Chilliwack
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Coverage: Chilliwack, Rosedale, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and Fraser Canyon.
Today's Leading Stories
A major disagreement between Chilliwack council and the provincial government over housing targets remains unresolved. A dump truck rollover disrupted traffic near Highway 1 Wednesday, while Sardis Secondary is preparing to unveil its $40-million expansion.
In Hope, a new community-services centre has announced its opening celebration, bringing additional support to residents throughout the eastern Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon.
Municipal elections are now just two days away, and several important local events are scheduled for today and the weekend.
Today's edition contains 15 stories and community developments. The strongest new reporting comes from October 13–14, supplemented by verified municipal notices and upcoming events.
CHILLIWACK & ROSEDALE
Chilliwack council refuses provincial demand to change housing statistics
City of Chilliwack council has unanimously directed staff to continue counting homes built on First Nations land toward the city's provincially mandated housing targets, despite provincial instructions to exclude those units.
Mayor Ken Popove argues that these developments place demands on municipal infrastructure and services and should therefore be recognized in housing calculations.
The province maintains that First Nations housing units cannot count toward the city's Housing Target Order. Chilliwack reports 1,781 completed units over two years, including First Nations development, exceeding its cumulative target of 1,404 units.
The disagreement could affect how Chilliwack's housing performance is evaluated and the extent of provincial intervention in municipal planning.
Council has refused to revise its report, and the province's next response remains uncertain.
Dump truck rollover causes traffic disruption at Lickman Road roundabout
A dump truck overturned Wednesday afternoon at the Lickman Road roundabout south of Highway 1, spilling dirt and other materials across part of the roadway.
Traffic backed up along nearby Luckakuck Way as vehicles attempted to navigate around the overturned truck. The incident occurred near Chilliwack Heritage Park during the city's final municipal advance-voting day.
Sardis Secondary celebrates 70 years with unveiling of $40-million expansion
Sardis Secondary School will celebrate its 70th anniversary Friday, October 16, with a public open house showcasing its recently completed expansion.
The two-story mass-timber addition provides 400 additional student spaces, increasing school capacity to 1,600. The project includes new classrooms, science laboratories, drama and music facilities, expanded gymnasium space and transportation improvements.
The additional capacity has allowed the school district to remove 11 portable classrooms.
Chilliwack's growing population continues to place pressure on school facilities. The expansion represents a significant investment in permanent educational infrastructure.
The anniversary celebration runs from 4–7 p.m. Friday.
Chilliwack film festival announces ambitious tenth anniversary and new cinema plans
The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival is preparing for its tenth anniversary, October 21–25, featuring approximately 110 films from around the world.
Organizers have also announced plans for Basement Cinema, a proposed independent film venue at 9232 Young Road featuring two small theatres and event space. The project would reuse equipment salvaged from the former Cottonwood Cinema.
A permanent independent cinema could strengthen Chilliwack's cultural economy, provide opportunities for local filmmakers and create another downtown attraction.
The festival opens October 21 with a program featuring Fraser Valley filmmakers.
Purple Lights Nights campaign raises awareness of intimate partner violence
Businesses and community organizations throughout the Fraser Valley are participating in Purple Lights Nights, an October campaign encouraging residents to display purple lighting and share information about intimate partner violence.
Chilliwack and Hope held local campaign ceremonies earlier this month, and organizers are continuing public awareness activities throughout October.
The campaign draws attention to domestic violence while helping residents identify support services and encouraging community involvement in prevention.
Cultus Lake prepares for 23rd annual charity trail race Saturday
The 23rd annual Around the Lake Give'R Take 30 trail race takes place Saturday, October 17, at Cultus Lake.
The event includes a challenging 30-kilometre solo race, a two-person relay and a one-kilometre children's event. Last year's race raised more than $11,000 for local organizations and scholarships.
The event attracts athletes and visitors while supporting community causes and promoting the area's outdoor recreation opportunities.
Chilliwack seniors share personal histories at Living Library fundraiser tonight
The Living Library: Stories of Chilliwack's Seniors takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at Bethel Netherlands Reformed Church, 8920 Broadway Street.
