Right Sizing Spring 2021

Spring 2021

Your

Small-town

Boom Celebrity Connections

Master Planned

Community

MILLION-DOLLAR DREAM HOMES

How to Buy a Small Business l Think Global, Eat Local l Pandemic’s Green Lining

REALIGN Through this time of change, it has become essential that we stay true to our values.

In Wilden, we are more dedicated than ever to growing this sanctuary that we call home mindfully, preserving its pristine beauty.

Buying in Wilden means investing in balance and lasting values.

Visit Kelowna’s largest master-planned community and dive into all the possibilities.

Currently selling: Single family lots in Echo Ridge, just a ten to fifteen-minute drive from downtown Kelowna, UBCO and airport.

Parade of Showhomes and Presentation Centre open daily from 1-5pm except Fridays · 1454 Rocky Point Drive · Kelowna Wilden Sales: 250.762.2906 · sales@wilden.ca · #WildenKelowna

Wilden.ca

Building a Better Future

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WHAT’S INSIDE Spring 2021

A canoe on Island Lake at Island Lake Lodge near Fernie, B.C. Photo: Destination BC/Kari Medig

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Departments Up Front

15 Million-dollar Homes: map and listings 18 Taste of the Globe: eat and drink

8 Publisher’s Letter

20 Taking the Buy Way: small business

10 Dispatches

23 B.C. Unincorporated: small towns 32 Financial Tune-up: home-building needs 50 Youbou: hidden jewel

Features 26 The Rebirth of Master-Planned Communities 34 Walk of Fame: Star power in B.C. towns 45 Post-pandemic Life: Gazing into the crystal ball

Spring 2021 Right Sizing

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I

t’s the perfect storm. The small-town boom happening now in B.C. is something we predicted when we launched this magazine three years ago. At that time, it was already obvious that Lower Mainland real estate was out of the reach of many, and that smaller communities offered better value and lifestyle. But who could have known that a global pandemic would drive this movement to a whole new level?

Where once we touted ample and affordable real estate in right-sized communities, today the housing inventory is low. Developers tell us they’re racing to build new phases of master-planned communities (see page 26). The law of supply-and-demand is driving up home prices nearly everywhere. While property may seem to be virtually selling itself at the moment, we applaud the longer-term vision of partners who have continued to support our publication, knowing that we will be celebrating the benefits of small-community living long after the current boom subsides.

Our network of developers, builders, realtors and economic development officers tell us that many factors have cumulated in the “perfect storm.” Foremost, work-from-home and the need for more home-office (and home-schooling) space is becoming permanent, spawning the work-from-anywhere wave—so why not from beautiful B.C.? Families find they need more personal, recreational and outdoor space and perhaps more bedrooms or even self-contained suites, as young adults return home in a tight job market or we move our parents out of care homes. Urban dwellers want to escape small apartments and a lifestyle that depends on using cramped elevators and recreational spaces in cities.

Financially, low interest rates make it easier for first-time buyers with FOMO to get into the market, and even for existing homeowners to comfortably upgrade. Even despite recent increases, you can still get more house for the money in small towns versus the city (see page 15 for incredible homes under $1 million)—prices may be up more than 10 per cent, but on a $500,000 property, for instance, that increase is still nominal compared to a seven-figure urban home. And as the cost of building materials and the hassles of urban permitting processes continue to increase, the option to relocate to a spacious rural property becomes even more appealing.

The pandemic has reminded us to appreciate the importance of community, and more and more of us are embracing local values in what we consume, buy and how we live. International travel restrictions have kept us close to home, with the ability to explore nearby small communities. While empty urban Airbnb’s are converting back to long-term rentals, rental income on small-town properties has been increasing their value, as a new wave of visitors and investors checks them out—and likes what they see and experience.

Some are even inspired to buy or start small businesses there.

This dramatic increase in demand for small-town living has happened so quickly, imagine what’s going to happen once the travel advisories and restrictions are eventually lifted? Without discounting the tragic toll this pandemic has had on our families and communities, we are trying to see the silver (or perhaps green) lining of a post-pandemic lifestyle change that could be world-altering (see page 45). Demand for small-town living could continue to grow as high as B.C.’s peaks and as broad as its lake vistas and oceanside horizons. If you’re thinking about making a life change, we hope our stories on financing a new-home build (see page 32), buying a business (see page 20) and some of B.C.’s quirky little unincorporated towns (see page 23) might inspire you.

Stay healthy and take good care!

Steve Dietrich Publisher

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Publisher, Founder Editor Head Designer Online Design Proofreader Digital Media Manager Video Production

Steve Dietrich Charlene Rooke Amélie Légaré John Magill Lisa Manfield Charity Robertson Chris Dietrich

Writers Lucas Ackroyd, Andrew Findlay, Michelle Hopkins, Gail Johnson, Lisa Manfield, Matt O’Grady, Tracey Rayson, Steve Threndyle, Michael White Advertising Sales 604-787-4603

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Right Sizing magazine, established 2018. The magazine will be published four times per year by Publimedia Communications Inc., established 1996. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, or the staff. All editorial is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The publisher is not responsible for any liability associated with any editorial or products and services offered by any advertiser. Editorial submissions will be considered, please send them to the publisher.

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Website www.RightSizingMedia.com Cover Image Revelstoke, B.C. Photo: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/ Mitch Winton / Revelstoke Golf Course.

PRINTED IN CANADA Spring 2021

LARGEST MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY IN FRASER VALLERY LATIMER HEIGHTS – A 74 ACRE MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY Introducing Latimer Heights: a 74-acre master-planned community that will become the new gateway to Langley and the largest new master-planned community in the Fraser Valley. Brought to you by award-winning Vesta Properties, Latimer Heights - A place to put down roots and build memories.

THE MASTER PLAN Become a part of this 74-acre master-planned community. Latimer Heights boasts over 17 acres of parks, greenspace, walkways, a luscious centralized pond and a brand new elementary school. ◆ Wide Variety of Home Styles ◆ Elementary School ◆ Centralized Pond ◆ 17 Acres of Greenspace ◆ Parks & Walkways ◆ Boutique Style Shops

◆ Trendy Restaurants ◆ Cozy Cafes ◆ Services ◆ Low-Rise Urban Condos ◆ 34 & 28 Story Concrete High-Rise

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS Work, shop, take a stroll, meet a friend for coffee or enjoy an evening out — it’s all right here. Only minutes to the Carvolth Exchange and commuter routes, getting anywhere and everywhere has never been so easy!

For more information visit LATIMERHEIGHTS.COM or call 604.371.1669

Discovery Centre & Showhomes 20265 82 Ave. Langley, BC Daily 12 PM - 5 PM Closed Thursday & Friday

Renderings are an artist’s conception and are intended as a general reference only and are subject to change without notice.

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New Park on Bowen Island

Bowen Island residents celebrate new protected beach access.

Last December, owners of the Cape on Bowen Island and the Bowen Island Conservancy reached a philanthropy-funded deal that will see three vacant waterfront lots on the west side transformed into a park. Cape on Bowen spokesperson Candy Ho says she’d like to see the Conservancy purchase even more of the 130 acres that could be protected for future generations to enjoy. Previously, local residents had to trespass (often unknowingly) to gain access to beaches on the west side of the Island.—Steve Threndyle

Dispatches

Buy here 2020 average assessed value of a singlefamily home on Bowen Island: $1.02 million (up 9%).

By Michael White

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Major Developments in Cranbrook Despite the global economic woes wrought by the pandemic, 2020 brought a “silver linings” milestone for Cranbrook: the city of approximately 20,000 attracted record investment last year. That included 182 building permits totalling $93 million (an all-time high), and the sale of 99 city-owned acres to Vancouverbased wood products company Peak Renewables for $6 million. Additionally, the City approved 1,722 business licenses last year. cranbrook.ca

Buy here Downtown Cranbrook, B.C. and the Steeples. Photo: Destination BC/Kari Medig

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2020 average assessed value of a single-family home in Cranbrook: $327,000 (up 6%).

Golden Ears Park: A Green Wonderland

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Located 10 kilometres north of Maple Ridge, this ecological marvel spans more than 62,000 hectares (compared to Stanley Park’s mere 405 hectares). In addition to three campgrounds, Golden Ears offers prime hiking and cycling trails, while the beach at Alouette Lake is a popular destination for swimming, canoeing and kayaking, picnicking, and much more. Better yet, it’s in easy driving distance of Langley and much of the Fraser Valley. bcparks.ca

Buy here

2020 average assessed value of a single-family home in Maple Ridge: $814,000 (up 6%).

The shores of Alouette Lake. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Sky’s the Limit Right sizing to a smaller community might prompt a reinvention of your leisure time: why not consider learning to fly? There are many training programs throughout B.C., and the province’s small regional airports (such as in Nelson, Princeton, and Revelstoke) offer a perfect environment in which to make use of your new talent. bcaviation.ca

Take flight A Private Pilot License requires an investment of approximately 60 hours of flight time and up to $12,000 (Transport Canada).

