Skaha Hills is a resort-style residential community sculpted on the hillside in Penticton. Photo: Skaha Hills
UNITED NATIONS
After years of initiatives and deals that didn’t quite take off, it seems that real estate development partnerships with First Nations are being undertaken in all corners of B.C.—and the results today are spectacular. By Robin Brunet
Suddenly, it seems to be in the news: Westbank Corp., Polygon, Aquilini Developments and many other B.C. companies are currently working with local First Nations groups on major real estate developments. Although no single catalyst was responsible for these recent partnerships, the consensus among partners like these is that this is the way many developments will be undertaken in the future. The relationships are mutually beneficial. Some First Nations have billions of dollars worth of real estate, on and off reserves, but in many cases lack sufficient development resources. Non-aboriginal entities that do have those resources are entering into partnerships with First Nations, because developing the often prime land on offer frequently encounters far less red tape than is the norm.
Good Governance Facilitating the partnerships is the powerful idea of self-governance, says Chris Derickson, chief of the Westbank First Nation (WFN). “The majority of development on WFN lands is always driven by our members.” Prior to becoming self-governing in 2005, Westbank’s 5,340 acres of lands near Kelowna had an assessed value of less than $500,000. Today it’s worth more than $2 billion, and $604 million in building permits have been issued in the last 14 years alone (with
the time between a proposal being submitted and the shovels hitting the ground typically being a relatively quick three to six months). As a result, population growth of 30 per cent on its Tsinstikeptum Indian Reserve No.9 lands on the west side of Okanagan Lake was recorded as the eighth-strongest in all of Canada by Statistics Canada. Westbank’s past joint venture projects were the Snyatan and Okanagan Lake shopping centres, with Anthem Property Group Ltd. and Churchill International Property Corporation, respectively. At this time, according to Chief Derickson, “We’re currently looking for partners to help develop other parcels of community-held lands.”
Leases that Hold Given the pro-development stance of so many First Nations, the opportunity to create spectacular residences is boundless. Such is the case of Skaha Hills, described as a resort-style residential community sculpted on a hillside property in Penticton. The multiphased development was originally started as a partnership with Greyback Construction Ltd., a local builder with four generations of experience, and the Penticton Indian Band. Curt Jansen, VP sales and marketing at Skaha Hills, says, “I first worked with the Osoyoos band on a resort development, and Spring 2020 Right Sizing
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