Image: Google Maps / Village Centre in Cultus Lake is pictured in this Google Maps image.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Cultus Lake Park project

Cultus Lake Park Board to decide on Village Centre RFP to redevelop shopping plaza

Oct 29, 2025 | 8:46 AM

CULTUS LAKE — The chair of the Cultus Lake Park Board says a decision will be made later this year on whether to accept a request for proposal to possibly redevelop Village Centre, Cultus Lake’s shopping plaza.

According to an update posted Tuesday (Oct. 28) on the park’s social media page, CLPB chair Kirk Dzaman said a request for proposal (RFP) was issued earlier this year following extensive consideration and public consultation that began in the late 2000s by the Future Planning Advisory Committee, followed by work completed by the Village Centre Planning and Development Committee and board over the past five years.

The past five years have seen additional public consultation and collaboration with Urban Systems, a community planning and development consulting group. All that work led to an RFP being issued.

The RFP was issued on April 29, 2025 via BC Bid and the Cultus Lake Park website. The RFP closed on Sept. 30, 2025. The CLPB board must make a decision whether to award the RFP by Dec. 15, 2025.

The park board received one submission, but the name of that company was not revealed in the social media post. The park board has asked the Village Centre committee to consider the submission and offer feedback and next-step recommendations before any formal park board response or decision to award the RFP commences.

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Image: Cultus Lake Park / Cultus Lake Park Board Chair Kirk Dzaman (left) speaks at an August 2024 presentation to Cultus Lake residents about the proposed Village Centre redevelopment.

As outlined in the park’s 2024 Asset Management Plan, significant infrastructure and asset upgrades are required to ensure Cultus Lake Park can continue to support the needs of full-time residents. To fund these improvements, the Park Board says it must secure additional long-term sources of revenue. Through planning and community engagement on Cultus Lake Park Plan Bylaw No. 1080, 2016 (PlanCultus), the Village Centre was designated for redevelopment to better support local commercial, multi-family residential, and community uses. The park board says mixed-use developments that generate additional residents and spending in Cultus Lake Park are needed to generate revenue for the required infrastructure servicing improvements.

Though they have not been voted on or approved in any way, shape or form, conceptual drawings on the park board’s website suggest the plaza could one day feature a four-storey apartment building, two three-storey apartment buildings, a pair of mixed-use three-storey buildings, a dog park, community space, a community building, and possibly two areas for community gathering space.

Image: Cultus Lake Park Board / Conceptual renderings outlining what could be envisioned for the redevelopment of Village Centre, including several apartment buildings and mixed-use buildings.

Chair Dzaman said awarding an RFP does not approve the final project exactly as submitted. However, it does provide the proponent, whoever they are, with the ability to conduct official negotiations with the park board about the details of their submission and development of the Village Centre. Once that happens, any final agreement would be subject to board approval, applicable bylaws, policies, and required approvals.

“We remain committed to a transparent, accountable process,” the social media post stated. “We will continue to share key updates and details on any future engagement opportunities as they become available. On behalf of the Board, thank you for your ongoing interest and participation.”

Cultus Lake says guiding principles, as contained in features of the Village Centre Plan, will do the following:

Preserve and Enhance Community Character: All future development will be designed to align with the unique community character that is the heart of Cultus Lake Park. This
includes ensuring future development is of appropriate scale and incorporates design features that complement the existing form and character of the lake community.

Respect the Cultural History and Identity of Cultus Lake: The Indigenous history of Cultus Lake will be acknowledged and reflected in the design of the future Village Centre. Th’ewa’:li (Soowahlie) First Nations have occupied the traditional territory surrounding Cultus Lake Park since time immemorial. Partnership opportunities with Th’ewa’:li (Soowahlie) First Nations will be explored to pay respect to their cultural history and identity throughout the Village Centre as redevelopment occurs. This could be done through built form design, integration of design elements, public displays of art, and natural features such as tree and plant species.

Champion Environmental Protection and Sustainability: The health of the Park’s natural environment, including the lake and green spaces, will be prioritized. Any future
development at the Village Centre should be designed in a manner that minimizes the site’s ecological footprint and mitigates potential negative impacts to the broader Park ecosystem.
Opportunities to integrate sustainable design features into the site to promote climate change mitigation, adaptation and resiliency will be explored.

Promote Safe and Accessible Connections: The Village Centre will be a safe and accessible site for people of all ages and abilities traveling on foot or by wheel. Opportunities for
improving existing and creating new non-vehicular connections within and to the Village Centre will be explored. Prioritizing safe connections for pedestrians and cyclists will help to
reduce the reliance on vehicles for movement within the Park and support opportunities for social interaction.

Support Small, Local Businesses: The Park Board will prioritize small-scale, local businesses within the Village Centre that generate revenue for the Park’s economy. Existing and new
businesses will be supported through the creation of designated spaces for commercial uses at the site. In attracting new businesses, consideration will be given to the provision of
services that meet community needs.

Foster Social Interactions through Community Gathering Spaces: The Village Centre will offer dedicated spaces for the community to gather year-round. These spaces will serve as
social hubs for all community members and visitors who access the Park to connect, celebrate and engage in various activities. The incorporation of seating areas, landscaping,
and multi-purpose spaces for events and programming will encourage year-round use of the site and help to foster social interactions.

Ensure Long-Term Financial Sustainability: Transparency in the financial management of the Park is critical to maintaining community support and understanding the pursuit of new initiatives. The Park Board is committed to fiscal responsibility and ensuring the long-term financial health of the Park. Critical to this success is balancing community aspirations for the Village Centre with the available resources to avoid unnecessary financial burden on residential and commercial leaseholders.