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Dream Homes Near the Slopes In anticipation that 2022 will mark a return to the bustling ski seasons of years past, now may be the optimum time to find the mountain lot of your dreams—for a relative steal. Case in point: we recently spotted a 4,704-squarefoot freehold lot on Mount Washington for only $139,900, while comparable bargains have been sighted within a stone’s throw of Kimberley Mountain Resort. Build a 1,500-square-foot packaged home for $500,000 and up, and the value in cashing out of your city home has never looked better.

Buy here

2020 average assessed value of a single-family home in Comox near Mount Washington: $555,000 (up 6%); in Kimberley, $339,000 (up 12%).

Silver Star Mountain Resort. Photo: Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson

Spring 2021 Right Sizing

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Swing Towards Revelstoke

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Revelstoke will soon welcome its second golf course, by world-class Cabot Links.

Photo: Kootenay Rockies Tourism/Mitch Winton / Revelstoke Golf Course.

Developers Mike Keiser and Ben Cowan-Dewar, who together conceived the acclaimed Cabot Links golf resorts in Nova Scotia (and recently began construction of another in the Caribbean), have now set their sights on the B.C. interior. Cabot Revelstoke, scheduled to open in 2023 in the namesake city, will boast an 18-hole course, a 150-room lodge at the base of Mount Mackenzie, and residential properties. cabotrevelstoke.com

Buy here

2020 average assessed value of a single-family home in Revelstoke: $546,000 (up 7%).

Live On Campus in Kamloops

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Taking its cue from similar projects at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops has spearheaded the TRU Community Trust (TRUCT).

A 99-year lease allows the university to develop roughly 90 acres of campus land, in which a mix of residential and commercial units will be created for the purpose of enhancing daily life for students and surrounding communities. reachkamloops.com/about

Buy here

2020 average assessed value of a single-family home in Kamloops: $461,000 (up 7%).

Kamloops skyline. Photo: Sara Shreiner, Exposure Kamloops.

Stay in the Loop with Local News Though B.C.’s smaller cities often escape the notice of bigcity media, fortunately many of them have robust newsrooms of their own, working hard to keep communities informed.

For instance, KelownaNow.com is the fastest-growing media platform in the Central Okanagan, while Castanet.net covers news and events in Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and region. Visit w3newspapers.com/canada/britishcolumbia to find a directory of regional publications across the province.

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Buy here

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2020 average assessed values in Kelowna: single-family home, $629,000; strata property, $364,000.

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

The Word is Out About Cranbrook This affordable yet growing city continues to attract outdoor enthusiasts as its economic base expands

Top 14 Reasons to Choose Cranbrook

Local Statistics

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Population 21,308 (2019)

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World class scenery 2,229 hours annually of sunshine Paradise for outdoor enthusiasts: ski, fish, mountain bike, swim, paddle, float, boat, sled, snowshoe and more.

A true mountain golf destination with 8 golf courses within a 32-kilometre radius.

Experience wildlife viewing at it’s best.

The St Mary’s river offers some the best trout fly fishing in the world.

College of the Rockies and a young, dynamic, and well educated work force.

We are the Basecamp for the Kootenays.

The 600-seat Key City Theatre and a 4,500-seat hockey arena: The entertainment capital of the Kootenay’s.

East Kootenay Regional Hospital with 24 emergency, Level 3 laboratory, acute and obstetrical care.

Canadian Rockies International Airport which is the second fastest-growing airport in all of Canada.

Flights to Vancouver (1 hour), Kelowna (1 hour) and Calgary (30 minutes).

Low corporate taxes and a stable business environment.

Fast and efficient permitting and development approvals.

Infrastructure Investment $50M over the last five years Building Permits $93M 2020 – All-time high Over $245M in the last five years 5 Straight years of year over year growth Average Home Price $374 ,900.00* Number of Schools 10 Public Schools, 2 Private Schools

(250) 919-9792 Darren.Brewer@cranbrook.ca

P: Abby Cooper

P: Jeremy Koreski

P: Abby Cooper

Darren Brewer Business Development Officer

Population Growth 3.8% (2011-16)

WWW.CHOOSECRANBROOK.CA

Kitimat Already a world-class port and manufacturing centre, this Northern B.C. city is becoming an energy hub and transportation link for Asia-North America trade. Recent listing: A three-bedroom, three-bathroom architecturally designed home is situated on a corner lot in the Strawberry Meadows subdivision. The property sits on almost three acres and features a gourmet kitchen, living room and master bedroom with vaulted ceilings, along with a four-car garage. $949,900.

Sechelt This small-town gem is the largest community on the Sunshine Coast with a population of 10,000.

It’s easily accessible from mainland B.C. via a 40-minute ferry trip between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale, then a 25-minute drive along Highway 101.

Recent listing: This renovated four-bedroom, threebathroom home located in Davis Bay features a large sunny kitchen, vaulted ceilings, hardwood flooring, a large deck for entertaining and an attached triple garage with a workshop. $959,000.

Courtenay The urban and cultural hub of the Comox Valley, this city is known for the supernatural beauty of its many beaches, rivers and lakes. Recent listing: A brand new three-bedroom, two-bathroom rancher with southern exposure is located in Crown Isle’s popular Cambridge Park Estates subdivision.

This home sports a two-storey grand foyer filled with natural light, and a bright open kitchen for entertaining family and friends. $935,000.

Map from Google Maps

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Departure Bay This lovely oceanside Nanaimo community is home to the BC Ferries terminal that connects Central Vancouver Island to Vancouver. Recent listing: A custom-designed threebedroom, three-bathroom home is nestled on 1.61 acres that back onto Linley Valley Park; it features wood flooring throughout, floor-to-ceiling windows, an open wooden staircase and is located on a short no-thru road, close to walking trails. $997,000.

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR LESS THAN A MILLION Your high-six-digits budget goes very, very far in B.C.’s right-sized cities: here are just a few of the types of properties that are available to fulfill every type of dream-home fantasy of escaping the big city.

By Right Sizing Staff For direct links to all listings, go to rightsizingmedia.com/900

Princeton Mission This district, nestled on a southern coastal mountain slope overlooking the Fraser River valley, flourishes in part through hosting a wide range of filming productions, from commercials and televisions series to full-length movies.

Recent listing: This four-bedroom, six-bathroom executive home features a beautiful floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace, a great room with built-in bookshelves, a master bedroom with five-piece ensuite and a separate two-bedroom suite with its own laundry. $999,900.

In the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in the Similkameen Region, far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, lies this charming community—boasting no traffic lights or parking meters within 100 kilometres!

Recent listing: Imagine living on 40 private acres via paved road just five minutes from town! This three-bedroom, three bathroom property also offers a master with ensuite on the main floor, amazing views, and plenty of room for trailers and toys. $999,999.

Abbotsford Situated in the southwestern corner of the province, B.C.’s largest municipality outside metro Vancouver is considered the hub of the Fraser Valley, with 62 per cent of residents working in the city of Abbotsford and living within a 10-minute commute. Recent listing: This brand-new modern fivebedroom, four-bathroom home situated in Sumas Mountain Estates features high ceilings throughout plus great entertaining spaces; it’s close to hiking and biking trails, and minutes away from Ledgeview Golf Course. $968,888.

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Blind Bay

Kamloops A five-hour drive northeast of Vancouver, with a population of around 100,000, this all-season recreational hot spot gets around 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.

Recent listing: This Tuscan-inspired custom dream home, located in prestigious Visao Estates in Sun Rivers, features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, radiant-heated concrete floors, an elevator, California foldaway doors for summer nights plus beautiful golf and city views. $839,000.

On the southern shore of Shuswap Lake, 29 kilometres northwest of Salmon Arm, you’ll find Blind Bay. At the entrance to Blind Bay, you’ll find Copper Island, popular with scuba divers and the locale of this spectacular home.

Recent listing: A modern four-bedroom, five-bathroom home overlooking the Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course features over 2,500 square feet on the main floor, Spanish-style stucco and a lower level with a self-contained living space, ideal for long-term guests, family or renters. $949,000.

Cranbrook

Kelowna Kelowna, meaning “grizzly bear” in the local Okanagan First Nations dialect, became an incorporated city in 1905. It’s the birthplace of B.C.’s wine industry and currently has more than 40 wineries in the area.

Recent listing: The Newburch homes located within Wilden’s Echo Ridge neighbourhood offer four bedrooms and three baths including a master with a five-piece ensuite. Spacious open-concept living and three-car garages are available at Wilden homes, priced from $452,000 to $900,000.

Map from Google Maps

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This community has enviable advantages for those looking for new opportunities in business and life. Its small-business sector is thriving, and it supports an educated workforce and some of the best-value real estate in B.C. Recent listing: This modern four-bedroom, fourbathroom home with stunning panoramic mountain views features an open-concept main floor, a kitchen with an eat-in island, a rooftop deck with a hot tub, and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom in-law suite with separate entrance and laundry. $759,000.

Trail Located on the Columbia River in the West Kootenay Region, Trail is known for its affordable real estate but is becoming a hotbed for tech industries and research and development.

