As I reflect on 2024, I am pleased to provide an overview of some of the successes the City of Williams Lake has seen over the year.
The city continues to experience investment and growth, with 124 building permits issued for 2024 to date. As of mid-December, the city issued 115 new business licences this year, bringing the total to 1,116. Progress is ongoing for the Glen Arbor expansion, the Cariboo Memorial Hospital project, the Urgent Primary Care Centre and the Water Treatment Plant construction.
The city hosted a number of popular events in 2024 that I know many people look forward to every year. It was wonderful to see so many community participants in events such as the Golden Buckle Hunt, Mud Puddle Trail Run, Canada Day celebrations, Harvest Nutrition Run, Halloween fireworks, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. The popular Cariboo Winterland is now set up at the Complex and is sure to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Plans are underway for more great events in 2025!
The City of Williams Lake celebrated its 95th birthday with cake and tea at the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin on March 15. It’s always a special day to reflect on our history and our progress – special thanks to the Museum for hosting this wonderful event each year.
The 96th Annual Williams Lake Stampede was an immense success again this year, and we were pleased to have Dale Taylor recognized as honourary parade marshal. As always, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the many volunteers and organizations who make the Stampede events such a success year after year.
Over the summer, I joined members of Council for the Tsqewt specific claims victory celebration in Esk’et. We were also honoured to attend the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw’s 2024 NStQ Citizen's Assembly in May. At the beginning of the year, I was pleased to attend the Columneetza Pow Wow as well as the Denisiqi Honouring Our Families Traditional Pow Wow. Williams Lake First Nation hosted its Father’s Day Traditional Pow Wow in June, as well as the Speaking Our Truth Competition Pow Wow in September, which were amazing and very well attended events. As well, I attended the Tsilhqot’in National Government’s war chief memorial in July. We are honoured to stand with Indigenous neighbours in the spirit of partnership and reconciliation
On July 21st, the City of Williams Lake activated its Emergency Operations Centre in response to the river valley wildfire. I am sure the entire community echoes my deepest gratitude to city staff, as well as to the organizations and individuals involved for their quick and focused response to this emergency. The City continues to focus on emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction. The city received grant funding from the Province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to support our community in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and hazard and vulnerability risk assessment. Funding was also received to enhance the Fairview Drive emergency booster station.
The City of Williams Lake was honoured to be part of the organizing of the official unveiling of the “Every Child Matters” Crosswalk in our downtown in September. The crosswalk is a beautiful reminder of the power of relationships and coming together, and was made possible in partnership with the Orange Shirt Society, Cariboo Friendship Society, Williams Lake First Nation, and provincial grant funding.
Kiwanis Park received two wonderful additions in 2024. The new Community Fitness Park was unveiled by the Rotary Club of Williams Lake just before winter set in, which is a great opportunity to get active even in the winter months! The Williams Lake Daybreak Rotary Club’s installation of a shade sail will provide relief from the elements in the summer. These community projects are a true testament to how our staff and local community groups work together for the benefit of our community.
Active transportation continues to be a priority for the city. This year, the city teamed up with Fraser Basin Council and Urban Systems for development of an Active Transportation Network Plan. The city has formed an Active Transportation Working Group with multiple user groups, and a survey was distributed for community input in November. We look forward to more positive progress on the Plan in 2025.
I look forward to continuing to build on the successes of the past year as we continue to serve our community. On behalf of council, as we head toward the holiday season I would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy and merry Christmas. I look forward to continued growth and prosperity for Williams Lake in 2025.
