Williams Lake city council approved a variance permit, helping pave the way for a major redevelopment underway at a property on Mackenzie Avenue.
At their regular council meeting on June 24, 2025, council unanimously approved the variance permit, along with a parking variance. Variance permits allow for minor adjustments to certain development regulations in exceptional cases. This variance gives permission for existing aspects of the property which did not meet current zoning bylaws,.
Denisiqi Services Society broke ground on the redevelopment project in May of 2025 to make a new home for their services due to the growth of the organization.
While work is already underway, the variance for a reduced setback along Fifth Avenue legalizes the proximity of an existing building on the site to the the road. The variance permit also allows for a variance in parking regulations from the city's standard required minimum parking spaces for the size of the buildings from 159 spaces to 104.
From four staff to 70 staff, the organization has increased significantly in their services over the years.
Denisiqi provides child and family services to five of the six Tsilhqot'in First Nations as well as Ulkatcho First Nation. The Tsilhqot'in National Government (TNG) has also recently been given full jurisdiction over child and family services for the six First Nations communities which make up the TNG, increasing the jurisdiction of Denisiqi for the five nations they serve within the TNG.
The 450 Mackenzie Avenue South location will be the new hub for the organization's social services and mobile service buses. The mobile service buses is a new partnership Denisiqi and the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre are offering to help bring services to children in their communities rather than children having to travel to services.
The new centre will see renovations to the existing buildings on the property, giving the front building a new, modern look and an additional floor. Renovations will link the property's two buildings together, providing a large gathering space and program space in the back of the building, and a board room, kitchen, family room and lobby connecting the two buildings. There will be just over 80 offices and multiple meeting and gathering spaces.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said the redevelopment is "another step in the right direction" for the city and shows confidence in the community.
Coun. Joan Flaspohler said she fully supported the variance given it legalizes an existing aspect of the property's buildings and she believes the parking numbers would be "ample," suggesting 159 might be overkill.
"It is quite an amazing building and I think it's going to be very beneficial for our community and the surrounding area," she said.
Coun. Scott Nelson said the redevelopment is a "significant project" and commended the organization for their investment.
"My hat goes off to them."
With files from Andie Mollins.
