We have one for Victoria , and Vancouver . I thought based on population the rest or the province could be held in one thread ( Kamloops , Kelowna , P.G. & Vernon etc. ) I hope the rest of the formers contribute to this to get her roll'n nice like .


city of Kamloops

downtown YMCA project ( more photos of other projects comming soon hopefully because there are a lot & my Digital is not working )
http://www.kamloops.ca/400BlockCharette/images/heartbeat.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thompson River Veneer Products Ltd. wishes to announce their decision to construct
and operate a Greenfield, value added softwood veneer processing operation in the City
of Kamloops at the Gateway Industrial Park.
Preliminary site engineering, equipment procurement and facility design have
commenced. Some of the key features of the new business include:
􀂾 $ 14,000,000 in new capital investment
􀂾 Start-up projected for late fall of 2005
􀂾 Initial employment of 24-27 operations, maintenance and management staff in
Phase 1
􀂾 Employment to increase to 45-50 in the second Phase, projected within 1 year
􀂾 Manufacturing jobs for the city and surrounding area
􀂾 The operation will purchase B.C. produced green veneer that was formerly
destined to the US and process the raw material locally with skilled B.C. labour.
The majority of the value added dry veneer will be sold within the region and
province, thereby assisting other provincial Engineered Wood Product and
Plywood manufacturers.
The company researched several potential locations for the new business. These included
Washington State, Alberta as well as other regional B.C. towns and cities. The province
of B.C. became the clear choice due to the regained economic stability and future growth
projections present. Clearly, the government’s leadership has convinced the Company to
do business in B.C.
The City of Kamloops became the obvious choice due to availability of fully serviced
industrial sites, excellent transportation infrastructure, and supply and market proximity
as well as the availability of a large labour pool. The Company wishes to publicly
acknowledge the efforts of the city council and management to ensure that Thompson
River Veneer Products made Kamloops its new home. The recent thrust of council to
examine industrial mill rates further reinforces the company’s decision to build in the
“Tournament Capital of Canada”.


Chinese Investor Purchases Development Land in Kamloops
Kamloops, B.C.—The City of Kamloops has accepted an unconditional offer to purchase prime
development land from a mainland China investor. Mr. Xian Guo Huang has offered the full asking
price of $588,000 with a closing date of April 21, 2005.
The 40,000 sq. ft. property at 1211 Summit Drive (beside Fire Hall No. 1) is currently zoned C-6
which allows for mixed-use commercial and multi-family residential buildings.
Mr. Huang’s primary interest was the property’s proximity to the university and the potential for developing student-oriented housing .“I am very confident in the economy of Kamloops as UCC/Thompson Rivers University becomes a
full-fledged university. I have a vacation home in Changping, China and look forward to assisting
Mayor Rothenburger in building a strong business relationship between Kamloops and Changping,”
said Mr. Huang.
Mr. Huang has several business interests in China including residential real estate developments
and a management contract for a large coal-mining operation. In addition, Mr. Huang owns a
commercial real estate development in Hastings, New Zealand.
“Mr. Huang’s interest in Kamloops comes as a direct result of our initiative in developing business
relationships in China, “said Mayor Mel Rothenburger. “Mr. Huang indicated he was looking at
investment opportunities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand prior to choosing
Kamloops. We see his acquisition as a clear vote of confidence in the Kamloops’ economy,” said
Mayor Rothenburger.


NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2005OTP0046-000371

Office of the Premier
Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development
TOURNAMENT CAPITAL GETS SPORT BOOST FROM PROVINCE

http://www.kamloops.ca/parks/graphics/macislandcolor.jpg
KAMLOOPS – The B.C. government is providing $6 million in funding to help construct, upgrade and renovate
sports facilities at Kamloops’ McArthur Island and Hillside Stadium, Premier Gordon Campbell announced
today.
“No other community has taken advantage of the opportunities created by the growing sport tourism
market like the city of Kamloops,” said Campbell. “Kamloops’ reputation as the Tournament Capital of Canada
contributes millions of dollars to the local economy and draws thousands of visitors each year. This investment
not only supports that economic opportunity, but also creates new fitness and sports opportunities for Kamloops
residents of all ages.”
The funding will help with construction of the McArthur Island Sport Centre’s new Olympic size rink,
dressing rooms, lobby and retail space. The grant will also assist in constructing a new field house at Hillside
Stadium, including international standard indoor track, dedicated gymnastics space, a multi-function gym and
classroom and retail space. It is anticipated the Arena portion of the project will be complete in January 2006,
the field house in June 2006.
“We are thrilled with the financial support of Premier Campbell and the Government of B.C., including
our local MLAs Claude Richmond and Kevin Krueger, towards Kamloops' Tournament Capital Facilities
Expansion Project,” said Kamloops mayor Mel Rothenburger. “It shows the Government of B.C. shares our
vision of a fit and healthy community that is committed to excellence in sports and active living.”
“Four years ago it would have been fiscally impossible to make an investment like this, but today, as a
result of the province’s economic revitalization, we can afford it,” said John Les, Minister of Small Business and
Economic Development and minister responsible for sport. “This project will also assist the Province in
reaching our goal of leading North America in healthy living and physical fitness.”
Government has previously contributed a total of $4 million to these projects in partnership with the
federal government under the Canada-B.C. Infrastructure program. These facilities are part of the City of
Kamloops’ $37 million sports facility capital expansion plan.
The 2005/06 budget plan committed $50 million towards the Major Regional Sports Facilities Initiative.
However, at this time, government has legal authority for six months of spending under Interim Supply.
Government will seek legislative approval for the full year amounts in the fall.

