2025 was a milestone year for our community as we marked the 30th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Districts of Abbotsford and Matsqui to form the City of Abbotsford. Throughout the year we not only honoured our past, but also looked ahead with optimism as significant investment, infrastructure improvements, expanded cultural programming and enhanced community-building events laid the foundation for an even brighter future for the next 30 years and beyond.
It was also a year of excitement and celebration, filled with moments that captured the spirit of our city. Residents proudly rallied behind the Abbotsford Canucks through their playoff run and historic win of the AHL Calder Cup championship, complete with pop-up celebrations around the city and a large celebration with the team at the Abbotsford Centre. We also saw thousands come together at our expanded Canada Day festivities which are now more accessible and inclusive than ever. Community engagement reached new levels, with many residents actively participating in a variety of community events, surveys and feedback opportunities which helped shape key strategies such as our Official Community Plan and future large-scale parks and recreation projects.
“As we marked the City of Abbotsford’s 30th anniversary this year, we were reminded of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished together as a community,” said Mayor Ross Siemens. “The highlights of 2025 represent not just investments in infrastructure and services, but in people, quality of life and the future of our community. Together we are shaping a city that honours its roots while building a vibrant, strong and connected community for generations to come.”
In addition to the Top 25 achievements listed below, the City has completed, or is advancing many parks, trails, infrastructure, roads and community enhancement projects across Abbotsford. You can learn more about these projects and track their status online.
With only one year remaining in Council’s current term, the work of the City will remain focused, with Council continuing to advocate for our community, working collaboratively and laying the groundwork for long-term success and ensuring Abbotsford remains the best place to live, grow and put down roots.
Top 25 of '25
1. Shaping Abbotsford's Future
Updated the Official Community Plan which will guide how our community will grow and develop over the next 25 years.
2. Increasing Abbotsford's Recreation Spaces
Opened Engineer Park, a brand new park in West Abbotsford.
3. Enhancing Public Safety
Completed Phase 1 of the AbbyPD Headquarters Expansion, and started Phase 2.
4. Empowering the Arts
Launched new Arts and Culture Grants program to support Abbotsford’s vibrant arts and culture sector and create more opportunities for cultural programing in our community.
5. Upgrading YXX Terminal Facilities
The City completed enhancements to the Customs area at Abbotsford International Airport, with the balance of the terminal upgrades being completed in early 2026.
6. Strengthening Barrowtown Resiliency
Completed Phase 1 of the new floodwall and the installation of a new backup power generator at Barrowtown Pump Station. Design of Phase 2 of the floodwall is in progress (early 2026).
7. Planning for Future Recreation Parks
Submitted an application to the Agricultural land Commission for lands that will become future recreation and sports park.
8. Supporting Homelessness Prevention
Established Abbotsford’s Homelessness Response Leadership Table to lead Coordinated Access Systems governance and encampment response, and secured an additional two-year renewal of Reaching Home Designated Community funding through the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program, which will support homelessness prevention projects in Abbotsford.
9. Supporting Local Business
Launched the Business Spotlight Program as an opportunity to visit local businesses in the community to learn more about them and how Council can help them continue to grow and succeed.
10. Showcasing Local Talent
Hosted the BC Culture Days launch event, showcasing the talent of Abbotsford artists, while kicking off a three-week series of interactive cultural programming across the province.
11. Introduced Curbside Glass Recycling
Added glass recycling to the curbside collection program to make recycling glass easier and safer, and to help reduce contamination in blue carts.
12. Updated Latham Field
Completed Latham Field turf replacement and reopened the field to school and community sport groups.
13. Improved Online Experiences
Introduced digital enhancements to the City's website, including a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot named Barry to help with information and services related to economic development in the city, and a refreshed Projects on the Go page to provide a clearer, more interactive view of key projects happening across our community.
14. Enhancing Mill Lake Park
Adopted a new Mill Lake Master Plan and directed staff to allocate $1 million from the Community Works Fund to priority and urgent items, specifically Lake Loop improvements.
15. Launched Abbotsford Journey Mapping Video Series
Launched Abbotsford Journey Mapping video series to highlight the experiences of frontline social services workers in Abbotsford as they navigated the substance-use system alongside their clients.
16. Addressing Commercial Truck Parking
Approved the Commercial Truck Parking Strategy which addresses the shortage of available truck parking in Abbotsford, including a pilot program to allow parking on select industrial streets and facilitating permitted parking on non-ALR land along the Fraser Highway corridor.
17. Planning for Future Aquatics Services
Launched feedback/survey for a draft Aquatics Strategy to help the City effectively plan for and fund current community needs and potential future Aquatic services and facilities.
18. Increased Emergency Response
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service had another busy year, hiring and training 12 new firefighters and responding to more than 15,000 incidents throughout the community.
19. Planting More City Trees
Secured grant to expand tree canopies at urban parks and held a community tree planting event at Amblewood Park.
20. Launched Discover Abbotsford
A new online hub that showcases everything our community has to offer and provides a great directory of resource to help people see why Abbotsford is a great place to live, work and play.
21. Understanding Trail Use
Conducted Community Trail User Survey to understand how residents use the City’s network of trails. Feedback received will be used in the development of a city-wide trail strategy.
22. Supporting Community Development
Approved development applications for 1,257 housing units and issued building permits for 1,452 units for a combined construction value of $495,982,495. (to Oct. 31)
23. Advancing Accessibility in Abbotsford
Endorsed an Abbotsford Community Accessibility Plan which helps to identify, reduce and prevent barriers to individuals working for or interacting with the City.
24. Expanding Housing Options
Implemented a new Secondary Suite Incentive Program to help increase the housing supply in our community.
25. Exploring New Arena Development
Adopted an Arena Services and Facilities Strategy and directed staff to undertake a public process to engage interested parties in the possible development of two or more arenas in Abbotsford on private land, with the City acting as an anchor tenant.