Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The City made the announcement on Friday afternoon, March 21st.

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

COLISEUM OWNERSHIP

City of Chilliwack regains Coliseum ownership after nearly 23 years

Mar 21, 2025 | 4:32 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Coliseum is going back to its roots with the City of Chilliwack– more than 22 years after its tenure with the Chiefs Development Group (CDG).

In 2002, the City entered a Public-Private Partnership agreement with the CDG to finance, build and operate the Coliseum. This helped the arena come to fruition at a lower cost without sacrificing quality.

In line with the agreement, the City announced on Friday (Mar. 21) that ownership will revert back to it on May 1, 2025. The two partners are working on an agreement for management operations until May 2026, and they’ll also work with current tenants on a transition plan.

“The 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,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “We 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.”

As owners, the City plans to make large capital improvements to the Coliseum, which could increase the overall patron experience.

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“We are extremely proud of this public private partnership and our ability to provide a beautiful facility for the community,” said Chilliwack Chiefs’ President Moray Keith. “The Coliseum was completed on time and on budget.”

Keith added that the CDG saved the City of Chilliwack close to $6 million and is turning the Coliseum over to the City four years early.

“We are proud of the relationships the Chiefs Development Group and Chiefs Hockey Club continue to build in our community[…] On the ice, the Chiefs continue to be a leader of in-season NCAA commitments across North America.”

“The people of Chilliwack hold a very special place in our hearts.”