News Flash

City to Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The City of Williams Lake will be observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in support of residential school survivors, their families and communities this Friday, September 30th.

The federal statutory holiday provides an important opportunit...

Cariboo Regional District & City of Williams Lake Release Slope Stability Study

The Cariboo Regional District Board and City of Williams Lake recently released the LiDAR Slope Stability Study that was completed in June 2022.

Our region is home to a number of historical landslide areas. These are typically slow-moving slides, which mov...

Celebrate Fall with 7th Annual Harvest Run on Saturday, October 15

Run, walk or ride with us and enjoy some fresh fall air to celebrate the season with the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex’s 7th Annual Harvest Run, Walk and Bike on Saturday, October 15.

The entire family — whether walking, biking, r...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - September 20

Council approves new drive-thru restaurant subject to ministry approval

Following a public hearing on the addition of a new drive-thru restaurant at the former Shell Station on Broadway Avenue South, City of Williams Lake Council approved a zoning applicat...

Rotary Hosting Volunteer Appreciation Launch for New Downtown Mural on September 17

The City of Williams Lake encourages community volunteers and volunteer organizations to place their permanent mark on a new mural nearing completion in downtown Williams Lake.

On Saturday, September 17 from 10 am until 3 pm, the Williams Lake Daybreak Rot...

City to Recognize Federal Holiday to Mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral

The City of Williams Lake will recognize a federal statutory holiday created to mark the date of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

The national holiday was announced Tuesday, September 13^th by the Federal Government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ...

City Installs Wheelchair Ramp at Scout Island Dock

Visitors to the Scout Island boat launch this summer and fall will notice a new addition to the amenities.

The City of Williams Lake, in collaboration with the Williams Lake Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), recently installed a wheelchair ramp at th...

City of Williams Lake Welcomes Two New Healthcare Landing Coordinators

The City of Williams Lake is working to address the physician shortage in the Central and South Cariboo with the hiring of two contract staff members to support new medical professionals arriving in the community.

Funded by the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional H...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - August 30

Council endorses GoByBike weeks in Williams Lake

City of Williams Lake Council put its support behind a delegation from GoByBike weeks organizers Erin Hitchcock and Denise Deschene during Tuesday's Regular Meeting.

The presentation summarized the t...

Williams Lake Fire Department to see some leadership changes

The Williams Lake Fire Department will be seeing some changes over the next few months. 

After four years as Fire Chief of the Williams Lake Fire Department, Erick Peterson has taken on a new challenge as the City of Abbotsford’s Fire Ch...

Manager of Finance Angela Cail Retiring

After a 34-year career with the City of Williams Lake, Manager of Finance Angela Cail has announced her retirement effective August 31^st.

Angela began her career with the City in 1988 as the Senior Accounting Clerk, and moved her way up through the organiz...

City Crews Responding to Storm Activity

City of Williams Lake crews will be busy for the next couple of days with clean up and repairs following the rapid accumulation of precipitation from last night’s storm.

Due to the rapid water load, some overflowing manholes caused water to back ...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - August 16

New electric charging station at City Hall gets green light

City of Williams Lake Council authorized entering into an agreement with BC Hydro for the installation of a new BC Hydro Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station at the City Hall parking lot.

The new...

Recreation Complex Summer Hours & Annual Pool Shutdown

Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Summer Hours & Annual Pool Shutdown

From July 30 through September 11, 2022, the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) will be operating on modified Summer hours:

Monday - Friday: 6 am to 9 pm

Saturday: 9 am to 6 ...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - July 19

Contract for construction of disc golf course awarded

City of Williams Lake Council approved a direct award of the Williams Lake Disc Golf Course project to INDesign Disc Golf with a cost of $77,361.

The project will be funded by already approved grants and...

Fire Department to Collect Donations for Food Bank on July 26

The Williams Lake Fire Department hopes to deliver some holiday cheer to the Salvation Army Food Bank this summer through its annual Christmas in July Food Drive.

From 6 to 9 pm on Tuesday, July 26, WLFD members will go door to door collecting non-perishab...

