4 minute read
Dispatches
Brie & Barrel in Port Alberni, with co-owner and Mayor Sharie Minions second from left. Photo: Candace Scott Photography
Port Alberni Mayor Opens Restaurant
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You’ve found the perfect secluded location for your build. But there’s a problem: It’s perhaps too secluded—getting the materials there could prove a nightmare. That’s why homebuilders like small-dwelling specialists Hewing Haus are increasingly using helicopters to bypass difficult roads or barge ramps, since a standard helicopter can lift up to 2,000 pounds (about 900 kilograms) of lumber. Rental rates are around $2,000 and up per hour, but savings may be substantial compared to other shipping methods. hewinghaus.com Young people continue to inject fresh energy and entrepreneurship into many smaller B.C. communities. Take Sharie Minions, for example: A successful realtor and mortgage broker, in 2018 she was elected mayor of Port Alberni at age 30, making her the youngest mayor in Vancouver Island’s history. She now adds restaurateur to her resumé. Together with her husband, Colin, this past summer she opened Brie & Barrel, a casual Italian spot specializing in handmade pasta and wine flights. facebook.com/brieandbarrel
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2019 average assessed value of a single-family home in Port
Dispatches
By Michael White
Construction Obstacles Get a Lift
Alberni: $299,000 (up 8%).
Hewing Haus uses helicopters to transport construction materials. Photo: Hewing Haus
Food Hall Coming to Kamloops’ North Shore
The Colours on Spirit Square, a mixed-use residential development on Kamloops’ North Shore being developed by APRA Investments, is soon to be home to a food hall modelled after those found in cities such as London, Tokyo and L.A. Jeff and Steve Mitton, the team behind local restaurants Mittz Kitchen and Twisted Olive, will manage the space, scheduled to open in Spring 2021. The hall will accommodate an anchor restaurant, two bars, 10 stalls and seating for more than 200 guests. thecolourskamloops.ca
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2019 average assessed value of a single-family home in Kamloops: $461,000 (up 7%)
The $2.425-Million “Bargain” in
Campbell River >>
An asking price of $2.425 million may seem steep, but this recent listing in Campbell River—the most expensive in a town of about 35,000 people—still feels like a steal. (Compare it to mansion listings in Vancouver that can approach $40 million.) Built in 2016 by Crown Pacific Homes, this home at 2845 North Beach Drive is luxury through and through: 4,400 square feet of living space on half an acre of waterfront land, with boast-worthy features including a 40-foot dock, four bedrooms, a floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace and a 1,500-square-foot “man cave” with wet bar, mezzanine and more.
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2019 average assessed value of a single-family home in Campbell River: $442,000 (up 11%).
The internet may feel like it’s everywhere, but many rural and Indigenous communities have yet to enjoy reliable access. The $5.6-million Whistler-to-Cache Creek project finally brings high-speed internet and other broadband services to the community of Lillooet, the Lil’wat Nation and the Ts’zil Learning Centre. The fibre-optic line was made possible thanks to grants and contributions from B.C. and federal government programs, as well as Shaw Communications.
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2019 average assessed value of a single-family home in Cache Creek: $181,000 (up 11%).
Kitimat Booms Thanks to LNG Canada Project >>
Despite a small population (just over 8,100 as of the last census), Kitimat continues to punch above its size in terms of employment opportunities. (The Globe and Mail has called it “Canada’s next boom town.”) That’s largely due to LNG Canada’s $17-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and export terminal, scheduled for completion in 2025. It’s expected to employ as many as 7,500 workers during the peak construction years of 2021 to 2024, and already employs about 1,600 people. lngcanada.ca
Kitimat aerial. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Buy here
2019 average assessed value of a single-family home in Kitimat: $332,000 (up 41%).
Building a Better Future
Integrating unique building technologies, such as Timber Frame, Log Homes, and effi cient wall Panel construction, the Discovery Dream Homes team has perfected the balance between sustainability and aff ordability. Whether your vision is mountain modern, contemporary cra sman, or a prairie ranch style, our dedication is refl ected within the attention to detail on every project.
Multiple award-winning Designs
Not only are we know for our high level of service and attention to providing quality products, Discovery has been recognized by its peers in the industry as an innovative and imaginative designer. This is evident within the numerous awards received for the projects we have had the pleasure of being involved with over the years, and most importantly our client satisfaction.
Raymond King President/CEO Discovery Dream Homes
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