Media
contact:
Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier

For Immediate Release

BUILDING PERMITS 87 PER CENT HIGHER IN 2004
Kamloops— The City of Kamloops reports an 87 per cent increase in new residential construction
in 2004 compared to 2003 levels. City staff issued a total of 534 new dwelling permits in 2004, the
highest level since 1997. The total value of residential construction was $68,149,103 in 2004
compared to $37,396,071 in 2003 (82 per cent increase).
“2004 has been a breakthrough year for new residential building activity in Kamloops,” said Randy
Diehl, Chief Administrative Officer, “These higher volumes combined with improvements in staff
efficiency allowed us to recover 88% of the Building Inspection Division costs through permit
revenue, compared to 80% in 2003. We now have 3.5 fewer full-time positions than we did in 1997
and yet we were able to provide a high level of professional service to the development
community.”
The total value of construction activity in 2004 was $107,449,403 compared to $125,415,460 in
2003. Summary of 2004 new construction values by category:
Residential
534 units $68,149,103.00 permit value (2003 value $37,396,071.00 permit value)
Commercial
2 units $19,265,773.00 permit value (2003 - $43,491,047.00 permit value)
Industrial, Institutional, Other
819 permits $20,034,527.00 permit value (2003 - $44,528,342 permit value)
“The primary reason for the drop in commercial and industrial values in 2004 is the $25.2 million
new water treatment plant was included in 2003 numbers,” said Dave Trawin, Director of
Development and Engineering Services, “Based on the number of detailed inquiries we received
recently we expect 2005 to be another very busy year in all sectors, but we will see in 2006 " .

KAMLOOPS WINS PROVINCIAL PUBLIC WORKS AWARD
Kamloops Centre for Water Quality voted 2005 Project of the Year
Kamloops, B.C. – The City of Kamloops has been awarded the prestigious 2005 Project of the Year
Award by the Public Works Association of British Columbia (PWABC).
The $48.5 million Kamloops Centre for Water Quality was singled out as the winner at the Annual
PWABC Meeting in Salmon Arm, with over 200 delegates in attendance.
“The Project of the Year Award goes to the community that designs and builds a public works or
utilities project that is both complex and unique relative to the resources of the community,” Said
Maurice Gravelle, city engineer, “I was thrilled to receive this honour in person on behalf of the
citizens of Kamloops.”
To win the 2005 Project of the Year Award, the Kamloops Centre for Water Quality had to
demonstrate excellence in all of the following categories:
• Financial complexity.
• Design innovation.
• Environmental benefit.
• Safety record during construction.
• Overall construction quality.
• Public participation.
The Kamloops Centre for Water Quality is one of North America’s largest membrane filtration
water treatment facilities with capacity to treat up to 160 million litres of water per day from the
South Thompson River.
In addition, the Southern Interior Construction Association of B.C. announced today the City of
Kamloops is the winner of the 2005 Owner / Consultant Award. This award is in recognition for the
City of Kamloops efforts to promote fairness and equity in the construction industry in B.C.

KAMLOOPS
GEO POWER!!!!!
thought everyone would like to see this , use your computer speakers ...
http://www.kamloops.ca/media/SunPromo-05.shtml

This thread is a good idea, its cool to see how the rest of BC is doing. Some great projects are going up in Kelowna and Kamloops.

**Mods sticky this.

Kamloops
120 - 250 luxurious rooms, wellness spa, conference rooms and elegant dining surrounded by championship golf, nature and spectacular vistas. The Hotel site has been strategically selected for its perfect location, elevation and panoramic view of the Thompson Valley and Sun Rivers Golf Resort. This is one of the few hotel sites on golf in the Interior of BC ideally suited for a 4 star or 4 diamond hotel. Sun Rivers is five minutes from downtown Kamloops and 35 minutes from the Shuswap Lakes and Sun Peaks, a major ski destination resort. The site itself is approximately 8 acres (subject to refining) and will be fully serviced (underground) to the site. The site is ideal for a 120-250 room hotel with conference facilities, spa/wellness centre, and golf course clubhouse. It is envisioned that the hotel would naturally expect to own and operate the golf course as a tourist destination attraction.

To see image visist this link http://www.sunrivers.com/development_opportunities/golf-hotel.shtml

-----------------------------------------------------
Sun Rivers Golf Resort is designed around a championship golf course and an award winning premier master plan. 2000 homes, a Resort Hotel, Village Centre and Community Amenities surround a centerpiece of natural beauty and varied recreation. Estate lots, Adult Living and Townhomes offer a wide variety of real estate opportunities designed for year round residence or vacation homes. A place to live, work and play.

