Former Chilliwack movie theatre could be converted into housing

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CHILLIWACK — Although it won’t be on tomorrow’s Chilliwack City Council agenda, a former movie theatre that closed its doors at the end of June could be converted into apartments.

A rezoning application sign now appears on a fence that encircles the property at 45380 Luckakuck Way, the former Cottonwood 4 Cinemas, which recently ended a 16-year run by owners Cathy Rayner and Pauline Lamb.

The sign indicates that the applicant, Richlane Builders, proposes to rezone the property from a C6 (theatre commercial) zone to an R6 (mid rise apartment) zone, and to complete site specific amendments to increase density and relax parking and storage locker requirements, in order to facilitate construction of an apartment development.

According to a statement from City of Chilliwack communications coordinator Alexandra Carter Page, the city’s building department has confirmed that a demolition permit has been issued for 45380 Luckakuck Way. An application to rezone the site has been received and is expected to be considered by Chilliwack City Council in the next few weeks.

Construction fencing now encircles the 1.5-acre (0.6 ha) site on Luckakuck Way, coupled with signs indicating Richlane Builders is the contractor and the site is now a no-trespassing construction site.

A land title search from May 2025 lists the registered owner of the property at 45380 Luckakuck Way as Cottonwood Grove Developments (GP) Ltd., with an address of 44639 Yale Road in Chilliwack.

At that same Yale Road address is Richlane Builders, along with other two holding companies and an investment firm.

According to BC Assessment records, the movie theatre property was purchased in December 2023 for $7.5 million.

Cottonwood 4 Cinemas announced on social media on May 13, 2025 that it would permanently close at the end of June.