The Engage Chilliwack Ideas Board has become a vibrant platform for residents to contribute their thoughts and visions for Chilliwack's future. Engage Chilliwack is the community's space for participating in the Official Community Plan (OCP) review process, and it’s here that residents have shared a wide array of ideas about what they hope the city will look like in the coming years.
This recap aims to summarize the ideas submitted to the Ideas Board, grouping them into key themes to make them easier to digest. The themes include transportation, land use and development, third spaces, community services and facilities, and other broader topics. This summary covers these themes and provides an overview of the diverse suggestions and opinions the community has put forward so far.
Transportation emerged as the most significant concern, with submissions focusing on improvements to roads, traffic management, public transit, and bike lanes. Residents offered a range of ideas to enhance mobility throughout the city:
Roads and Traffic Flow: Many submissions called for improvements to existing roads, including widening key arteries like Vedder Road, adding more turn lanes, and synchronizing traffic lights to alleviate congestion. Roundabouts were also mentioned as a way to improve traffic flow in busy areas. Specific examples included adding roundabouts at intersections like Hope River Road and Menzies Street, and widening Knight Road to better handle increased traffic.
Public Transit: Improved public transportation was another frequent request. People wanted increased bus route coverage, more frequent service, and better infrastructure like shelters at bus stops. Specific suggestions included adding a light rail transit line, expanding bus services to underserved neighbourhoods like Eastern Hillsides, and adding express services to connect Chilliwack to Vancouver.
Bike Lanes and Pathways: Residents also wanted more protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways to make cycling a safer and more appealing option for getting around the city. Examples included adding protected bike lanes connecting different parts of the city and creating a bike bridge across Vedder Canal to improve cyclist safety.
When it comes to transportation, there is a mix of perspectives in Chilliwack. On one side, some residents want better traffic flow and more roads, while others are advocating for improved public transit, bike lanes, and pathways. This tension is understandable, as building more and wider roads can lead to more traffic (a concept known as induced demand) and may also make streets less safe for walking or cycling. Chilliwack faces challenges in rethinking transportation, including its topography, existing structures, and population density. The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), First Nations land, the Trans-Canada Highway, and multiple railroad lines create barriers that limit expansion possibilities. The solutions will need to be realistic and carefully planned given these unique constraints.
Striking the right balance between all these needs will require leadership and investment in alternative transportation options now, even if the benefits are not immediate. Many people look to European neighbourhoods for inspiration, but Chilliwack was developed with cars in mind. Achieving a more human-centred environment will require careful planning to make the existing infrastructure work for everyone.
Submissions related to land use highlighted the community's desire for thoughtful, balanced growth that includes diverse types of development to meet the needs of residents:
Specific Businesses: Many residents expressed a desire for more businesses to come to Chilliwack. Costco was the most mentioned, with many individuals saying it would save them trips to other cities and offer better prices for bulk items. There were also requests for more grocery stores—like Save-On-Foods and specialty options like Whole Foods—to give people more choice. For dining, residents mentioned wanting more chain restaurants like The Keg and Cactus Club, as well as independent cafes and bakeries to add character to the food scene. Expanding the Cottonwood Mall food court and bringing in more retail stores like HomeSense and sporting goods stores were also popular ideas.
Mixed-Use Development: There was interest in more mixed-use developments that combine residential, retail, and public spaces, particularly in central areas. Residents pointed to successful examples like Garrison Crossing, where residential units are integrated with shops, restaurants, and parks, as a model for future development. Suggestions included redeveloping underutilized commercial spaces downtown into mixed-use buildings with affordable housing units on upper floors and retail or community services on the ground level.
New Amenities and Recreational Facilities: Suggestions included adding a convention centre and hotel in Sardis to attract conferences and events, expanding recreational facilities like the aquatic centre, and adding more entertainment options such as a roller rink, drive-in movie theater, and a larger movie theater complex. Specific examples included adding an outdoor pool on the Sardis side and creating a spray park at Jinkerson Park. There was also interest in developing more community gardens, off-leash dog parks, and picnic areas to encourage outdoor activities.
These suggestions provide insight into the types of businesses and amenities residents want in Chilliwack. While the city cannot directly decide which businesses come to Chilliwack, it can create an environment that attracts these businesses. There is also a strong interest in creating community spaces and recreational facilities where people can connect and enjoy their community. By focusing on mixed-use developments and amenities that foster community connections, Chilliwack can build vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods.