Innovative geothermal technology and dual water systems set Sun Rivers apart as a blueprint for the future.



=============================
http://www.orchardswalk.com/images/index_r1_c1.jpg

http://www.orchardswalk.com/index.html
One of the coolest we sites for a housing dovelpment Ive ever seen
why tell you news when I can show it to you ( needs media player and speakers ) .

http://www.orchardswalk.com/media/orchardswalkcitytvjuly2705.mpg

http://www.orchardswalk.com/media/orchardswalkbctvnews.mpeg

I THINK MY WAY OF THREADING MAKES IT MORE FUN !!!

I hear there are some crazy plans for Penticton. which include residence tower and a massive hotel.

really ? Thats cool , I went through Penticton for the first time in like 10 years this summer . It sure has grown a lot in 10 years . I was really empressed . We lost our hotel project , it was replaced by rumors of an 19 story condo project to go along with another condo ( 22 floors ) beeing built in the Kamlops sub-division of Sahali across from the University ( TRU ) . there are also 2 condos going in at TRU at 14 floors each ( UC ), and another 2 ( proposed ) beeing built in the city center at 16 or so floors,
( I hope)

Well I guess I am one of the few people from Prince George on this forum so I may as well try to provide some input onto what is going on in Prince George.

As most of you may know, the economy in Prince George has been less than stellar for the past well... decade but we have weathered the storm and progress is being made.

This is a recent development for Downtown Prince George
16 high end condominiums

Prince George Downtown Land DevelopmentThe City of Prince George and Ghiai Development Corporation have signed a letter of intent with respect to a proposed development project for property located on Quebec Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue. The 13,200 square foot site consists of four lots and is zoned for commercial use.

Ghiai Development Corporation is a San Francisco-based Architectural/Real Estate Development Firm, which specializes in urban renewal. The Ghiai Development Corporation is proposing to construct a mixed-use development to include 16 high-end residential condominiums, five retail/commercial spaces and an enclosed ground level parking structure.

The City and Ghiai Development Corporation anticipate that the sale will close early in 2006. In the interim Ghiai Development Corporation will prepare detailed site designs and architectural drawings of the proposed development. The specific details of the sale will be released once the sale has closed.

“This is more exciting economic news for our City. Council’s priorities are to Grow Our Economy, Grow a Proud and Confident Community, and Support Community Renewal, and this announcement is another positive step in ensuring those things happen”, says Mayor Colin Kinsley. “We look forward to working with the Ghiai Development Corporation to develop the first residential development in the downtown, which will tremendously assist the community in its downtown rejuvenation efforts.”

“Two things make any city reach towards prosperity, great leadership and growth potential. Mayor Kinsley, his staff and City Council combined with Prince George's new business climate won my heart and dedication,” says Ghiai Development Corporation CEO, Yves Ghiai.

City Centre Ventures Chair, David George congratulated Mayor and Council and City Administration on a job well done. “We are very excited to see our downtown grow and diversify and residential living in the downtown is a great way to accomplish that.”

Ghiai Development Corporation expects to commence construction in the summer of 2006 with anticipated opening of the project scheduled for the Summer 2007.

Some new projects have been announced at the university as well
A 32 million dollar Northern Sports Center
a 30+ million Teaching and Learning Centre

Teaching and Learning Centre
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/introduction/campus/tlc_main_full.jpg

Northern Sports Centre
http://www.unbc.ca/nsc/index.html

The local shopping mall is undergoing approximately 2 million dollars in renovation.

Many new residential neighbourhoods have opened up for new development as housing starts are up 92% over last year.

Other various events

Ainsworth lumber is planning on construction an MDF plant 2-400 jobs

4 new pelet plants are being planned for the area

$72 million investment in the oil refinery

30km of highway 4laning south of prince george

Brink Forest Products expansion +200 jobs

$7.2 million community energy program, basically the construction of a central heating plant for downtown prince george. It will utilize wood waste and provide cheap energy to downtown businesses.

Things are really looking up in prince george, people are moving back and money is flowing, incomes are some of the highest in the province and recent announcements by local companies and government will only aid in the revitilization of our fair city.

here are some random pictures

UNBC
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/campus_horizontal/lo/DSC_4029-2.jpg
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/campus_horizontal/lo/campus-winter.jpg
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/campus_horizontal/lo/DSC_4227.jpg
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/campus_horizontal/lo/DSC_5273.jpg
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/campus_horizontal/lo/F1000004.jpg
http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/aerials/2004_aerial_01_sm.jpg

SOme Waite
http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/prince_george/2003/pgh2003_028.jpg
http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/prince_george/2003/pgh2003_013.jpg

Yeah, we have worse air pollution than the lower mainland
http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/prince_george/2001/pgh2001_100.jpg

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/prince_george/2003/pgh2003_028.jpg


Is this the Pine Centre??

Could someone please clarify something for me.
What the hell is ThompsonRiver University> Didn't they already have a college/university.
Now all the OpenUniversity courses are done through them but then why a campus.
Does it have a graduate school.
I'm very confused.