Recent listing: Enjoy living in this stunning three-level custom-built executive home located in Miral Heights. This modern home offers two living areas with stone-covered gas fireplaces in each, a large master bedroom with valley views, plus a fully finished 1,105-square-foot garage. $929,000.

provide the services and amenities their residents expect.

One of several large projects currently underway is the untapped tract of 296 acres of prime waterfront real estate that has the potential to transform the area into a vibrant district nestled on the banks of the Fraser River.

This area is now undergoing an 18-month, three-phased Waterfront Revitalization Masterplan that will combine a viable land-use plan with feasible infrastructure solutions and a practical financial strategy to address the challenges waterfront developments face including flood plain management, transportation barriers,

“This is an exciting time to be part of the municipality,” said Economic Development Director, Stacey Crawford, “projects are being aligned to maximize job creation, the city’s potentia and see growth across the tax base with residential commercial, industrial, and retai opportunities, combined with an incredible outdoor recreation lifestyle.”

Other areas to follow include the Centra Neighbourhood Planning process being undertaken for 3,440 acres in Southwest Mission; the 1,100 acre Cedar Valley Loca Area Plan located in central Mission; and the 76 acre Parr Local Area Plan to the east

Commited to the Revitalization of the

MISSION WATERFRONT waterfront@mission.ca

For more project specific information go to: engage.mission.ca

Stacey Crawford, Director of Economic Development Mission has always appealed to outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for an affordable family home within proximity of Vancouver. As the region continues to see exponential growth, District of Mission is choosing to meet this demand head-on by undertaking much of the groundwork needed to see developers succeed and to continue to provide the services and amenities their residents expect.

One of several large projects currently underway is the untapped tract of 296 acres of prime waterfront real estate, which has the potential to transform the area into a vibrant district nestled on the banks of the Fraser River. This area is now undergoing an 18-month, three-phase Waterfront Revitalization Masterplan. It will combine a viable land-use plan with feasible infrastructure solutions and a practical financial strategy to address the challenges waterfront developments face. These include: flood plain management, transportation barriers, contaminated lands, and environmental considerations. This vision will ensure the community’s

diverse housing and business needs, as well as providing certainty for developers looking to invest in the area.

“This is an exciting time to be part of the municipality,” says Economic Development Director Stacey Crawford. “Projects are being aligned to maximize job creation, the city’s potential and also to see growth across the tax base with residential, commercial, industrial, and retail opportunities, combined with an incredible outdoor recreation lifestyle.”

Other areas to follow include the Central Neighbourhood Planning process being undertaken for 3,440 acres in Southwest Mission, the 1,100-acre Cedar Valley Local Area Plan located in central Mission, and the 76-acre Parr Local Area to the east.

services and amenities priorities are met—combining parks and trails, arts and culture,

For more project specific information go to: engage.mission.ca Stacey Crawford, Director of Economic Development

waterfront@mission.ca

TASTE OF THE GLOBE

Masala Bistro. Photo: Nora Hamade @simplynora

One of the joys of travel is food: discovering a culture through its native ingredients, cooking tools and techniques plus customs around the table. With the pandemic pressing pause on our plans to explore other places, we can still get a taste of the world by tasting culturally diverse restaurants. Here are eateries serving global flavours in some right-sized B.C. places.

By Gail Johnson

Loka Middle Eastern Mediterranean, Nelson Four years ago, siblings David McGlone and Lola Elgert launched Loka (meaning “world” in Sanskrit), taking over an existing Middle Eastern eatery and working closely with its Palestinian owner for years prior. While honouring the restaurant’s history, they fuse Mediterranean elements into their street-food-inspired menu. Mint, dill, cilantro and other fresh herbs are abundant; garlic, lemon, olive oil, sumac and zaatar are flavour staples. Spices like cinnamon, allspice, cardamom and paprika imbue dishes like shawarma chicken and kofta beef-lamb skewer with delicious complexity. Diners have the option of building their own turmericjasmine rice bowl, while wah kobiz (spreads) and wraps are highlights. A point of pride is Loka’s distinction as Nelson’s first artisan gin bar, with a selection of spirits that spans the globe. If a Caesar is more your style, its exotic Mundo Caesar is made with house-made harissa hot sauce. facebook.com/lokafoodnelson Photo: Loka Middle Eastern Mediterranean

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Ruby Lake Resort and Trattoria Italiana, Madeira Park Chef Aldo Cogrossi was born and raised in Milano, about 50 kilometres from Lake Como.

Having moved to Canada nearly three decades ago, he cooks up traditional northern Italian fare at this Sunshine Coast lakefront getaway, emphasizing sustainability. Many ingredients are grown right on-site (including the basil in the pesto sauce, as well as vegetables, herbs and more). Seafood is Ocean Wise and meats are grass fed, hormone free and free range.

Pasta dishes range from penne boscaiola with smoked wild-boar sausage and wild mushrooms to spaghetti primavera with fresh garden vegetables. Cogrossi’s signature Aldo’s Special, or farfalle al salmone, features marinated wild salmon that’s been smoked over cherry wood, in a light pasta cream sauce. rubylakeresort.com

Photo: Ruby Lake Resort and Trattoria Italiana

Masala Bistro, Oliver Before the bistro came the grapes. Sukhwinder Dhaliwal came to Canada from Rama, India, in 1989, with his brother Balwinder joining him soon after. The two parlayed their knowledge of rice farming into grape growing. Amassing some 350 acres, they went on to become among the region’s top growers, with their fruit used in wines that consistently win awards. In 2013, the pair launched Kismet Estate Winery, which takes its name from the Sanskrit word for destiny.

It seemed an Indian restaurant was in their fate, as so many visitors asked the family to open one. Overlooking slightly sloping vineyards, Masala Bistro has a bell-shaped clay tandoor oven and makes lamb vindaloo, chickpea masala with gooseberries, prawn-studded chingari malai curry, butter chicken and crab pakoras. A roadside snack from the Dhaliwal’s birthplace is an especially popular dish: Pani puri chaat comprises chickpeas, potato, and crispy fried bread with tamarind sauce. kismetestatewinery.com/restaurant-menu

Kuma Tofino, Tofino A locals’ favourite, Kuma Tofino serves wholesome Japanese-style comfort food based on heritage recipes in a welcoming, warm environment. Head chef Kei Lowes hails from Sapporo and was raised on Vancouver Island, having travelled back to Japan numerous times over the years to learn traditional cooking methods. “Professional noodle slinger” Madi Greyson helps serve meals intended to make people happy: tonkotsu ramen with braised pork belly in spicy misopork broth; house ramen with a shio (salt)-based double broth; and veggie ramen, made with a kombu miso broth and tofu. There’s also okonomiyaki, a Kansai-style savoury pancake, and ever-in-demand chicken karaage. From the sea are dishes like line-caught albacore tuna tartare with avocado puree and scallop crudo with yuzu-jalapeno vinaigrette. kumatofino.com Photo: Kuma Tofino

Elma, Penticton Elma means apple in Turkish, and this contemporary restaurant is inspired by owners Ayse and Michael Barluk’s family roots. Sumac, zaatar, pistachio, and Urfa pepper (a smoky, dried Turkish chile) are among the ingredients that mingle with products from Okanagan orchards and farms. Meze, which are dishes meant to be shared, are a highlight; think hibiscusmarinated cucumbers, eggplant dip with pomegranate molasses and oven-roasted beets with walnut dukkha, all served with freshly made Turkish bread. Flatbreads and grilled whole fish are other standouts, all served alongside local craft beer and cider, B.C. wine, and creative cocktails with a lake view. eatatelma.com Photo: Elma

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TAKING THE BUY WAY Tips for buying an existing business in small-town B.C.

By Lisa Manfield

The Royal Theatre in Trail, B.C. Photo: Tourism Rossland

When Lisa Milne left her fashion career to join her now-husband in Trail more than 15 years ago, she had no idea she would eventually become the owner of a nearly 100-year-old single-screen theatre.

But five years after settling into her new home, she bought the languishing business and gave up her secure union job to revamp and run it. “We were looking for an investment opportunity,” Milne says. “The owners were willing to sell on the condition that we keep it running as a theatre.” Milne agreed, and the rest is history.

“We bought it and I fell in love with it. I realized that this was what I wanted to do.”

Since then, Milne has invested nearly a million dollars into restoring the Royal, including upgrading to digital and 3D capabilities, allowing her to show first-run movies, live opera and ballet, as well as film festivals. Milne says, “That has been one of our biggest successes.”

Until the pandemic hit theatres, hard. Milne has pivoted to popcorn sales to keep staff employed, and has used forced-closure time for upgrades: recliner seats, a 50-foot screen, a new HVAC system, new washrooms, an expanded lobby and online ticketing.

The community has been fully supportive of the revamp and pandemic pivot, in part because Milne took the time to establish

herself in Trail and get involved. “Over the years I’ve sat on boards and committees to help grow this region. I’ve talked to other entrepreneurs and have seen their struggles,” she says. “From Rossland to Fruitvale, there’s not a business that wouldn’t know us or that we haven’t collaborated with. We’re all in this together.”

