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New faces new places
Thursday, June 1st, 2006 by GetawayBC.com
It’s hard to believe our city has come so far, so fast. But the evidence is at every turn.
The recent addition of many new attractions has made Chilliwack a place for visitors and residents alike to rediscover.
It began a few years back with the long-awaited Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre. Boasting an eight-lane, 25-metre lap pool, a lazy river, a waterslide, spraying water, a toddler wading pool, and beach-style pool entry, the new centre has become a mecca for swimmers of all ages.
The centre also houses a large gymnasium, weight room, fitness areas and a wellness centre.
Outside the centre, there is free access to the summertime water park, a large skate park, a new playground, roller hockey rink and basketball and volleyball courts.
Just next door is Chilliwack’s newest baby, the Prospera Centre. Home to the Western Hockey League’s Chilliwack Bruins, Prospera has opened new doors for hockey players and skaters alike.
With seating for more than 4,000 cheering hockey fans at the primary rink, Prospera Centre has only fueled an intense love locals share for the game.
A secondary rink with bleacher seats and a concession stand allows for public skating and increased ice time.
But it’s not just hockey that calls the Prospera Centre home. In November the centre will also play host to some of the best curlers in the world as the Continental Cup makes its debut in Chilliwack.
Over in Sardis, Twin Rinks offers another two sheets of ice, along with public skating, drop in hockey for all ages and skate shop.
Chilliwack Heritage Park, just off Highway One (at the Lickman Road Overpass) on Luckakuck Way is the venue of choice for a number of major, business, cultural, and entertainment events each year. Each year in early August, it hosts the Chilliwack Exhibition, one of the oldest fairs in the province. Heritage Park is also the site of specialty demonstrations, horse shows, home and garden displays, rodeo championships and automobile events.
Next to this impressive Park is the Atchelitz Threshermen’s Association Museum.
And that’s not the only tip of the hat to the past. Downtown, the Chilliwack Museum offers an inspired look at what made the city and surrounding area what it is today.
Looking for a little outdoor fun? They don’t call Chilliwack the gateway to the great outdoors for nothing. To the south lies Cultus Lake, resplendent with hiking trails, beaches and water sports.
To the east, Chilliwack Lake Road winds through some of the most spectacular scenery to Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park.
To the north, Harrison Lake beckons. And further east likes the rugged Cascade Mountains.
But the biggest, and always most welcome, addition to Chilliwack has been the people. Visitors to our city don’t just return to take in more sights, they are often returning to start new businesses, raise their families, and enjoy all this growing community has to offer. ;