Could someone please clarify something for me.
What the hell is ThompsonRiver University> Didn't they already have a college/university.
Now all the OpenUniversity courses are done through them but then why a campus.
Does it have a graduate school.
I'm very confused.

Thompson Rivers University was upgraded from the University of the Cariboo in Kamloops along with the Open University last May.

That's all I know though.

Is this the Pine Centre??

Yeah, that is pine centre mall

When it comes to shopping centres Prince George is at the bottom of the pack. Pine centre was built in the early 70's I believe and was held privately untill recently. THe private owners decided to basically milk the mall and let it fall into the state it is in today. No major renovations have ever taken place there except the conversion of a SAAN store into a crappy food court. Walmart was supposed to take over the WOOlco store however the woolco store in Prince George was unionized and walmart didn't end up coming to prince george untill 2001. In highschool, my freinds and I would make the hour long treck to quesnel just go go to walmart. Now Prince George has all the major players in terms of big box retailers. including

Costco
SuperStore
London Drugs
Canadian Tire
HOme Depot
Walmart

Apparently Rona has selected a sight and will build a new store as well as a new Safeway Store.

that is a beauiful condo project . Im glas to see you on this thread Weez . hopfully others will post soon as well !

ssiguy2 =

Yes we upgraded to full University status last year . full campus and everything. The campus itslef has in the neighbourhood of 10,000 Students I believe now

wow...was i ever slow at responding :runaway:

The city will be anouncing the Drawings of our new city Library built on the North shore ( Tranquile road ) . supposed to a big one too !

UNBC looks very smart. I agree, this thread is a good idea.

New Prince Rupert Condo:

----

Council puts Graham condo plan on ice

By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News

October 26, 2005

Prince Rupert city councillors found themselves discussing an unusual subject at this week’s council meeting.

A developer had forwarded his plan of intent to build a 48-unit condominium at the end of Graham Avenue, and the discussion around a zoning bylaw that would allow further development in that area took place with various residents from the area in attendance...

----

I wonder how many floors that will be... I didn't subscribe to the Daily News, and this is the online edition which only has the beginning part of the story.

Hey Micmiko, how are the housing prices doing in Prince Rupert, I heard that there has been a lot of speculative buying going on due to the construction of the new container port. Do you feel that these new condos are a speculative notion or is there currently the demand for new construction.

Hey Micmiko, how are the housing prices doing in Prince Rupert, I heard that there has been a lot of speculative buying going on due to the construction of the new container port. Do you feel that these new condos are a speculative notion or is there currently the demand for new construction.

Oh, now that I read the rest of the article, it looks like council wants to reject the proposal, or at least have the developer choose a different lot/decrease the size of the project.

Graham Avenue is a one-way street situated on top of a hill where every house has a ocean view. A few houses there surpass $1 million in value, if I recall correctly. So building a huge condo there obviously will attract anti-development NIMBYs.

Aside from that, housing prices HAVE gone up, and there is/will be a demand for new construction. Some people have been buying second houses as an investment because although prices are rising, they are still relatively cheap to buy. Property tax is a major pain in the butt though. A $200 000 house in value will have property taxes of around $4 000.


Other projects going on in Prince Rupert:

Container Port (phase I handling 500 000 TEUs/year scheduled for completion in 2007; phase II handling 2 million TEUs/year scheduled for completion in 2009)

Northlands (cruise ship terminal completed) (landscaping for new businesses around and in Cow Bay/cruise ship terminal area)

New Shopping Centre (Big box stores + maybe relocation of Extra Foods)

I did hear rumours of a new extra foods store in Prince Rupert from my neighbour in Prince George. He is the assistant manager at the PG store. The prince george store is expanding as well to be a similar size to the ones in vanderhoof and quesnel. A walmart is also proposed for smithers. With all the cheap dutch people in smithers I thnk that walmart would be a hit lol.

For Immediate Release
October 25, 2005
CITY OF KAMLOOPS CONSIDERS PURCHASING DOWNTOWN
HERITAGE BUILDING
Kamloops, B.C. – The City of Kamloops has expressed an interest in purchasing the heritage
building located at 7 West Seymour St. currently owned by Hostelling International – Canada -
Pacific Mountain Region (- formerly known as “The Old Kamloops Courthouse”). Preliminary
discussions have been held with Hostelling International officials to acquire this historic property.
An offer to purchase would be conditional upon the City completing a review of its long-term space
needs for municipal purposes, assessing the renovation costs and purchase price.
“Council and staff recognize the Old Kamloops Courthouse as a prominent public building because
of its significant history and heritage value,” said Mayor Mel Rothenburger, “This acquisition
would create an opportunity for continued preservation of our heritage and enables the City to
cluster its services in the heart of downtown.”