Lisa Milne is ready for Trail’s close-up. Photo: Tourism Rossland

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Before you Buy Arthur Klein, mergers and acquisitions advisor at Smythe LLP in Vancouver, also recommends getting to know your new community before buying a business. “You’ve got to do the research,” he says.

“What does the business community look like? What makes the community thrive?”

To select a community, Klein says buyers should picture the lifestyle they’re seeking. “If you’re looking to relocate to Nelson, for example, you need to decide how you envision yourself living in that market. Do you understand the community and its needs? Is there further growth, or [a sector] that’s underserved?” Klein suggests really getting to know regions of interest before buying a business.

“Almost every significant community has a city-based Chamber or a regional Chamber of Commerce,” he says. “Spend some time there talking to people and driving around.”

Find the Right Match Then there’s the matter of a fit with the business type. While Klein suggests buying a business you’re actually interested in running day in and day out, that’s not always easy for buyers to locate.

Enter BC Business Match, a new program designed to help owneroperator buyers discover suitable matches.

“When a buyer signs up, we send them some training, tools and resources to help them in their business search,” says Darrell Goertzen, a business advisor at BC Business Match. “They get an interactive workbook as well as a series of videos that walk them through the stages in purchasing a business. After that we have a consultation to look at what they’re after and we do a search for them.”

Goertzen says one of the most valuable services BC Business Match provides is perspective. “Our role is to help expand people’s thought processes... For example, I had someone looking for a restaurant and they ended up buying a food truck because it had more revenue than they expected and they liked that they didn’t have a ‘ball and chain.’”

If the perfect match isn’t available, BC Business Match works to find businesses that might be interested in selling. “We will help them value the business, write up the offer, figure out how to transition it, and introduce them to community connections and resources.”

BC Business Match is a new program designed to help owner-operator buyers discover suitable matches.

Part of a movement Goertzen says there’s definitely an appetite for the entrepreneurial life in smaller communities right now. “There’s a migration happening; a lot of people are looking at getting out of the city.”

And pandemic-induced pains have sweetened some deals. But Klein warns, “People will see distressed business sales,” he says.

“But I’d caution them: can you reasonably predict what the future for that business will be? How much money do you have to pump into that business to get it to its past performance or beyond?”

For Milne’s part, smart business decisions put her in a position to weather a storm, and she’s set to emerge stronger, firmly rooted in her small community. “I’d never even been to Trail until I’d met my husband. I could not have been more of a big-city person,” she says.

“But living in the Kootenays, we’re so lucky. The lifestyle is cleaner and fresher and there’s less stress. I will never look back.” Sounds like a Hollywood ending.

TOP A Tofino clothing business. Photo: Tourism Vancouver Island/Jordan Dick BOTTOM Towns like Fernie rely on small businesses. Photo: Destination BC/Mitch Winton

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B.C. UNINCORPORATED There are more than 1,300 communities in B.C. that are not incorporated. We delved into the reasons for and against incorporation, and some of the intriguing stories behind those towns.

By Matt O’Grady

Driving through B.C., you’ve undoubtedly seen the signage welcoming you to this town or that. If you’re particularly eagle-eyed, you might also have read the fine print: Creston, incorporated in 1924, or Montrose, incorporated in 1956. So why do some communities remain unincorporated while others take the plunge?

Primarily, it’s a question of size: Most unincorporated communities have only a couple hundred residents, maximum, though some larger “urban communities” remain: town centres and neighbourhoods (often in the Lower Mainland) that are relics from the preamalgamation era. Smaller communities often can’t justify the incorporation cost of delivering essential services like water and sewage, so they rely on coverage from regional districts instead. The downside is that these unincorporated areas get but one vote on their regional councils. As communities grow, some want more representation for their tax dollars and move to incorporate; that’s what West Kelowna did in 2007, when taxpayers there voted 84 per cent in favour of establishing their own municipal government.

Localities: Less than 50 residents A locality, according to the B.C. government, is a “named place or area, generally with a scattered population of 50 or less.” There are more than 500 localities in B.C., and while technically these are populated, sometimes it’s hard to tell: if you blink on the drive through town, you’ll miss the handful of homes along the strip.

Spotlight: Bliss Landing Many visitors to the Sunshine Coast figure they’ve hit “the end of the road” when they reach Lund, an unincorporated community of about 300 at the northern tip of Highway 101. But if you drive another 10 kilometres up Sarah Point Road, you’ll reach Bliss Landing (once known as Bishop or Bishop’s Landing). A former cannery and post office are long gone; now it’s the gated marine community Bliss Landing Estates, with an estimated 15 residents.

and Ladner, both of which are part of the City of Delta (and pay the same municipal taxes).

Spotlight: Carson

Spotlight: Boston Bar

The Danville-Carson Border Crossing in the West Kootenays was one of the first jointly built U.S.-Canada border stations; it’s also a reminder of the once-thriving B.C. town of Carson. In the early 20th century, Carson’s Grand Prairie Hotel attracted both local miners and Americans. Carson faded as a commercial centre in the 1920s as neighbouring Grand Forks (population 4,000) grew, and today it’s little more than a bedroom community.

The picturesque Fraser Canyon town of Boston Bar (population 190) got its name from the placer miners who worked the area’s gold-bearing sandbars during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Both CN and CP have railway lines running through town, with Via Rail (in pre-pandemic times) having a flag stop in Boston Bar for its thrice-weekly Canadian service. In 2011, the town briefly (and unofficially) changed its name to Vancouver Bar, to support the Canucks in a losing Stanley Cup Finals run against the Boston Bruins.

Communities: More than 50 residents

Spotlight: Bella Coola

Communities are larger “unincorporated populated places,” with a recognizable centre that has landmarks such as a post office, general store and community hall. In B.C., there are almost 900 communities, among them “urban communities” such as Tsawwassen

When people talk about Bella Coola, they usually are referring to the long and narrow Bella Coola River Valley, surrounded by mountains popular with heliskiers and filmmakers alike (scenes from The Incredible Hulk were shot there). The Valley has 2,000 residents

The Danville-Carson Border Crossing. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Smaller communities often can’t justify the incorporation cost of delivering essential services like water and sewage, so they rely on coverage from regional districts instead.

2013, but opposition to the plan (political, economic and environmental) in the courts held up development. In January 2020, the site was handed over to the Ktunaxa First Nation to be managed as an Indigenous Protected Area.

Abandoned Communities Communities that aren’t really there—but are still on the books— include four categories of “ghost towns.” There are Abandoned Localities with “no current population;” Former Localities that are “usually” uninhabited; Landings along coastal B.C. and inland lakes once served by steamships; and Company Towns, built on corporate-owned land, with employee housing and services—but no municipal government. Some were heavily populated during resource booms, but declined with the close of a nearby mine, mill or cannery, as due to modern transportation options (such as modern fly-in, fly-out work camps).

Bella Coola. Photo: bellacoola.ca

spread across seven communities, including the townsite of Bella Coola (population 148), which serves as the administrative centre for the Central Coast Regional District (the only district in B.C. without any incorporated communities).

Spotlight: Kitsault Located on the North Coast near the Alaska border, Kitsault originally served as a simple base camp for the Dolly Varden mine. In 1979, U.S. miner Phelps Dodge built a master-planned community to serve its new mine for the alloy molybdenum. When the price of “molly” crashed in 1982, it was abandoned. In 2004, Kitsault was purchased for more than $5 million, and while various plans have been floated to revive it, including a proposed LNG terminal, it remains a ghost town to this day.

Recreational Communities There are 11 designated recreational communities: unincorporated places that offer services, accommodation and amenities “associated primarily with recreational or leisure activities.” These include Kelowna’s Big White, Fairmont Hot Springs and the master-planned golf community Tobiano near Kamloops. Some choose incorporation as they grow and expand, as the Resort Municipality of Whistler did in 1975 and Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality did in 2010. By creating legally defined boundaries, resort municipalities have greater control over development and can levy development charges to subsidize things like employee housing.

Spotlight: Jumbo Glacier Resort Jumbo Glacier, 55 kilometres west of Invermere in the East Kootenays, was originally planned as B.C.’s third officially designated resort municipality, with 1,300 residential units, two hotels, lifts and gondolas plus a village centre. A mayor and council were appointed in 24

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Jumbo Mountain. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Check out Historic Places on gov.bc.ca for more information on B.C. places.

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ABOVE Main Village street concept sketch for Britannia Beach near Squamish. RIGHT PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM Southlands homes and fresh produce market. Latimer Heights in Langley and Iron Horse in Chilliwack.

THE REBIRTH of MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITIES

By Michelle Hopkins

There was a time when master-planned communities were thought of as “cookie cutter” and belonged in the boonies. Today, buyers are looking at innovative developers who are creating the perfect combination of amenities to suit their specific lifestyles. These master-planned communities feature everything from organic farming to wine tasting, artists in residence programs to cooking demonstrations, health and wellness components and everything in between. Right Sizing introduces you to some of the neighbourhoods that are changing the face of master-planned communities.

