YMCA, City taking no chances, will close both rec centres in Chilliwack on Friday

CHILLIWACK — Rather than wait to assess the dreaded winter conditions tomorrow, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and City of Chilliwack took a proactive approach Thursday night.

Both the Cheam Leisure Centre and the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre will be closed on Friday, December 23, as Chilliwack braces for a multi-hazard weather front that will likely bring blowing snow and freezing rain amidst frigid temperatures by B.C. standards.

“The Cheam Leisure Centre and Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre are closed Friday, December 23 due to adverse weather and road conditions,” the Cheam Leisure Centre wrote on Facebook at 6 p.m. Thursday night.

Environment Canada is warning that a multi-hazard storm will bring blowing snow sometime after midnight Thursday night, followed by ice pellets and the likelihood of freezing rain Friday. Travel conditions will be challenging due to heavy snow, ice pellets, freezing rain, and rain on snow or ice, followed by heavy rain, throughout the Fraser Valley to include Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Hope. Heavy snow totaling 15-25 centimetres is forecast, while wind chills will hover around -25.