File image of Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove. (Image Credit: City of Chilliwack)

By Fraser Valley Today staff

Wellness Centre

Chilliwack mayor looking forward to opening of new shelter

Apr 2, 2026 | 12:11 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Mayor of Chilliwack doesn’t regret the recent closure of the Chilliwack Wellness Centre on Trethewey Avenue. The final day of operation for the drop in centre was Tuesday (March 31). The associated 30-bed shelter will remain open until the end of June.

Mayor Ken Popove told Glen Slingerland on 89.5 JR Country Thursday (April 2) morning that the building was never designed to be used as a drop in centre and shelter. But despite that, everyone made the best of it and felt it worked well for a time.

However, the use of the facility exploded beyond the means of the organization. “Back in the day, they would have about 100 contacts and that’s somebody walking in the door,” said Popove. “Well, last week it was 400 contacts.”

With the growth, the fire department did an inspection and found a series of safety concerns and liabilities. Popove said that BC Housing wouldn’t make the necessary improvements because of the cost.

He says the planned closing of the beds in June, coincides with the opening of a new BC Housing facility just down the street. “That’s going to consist of 49 beds, so the 30 folks that are in the Wellness Centre will transfer over plus another 19.”

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The mayor acknowledged that with the closing of the drop in centre, the clients who use the facility will have their daily routines disrupted. That could mean they’ll be showing up in new places in the downtown until the new location is up and running. “There’s going to be a little bit of short-term pain,” said Popove. “Yep. We’re well aware of that.”

And the mayor reiterated his message that the city cannot handle a growth in its homeless population. It’s a message he has made clear through political and media channels throughout the Lower Mainland. “We’re full. Simple as that.”