City Continues to Monitor Water Levels at Beaver Dam Site off South Lakeside

On June 2, 2022 the City activated its Emergency Operations Centre at Level 1 (low risk) in response to rising water levels at the site of a historic beaver dam on Crown land high above Juniper Street off South Lakeside Drive. At that time, the City, work...

Free Summer Kids Programming Coming to Williams Lake Fridays

Northern BC sport organization Engage Sport North (ESN) has partnered with the City of Williams Lake to bring Park Play Days to Williams Lake this summer each Friday from July 15 to August 26.

The free programming is being offered in two sessions at Kiwani...

Secwepemc Nation Flag Raised Outside City Hall

The City of Williams Lake is pleased that plans to fly the Secwepemc Nation flag at City Hall have now come to fruition. 

The installation of the new flagpole was completed Thursday afternoon, with the flag raised today. Plans to hold a ceremony a...

City Conducting Annual Sanitary Main Cleaning

The City of Williams Lake is currently conducting its annual sanitary main cleaning and camera work, which will take place over the next several weeks.

Areas impacted will include all of South Lakeside Drive, North Lakeside Drive and Hodgson Road.

The main ...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - July 5

Council to weigh next steps in beaver dam solution

City of Williams Lake Council said it was disappointed with the options provided  by the Ministry of Forests regarding ownership and liability of a historic beaver dam situated on Crown land above...

City thankful for efforts of Stampede Association, RCMP, following Sunday rodeo incident

The City of Williams Lake commends the efforts of the Williams Lake Stampede Association board of directors, its announcer and volunteers, medics and the Williams Lake RCMP for a quick and effective response to Sunday’s targeted shooting inciden...

City Teaming Up With Williams Lake Farmers' Market to Host Canada Day Celebrations

The City of Williams Lake is thrilled to help kick off Stampede weekend and celebrate the nation’s 155^th birthday in the lakecity with a celebration and the return of its annual in-person Canada Day festivities.

The entire community is invited to...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - June 21

Indigenous artwork to replace existing crosswalk

At its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 21, City of Williams Lake Council approved the design and painting of a new crosswalk featuring Indigenous artwork.

The crosswalk will replace the existing crosswalk ad...

City Crews Cleaning Up After Storm Activity

City Crews Cleaning Up After Storm Activity

City of Williams Lake crews have been hard at work responding to the rapid accumulation of rain and hail from last night’s storm. Sweepers and loaders are currently cleaning and scraping affected roadways, with t...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - June 7

Council, parade organizers, dial up Stampede Fun Meter

The pageantry of the Williams Lake Stampede Weekend was on full display during the Tuesday, June 7 City of Williams Lake Regular Council Meeting in the form of a presentation from a pair of vivid chara...

Water Levels at Historic Beaver Dam Site off South Lakeside Significantly Reduced

The City of Williams Lake continues to see positive improvements in its efforts to reduce water levels at the site of a historic beaver dam high above Juniper Street off South Lakeside Drive.

On June 2, 2022 the City activated its Emergency Operations Cent...

Emergency Operations Centre Continues to Monitor Increased Water Levels

On June 2, 2022, the City of Williams Lake activated its Emergency Operations Centre at Level 1 (low risk) in response to an identified increased water load at a historic beaver dam site high above Juniper Street off South Lakeside Drive.

At this time, the...

Emergency Operations Centre Activated in Response to Increased Water Levels

Emergency Operations Centre Activated in Response to Increased Water Levels

The City of Williams Lake has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Level 1 in response to an identified increased water load at a historic beaver dam site high above ...

City Seeking Public Feedback on Waterfront Enhancement Project

The City of Williams Lake has launched a public survey seeking the community’s input as it works on conceptualizing a Waterfront Enhancement Plan for Williams Lake.

The City’s Parks, Trails and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan identified ...

Williams Lake River Valley Targeted for Spring 2023 Reopening

As we move into warmer weather, the City would like to remind the public that the Williams Lake River Valley remains closed from the Comer Street access to the Fraser River as repair and remediation work continues in the area following unprecedented flood...

Williams Lake Stampede Song Reissued to Commemorate 50th Anniversary

Not every small town can claim to have its very own song, but Williams Lake now has an updated version of its 50-plus-year-old tune in honour of the World Famous Williams Lake Stampede.

