Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Tzeachten First Nation has torn down its former lands and governance office on Promontory Road and has embarked on a bold two-phase project that will see a new two-storey administrative building and a renovated community centre. The admin building could be completed by fall 2024, while the community centre has an estimated completion date of summer 2025.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Tzeachten First Nation

Tzeachten First Nation to replace former lands office on Promontory Rd. with stylish new administrative building

Jan 13, 2023 | 9:06 AM

CHILLIWACK — Tzeachten First Nation has embarked on a bold new multi-phase construction project that will see a sleek, contemporary two-storey administrative building replace its former lands and governance office at 45855 Promontory Road.

According to Tzeachten First Nation Chief Derek Epp, the band has begun the process of replacing the former lands office adjacent to the Promontory Road Save-on-Foods.

The new administrative building promises to be bigger and more contemporary than the former lands and governance office based on renderings furnished by Chief Epp.

Image: Station One Architects, supplied by Chief Derek Epp / Tzeachten First Nation’s new administrative building is pictured according to renderings produced by Station One Architects. The administrative building has an estimated completion of fall 2024.

“We have torn down our old lands and governance office which flooded, not from the atmospheric rivers, rather from a main water line bursting under the slab,” Chief Epp said. “That building housed many of our administration functions. We are rebuilding a new administration building which will be quite a bit larger than the original building that was torn down.”

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The new administrative HQ has a scheduled timeline completion of sometime in fall 2024.

“Phase 1 is the completion of the Tzeachten administration building, which will enable all our core administration functions to operate under one roof for the first time,” Chief Epp said. “This will allow us to continue to grow as a community to ensure that we are not only meeting the needs of our members, but the citizens who reside on Tzeachten First Nation lands.”

The Tzeachten community centre is also slated for renovation to give it a more contemporary feel. It won’t be torn down, though.

“The second phase of the project is to renovate the community centre to bring it up to date both externally and internally,” Chief Epp said.

The community centre hasn’t been rented out as often as it used to, Chief Epp said, but it still functions as a venue for both Tzeachten staff and community for more community-oriented events. Its renovation has a completion time frame of summer 2025.

Image: Station One Architects, supplied by Chief Derek Epp / The new Tzeachten Community Centre as pictured in architectural renderings. It has a scheduled completion of summer 2025. It will not be torn down, but will undergo an external face lift.

“We aren’t renting it out very often any more while we refocus on programming and events for members as we are back to normal after COVID-19,” Chief Epp said. “You’ll notice during phase 2, the community centre will have an external face lift on it to match the new administration building. It is still standing today and we want to confirm it won’t be torn down.”

Tzeachten is intentional in how the two buildings will bolster its community amenities and enhance its service platform.

“The two phases of this project are very strategic in how it will enhance our community facilities, programs and organization’s efficiency,” Chief Epp said. “Phase 2 is the renovation of the Tzeachten Community Centre; this is a very strategic renovation that will allow us to focus on program development and service delivery to our community.”

Tzeachten First Nation hopes to partner with valued community stakeholders like Chilliwack Youth Health Centre to facilitate expanded low-barrier health services to the broader Chilliwack community.

“We are blessed to have such amazing facilities on this side of town,” Chief Epp said. “Tzeachten is proud of the steps we have taken as a community to contribute to the growth and development within the City of Chilliwack’s boundaries and we are taking that next step as a community by investing in core infrastructure to support this growth.”