Sardis-Vedder
ChilliwackIntroduction
Former home of the Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack, the suburban area of Sardis-Vedder is growing and attracting more young families. Sardis-Vedder extends from Highway 1 in the north to Vedder River in the south, and is bordered by agricultural land along Evans, Tyson, Watson and Unsworth roads to the west and Vedder and Britton roads and the Tzeachten First Nation to the east.
Lifestyle
Sardis-Vedder is expanding from its suburban image with a mix of homes on cul-de-sacs, townhouses, lowrise apartments and mobile homes. With recent densification and town core development in Garrison Crossing and Lindys Landing, the area is becoming more attractive to pedestrian- and bicycle-oriented traffic. Services from schools and parks to shopping are well established in the neighbourhood.
The Vibe
Bordering on some of the most fertile land in the Fraser Valley, it is not surprising to see horses penned up next to an elementary school. A hundred years ago, Vedder Road was the main thoroughfare to Vancouver and this brought people to the Vedder Crossing and Sardis areas. Since the closing of the Canadian Forces Base, there’s been a new influx of residents who enjoy the small-town feel.
Meet the Neighbours
Because there is a broad mix of housing types, the Sardis-Vedder neighbourhood attracts people from all walks of life, ranging from students who attend the University of the Fraser Valley’s Trade and Technology Centre to seniors and retirees to families that are attracted to the area’s new and dense neighbourhoods.
In the Area
In the Sardis-Vedder area, there are schools, parks and recreation facilities all just a short drive away, along with opportunities for hiking, fishing, cycling and camping. The new development of Garrison Crossing, with its mix of shops and restaurants and dense residences close to the Cheam Leisure Centre, is a pedestrian-friendly area just near the University of the Fraser Valley.
7.1 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Sardis-Vedder residents still love their trucks, but as the area increasingly densifies and attracts young, eco-friendly families, more and more bicycles are filling the roads. Several bus routes traverse the neighbourhood connecting to downtown Chilliwack and to the new 66 Fraser Valley Express bus that links up with buses in Langley.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Most residents of Sardis-Vedder will say they like the area because it has a hometown, community feel, where people are friendly and they feel safe in their homes. While there are still traditional suburban strip malls lining the main streets, newer urban planning ideas are supplanting the old ways of building communities. Garrison Crossing has driven up the market in the area and driven out some middle-class homebuyers.
Dollars & Sense
Tim Horton’s or Starbucks? Most people in Sardis-Vedder probably prefer Tim’s, but with the influx of younger people brought in by the university and more higher-end homes, coffee culture is rapidly developing. The Sardis-Vedder neighbourhood has a large variety of reasonably priced shopping. Those wanting to buy local products can shop at the many home-based artisanal businesses in neighbouring Greendale and Yarrow.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Vedder River Rotary Trail
The Vedder River is famous for its fishing, but for those who just want to enjoy its magnificent beauty, the eight-kilometre Vedder River Rotary Trail is ideal for walkers, joggers, horseback riders and cyclists.
more infoSardis Library
The excellent Fraser Valley Library system has a branch in Sardis that offers a wide variety of programs from storytime for newborns to conversation classes for new Canadians to a button-making club for teens.
more infoGarrison Crossing
After the closure of the Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack, the housing portion of the base was planned as a pedestrian-friendly, dense neighbourhood and as it has filled in, it has become its own village.
more infoTwin Rinks
Every hockey mom and dad knows that morning practices are killer, but nearby Twin Rinks makes getting there a little easier. The arena also offers ball hockey, lacrosse and roller blading.
more infoUniversity of the Fraser Valley
The University of the Fraser Valley’s Trades and Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Garrison Crossing offers hands-on programs in areas that range from agriculture to culinary arts.
more infoCheam Leisure Centre
Sardis-Vedder is the gateway to the backcountry of Upper Fraser Valley, but for those wanting to stay closer to home, the Cheam Leisure Centre offers programs to keep you active. The centre has a pool, squash courts and a weight room, as well as a gym.
more info