Originally recorded in 1970, the Williams Lake Stampede song was a per...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - May 24

RCMP Staff Sgt. provides update on crime stats

Williams Lake RCMP Staff Sgt. and Detachment Commander Darren Dodge provided Council an update on first quarter crime statistics dating from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2022. 

Dodge touched on detachment resou...

Celebrate ParticipACTION with “Community Better Challenge” June 1-30

The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex and City of Williams Lake are encouraging residents to get active this June as we compete in the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge.

The Community Better Challenge is an annual national physical activity initi...

Mud Puddle Trail Run Set to Blaze New Path in Williams Lake

The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex is blazing trail this spring hosting a brand new cross-country run for the entire family in Williams Lake on Saturday, May 28.

Located on the Fox Mountain Trail Network with a starting point at the Mason Road parking...

City Celebrates Local Government Awareness Week and Public Works Week

The City of Williams Lake will be celebrating both ‘Local Government Awareness Week’ and ‘Public Works Week’ from May 15-21, 2022.

Local governments contribute to many aspects of our daily lives, including waste and ...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - May 10

River Valley bridge retrieval and removal contract awarded to Quality Excavating

Council awarded a contract for bridge retrieval and removal in the Williams Lake River Valley to Quality Excavating for a cost of $51,500. The City's share of the cos...

Annual Bike Rodeo Ready to Ride on Sunday, May 15

The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex is excited to announce that the Bike Rodeo is back in motion for 2022!

While the COVID-19 pandemic put the brakes on the popular bike safety event in 2020, then deflated its tires slightly in 2021 with a scaled down ...

City Now Accepting Applications for 2022 Event Hosting Grant

The City of Williams Lake is now accepting applications for its May intake of a semiannual Event Hosting Grant.

The Event Hosting Grant was introduced in 2011 to provide stimulus and seed money to assist local non-profit organizations to bid, host, develop...

City Celebrates Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7

The City of Williams Lake is celebrating Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7, and encourages residents to participate.  

Each day throughout the week, the City will be sharing vital interactive tips and procedures on Facebook, Twitter and the City...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - April 26

Annual financial audit yields positive results

The City of Williams Lake's 2021 Financial Statements and independent Auditor's Report showed positive signs for the municipality. 

During a presentation to Council, the independent a...

Boil Water Advisory for Golf Course, Westridge, and Hodgson Road Lifted

The City of Williams Lake, in conjunction with Interior Health, is lifting a precautionary boil water advisory for Zone 2 of the City’s west side water distribution system.

The boil water advisory was originally issued on April 21, 2022 and affec...

Council Approves Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw

City of Williams Lake Council approved the 2022-2026 Financial Plan Bylaw at its Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 26 outlining operating expenses, proposed funding sources and anticipated revenues for capital and operational programs over the next five year...

Golden Buckle Hunt Returns for Second Year

The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex’s wildly popular Golden Buckle Hunt is coming back for a second installment this May.

The Golden Buckle Hunt was created in 2021 with a goal to encourage residents to get outdoors exploring the region&r...

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Golf Course, Westridge and Hodgson Road

The City of Williams Lake, in conjunction with Interior Health, is issuing a precautionary boil water advisory for the golf course, Westridge and Hodgson Road areas.

Affected areas include the entire Westridge and golf course subdivisions, properties on Ho...

City Plans Bid to Redevelop Property at Former Poplar Glade Site

The City of Williams Lake is excited to announce its plans to bid on the vacant former Poplar Glade property on Eleventh Avenue, following School District 27’s request for offers earlier this month.

If successful, the City’s focus is on...

BC Hydro Set to Begin Switch to Energy-Efficient Street Lights in Williams Lake

The City of Williams Lake would like to inform residents of an upcoming street light replacement project being undertaken by BC Hydro in the community from April 19 to May 31.

The project will see the replacement of all BC Hydro high pressure sodium (HPS) ...

Strong winds forecasted across Cariboo Fire Centre

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

WILLIAMS LAKE - Strong winds are forecasted to sweep across the Cariboo Fire Centre today and the BC Wildfire Service is urging members of the public and industry personnel to exercise extreme caution when conducting an...