--------------------------------
China Trade Seminar to Focus on Kamloops
Kamloops businesses will learn how to capitalize on world’s fastest growing economy.
Kamloops, BC- On Dec.1, 2005 Venture Kamloops will host a half-day workshop called
“Growing Your Business in China”. This practical, hands-on seminar will inform
Kamloops and area businesses how to take advantage of the historic Business Exchange
Protocol Agreement recently signed between the City of Kamloops, Venture Kamloops
and Vice Mayor Jin of Changping District of Beijing, China.
“Kamloops is one of only a few communities in Canada to have a formal business
exchange agreement with the Chinese government,” says Jeff Putnam, acting executive
director for Venture Kamloops, “We want to help business utilize this competitive
advantage and learn from experts on the Chinese economy, trade opportunities and
immigration law.”
Guest speakers include Kamloops Mayor Mel Rothenburger, Gretchen Bozak, deputy
director and trade commissioner - International Trade Canada, Cyndi McLeod, executive
director – TRU World, as well as legal experts on immigration and trade with China.
The Dec.1 workshop will take place in the Panorama Room (Third Floor, TRU
International Building) and runs from 1:00pm to 4:30pm with a reception hosted by
Venture Kamloops between 4:30pm and 6:00pm.
The cost is only $24.00 per person prior to Nov.15. Due to limited space it is
recommended to register early by contacting Venture Kamloops at 828-6818 or email
info@venturekamloops.com. Seminar, payment and registration details are posted on the
Venture Kamloops website at www.venturekamloops.com.

I did hear rumours of a new extra foods store in Prince Rupert from my neighbour in Prince George. He is the assistant manager at the PG store. The prince george store is expanding as well to be a similar size to the ones in vanderhoof and quesnel. A walmart is also proposed for smithers. With all the cheap dutch people in smithers I thnk that walmart would be a hit lol.

Hahah.

It's quite too bad there isn't any room at the current Prince Rupert Airport to expand into an International Airport. With trade, especially, a direct link from China to Prince Rupert would be much more convenient than to fly pass Prince Rupert, land in Vancouver, then transfer BACK up to Prince Rupert.

I would love to hear other development projects from other northern BC towns. Anything forumers from Terrace or Fort St. John?

Not much of a Battle to re-energize block



By MARKUS ERMISCH

Staff reporter
Nov 02 2005

City council is expected to give its blessing to the redevelopment of the 400-block of Battle Street at Tuesday's council meeting.

By signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the mayor, on behalf of city council, will allow the project to advance to the next stages: Requests for an expression of interest and a request for proposals.

Should property owners agree to the Battle Street project, and once a developer is found, the block will see the construction of mixed housing, which is a combination of commercial, residential and subsidized housing.

All property owners have agreed in principle to sign the MOU and proceed with the project.

Partners in the project will have to decide on a final design.

Participants in a city-planning exercise, called a design charette, devised three different models of how to re-develop the block.

Two of the concepts include the construction of high-rises, standing about eight or nine storeys, and all three include a type of row houses.

All three also include some form of additional landscaping.

The property on which the mixed housing may eventually be constructed is owned by the Kamloops Society for Community Living.

This past spring, the three boarded-up houses on the site were demolished to make room for future development.

At the time, Deb Steele, the KSCL's community awareness co-ordinator, said her organization doesn't "have to own the land on that block forever," but added that the KSCL would like to own some assisted-living units should the development proceed.

The project grew out of the National Homelessness Initiative, which led to the formation of a local Supporting Community Partnership Initiative working group.

This group identified the 400- block of Battle Street as suitable for a mixed housing project.

Property owners on the block include the United Church, YMCA-YWCA, the Kamloops Society for Community Living and Carmel Pharmacy Ltd.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSTRUCTION HISTORY OF SUN PEAKS RESORT IN KAMLOOPS
================================================

http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/winter/assets/header/logo2.gif

1961 The Burfield Lodge and Chair Lift opened to the public in 1961.
1968 Fire damaged the lift equipment and forced a closure until repaired.
1970 Tod Mountain re-opened in December 1970.
1971 Harry Burfield died when the plane he was touring the mountain in crashed.
1972 The Shuswap Double Chair Lift was constructed to service the Shuswap Base.
1979 The Crystal Triple Chair Lift was installed.
1980 The Shuswap Day Lodge was constructed.
1988 Construction of a 49 lot subdivision across from the Burfield Lodge was started.
Fire caused extensive damage at the top station of the Crystal Chair.

1990 Paving of access road from Whitecroft Village to Tod Mountain was completed.
1992 Nippon Cable Company Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan purchased Tod Mountain.
1993 Nippon Cable created a new long range Master Plan and signed a new Master
Development Agreement with the Province of British Columbia. The first phase of the
Master Plan was initiated.
Extensive development of the Resort began with the construction of new runs, 3 new
lifts (2 quads), new facilities, and new infrastructure. Approximately $12 million was
invested in the developments.
Lift company name was changed to Sun Peaks Resort Corporation.

