouraged to visit and engage with the artwork at their convenience. While the public is invited to access the bowling lawn, note this part of the Ioco Townsite is private property. Please be a good neighbour and take any garbage you may have away with you for proper disposal.

More information on all City public art can be found at portmoody.ca/publicart.