The city hosted a kick-off event on April 24 at city hall to start the public engagement process for the development of a new official community plan (OCP).
Williams Lake is updating its OCP and zoning bylaw to help guide how the city will develop over the next 50 years.
Consultants, city staff and Mayor Surinderpal Rathor, Coun. Michael Moses and Coun. Joan Flaspohler were there, along with some members of the public as well as Williams Lake First Nations drummers and Kukpi7 (chief) Willie Sellars to help launch the project.
"This is a pivotal moment," said Rathor, who spoke after the drumming as things got underway. He pointed to the regional housing report which indicates the city will need 500 new houses in the next five years to meet demand.
He spoke of the importance of hearing from the public as the city works to create their plan to guide development, calling it "a collaborative effort that requires your input."
Rathor said he wants the city to "build a future that reflects our shared values."
While the members of the public who spoke to The Tribune about what they are hoping to see for the city spoke mostly about the things they really like and appreciate about Williams Lake, there were many suggestions, brought forward in the process as well.
Gwenda Woodbury, who moved to Williams Lake in 2023 from the Lower Mainland, said how much she appreciates the recreational opportunities thanks to all of the trails, for both mountain biking and cross-country skiing.
"It's a lovely place to live," she said, noting how much she loves the clear air and blue skies.
Shary Stephen said she came 50 years ago from Vancouver, planning to stay for one year, but realized it was a great place for young families and ended up staying.
Cindy Watt and her sister and brother-in-law Brenda Bourdon and Kevin Bourdon were also there to give input.
"I'm a community-minded person," said Watt, who mentioned some past successes the city has seen, including participation in Communities in Bloom and said collaborative approaches to address crime and issues in the downtown saw success in the past but said she is hoping to see cleaner parks, safer for young children to play in.
"We have a lot of good in this community," she said.
The city will be hosting a number of engagement sessions and has an online survey for community members to provide input as they work to draft a new official community plant by December 2025.
Engagement events still to come are: Williams Lake Social Planning Council: April 28 from 11:45 am-1:15 pm. RSVP to info@wlspc.ca. and Williams Lake Accessibility Advisory Committee: May 6 from 12-1 pm. Lunch session at City Hall. RSVP to corporateservices@williamslake.ca.
To complete the survey online before May 23, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/WLOCP
Paper copies of the survey are available at: city hall, Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, and Williams Lake Seniors Activity Centre.
Williams Lake last updated their official community plan in 2016.
