Abbotsford Tourism Reopens After Devastating Floods, Urgent Repairs Underway

UPDATE: One week after catastrophic floods ravaged Abbotsford, B.C., key tourism destinations are beginning to reopen amid urgent recovery efforts. The Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre and Castle Fun Park have faced significant damage, with both facilities now racing against time to restore normal operations.

As of today, the Castle Fun Park has announced plans for a phased reopening, following significant preparations and repairs since the floods struck late last week. “You never know how high the water is going to get,” said co-owner Brian Wiebe. “We were watching that pretty close, but it did turn into an event, and it became all hands on deck.”

Unlike the devastating floods of 2021 that left the park submerged for weeks, this time, the damage was mitigated thanks to newly installed defenses. “We had two lines of defense: a waterproof wall and crews working around the clock to pump out floodwaters,” Wiebe revealed. Crews utilized up to 12 gas-powered trash pumps, expelling between 15,000 to 20,000 gallons per minute to keep the waters at bay.

However, the Under the Sea minigolf course did sustain significant damage, echoing the challenges faced in previous years. Meanwhile, the Clarion Hotel was not spared. General manager Daniel Laverick recounted the panic as floodwaters engulfed the property, stating, “By about nine o’clock, we were under about two and a half feet of water.” With approximately 200 guests in the conference center and 50 rooms occupied, the hotel was forced to shut down for nearly a week, resulting in an estimated loss of $140,000 in revenue.

Laverick expressed relief that the recovery was quicker than in 2021 when the hotel was closed for over three months. “We were able to invite everyone back to work on Thursday,” he noted.

Authorities emphasize the urgent need for federal flood mitigation efforts. Executive director of Tourism Abbotsford, Clare Seeley, criticized the recurring nature of these floods. “We thought in 2021 we were told it was a once-in-100-year event, and that would be it. Here we are, four years later, with some of our big players underwater again,” she stated.

The impact of recurring closures extends beyond local businesses, affecting transportation and tourism perceptions globally. “We have three major transportation nodes here,” Seeley pointed out, highlighting that two of those have been closed multiple times within just four years. “That’s the message that is sent out globally, and that’s not the message that we should be sharing,” she warned.

As Castle Fun Park continues repairs and prepares for a gradual reopening, community members are hopeful for a swift recovery. With both facilities working hard to bounce back, the resilience of Abbotsford’s tourism sector is being put to the test once again.

Stay tuned for further updates as recovery efforts progress and more attractions aim to open their doors in the coming days.