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Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley Southlands, Tsawwassen Rooted in farming, Southlands’ 437-acre parcel has dedicated more than 80 per cent to a mix of forest and agricultural land. It will be home to a Market District showcasing craft-style businesses, including restaurants, artisan shops, a fresh produce market, openair performance space and community gardens. VISION: When Southlands is completely built out it will comprise 950 homes over the next nine years. discoversouthlands.ca

Britannia Beach, Squamish Construction begins this spring and continues until 2024 on this historical settlement, which will incorporate eight live/work spaces and 14 rental units among 73 town homes. Nine of the existing heritage buildings will be repurposed into commercial and community amenity space to create a unique small town, connected to the past while looking toward the future. VISION: A subsidized daycare, community gathering space, playground and fitness facility are among the planned amenities. macdevcorp.com

Latimer Heights, Langley Right now, there are just shy of 2,000 homes available—singlefamily, non-strata row homes, town homes and condos—with more to come over the next seven years. Set against a backdrop of mountains and surrounded by 17 acres of luscious parks, Latimer Heights offers families space to grow and downsizers maintenancefree living. VISION: Residents will enjoy access to an elementary school, central pond and walking trails as well as boutique-style shops, services, trendy restaurants and cozy cafes within the Latimer Village. vestaproperties.com

Garrison Campus, Chilliwack This neighbourhood is the final evolution of Garrison Central: a 9.5-acre mixed-use development consisting of 54 town homes, 400 condos and retail space. Within this vibrant walkable community, enjoy local shopping and two parks. VISION: Located in a hub of career development, Canada Education Park and University of the Fraser Valley, this enclave will feed off the energy of the thriving atmosphere, offering unique continuing education and lifestyle opportunities. diverseproperties.com

Iron Horse, Chilliwack This 24-acre family-focused, walkable master-planned community, consisting of 144 row homes and detached homes, boasts valueoriented entry-level new homes. Its hub is two-plus acres of parkland, and a location with quick access to Mother Nature’s best: the Vedder River, trails at Mount Cheam and Lindeman Lake plus Cultus Lake’s beaches, water slides and attractions. VISION: Phase 2 to be fully completed in the next five to six years, while future phases are in the planning stages. diverseproperties.com Spring 2021

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Vancouver Island Bear Mountain Resort Community, Victoria The draws of living here include the Westin Bear Mountain (and its Amatista Spa) and two Niklaus Design golf courses. Currently, 15 single-family home sites in The Riviera are for sale (from $439,900); coming soon are more villas in the Cypress Gates community and units in the 18th-hole Elevate golf course condos. VISION: Developer Ecoasis creates innovative, sustainable communities; Bear Mountain will eventually house more than 10,000 people in around 4,000 homes, served by a commercial village. bearmountain.ca

Westhills, Langford More than 3,000 residents call Westhills home, whether it’s a condo or a duplex, starter or carriage home. Westhills is an expert at integrating all of the great factors buyers want in a masterplan: healthy lifestyles, community interactions, top amenities such as the Westhills Y, library, schools, playgrounds and park trails. VISION: Zoned for 8,000 homes, the community plans to add another 1,800 residences, including multi-family housing, over the next five to 10 years. Residents will also have a local grocery store and other shops. westhillsbc.com

Royal Bay, Colwood Right now, Royal Bay is launching 83 town homes and 16 villa ranchers.

In about 15 years, there will be 3,000 residences in this seaside community, combining the majestic beauty of Royal Bay with a 30-acre park and the new state-of-the-art branch of the Royal BC Museum. VISION: To service the single-family home and multifamily unit community, Royal Bay will be complemented by shops and services as well as an elementary school. liveatroyalbay.ca

The Foothills, Lantzville Adjacent to Lantzville Bay, this neighbourhood already holds around 100 single-family home sites (including 26 currently for sale high on the bluffs in Broad Ridge Pass, from $389,900). More than 700 acres of pristine forest make up the Foothills Park Lands, with hiking and biking trails. VISION: More than 700 homes will eventually stand on this 900-acre site, along with a mixed-use village. thefoothillslifestyle.com

Crown Isle, Courtenay To date, there are 1,300 homes in this stunning golf community.

Attracting boomers and escapees from the city life, the developer promotes social interaction through special events, waterfront walks, two restaurants and more. VISION: When fully completed in 15 years, this 831-acre site will house 2,800 units: a blend of residential real estate lots, new and resale single-family homes, condominiums, low-rise patio homes and businesses, like a Costco and Thrifty’s Shopping Plaza. crownisle.com TOP LEFT Bear Mountain, Victoria. MIDDLE Communities promote healthy living.

BOTTOM Crown Isle, Courtenay.

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YOUR HOME. YOUR VIEW. Move up, up and away from it all to The Lookout

Move up and away from it all to one of Village of Kettle Valley’s last neighbourhoods – The Lookout. An intimate collection of 34 single-family lots, The Lookout is tucked away on two peaceful cul-de-sacs, with its very own knoll for optimum Okanagan Lake viewing and clear, twinkly stargazing.

Build your home at The Lookout and look forward to living in Kelowna and loving Kettle Valley’s vibrant lifestyle. Just envision driving up rural roads dotted with orchards, vineyards, and fruit stands to this idyllic location. Elevated views, green space, community parks, and work/life/school amenities await.

Our residents love calling this award-winning, master-planned community "home" – we know you will too!

34 SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS THAT WON'T LAST LONG!

5636 Jasper Way, Kelowna, BC 250.764.2199 | lotsales@kettlevalley.com

kettlevalley.com Your neighbours

Your lifestyle

Okanagan and Interior Legacy Lookout at Wildsone, Cranbrook Nestled on 15 acres in a park-like setting, and in the heart of Canada’s first Gary Player Black Knight-designed course (Wildstone Golf Course), Legacy Lookout offers both single-family and luxury condo homes. VISION: The plan is to be fully built out by 2024, combining three condo buildings with 69 homes and 61 lots. legacylookout.ca

Tobiano, Kamloops Situated alongside Canada’s Best Golf Course 2020, Tobiano stretches across 1,000 acres above the shores of Kamloops Lake, with 17,000 acres of backcountry and the Bruker Freshwater Marina.

Tobiano has Fairway Homes, an exclusive gated community of 21 luxurious homes nestled between holes five and six, as well as 29 single-family lots in Ranchlands 3. VISION: Long-term plans include a community amenity space, fire hall, commercial/retail shops and a hotel. In addition, multiple new neighbourhoods and housing types will be developed over the next 15 years. tobiano.ca

Ariva, Kelowna This luxury 12.5-acre lakefront gated community of estate condominiums features top resort-style amenities: an amphitheatre, a residents’ lounge with expansive waterfront terrace, outdoor pool

with bistro and bar service plus walking trails. The lifestyle perks include art seminars, organic gardening and investment clubs.

VISION: With five years left to build out, Ariva will encompass 209 residences within three buildings. Phase 1 has broken ground and is expected to complete this summer. arivakelowna.ca

Solstice at Tower Ranch, Kelowna The community ethos here promotes what masterplan residents want today: health, wellness and balance. Its tranquil setting above Okanagan Lake and Valley offers panoramic views, while the award-winning Tower Ranch Golf Course and walking trails integrated throughout the community presents a plethora of opportunity to commune with the great outdoors. VISION: Over the next 10 years, Solstice could add another 250 homes to the estimated 160 homes (107 are completed). solsticetowerranch.com

Village of Kettle Valley, Kelowna Created in 1996 on the principles of new urbanism, a movement promoting environmentally friendly habits by creating walkable neighbourhoods, the 260-acre parcel with 1,028 single-family homes features an elementary school, parks, and a village centre with a water park and music venue. VISION: There’s land set aside for more town homes and a high school. Build out is about six years away. kettlevalley.com

BOTTOM LEFT When completed, future communities will offer dining and shops. BOTTOM RIGHT Ariva, Kelowna. TOP RIGHT The new freshwater marina at Tobiano, Kamloops. MIDDLE RIGHT Solstice at Tower Ranch, Kelowna.

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Wilden, Kelowna More than 30 per cent of the 2,000 units (homes and town homes) expected are already built. Of the 1,500-acre property, half will remain green space, either as a natural area or city park. An extensive trail network, with valley and lake vistas, leads through Wilden’s forests inviting residents to hike, trail run and mountain bike. VISION: This established community continues its expansion and growth into 2040, by introducing new neighbourhoods every year. wilden.ca

Hunters Hill, Summerland Overlooking Okanagan Lake, vineyards, orchards and nearby mountain sides, Hunters Hill attracts those yearning for that laid-back, nature-fueled lifestyle. This neighbourhood has a strong focus on sustainability; preserving the wetlands, meadows, bluffs, grasslands and forested slopes. VISION: Its long term build out is expected to be seven to 10 years. The current phase (1 of 7) is now selling 27 large-sized lots. huntershill.ca

Predator Ridge, Vernon Built to embrace the small-town concept with homes for first-time buyers, move-ups and move-down buyers alike, this neighbourhood has constantly evolved over the past 25 years. The 1,200-acre resort boasts cooking and cocktail classes, events, a racquetball club and the Commonage Market with grocery and liquor stores, two restaurants and of course world-class golf. VISION: There are 800 residences with another 1,300 (single-family home lots and duplexes) to be built over 10+ years. predatorridge.com

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FINANCIAL TUNE-UP: NEW HOME EDITION Your new-home construction requires the right mortgage and insurance policy, among other financial considerations. Here are some tips on how to navigate the process when smart-sizing your life in B.C.’s smaller communities.

