Image: Google Maps / A child care facility on Strathcona Road in Chilliwack (pictured) had submitted a rezoning application that would eventually facilitate an expansion of up to 55 kids at its facility – more than three times what the facility currently has. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack child care site expansion

Chilliwack councillors opposed to plan to more than triple the size of a child care facility – in a residential area

Jun 5, 2025 | 11:05 AM

CHILLIWACK — In light of council opposition and consideration of neighbourhood concerns, a proposal to more than triple the size of an existing day care facility in Chilliwack has been sent back to city staff.

Wibble Wobble Childcare Ltd., located at 46326 Strathcona Road, had submitted an application to rezone its property permanently to continue the existing child care operation within a detached building on the subject property and to expand on-site operations by converting the existing single detached dwelling into a commercial building. After expansion, the business would be capable of providing full-time child care for up to 55 children – subject to approval by Fraser Health – which would more than triple its current capacity of 16 kids.

Image: City of Chilliwack / Wibble Wobble Childcare Ltd.

In 1997, a development variance permit was approved to allow a commercial child care facility on the property for up to 16 children in care. A building permit was subsequently issued to construct a commercial preschool/ancillary building in accordance with the approved variances. More recently, a temporary use permit was issued in 2018, and renewed in 2021, to enable the business to operate with up to three employees at one time.

While the applicant received seven supportive responses as part of their public engagement process, the proposed expansion drew opposition from two families on Strathcona Road who cited, among other things, increased traffic and congestion, elevated noise at all hours of the day, degraded property values, disrupted community cohesion, and the introduction of incompatible lighting, signage and commercial waste.

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Image: City of Chilliwack / Another view of the Wibble Wobble Childcare facility.

“A change of this nature is not just a minor adjustment; it would be a permanent and profound shift that compromises what a residential neighbourhood does and should be—a space for families, for rest, and for community-building,” a Strathcona Road resident wrote in his letter of opposition. This same resident lives directly next door to the facility and said he had no problems with the facility as it functions today.

Another person concerned about proposed change cited the adverse impacts associated with more than tripling the existing child care facility.

“We are worried about the additional noise, congestion and traffic this would bring to the neighbourhood, which would decrease the safety for families on our already narrow, quiet street,” the Strathcona Road resident wrote in an email to the City of Chilliwack.

Multiple councillors said they could not accept the rezoning application as submitted because of the potential for up to 55 kids.

“Listening to the neighbourhood, I too have some reservations about altering the zoning and tripling the amount of kids that are currently in this facility today,” Councillor Chris Kloot said. “I can see a gentle increase; when we’re tripling a number, a neighbourhood has concerns with that, and I respect that. They’re OK with the way it is today.”

Councillor Harv Westeringh said, “I struggle with this because I find there should be a way forward for an applicant, a landowner, to have some more certainty and not have to come forward with a temporary use permit every 3 years. But, I don’t really like the fact we’re going from 16 kids to 55 kids. I’m not gonna support it for that reason.”

Councillor Jeff Shields added, “I certainly appreciate the applicant going forward with the rezoning application. I put myself into the position of the next door neighbour and I think, man, do I want 55 kids? When you live in a residential neighbourhood, you expect some peacefulness, some enjoyment. God bless them, the kids are wonderful to have. I don’t know that I’d want that many right around in the house next to me. I can’t support the rezoning.”

Image: City of Chilliwack / Councillor Jeff Shields.

Gillian Villeneuve, director of planning for the City of Chilliwack, said she heard what council’s concerns were surrounding the rezoning application, and would be working with the applicant around a possible covenant on the property restricting the number of children on site. The applicant could also withdraw its application.

As a result, council voted to refer the rezoning application back to city staff.