1994 Development of the new Village Daylodge, the "Board Beyond Belief" Snowboard
Park, servicing of the Village as well as the Sunburst and Fairways single family subdivisions (approximately $8 million). 9 holes of the 18 hole golf course were completed.
1995 Development included opening of the first 9 holes of the golf course in late August. Trail improvements on Exhibition, Blazer, Spillway and Cariboo.
Conversion of the Sundance chair to a high speed, detachable quad chair and extending
the length approximately 800 vertical feet. Opening up 40 acres (16 ha) of brand new
intermediate terrain.
Completion of Phase 1 of the 200 room Nancy Greene Cahilty Lodge (ski in/ski-out), Sun Peaks Lodge (ski-in/ski-out), 3 town house developments and 4 single family homes in Sunburst subdivision.
SNOW COUNTRY MAGAZINE award winner: #1 in Mountain Trail Design in North America

1996 Construction of 35 million gallon snowmaking reservoir.
Construction of 25 new homes in the Sunburst and Fairways subdivisions.
Private developers build new hotel: Sundance Lodge.
Completion of the covered bridge and the driving range.
Clearing and rough grading of the back 9 holes of the golf course.
First 2.5 km of Valley Trail and 1 km of Alpine walking trail completed.
Run improvements to Lower Cruiser, Lower Exhibition, Lower Blazer and 5th
Avenue.
Upgraded Sunburst Express from capacity of 1500 people per hour to 2000.
SNOW COUNTRY MAGAZINE award winner: #2 Best Design for day lodge under $2M (Village Daylodge) in North America.

1997 SKI CANADA MAGAZINE award winner: Best Weather in Canada, Best Terrain Variety in Canada
Sun Peaks Sports Center completed: ice rinks, tennis courts, heated pool & hot tub.
Private Developers build 3 new hotels: Radisson Hearthstone Lodge, Radisson
Fireside Lodge and Heffley Inn.
Completion of Sundance subdivision (Phase I).

1998 SNOW COUNTRY MAGAZINE award winner:
- #1 in Mountain Village Design in North America
SKI CANADA MAGAZINE award winner:
- Best Apres Ski in Canada
- Best Kids Resort Features
- Best Grooming in Canada

1998 Completed: Sun Peaks stables, Timberline Village and Forest Trails multi-family
developments, McGillivray Lake Outpost (log cabin-destination for cross country skiers and mountain bike riders), 149 stall underground parkade, 14 food and beverage facilities and 7 retail outlets.
Under construction: Crystal Forest and Forest Trails (Phase II) multi-family
developments.

1999 Increased capacity on the Sunburst and Sundance Lifts and new Carpet Lift.
New buildings and facility’s for Snowsports School, Group Rentals and Childminding.
New blue run called “Three Bears.”
Servicing of Sundance subdivision (Phase II) and Fairways subdivision (Phase II).
Construction of 5 single family homes in Sunburst and Sundance subdivisions.
Under construction: Crystal Forest (Phase II) and Powder Ridge multi-family
developments.
SKI CANADA MAGAZINE award winner:
- Best Grooming in Canada
- Best Locals in Canada

2000 Servicing of 10 new lots, Sundance Subdivision
Under Construction: McGillivray Creek Townhomes, 40 unit multi family
development.
Announcement of $70 million dollars in investments, including the Delta Sun Peaks Hotel and Conference Centre, a new $40 million 226 room hotel with 11,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, completion of the 18 hole par 72 golf course in the summer of 2001, lift and trail development on the 3rd skiable mountain – Mt. Morrissey, and completion of the village core.

2001 Construction of the $40 million dollar Delta Sun Peaks Resort Hotel and Conference Centre commences, opening October 2002.
Servicing of 9 new lots, Sundance Subdivision.
Construction of Phase II Fairways Cottages.
Morrissey platter lift completed and 17 new trails developed on Mt. Morrissey.
Development of the last nine of the eighteen hole golf course begins, with expected completion date of October 2002, opening 2003 golf season.
Extension of the valley trail to Burfield Drive.
Construction of begins on Phase I of an $8 million dollar joint venture project with the Little Shuswap Indian Band and Whispering Pines Indian Band. Phase I of the development consists of a 10,000 square foot, 48 bed staff housing complex and 6,000 square feet of service-oriented commercial space.

2002 Delta Sun Peaks Resort Hotel and Conference Centre opens October 2002.
Construction of Phase II Fairways Cottages completed.
Morrisey high speed quad completed and 17 new trails opened on Mt. Morrisey.
Development of the last nine of the eighteen hole golf course continues, with expected completion date of October 2003, opening 2004 golf season.
Completion of the valley trail to Burfield Drive.
Construction completed of a 10,000 square foot, 48 bed staff housing complex and 6,000 square feet of service-oriented commercial space.
Addition of a new Back Country Cat skiing outfit on Tod Mountain.

2003 Resort survives the BC wildfires with no damage to the recreational boundary area.
Servicing 12 new lots, Fairways Drive.
Trails Edge – Phase I of the four phase master plan was completed.
Construction started for a family friendly, all level, downhill mountain bike trail – Smooth Smoothie.
Opening of the new tube park “Tube Time”
Sun Peaks Resort was instrumental in reintroducing Kamloops Airport’s international service. Seattle based Horizon Air had its inaugural flight into Kamloops, B.C. on December 15, 2003.
Opening of Sun Peaks’ first full service spa.