The event features local seniors sharing personal experiences, memories, and stories from their lives. Proceeds support Compassionate Neighbours, a nonprofit organization providing programs and assistance to older Chilliwack residents.
The event preserves local history, encourages intergenerational connections, and raises funds for senior support services.
AGASSIZ & DISTRICT OF KENT
Proposed veterinary clinic could expand agricultural services near Agassiz
The District of Kent is considering a zoning amendment for 5402 Lougheed Highway that would permit a mixed-animal veterinary clinic.
The proposed facility would operate within a new agricultural building on an 8.2-hectare property. The development would also accommodate agricultural activities and dog boarding.
Why it matters: Additional veterinary services could benefit livestock producers, farmers, and pet owners while supporting agricultural business development.
Kent council will consider the amendment on October 26. Written comments must be submitted by 12:30 p.m. that day.
Kent prepares for Saturday's municipal election
Kent residents will vote Saturday, October 17, at Agassiz Agricultural Hall, 6800 Pioneer Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Advance voting concluded October 10 following sessions in Agassiz and Harrison Mills. The election will determine the municipality's next council, with housing, property taxes, agricultural development and transportation among the issues raised during the campaign.
Kent's next council will make decisions affecting local infrastructure, development and municipal finances over the coming four years.
HARRISON HOT SPRINGS & HARRISON MILLS
Big Easy Funk Ensemble returning to Harrison October 23
The Big Easy Funk Ensemble will perform in Harrison Hot Springs Friday, October 23, bringing a nine-piece band featuring horns, keyboards, percussion and vocals.
The Vancouver-based group combines New Orleans-inspired funk, jazz, soul and blues with contemporary West Coast influences. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Live performances contribute to Harrison's year-round cultural and tourism economy, providing reasons for visitors to return outside the peak summer season.
Harrison election approaches with candidate still listed despite ending campaign
Harrison Hot Springs residents will elect a mayor and four councillors Saturday, October 17.
Council candidate Wendy Baldwin recently announced that she would stop campaigning for personal reasons. Because her request to withdraw came after the applicable deadline, her name remains on the ballot.
Voters should be aware that a candidate's name may still appear even when that person has publicly stopped campaigning.
Voting takes place at Memorial Hall, 290 Esplanade, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
HOPE
New downtown Hope community hub announces October 30 open house
Chilliwack Community Services has confirmed an October 30 open house at its new downtown Hope location.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at The Commons, Unit A, 895 Third Avenue. Residents, service providers and community organizations are invited to tour the facility and learn about available programs.
The organization already supports communities throughout Hope and the Fraser Canyon, including Boston Bar, through newcomer services, child care resources, and youth programming.
A permanent local facility could make community services more accessible while improving collaboration among organizations serving the eastern Fraser Valley.
Othello Road paving scheduled today
The District of Hope has scheduled paving work on Othello Road today, following Wednesday's asphalt grinding.
Work is expected to begin at approximately 9 a.m., with single-lane alternating traffic maintained. Drivers should anticipate delays and follow temporary traffic-control instructions.
Othello Road provides access to residential and recreational areas east of downtown Hope.
The schedule is weather-dependent, and completion should be confirmed before reporting the roadwork as finished.
DEVELOPING STORIES
Chilliwack housing targets: The disagreement between the council and the province over how to count First Nations housing remains unresolved. The next significant development will be the province's response to Chilliwack's refusal to revise its housing report.
Chilliwack education: Sardis Secondary's anniversary and expansion celebration on Friday offers an opportunity to examine school-capacity pressures and future construction needs.
Municipal elections: Saturday's elections will determine new municipal leadership across the Upper Fraser Valley. The next major reporting opportunity will be preliminary results after polls close.
Hope community services: The October 30 opening event at The Commons is an important milestone for service delivery in Hope and the Fraser Canyon.
Regional transportation: The Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge rehabilitation remains a major infrastructure project. No significant new closure or construction milestone was verified this morning.
Fraser Canyon public safety: The investigation into the multiple fires in Boston Bar in September remains an important ongoing story. No substantial new investigative findings were identified in today's research.
Today's coverage draws on Fraser Valley Today, Fraser Valley News Network, Fraser Valley Current, local arts reporting, and official announcements from municipal, school district, and regional governments.
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