A recurring theme on the Ideas Board was the desire for more "third spaces"—places outside of home (first space) and work (second space) where people can gather, socialize, and build community connections. Residents expressed interest in having:
Neighbourhood Pubs, Cafes, and Bookstores: There was a desire for more cafes, neighbourhood pubs, and local bookstores—places where people can hang out casually without spending a lot. There were also requests for neighbourhood pubs near Fairfield Park to create more informal gathering spots.
Community Centres: Residents also wanted more community centres that provide opportunities for hobbies, games, and social gatherings, especially for youth and seniors. Examples included creating a new community activity centre with indoor options for rainy days.
Pedestrian Zones: Suggestions were made for expanding pedestrian-friendly areas in Downtown Chilliwack and Garrison to make these places more vibrant social hubs.
Creating third spaces comes with challenges, particularly the value of land and the pressure to develop it for revenue-generating purposes. Private developers may prioritize profitability, but the city can play a role by using zoning incentives, setting requirements for public spaces in new developments, and investing in parks and community hubs. These third spaces are essential for building a sense of community and belonging.
Several submissions addressed the need for enhanced healthcare, educational, and recreational facilities. These services are crucial to community well-being, but often fall outside of municipal control:
Healthcare Facilities: Many residents called for a new or expanded general hospital, noting that the current hospital is struggling to keep up with Chilliwack's growing population. There were frequent mentions of issues like hallway patients and the need for specialized services, such as MRI machines, dialysis units, and cancer treatment facilities. Healthcare is primarily the responsibility of the provincial government, meaning the city can advocate for better services but cannot directly build or expand hospitals.
Educational Facilities: There were also calls for a new high school, particularly on the east side of Chilliwack, due to overcrowding in existing schools. Education is also a provincial responsibility, so while the city can't build schools, it can work with the province to ensure that growth and development align with future educational needs.
Recreation Facilities: Recreation facilities, unlike healthcare and education, fall under the city's jurisdiction. Building more ice rinks, gymnasiums, and indoor soccer facilities would require a substantial increase in budget. Public recreational facilities are important investments in community well-being and play a key role in bringing people together.
Some of the suggestions on the Ideas Board highlighted the importance of regional planning and coordination in shaping the future of Chilliwack. These suggestions illustrate how critical it is to think about how Chilliwack connects with neighbouring cities and the broader region. Effective regional planning, particularly in relation to transit and infrastructure, is key to achieving the goals set out in the Official Community Plan (OCP).
Skytrain Expansion: A recurring theme was the desire for an expansion of the Skytrain or regional transit connections to link Chilliwack with Metro Vancouver. Improving these connections would greatly enhance mobility for residents and reduce the reliance on car travel. However, this type of transit expansion requires provincial and regional collaboration and a strategic approach to integrate Chilliwack with the broader regional transit network.
Regional Transit Systems: Another key aspect of regional planning is understanding how Chilliwack's transit systems connect with neighbouring municipalities. Ideas like expanding bus services to underserved areas or adding express services to connect Chilliwack to Vancouver show a desire for more cohesive transit options. It's important to consider what the main hub for transit in and out of Chilliwack should be—whether that means enhancing bus terminals, improving train connections, or developing a new transit centre that serves as a regional hub.
Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR): Discussions around the ALR also highlighted regional considerations. Some residents wanted to protect ALR land for farming, while others suggested limited development in specific areas. Decisions involving ALR land require provincial policies and regional coordination to ensure that development aligns with both local and regional agricultural priorities.
Regional Infrastructure Projects: Ideas such as widening Highway 1 through the entire Chilliwack area or building a light rail connection to other parts of the Lower Mainland further underscore the need for integrated planning. These projects would involve cooperation with provincial authorities and significant funding commitments, but they are crucial for ensuring that Chilliwack is well-connected to the surrounding region.
In summary, the suggestions on the Ideas Board make it clear that regional planning plays a vital role in the success of Chilliwack's OCP. To build a well-connected, sustainable city, it is essential to think beyond municipal boundaries and engage in collaborative planning with neighbouring municipalities and the province. Whether it's expanding transit, improving infrastructure, or aligning land use policies, effective regional planning is key to shaping a thriving future for Chilliwack.
The submissions to the Engage Chilliwack Ideas Board reflect a community that is deeply invested in the city’s growth, livability, and sustainability. Whether it’s expanding recreational opportunities, improving transit, fostering third spaces, or advocating for better healthcare and educational services, Chilliwack residents have a clear vision for their city. While some ideas fall beyond the scope of the OCP or require coordination with higher levels of government, they offer valuable insight into what the community values most.
This recap is just the beginning of the conversation. By organizing and summarizing these ideas, the goal is to provide a foundation for further discussion and help shape a shared vision for Chilliwack’s future.