2004 Trapper’s Landing sells out in 6 hours, bringing in over $17 million.

---------------------------
Sun Peaks – an Ongoing BC Resort Development Success Story

From just one mountain in 1993, Sun Peaks resort has expanded to three mountains and grown into the second largest ski area in BC and the only four season destination resort in the interior. Over 375 million dollars was invested during the first phase of a four phase master plan. With the launch of Phase 2 of the master plan last summer, an additional 285 million worth of projects are now in the works.
The resort’s success to date and the formula that continues to drive Sun Peaks forward is a vision of quality and sustainable development, as well as a commitment to a carefully managed plan balancing future growth with the needs of the community. “Sun Peaks will continue to develop in a manner consistent with our core values and with the goal of becoming a world-class resort destination,” explains Darcy Alexander, Vice President and General Manager of the Sun Peaks Resort Corporation.

In 2005, a number of new real estate and other capital improvements are planned including a new all-suite hotel property, The Residences and additional trail development on the west side of Mt. Morrisey.

I did hear rumours of a new extra foods store in Prince Rupert from my neighbour in Prince George. He is the assistant manager at the PG store. The prince george store is expanding as well to be a similar size to the ones in vanderhoof and quesnel. A walmart is also proposed for smithers. With all the cheap dutch people in smithers I thnk that walmart would be a hit lol.
wow, thats fuckin hilarious, my good freind is duch and hes the cheapest son of a bitch i have ever met. he loves walmart

By MARKUS ERMISCH
Staff reporter
Nov 11 2005

PARK TO BE HOUSES ?

A local developer wishing to benefit from the growing population and development upswing in Kamloops may not have to convince city council of the merits of his plan.
But Guy Mercier must now convince the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), the provincial guardian of land set aside for agricultural use, to give the green light to his residential development project.
Council unanimously voted Tuesday to send a letter to the ALC, informing it that council does not object to a 48-hectare parcel of land in McGowan Park on the Old Merritt Highway being taken out of the province's agricultural land reserve. The agricultural land reserve in McGowan Park comprises about 138 hectares.
The decision is not surprising, considering that the city has identified this area, currently zoned future development, as one of six areas where growth may be accommodated as the population swells to 120,000. But despite McGowan Park being identified as a special development area, an extensive review, including a public hearing, would be still be needed, even if the ALC gives its blessing.
Colin Fry, the ALC's director of regional operations, said the commission will take council's views into consideration. Equally, however, it will review any objections people may have to the land being removed from the agricultural land reserve.
One such objection comes from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.
"We do not support this application," Stan Combs, a land-use agrologist with the ministry, wrote to the city's planning division this month.
He continued that the land "remains suitable for forage and grazing. It is also suitable for non-soil bound agriculture such as intensive livestock, greenhouse or mushrooms."
Knutsford residents James and Marilyn White also oppose Mercier's application.
If the land is taken from the reserve, they argue in a letter sent to the development services department, it will have a detrimental effect on other parcels of land in the area.
Instead of evaluating the area one parcel at a time, the Whites would prefer the whole area be "evaluated for future use/agricultural potential at the same time."
They state that "planning a parcel at a time will cause unnecessary conflicts between neighbours and with the city."
However, at this week's council meeting, Randy Diehl, the city's chief administrative officer, repeatedly reminded council that Mercier's application is merely in its first stage.
Mercier could not be contacted at press deadline.

City building boom sets record
by Michele Young

Boom.

That was the sound of construction in Kamloops.

The end of the year is still nearly two months away, but already the city has broken a record for the value of building permits issued.

As of the end of October, building permits hit a value of $178.9 million, surpassing the old 1993 record of $134.7 million. Translated into current dollars, the 1993 amount comes out to $164 million — still below the first 10 months of this year.

City building inspector Kundan Bubbar said it’s expected the leap in construction will push this year’s tally over the $200-million mark.

He attributed much of the residential rush to low interest rates, which are attracting not only first-time buyers, but also people looking for investment properties.

Projects on the horizon that could help boost the year’s total include renovations to Thompson Park Mall, more work at the new mall at Summit and Columbia and a new seniors’ home in Westsyde.

While builders are thrilled to see the jump in construction, they are also advising people who are having a difficult time getting a contractor to be careful.

The “truck and ladder guys” are out preying on homeowners eager to get help with renovations, warned Canadian Home Builders Association Kamloops president Tim Kasten.

“With the association, we’re cautioning people with these busy times they’re tempted to take the first person who’s available. Make sure you know who you’re hiring, that they’re properly licensed and have credentials,” he said Wednesday.

Often, disreputable construction workers will go door to door, offering to do work. But they don’t get permits and often don’t have licences, Kasten said.

“Be aware if you’re hiring someone, make sure they’re a member of a credible organization, that they’re licensed. References are a big part of it.”

Kasten, who owns Hillside Contracting, said it’s tough to get skilled trades labour.

“It’s very busy. Demand is great for the limited number of tradesmen in town,” he said. “We’re competing with strong economies across the country, especially Alberta.”

Kasten said he’s booked up until April, with eight houses to complete by then, and more people are waiting for him to take on their projects in spring.

“I think it’s related to the low interest rate. A lot of first-time buyers are getting into homes. We’re seeing a lot of people moving up from the Lower Mainland because of affordable housing here,” he suggested.