By Tracey Rayson

Even before you secure your approved builder or general contractor, an architect and a lot, consider not just how to pay for it, but how to cover all your financial bases. Here are some smart strategies from the experts.

Financing Fundamentals One of the biggest homebuyer traps is preparing an “idealist” budget. Jarfan Amjad, a mortgage specialist in mobile lending with Coast Capital Savings, emphasizes, “the importance of making a realistic budget within your means: we complete a feasibility sheet on the project to ensure there is a healthy equity gap between what we are lending and what the member is putting in, so there’s no hardship, at any point, between the member or ourselves.”

He recommends a contingency fund of five to 10 per cent of building costs, for overruns. “Include the furniture and appliances cost in your budget as well,” Amjad advises. “In certain cities, municipal approval for the final occupancy requires you to have your appliances installed.”

“Build for resale” is his other advice, even if you think you’re creating your forever home. Everyone has unique space needs and design preferences, but “consider future value and what will appeal to a prospective buyer down the road, so you can recoup top dollar on your investment,” says Amjad, who finds that the average person stays in a home for 10 years.

Construction Mortgages To cover the complexities of financing your new build, you’ll need a construction mortgage from a reputable lender. Construction mortgages for the full required amount are given to you in stages called “draws.” You make payment draws (usually four to five) 32

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to the builder at predetermined levels of completion on the home’s construction: land purchase (optional), foundation, lockup, drywall and occupancy or final. Prior to each draw, the appraiser checks that the builder is following the new-home warranty policies and verifies completion levels before funds are released.

On Vancouver Island, CIBC’s Mike Oleksiuk, a mortgage advisor with construction mortgage accreditation, says, “We do a lot more due diligence on a construction mortgage than a conventional mortgage. We work with the builder and client to come up with a progress draw schedule, and then we compare it to the builder’s contract, which shows the build costs including construction allowances.”

“Build for resale” even if you think you’re creating your forever home. — Jarfan Amjad, mortgage specialist with Coast Capital Savings Homeowners should expect the unexpected when building a home. “We like to see 20 per cent down, although we could make it work with less with the proper due diligence so the client would not run into cashflow issues during the build,” says Oleksiuk.

Interest rate holds are another form of assurance for buyer and lender. “We can hold current special rates up to 120 days and we also have rates that can be guaranteed up to 36 months.” With a Progress Draw Mortgage, buyers only pay interest on the amount drawn to date.

Financial Safety Nets Ensuring sufficient insurance coverage is

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critical during the home-building process.

Coverage for the structure while under construction is referred to as Builder’s Risk or Course-of-Construction insurance. “Ideally, the policy is set up when ground is broken, but no later than when framing starts, and runs through to the occupancy permit,” says Gloria Summerville Nikkle, senior customer service representative with Westland Insurance.

“If the property owner has existing residence insurance, there is typically premises liability coverage already in place for your new-home build location,” she says. “Most policies will cover personal property in transit between locations; however, new appliances and other contents purchased in advance of the move-in date will not be insured at the construction site, so separate storage insurance may be needed.”

While it might be possible to extend your existing residential insurance policy to cover storage or in-transit items, she advises to always check with your broker to ensure you’re fully covered.

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Walk

of

Get inspired to follow in the footsteps of the galaxy of actors, musicians, athletes, business moguls and other well-known people that have

Fame

brought lustre to right-sized B.C. towns.

By Lucas Aykroyd

L-R Diana Krall, Kim Cattrall, Pamela Anderson, James Cameron, Kim Campbell and Sarah McLachlan. Photos: Wikimedia Commons

There are plenty of household-name celebrities from the Vancouver area, but those are just a few of the bright points in B.C.’s galaxy of star power.

The province boasts many other distinguished small-town residents from diverse backgrounds and it’s time to celebrate them.

Whether born and raised in B.C. or long-term residents, these accomplished individuals have brought pride to our right-sized communities. That’s often reflected in streets, buildings and other landmarks being named in their honour. Let’s discover their legacies as you look to add a little lustre to your next choice of residence.

Nanaimo. Photo: Harbour Air Seaplanes

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Vancouver Island

Diana Krall might be the most famous person ever to come out of Nanaimo and the harbourfront Diana Krall Plaza (adjoining the Nanaimo public library, steps from the Gabriola Island ferry) is named after this award-winning jazz performer, who is married to fellow musician Elvis Costello.

Just up the Island Highway, Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) once attended Courtenay’s Georges P. Vanier Secondary School. Pamela Anderson (Baywatch) grew up in Ladysmith before attending Comox’s Highland Secondary School. Author Alice Munro, who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature, maintained a home in Comox for decades. Hollywood director James Cameron bought Comox Valley winery Beaufort in 2014, though it’s recently been up for sale.

Order of Canada recipient Kim Campbell, born in Port Alberni, made history as Canada’s first female prime minister in 1993. Also on Vancouver Island’s west coast, musician Sarah McLachlan owns an oceanfront home at Chesterman Beach in Tofino, which the singer has dubbed the “Canadian Maui.”

Cycling along a seawall in Victoria. Photo: Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe. TOP ROW, L-R David Foster, Esi Edugyan, Atom Egoyan, Nelly Furtado, Steve Nash and Meg Tilly. Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Victoria has a constellation of star connections. Music fans know that pop star Nelly Furtado hails from there, as does Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster, who counts hits with artists like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. (The David Foster Harbour Pathway is being developed in his honour.) Retired basketball player Steve Nash, who attended St. Michaels University School, is renowned as Canada’s greatest NBA star ever. Before sisters Meg Tilly and Jennifer Tilly became Academy Award-nominated actresses they attended high school in Victoria. Director Atom Egoyan, whose parents ran a Victoria furniture store, earned two Oscar nominations for 1997’s The Sweet Hereafter. And University of Victoria creative writing graduate Esi Edugyan has won two Giller Prizes.

In the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island is home to children’s performer Raffi and rocker Randy Bachman, as well as wildlife painter Robert Bateman.

L-R Raffi, Randy Bachman. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Salt Spring Island. Photo: Alamy

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“Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

-HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Make your next move to the Shuswap!

We are all living differently in today’s world and many of us are looking to change the way we live. Upsizing, downsizing, working from home, new opportunities, finding your passion, more family time. The reasons may be different, but it’s truly about the simple things in life; enjoying new experiences, creating memories and living life your way!

For over 50 years, Shuswap Lake Estates has been building a community that offers you the kind of lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. Overlooking the shores of Shuswap Lake, golf, swimming, cycling, boating, fishing and hiking are just a few activities at your doorstep. We call it the “Shuswap Lifestyle”. Our residents call it “Living the Dream”.

With panoramic views of Shuswap Lake, the golf course and the valley, the Highlands offers premium fully serviced lots, ready for your build. This is your time to plan and design a home that fits your needs and wants.

Phase 2 Fox Glen coming soon! Mountain and woodland views nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac. These freehold lots will be ready for your build summer 2021.

A walkable neighbourhood that offers a sense of community….. perfect for families.

Autumn Ridge is an active, 55+ living, bare land strata development for those looking to downsize their homes and leave the maintenance to others. We make building easy at Autumn Ridge. Choose your lot, select your home plan and meet the builder, Steve Mclean, Shuswap Country Builders.

Located in Blind Bay, between Kamloops and Salmon Arm, from starter homes to dream homes, for young families to retirees, our housing developments have something for everyone.

With choices for everyone, you can be living the Shuswap lifestyle!

What are you waiting for?

Visit our sales office at 2405 Centennial Dr, Blind Bay, BC Or call 250.675.2523 EMAIL: sales@shuswaplakeestates.com www.shuswaplakeestates.com

Movie and TV Cameos

Lower Mainland It’s easy to identify sports legends from Maple Ridge with local facilities named after them: they include a Boston Bruins great (Cam Neely Arena), a motorsport icon (Greg Moore Youth Centre) and a Baseball Hall of Famer (Larry Walker Field). Yet this community east of Vancouver also has a rich heritage of actors, from hometown girl Molly Parker to onetime resident Colin Firth.

Neighbouring Langley has produced a wide range of greats, including baseball star Brett Lawrie, actress Amanda Crew (Silicon Valley) and country singer Dallas Smith. Singer Carly Rae Jepsen put Mission on the map when “Call Me Maybe” became the world’s best-selling single of 2012. Abbotsford’s Evangeline Lilly appears in hit movie and TV franchises such as Lost, The Hobbit and Ant-Man.

