Statement Regarding Upcoming Women’s Basketball Games

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the Vancouver Island University Mariners informed Columbia Bible College (CBC) that their Women’s Basketball team would not be playing in the upcoming games against the CBC Bearcats Women’s Basketball team scheduled for January 10 and 11, 2025, at Columbia Place in Abbotsford, BC. This was surprising news to us, as we had been in ongoing positive conversations involving PACWEST and VIU to develop an event safety plan for these specific games.

We understand this decision was made in response to a letter that the players of the VIU Women’s Basketball Team released to VIU and PACWEST accusing CBC of being an unsafe place to play. CBC stands for safe play for all. Accusations that CBC, its coaches, players, and fans, are a safety threat are simply untrue and misinformed.

CBC has a reputation for providing a safe environment, however, out of an abundance of caution, CBC in cooperation with the PACWEST, developed an event safety plan specifically for these games. We received input from VIU and the Abbotsford Police Department. This plan included extra security among other measures.

We are pleased that VIU’s Men’s Basketball Team is still planning to come to Columbia Place in Abbotsford, BC, to play their scheduled games. We look forward to welcoming them and providing a great environment to play college basketball. CBC has a history of providing a safe and fun atmosphere for teams and spectators to enjoy Canadian college sports. We are proud of our fans who enthusiastically cheer for their home team while respecting the opposing teams and their fans.