Prescribed Burn a Success

A prescribed burn held in Williams Lake on Wednesday, April 6 between Country Club Boulevard and Westridge to help reduce the threat of wildfire to the community was a success.

The City of Williams Lake would like to express its appreciation for a safe and...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - April 5

Council awards contract for pavement marking

Council awarded the 2022 pavementmarking contract to Andesite Holdings DBA Yellowhead PavementMarking Inc. for the price of $139,921.24.

The cost came in nearly $20,000 over the $120,000 in the proposed budget fo...

Prescribed Burn Scheduled to Begin This Week

To help reduce the threat of wildfire, the City of Williams Lake, in partnership with the BC Wildfire Service, will commence spring burning activities this week within City limits, weather permitting.

The prescribed burn area is located between Country Clu...

Water Main Installation Work to Start Early April at Hodgson Road

The City of Williams Lake will commence water main upgrade work early next week on Hodgson Road in the vicinity of Terra Ridge and Wotzke Drive.

The project is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete.

“Periods of street closures, detours, del...

City's Thoughts with First Nations during Prime Minister's Visit

With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller visiting Williams Lake First Nation today to discuss the first phase of results from the St. Joseph’s Mission investigation, the City of Williams Lake&rsq...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - March 22

Lakers Car Club gearing up for return of Spring Roundup

Lakers Car Club member Wayne Potter provided a presentation to Council highlighting the return of the club's annual Spring Roundup following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pot...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - March 8

Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hats. The Williams Lake Stampede will return in 2022, said Williams Lake Stampede Association President Court Smith during Tuesday's City Council Meeting.

"COVID was tough on all of us, so we'...

Applications Now Open for 2022 Business Façade Improvement Program

Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) has approved the City of Williams Lake's application for a $20,000 Business Façade Improvement Program grant for another year. 

The funds will be delivered through a local Business F...

City to Host FireSmart Information Open House on March 3

The City of Williams Lake invites residents to an Open House on upcoming planned activities to reduce the threat of potential forest fires. It will be held this Thursday, March 3 from 4 pm to 8 pm in the Gibraltar Room

In the early spring of 2022, fuel red...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - February 22

Accessibility Award of Merit issued to WL Association for Community Living

Williams Lake Association for Community Living representatives Stefan Hoelzler and Tammy Fisher attended the Tuesday, February 22 Council Meeting to accept an Accessibility Award of...

Family Day Events a 'Go' - Fireworks Postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances and icy conditions at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds, the City has made the decision to cancel its Family Day fireworks scheduled for the evening of Monday, February 21. The fireworks will be rescheduled for another dat...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - February 8

The Scout Island Nature House received the City of Williams Lake Accessibility Award of Merit during the Regular Council meeting held Tuesday night, February 8.

Mayor Walt Cobb and Council commended the work of Scout Island Nature Centre volunteers, whose ...

Family Day Weekend Celebrations to run over two days in Williams Lake

This Family Day weekend, residents are invited to take part in exciting activities including the first ever ‘Bring the Fam Rail Jam’ in Williams Lake on Sunday, February 20, followed on Monday with snow-themed activities in Kiwanis Par...

City Seeks to Increase Paid On-Call Firefighter Membership

The City of Williams Lake Fire Department is currently accepting applications for paid on-call firefighters to help provide a critical service to residents.

Fire Chief Erick Peterson encourages anyone who is motivated, physically fit and over the age of 19...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - January 25

Council to advocate on ICBC rate disparity

Following a presentation from concerned Northern BC resident Darcy Repen regarding ICBC's historical and continuing rate disparity for basic insurance policy holders in B.C.'s non-urban ICBC rate...

Interior Health Expanding Clinic Availability for Booster Program

Courtesy of Interior Health:

IH WIDE – Interior Health is expanding COVID-19 immunization clinic capacity throughout the region to make it easier for more people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible.

This month, larger immunizati...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - January 11

Council endorses expanded Family Day celebrations planned for Williams Lake

The City of Williams Lake's 2022 Family Day Celebration is receiving a bit of a boost. 

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 11, Council approved up to $...

Housing Incentive Program Cheque Presented to Local Developer

A local developer will be receiving a reimbursement for building costs associated with a new multi-family development in Williams Lake.