Richmond’s Olympic Oval served as a training venue for eight-time speed-skating world champion Jeremy Wotherspoon.

Tsawwassen is the home of business tycoon Ron Toigo, who owns the WHL’s Vancouver Giants and the White Spot restaurant chain.

If you think you’ve spotted a B.C. location while enjoying a movie or TV show recently, you’re probably right. Here’s a small sampling of the productions and stars that have graced smaller communities.

CAMPBELL RIVER: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Gary Oldman).

TSAWWASSEN: Jumanji (Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst), Smallville (Kristin Kreuk), Supernatural (Jensen Ackles).

SQUAMISH: MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson), The X-Files (David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson).

HOPE: First Blood (Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy).

MERRITT: Jurassic World: Dominion (Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard).

LANGLEY: Twilight series (Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart).

MAPLE RIDGE: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: the Lightning Thief (Uma Thurman).

NEW WESTMINSTER: I, Robot (Will Smith).

NELSON: Roxanne (Steve Martin, Darryl Hannah).

PRINCETON: The Grey Fox (Richard Farnsworth), The Pledge (Jack Nicholson, Helen Mirren).

KAMLOOPS: The Andromeda Strain (Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack), Night at the Museum 3 (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson), Battlestar Galactica (Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell).

ABOVE, L-R Colin Firth, Brett Lawrie, Amanda Crew, Dallas Smith, Carly Rae Jepsen and Evangeline Lilly. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. BELOW Fraser Valley Tulip Festival. Photo: Destination BC/Jon Ross

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ABOVE, L-R Shannon Tweed, Ashleigh McIvor, Ryan Dempster, Joni Mitchell, Terry Jacks and Stewart Butterfield. Photos: Wikimedia Commons

BELOW Harmony Islands, Sunshine Coast. Photo: Destination BC/Albert Normandin

Whistler and the Sunshine Coast Whistler features beautiful homes owned by celebrities like actress and model Shannon Tweed (wife of KISS’s Gene Simmons), who bought a dream home there in 2019. Ashleigh McIvor, the 2010 Olympic gold medalist in ski cross, is a longtime local and offers private ski lessons.

The Sunshine Coast gained global fame with the vintage CBC hit The Beachcombers. In Gibsons, Gerussi Lane is named after star and onetime resident Bruno Gerussi, while Molly’s Reach, the restaurant featured in the series, still stands on the waterfront.

Ryan Dempster, who won the 2013 World Series with the Boston Red Sox, was born and raised there and has a local baseball field named after him.

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For at least two rock icons, Sechelt is the perfect place to enjoy a laid-back lifestyle amid spectacular nature. Joni Mitchell has long owned an 80-acre property in the area, while 1970s crooner Terry Jacks (“Seasons in the Sun”) has pursued his passion for environmentalism there. Up the Sunshine Coast lies Lund, the birthplace of tech billionaire Stewart Butterfield, who founded Flickr and Slack. Onetime actor (The L Word) turned physician Evan Adams, now Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Indigenous Services Canada, hails from the Tla’amin First Nation near Powell River.

Did you know ?

PRINCETON IS THE BRONZE-SCULPTURE CAPITAL OF CANADA • Check out 15 new life-size bronze sculptures dotting the downtown core LOCAL AMENITIES • Art galleries • Museum • Library • Restaurants • Boutiques and shopping • Princeton Regional Airport FOR THE ADVENTUROUS • Ride your ORV along the KVR to #Explore-PrincetonBC • Fish one of the many lakes within minutes of town • Ski, hike or canoe in Manning Park, 30 minutes away • Enjoy local golf, mountain biking, curling, skating and junior hockey

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A RICH HISTORY • One of the oldest settlements in British Columbia, established in 1860 • Mining, ranching and forestry all play a role in the fabric of the community • First Nations co-operation, stories of a train-robbing bandit and Civil War General LOCATION, LOCATION: • At the confluence of two rivers, the Tulameen and Similkameen • Easy to get to, at the intersection of two major highways • The largest community in the Similkameen Valley • The central hub for many different services in the region • Only 2 ¾ hours from the Lower Mainland

Visit www.DiscoverPrinceton.ca

www.discoverprinceton.ca

Paddleboarders on Kalamalka Lake, Vernon Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

Okanagan

Canadian rock fans know Kelowna as the launching pad for The Grapes of Wrath. It’s also the hometown of model and actor Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights). Nearby Vernon spawned singer-songwriter Daniel Powter (“Bad Day”), and also Hootsuite founder Ryan Holmes, tennis star Vasek Pospisil and Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland, who spends summers at the Predator Ridge golf resort. The vineyards, orchards and wide-open skies of the Okanagan are home to classic rockers Mike Reno of Loverboy (Penticton) and Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers (Summerland).

In 2010, The Bachelorette made Jillian Harris a household name as its first Canadian star. Today, the co-host of HGTV’s Love It Or List It Vancouver owns a showpiece West Kelowna home. An hour down the road, Oliver’s Black Hills Estate Winery is co-owned by Vancouver-born actor Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210).

ABOVE, L-R Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Holmes, Vasek Pospisil, Mike Reno, Jillian Harris and Jason Priestley. Photos: Wikimedia Commons.

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ABOVE, L-R Mark Recchi, Shea Weber, Carey Price, Scott Niedermayer, Jason Bay and Nancy Greene. Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Interior If you want to feel like a champion, catch the vibe of numerous hockey legends and sports stars hailing from here. Mark Recchi (12th in all-time NHL scoring) is from Kamloops, where Mark Recchi Way honours his legacy right outside the Sandman Centre that hosted both the 2006 World Juniors and the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Shea Weber, the captain of the Montreal Canadiens and perennial contender for the world’s hardest slapshot, hails from Sicamous. His Montreal teammate, star goalie Carey Price, grew up in Anahim Lake and played minor hockey in Williams Lake.

Both Weber and Price won Olympic gold medals for hockey in 2010 and 2014.

Other big-name athletes have brought pride to the Kootenays.

Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer was raised in Cranbrook, while 18-season NHLer and current TSN commentator Ray Ferraro grew up in Trail. Jason Bay, a three-time MLB all-star, will soon have a Trail baseball field named after him.

Nancy Greene was born in Ottawa, but this Order of Canada recipient, Olympic giant slalom gold medalist and Canadian Press Female Athlete of the 20th Century developed her skiing skills in Rossland. The former senator has both a provincial park and a lake named after her in the Monashee Mountains. Today, Greene lives near Kamloops in the resort community of Sun Peaks, where she’s the director of skiing.

Downhill skiing at Sun Peaks Resort. Photo:Destination BC/Ryan Creary

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ABOVE Eagle Aerie Gallery, Roy Henry Vickers’ artist-owned gallery, Tofino, B.C. BELOW, L-R Eden Robinson, Ben Heppner (Alamy.com), Dan Hamhuis and Alex Cuba. Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Northern B.C. Some of B.C.’s finest Indigenous artists hail from here: Roy Henry Vickers, a native of Hazelton, has created everything from a painting gifted to Queen Elizabeth II on her 1987 B.C. visit to artwork for a Grateful Dead box set. The work of award-winning author Eden Robinson, who is from Kitimat and belongs to the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations, is the basis for CBC’s Trickster series.

Dawson Creek’s main street is named Ben Heppner Way after the locally born, internationally renowned opera singer who performed the Olympic Hymn at the 2010 Winter Games. In Smithers, Dan Hamhuis Way commemorates the feats of that exNHL defenceman, who owns a 2014 Olympic gold medal, not to mention stakes in the WHL’s Prince George Cougars and the Tofino Resort + Marina. Latin Grammy-winning musician Alex Cuba might just be the town’s most famous current resident, though.

Smithers. Photo: Destination BC/Jongsun Park

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ABBOTSFORD THE HUB OF THE FRASER VALLEY

Leading the country in Agriculture, Aerospace, Technology and Manufacturing. Abbotsford is known for its diverse and vibrant community filled with opportunity, hope and expectation!

With a population of over 158,000 residents, the community of Abbotsford enjoys participating in local recreation, amenities and affordable real estate. Visit us at abbotsford.ca/economicdevelopment to learn more!

84% of residents live within 500 metres of a park

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CITY OF ABBOTSFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

27, 413 hectares of agriculturally designated lands

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POST-PANDEMIC LIFE: GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL Do you see the silver lining?

Indicators are that our lifestyles will be different, and possibly even more Earth-friendly, in a postpandemic world. Here’s a look into our possible future.

By Steve Threndyle

Although 2019 was a year to remember for Greta Thunberg and climate action, 2020 was ironically the year that the pandemic changed everything. Work-at-home rules and travel restrictions (not to mention supplychain interruptions and our newfound appreciation for fresh over circulated air) have led to a greenhouse gas reduction that climate marches and hectoring Hollywood stars couldn’t achieve.

While we still mourn the global deaths of millions and look forward to mass vaccination in 2021, many of the habits that we’ve embarked upon will undoubtedly stick around.

