Friday - Jan 30 - New Chilliwack sports facility

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Chilliwack broke ground on a new 28,500-square-foot recreation facility next to the Landing Sports Centre that will feature 10 indoor pickleball courts and flexible multi-use space. The $6.7 million project is funded by federal and provincial grants plus a donation from the Chilliwack Pickleball Club, and it's nearly 500 pickleball club members who are particularly excited about having a first-class place to play.

At the same time, City Council is dealing with a very different kind of growth. The city's unhoused population increased to 738 people in 2025, costing taxpayers $5.2 million for security, enforcement, and cleanup. Council sent a letter to the province calling for long-term solutions after years of advocacy for detox beds and treatment services that still haven't materialized.

– Emily

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News & Features

Chilliwack breaks ground on new sports facility with 10 pickleball courts

Construction has begun on a major new recreation facility next to the Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre that will bring 10 indoor pickleball courts and flexible space for various sports and community events to the city.

The Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre Annex will span approximately 28,500 square feet, including 27,500 square feet of open, multi-use floor space and a 1,000-square-foot amenity area with washrooms and meeting space. The pickleball courts can be cleared to accommodate different sports and activities as needed. The Chilliwack Pickleball Club will have a dedicated office in the new building.

To put the size in perspective, the new annex will actually be larger than the existing Landing Sports Centre, which offers 24,500 square feet of dry floor space.

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Need to Know

🏛️ Chilliwack City Council called for provincial action on homelessness after the city's unhoused population grew from 642 to 738 people between 2024 and 2025, costing taxpayers $5.2 million in 2025 for security, bylaw enforcement, and cleanup. [City of Chilliwack]

🎨 UFV Curator Teresa Carlson works with Indigenous artists to document and share Stó:lō art across campus, supporting cultural reclamation and creating representation for Indigenous students and staff following generations separated from traditional artmaking in Residential Schools. [UFV]

🚗 Abbotsford police expect to lay charges under the Motor Vehicle Act after a two-vehicle crash on Coral Avenue and Clearbrook Road on January 27 sent one driver to hospital and caused one vehicle to strike a nearby home. [Abbotsford Police]

💳 Chilliwack RCMP are warning residents about debit card scammers falsely claiming to be bank employees who request in-person meetings to collect cards and PIN numbers to withdraw funds from victims' accounts. [Chilliwack RCMP]

🚌 Mission Public School District warned parents that a bus driver shortage could lead to temporary route cancellations, with the district's transportation manager sometimes driving routes herself to keep the system operating. [Mission Record]

⚽ Vancouver FC signed two UFV Cascades players—defender Kian Proctor from North Delta and goalkeeper Matheus de Souza from Surrey—to the Langley-based Canadian Premier League team's roster. [Langley Advance Times]

🐾 Langley Animal Protection Society expanded animal control services in Langley City with two full-time officers dedicated to the city, nearly tripling coverage compared to previous years through a new agreement operating since January. [Langley City]

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🗓 Things to do

Pastel De Nata - Portuguese Custard Tarts with Rise Baking Lab: Learn to make authentic Portuguese custard tarts in this hands-on class covering flaky pastry and rich custard techniques on Wednesday, February 4 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Rise Baking Lab, $131.25 including GST.

Introduction to Snowshoeing: Chilliwack Library and Chilliwack Outdoor Club present a program covering winter gear, essential equipment, wilderness safety, and local snowshoeing locations on Tuesday, February 3 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, for ages 18+.

Seek & Sketch: Visit The Reach Gallery Museum exhibitions with the opportunity to sketch artwork every Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with free materials provided and gallery admission by donation (children must be supervised).

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