The City of Chilliwack has announced that ownership of the Chilliwack Coliseum will revert from the Chiefs Development Group back to solely the City starting on May 1.
According to a press release posted on Friday (March 21), the City is working with CDG for the management operations of the facility until May 1, 2026, and will work with CDG and current tenants on a transition plan.
鈥淭he Chiefs Development Group have been a great partner, helping us provide residents with an incredible facility for many years, and we wish them all the best as they move forward,鈥� stated Mayor Ken Popove. 鈥淲e are looking forward to making upgrades that will increase safety, accessibility, and energy savings, along with increased ice time and dry floor activities for Chilliwack residents to enjoy.鈥�
BREAKING: Ownership of the will revert back to starting on May 1. It was previously under a public-private partnership with .
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
This opens up the building to other tenants (like )
The release states that the City also plans to make large capital improvements to improve in-game experiences.
CDG and the City entered into a public-private partnership in 2002 for the financing, design, building and operation of what is now known as the Chilliwack Coliseum.
鈥淲e are extremely proud of this public private partnership and our ability to provide a beautiful facility for the community,鈥� stated Chilliwack Chiefs president Moray Keith. 鈥淭he Coliseum was completed on time and on budget. CDG operated the building in a financially responsible manner. CDG saved the City of Chilliwack close to six million dollars and is turning the Coliseum over to the City four years early. We are proud of the relationships the CDG and Chiefs Hockey Club continue to build in our community."
It has been rumoured for months that the Western Hockey League has been eyeing Chilliwack as a possible destination for a franchise and the ending of this partnership would open the door to that possibility.