Real Estate Our primary residences and recreational properties have blurred: some moved full-time to second homes, or bought a rural property as a temporary residence and long-term investment.

Work-from-home professionals realized, “If I

can do this job anywhere, why would I pay for a box in a downtown highrise when I can own an acreage over on the Island?”

The flight to smaller communities, but also to the conversion of Airbnb-type shortterm rentals to long-term leases, has created urban vacancies and softened downtown condo markets, enabling first-time buyers (driven by fear of missing out on record-low interest rates) to enter the market.

Home renovations boomed, as we plowed money that we might have spent on a summer European or Christmas tropical vacation into remodelling spare bedrooms into offices, adding bathrooms and even winterizing decks into outdoor rooms or year-round oases.

Commercial space needs have evolved, too, as the warehousing and transportation of groceries and other retail products have created new demands.

The pandemic has also accelerated the repurposing of low- to mid-market shopping malls into more walkable mixed-use

residential-commercial developments with the potential to reduce car trips and greenhouse gas emissions.

“If I can do this job anywhere, why would I pay for a box in a downtown highrise when I can own an acreage over on the Island?”

Crystal ball: Post pandemic, look for the work from home trend to continue, and for builders and contractors to push next-level upgrades: replacing dated HVAC systems, adding triple-pane windows or solar panels, installing energy-efficient lighting and more, some encouraged by provincial or federal grant programs. Mini prefab cabins (especially those under 150 square feet, which Spring 2021

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around confined spaces like public transportation, even with social distancing, led to a historic drop in ridership at BC Transit that has yet to fully recover. As a result, front-line workers, tradespeople, landscapers and service workers who could not work from home often took personal vehicles instead of transit.

Crystal ball: Electric bike and vehicle sales are projected to grow by double digits, especially since the B.C. government has committed to phasing out all gas-powered vehicle sales by 2040. Smaller towns and cities will see increased parking meter levies and some residential developments may follow Vancouver’s lead and start to charge homeowners extra for their parking spots. Despite their relatively small populations, many B.C. towns are spread out, and errands like school pick-ups and grocery shopping require car trips. Refugees fleeing larger cities will want the same transit service and walkability they enjoyed as urbanites.

Education If “working from home” was disruptive to the average family, “learning from home,” or attending to the needs of children who couldn’t go to school due to COVID outbreaks, pushed stressed-out families to the limit.

The pandemic put virtual classes front and centre, yet unlike work from home, few students and educators see it as a long-term solution. Many “hands-on” careers in high demand trades, for instance, cannot be successfully taught virtually.

During the pandemic, some moved full-time to second homes or recreational properties.

can often escape planning and permitting scrutiny) that function as home offices, studios or playrooms will increase in popularity.

Developers will continue to eye older condo buildings with redevelopment potential (if not for demolition), given that the B.C. Strata Property Act changed in 2016 to lower the threshold for strata members to approve upgrades. New home builds, especially single-family residences, will focus on “high-performance homes,” featuring rapidly improving and cheaper systems.

For instance, Kelowna’s Wilden Homes has constructed traditional and new-generation efficient homes side by side to show how 46

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paying upfront for features like geothermal air and heat exchange actually saves money down the road.

Fear of extended care and nursing home settings could create more extendedfamily housing demand, a development that will surely lead to more mobile homecare and nursing services as well.

Transportation During the spring and summer months, a lot of second cars were furloughed in favour of bikes, both electric and traditional. General uneasiness

Crystal ball: Colleges and universities have proven to be a real boon throughout Western Canada: institutions like the UNBC (Prince George) and UBC-Okanagan (Kelowna) have greatly diversified the economies there, to say nothing of creating culture. While it’s true that having kids learning at home, and lifelong learners tapping into MasterClass and online certifications from BrainStation, dramatically reduces our environmental footprint, education is a social endeavour as much as it is skills development: we predict a return to the classroom.

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Recreation Stay-at-home orders invigorated the outdoor recreation industry as hiking boots, tents and paddle boards flew out of stores. Pools and hot tubs had months-long waiting lists. Boating, hunting, fishing and golf showed their highest participant gains in decades. We began exploring backyard trails and parks (at a distance).

Though many vacationed in their home province in the summer of 2020, the economic hit to resort towns such as Whistler, Kelowna and Victoria was staggering, and the tourism fallout will probably continue for years.

Crystal ball: Tourism employs more workers in B.C. than forestry, fisheries, mining and agriculture combined. Until international tourists can safely be accommodated

through some form of “vaccine passport,” jobs and businesses will not fully recover.

Last summer’s lockdown did, however, shine a glaring light at how much recreational facilities (most notably B.C.’s provincial parks system) have been underfunded for decades: $5 million in new money will flow to the construction of new trails and campsites, hopefully preventing long-term overcrowding in both the front and backcountry.

Food Home food preparation, whether it was baking sourdough loaves or cherry pie, assumed an elevated role.

Vehicle use went down dramatically, as families were encouraged to do bigger, and fewer, shopping trips. Interest surged

in locally grown produce and locally raised meats, which is generally a positive environmental development. To merely survive, restaurants had to pivot to preparing takeout orders, feeding mobile-app delivery systems like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes, even in smaller cities. One thing’s for sure: you’ll likely be seeing more delivery trucks in your neighbourhood for years to come.

Crystal ball: The rise in both private food and parcel delivery contractors will lead to greater adoption of both EV and EV-assist hybrid vehicles in the future. With a solid customer base, small farmers can adopt increasingly Earth-friendly organic methods.

Taken together, the pandemic could lead to greater efficiency and environmental sustainability throughout the food distribution chain.

Tourism employs more workers in B.C. than forestry, fisheries, mining and agriculture combined.

Campers cooking and camping along the banks in Bowron Lake Provincial Park.Photo: Destination BC/Adam Wells

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HIDDEN JEWEL: YOU WHO? Formerly known as a haven for backyard elk, today ex-urban creatures are discovering the charmed natural lifestyle of tiny Youbou on Vancouver Island, too.

By Andrew Findlay In January conservation officers were summoned to Youbou, a half-hour west of Duncan, to rescue a Roosevelt elk entangled in a backyard zip line. A tranquilizer dart gave them enough time to free the big animal before it awakened, a little groggy as if it had one too many at the Youbou Bar and Grill, before wandering back into the forest. It’s a moment that would happen only in Youbou, where elk have become so common, a story about them made the front page of The Globe and Mail.

Unincorporated Youbou (population roughly 1,000), sits on the north shore of Cowichan Lake, next to a frying-pan-shaped peninsula jutting into the water. Its unusual-sounding appellation calls back to early timber-trade days: it’s a hybrid derived in 1914 from the names of the Empire Lumber Company’s general manager, Yount, and its president, Bouten.

In 1925, when the Canadian National Railway extended a trunk line up the shores of Cowichan Lake to reach Youbou, truck loads of western red cedar and Douglas fir fed the mill and fueled prosperity for more than seven decades. TimberWest, the last company to own a mill in Youbou, closed its operation 20 years ago, marking the end of an era. Residents took stock of Youbou’s enviable location on the sunny side of Cowichan Lake, and all the recreational and tourism opportunities on its doorstep.

Klaus Kuhn discovered this remote town with a curious name in 1994 while vacationing at Honeymoon Bay with his former wife.

One evening, as they paddled their canoe along the south shore of Cowichan Lake, their eyes were drawn across the water to Youbou, set against a steep green hillside and basking in the summer sun.

Youbou. Photo: Google Earth

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On a whim, he pitched the idea of retiring in a town they had never set a foot in. They bought a lakefront lot before returning to home and work in Campbell River; six years later they built their dream retirement home and made the move permanent.

“It was like a paradise. I had lived on Vancouver Island for years but had never visited the Cowichan Valley,” says Kuhn, over the phone from his living room that has a million-dollar view of the lake and Billy Goat Island. “Cowichan Lake has some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.” For fun and fitness, Kuhn likes to swim around Billy Goat Island in the summer, towing a bright orange fishing float to warn boaters.

The retired financial planner is now serving a second term as Area I (Youbou/Meade Creek) director with the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Since 2015, he has seen a spike in real estate prices as more and more people discover Youbou and others build vacation homes on the lake. A plan to develop housing and a resort property on the prime 330-hectare site once occupied by the sawmill came and went with the 2008 financial crisis. A Chinese company now owns the property, but has yet to make public a development plan.

“Downtown” Youbou stretches along (you guessed it) Youbou Road. It’s bookended on the east by Cassy’s Coffee House, where you can fill up on caffeine and local gossip, and on the west by the Shop and Save, where visitors stock up on the essentials before pulling into their sites at Cowichan Lake RV Park across Bremmer Road from the Youbou Little League Park.

In the off-season, the town retains the feel of a forgotten paradise. “We’re 40 kilometres from Duncan so we don’t get the traffic, but it also means we’re a little disconnected,” Kuhn says. Something tells me that the residents, and the elk, like it that way.

“We had a plan, but things have changed.”

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