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Friday - Oct. 10 - A new park for West Abbotsford residents
Lubna El Elaimy
October 10, 2025
🌧 High 14C
Good morning!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Some readers drew my attention to the fact that Dreadworlds was suddenly cancelled until further notice and is refunding tickets. This was one of the events I mentioned in the Halloween article. I’ve amended the story to reflect this.
Dreadworlds announced on social media that “This weekend’s shows are cancelled following a sudden, heavy-handed court injunction that forced us to pause operations. This decision has impacted our entire team. Over 70 people - actors, artists, crew, and managers have been locked out of work after months of hard work to create something truly special.”
There will be no newsletter on Monday due to the holiday. How do you plan to spend Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?
– Lubna
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Traffic & Weather
🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope
🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.
🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.
News
Abbotsford wants community feedback on the future of the city’s aquatics
The pool at Matsqui Recreation Centre (MRC). 📸 City of Abbotsford
As Abbotsford continues to grow—projections show it will surpass 200,000 residents in the next decade—the city is planning to expand its aquatic recreational options. As it drafts its Aquatic Services and Facilities Strategy—slated for implementation by next fall—the city is looking to the community for guidance on next steps, with a range of options for new swimming pools under consideration.
Staff reports, included in the planning process, have shown that the Abbotsford community highly values and often utilizes the city’s two current pools. But these facilities are already operating beyond capacity—with tens of thousands expected to move to the city in the next few years, capacity issues will only worsen.
Related
Need to Know
🚒 Proposed legislation mandating health monitoring programs for firefighters facing elevated cancer risks has cleared a legislative hurdle and moves forward for committee review and public consultation [Langley Advance Times]
🧵 Founding members of a textile arts organization will display four decades of handcrafted work during a late-October exhibition honoring the group's establishment in 1985 [Chilliwack Progress]
🪔 Mission Punjab Culture Club welcomes hundreds to its annual Diwali celebration next week, presenting traditional dancers, musicians, and South Asian cuisine during the free Festival of Lights event [Mission City Record]
🛒 Authorities plan to pursue criminal proceedings against a suspect who allegedly tried to exit a London Avenue business with hundreds of dollars of unpaid goods before being detained [Mission City Record]
🎭 A touring performer diagnosed with autism presents an autobiographical comedy production examining misconceptions about the developmental condition through personal narrative and stand-up routines [Chilliwack Progress]
🏒 Nikita Nesterenko, Dennis Cholowski, and Vincent Desharnais begin NHL seasons with their respective teams, giving Chilliwack Chiefs the distinction of matching Victoria for most league alumni among current BCHL franchises [Chilliwack Progress]
🛣️ A replacement overpass eliminating railway crossing delays has opened to traffic in the Thompson Canyon, while crews complete final repairs on a secondary route damaged by extreme weather [Black Press Media]
🔥 Dozens of emergency responders contained a major agricultural property fire that consumed multiple outbuildings in a rural Yarrow neighborhood without causing casualties [Fraser Valley Today]
🚗 Canine tracking units located a motorist hiding in an agricultural structure after the individual abandoned a damaged luxury sedan on the Trans-Canada Highway [Fraser Valley Today]
☺ TODAY’S SMILE: Congrats to Gerry Borden for being the first reader to correctly identify Wednesday’s Current Cam location as Legends Bistro at Cultus Lake and Tap-Ins Putting Course. 👏
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The Agenda
Engineer Park’s final concept plan. 📸 City of Abbotsford
A new park for West Abbotsford residents
Three years after the first public engagement event, Engineer Park is now a reality. Built on 3.5 hectares, Engineer Park is also near Aldergrove, Langley, and will provide a new green space for Aldergrove residents as well.
Residents are all invited to the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting on Oct. 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The celebration will include a scavenger hunt, building activities for children, hot beverages, and snacks.
In October 2022, the City of Abbotsford held an in-person public engagement event at the park’s planned site to gather feedback and ideas from Abbotsford residents on the amenities they wanted in the new park.
According to the city’s public engagement summary report, the top ten amenities Abbotsford residents said they wanted in Engineer Park were:
Walking paths and trails
Playground (swings, climbing, slides)
Trees and an open grass area
Picnic tables/seating
Shade/picnic shelter
Small sports court (basketball)
Fences off-leash dog area
Nature Interpretation
Outdoor fitness
Waterplay
Drinking fountains, garbage receptacles, bike racks, and park signage were popular requests.
According to the City of Abbotsford’s announcement, the new park features two playgrounds, a sports court, seating, a picnic shelter, green spaces, and an off-leash dog area. Construction is currently underway for a boardwalk connecting the park to Maclure Road, which will be completed in 2026.
“Creating accessible and welcoming spaces that connect neighbours and promote healthy and active living is an important focus for City Council,” said Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens. “Engineer Park is a great new park and a wonderful space for residents to connect, play, and enjoy the outdoors.”
Community journalism needs the entire community for it to succeed.
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🗓 Things to do
Fort Langley Cranberry Festival: Fort Langley National Historic Site celebrates the harvest on Saturday, October 11 from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM at 23433 Mavis Avenue, launching the Scarecrow Showcase with a scavenger hunt and voting alongside historic demonstrations.
Fraser Valley Dog Fanciers Handling Classes: Weekly dog handling instruction continues through spring 2026 at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford for $13 per session, rotating between Show Barn, Ag-Rec Building, and Agrifair Arena locations.
Thanksgiving Pies Workshop: Rise Baking Lab teaches participants to create apple and pumpkin pies from scratch on Saturday, October 11 at 9:00 AM in a three-hour hands-on class for $168, with students taking home their completed pie and recipes.
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