The Housing Incentive Program, launched by Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) in 2019, is aimed at creating de...

City of Williams Lake Receives Substantial Donation to the Williams Lake Endowment Fund

The celebratory bell at the Prince George Community Foundation rang last week on behalf of the City of Williams Lake, as a $50,000 donation from an anonymous lake city resident was received. 

The City established the Williams Lake Endowment Fund t...

Updated Restrictions at Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex

Here is a summary of the current restrictions for December 22, 2021 at Midnight to January 18, 2022: 

• • No sport tournaments from December 20, 2021 to January 31, 2022 
• • Proof of Vaccination must be scanned to ensure authenticity;&nbs...

Evacuation Order Lifted for Remaining Green Acres Mobile Home Park Properties

The City of Williams Lake has lifted an evacuation order for residents living in two properties at the Green Acres Mobile Home Park in Williams Lake as of 2 pm today, December 14, 2021. The evacuation alert issued for the Park has also been rescinded, as ...

City Accepting Applications for COVID Hardship Grants

The City of Williams Lake is offering 20 grants in the amount of $1,250 each for non-profit community organizations that have experienced hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To be considered, non-profit organizations must be located within or d...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - December 7

COUNCIL REALLOCATES COVID SAFE RESTART GRANT FUNDS

Council unanimously supported a decision to reallocate remaining funds from the COVID Safe Restart Grant for the following uses:

• To provide 50% Business License Fee Relief in 2022 (estimated at $80,000).&am...

Fire Department Collecting Donations for Food Bank on December 7, 2021

As the holiday season approaches, the Williams Lake Fire Department is once again conducting a food drive to collect non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Bank.

From 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, December 7th, WLFD members will go door to door i...

City Hall and Complex accepting food drive donations starting December 1, 2021

Following the success of last year’s food drive, the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex has joined forces with other City of Williams Lake staff to help spread some holiday cheer in the form of food donations for those in need this season.

As th...

City of Williams Lake Council Highlights - November 23

COUNCIL PROCLAIMS PURPLE RIBBON CAMPAIGN

Council proclaimed December 1 to 10, 2021 as the 'Purple Ribbon Campaign' in the City of Williams Lake following a presentation from Women's Contact Society Executive Director Irene Willsi...

COVID Pandemic Impact Survey Launched by Social Planning Council and City of Williams Lake

The Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area and the Community Well-being and Safety Plan Initiative sponsored by the City of Williams Lake have partnered to gather input on the impacts of the pandemic on citizens of Williams Lake and the surroun...

Mayor Walt Cobb Issues Statement on Continued Role as Mayor

Following City of Williams Lake Council’s response at its Regular Meeting of November 2, 2021 to correspondence from Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars critical of a social media post shared by Mayor Walt Cobb titled ‘Resi...

City of Williams Lake Implements Mandatory Vaccine Policy

Effective January 14, 2022, all City of Williams Lake employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must provide proof of vaccination, unless they have an approved accommodation under the provisions of the Human Rights Code of BC. To ensure a sa...

Council Responds to WLFN's Request for Clarification of its Position on Residential Schools

At its Regular meeting on November 2, 2021, City of Williams Lake Council responded to correspondence from Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars critical of a recent social media post shared by Mayor Walt Cobb on Friday, October 29 titled ‘Resid...

City Now Accepting Applications for 2021 Event Hosting Grant

The City of Williams Lake is now accepting applications for its November intake of a semiannual Event Hosting Grant.

The Event Hosting Grant was introduced in 2011 to provide stimulus and seed money to assist local, non-profit organizations to bid, host, d...

City Urges Province to Expand Lake Harvester Permit

On October 18, 2021, the aquatic vegetation harvester was put into action by City of Williams Lake’s certified operators in Williams Lake, accompanied by a professional biologist to monitor for the western painted turtle and other aquatic life. ...

Evacuation Order issued for Some Residents of Green Acres Trailer Park

(PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 29, 2021)

On September 28, 2021, the City of Williams Lake activated its Emergency Operations Centre at Level 2 in response to land slippage in the vicinity of Frizzi Road and North Mackenzie Avenue. The slide exposed a section of sani...