“I think Kamloops is the best-kept secret around the country. … The secret’s out.”

After slow times in the mid- to late-1990s, contractors are glad to see things back on track, he said.

“We had such a down time in the 1990s, there was a lot of pent-up demand. Now people have confidence.”

Kasten said there’s a two-year wait for students to get into the construction course at Thompson Rivers University. As a result, he’s training his workers from within, hiring people and giving them on-the-job experience and expertise.

“It’s tough getting young people into the trades. You can make good money in it.”

Kasten didn’t know how long the record-setting trend will continue, but he did note there are several factors that could see it go for a while yet: the economy is strong, the Olympics are coming in a few years and at that point, there will be spinoffs from B.C. being in the world spotlight.

Surging rail traffic spurs need for more workers

CP Rail will add a dozen workers in Kamloops due to record demand on the nation’s railways.

The corporation recently advertised for entry-level railway personnel in Kamloops. Those jobs — requiring a Grade 12 education — pay as much as $70,000 at top rates and lead to opportunities for training as conductors and locomotive engineers.

“In the past two years we’ve added 24 people in Kamloops,” said corporate spokesman Ed Greenberg. “We’re hiring another 12 in February.”

Those new jobs come on top of the 250 staff who work for CP Rail at its Kamloops operation.

Greenberg said new hires are needed because of growth in rail traffic. CP Rail is also bringing on new workers because of the age of its workforce.

AIR TRAFIC ON RISE IN KAMLOOPS

Passenger numbers at Kamloops Airport were up in October, compared to the same month last year.
A total of 11,841 passengers used the airport last month, which represents a five per cent increase over the same period last year.
It is also seven per cent higher than forecast for the month.
The number of aircraft using the airport, however, dropped by 10 per cent, to 3,182.
Work on two taxiways at the airport was completed, extending their life span by another 15 years.
Construction costs were shared by Transport Canada and the Kamloops Airport Authority Society, which paid $903,000 and $159,000, respectively.
Starting on Jan. 1, landing, terminal, aircraft parking and passenger fees will increase by about 2.9 per cent to make up for increased energy costs. At the same time, the airport withdrew its fuel concession fee to encourage a greater range of aircraft to fly into Kamloops.


( this is special because the city will be doing a huge expantion project at the airport very soon )

MORE TO COME
Kamloops condo
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KAMLOOPS GETS NEW RESORT


Jennifer Lopez didn't come, but at least she graced the silver screen.
About 60 people, most from the Lower Mainland's development community, gathered for a special screening of An Unfinished Life, a movie featuring said actress as well as the curvaceous countryside surrounding Kamloops, at Vancouver's Fifth Avenue Cinemas on Wednesday.
The purpose for the gathering, said Sotheby's spokeswoman Pamela Groberman, was to whet the appetite of developers to submit proposals for a $500-million residential resort to be built on the Six Mile Ranch on the shores of Lake Kamloops.
Called the Tobiano residential resort, it will feature 1,000 homes, a hotel, a golf course, a marina, an equestrian centre and a pedestrian village.
Six Mile Ranch owner Mike Grenier of Pagebrook Inc. will partner with Sotheby's International Realty Western Canada to build the project over the next decade.
Sotheby's CEO Ross McCredie said four to six developers will be selected for the project; 14 developers have expressed interest so far.
McCredie said he and his partner are considering developers from Kamloops, adding, however, that they are soliciting proposals from across the province, especially the Lower Mainland.
Once built - work on the golf course has already started - Tobiano will cater to all age demographics, McCredie said.
The central location of Kamloops, as well as access to a lake and the nearby Sun Peaks Resort, were key for the partners to decide on the location, McCredie said.
Pagebrook bought the Six Mile ranch property in 1995 and secured government approval for the Kamloops on the Lake project in 2001.

MULTI FLOOR PROJECT IN UPPER KAMLOOPS
Construction of a proposed $10-million Hillside Drive project, consisting of commercial and residential components, could start as early as this winter.
The proposal includes a four-storey mixed-use commercial and 42-unit residential building, with the bottom floor reserved for commercial use.
Kelowna-based developer Mike Culos, who has partnered with Aberdeen Lands Inc. for the project, said 7,000 square feet will be set aside for commercial development, allowing for about seven or eight tenants to move in.
Culos said he cannot reveal who the tenants are, as he is still negotiating lease agreements with some of them. He said businesses that would move into the complex between Duffy's Pub and City Furniture will be complementary to those in nearby Aberdeen Mall. The liquor store associated with Duffy's Pub will be relocated this winter, Culos said, adding that construction for the residential component could start in the spring of next year, with a completion date tentatively set for early 2007.
City council voted Tuesday to issue a notice of intent to issue a development variance permit for the lot. All other details of the proposed project will be discussed before a building permit is issued.
*Culos is also planing to build a commercial-residential project on the southwest corner of the intersection of McGill Road and Summit Drive, pending a rezoning of that lot and an environmental study of the former landfill.


* the residential project is supposed to be 18 - 20 floors !

We just set a record for Construction this year ! 200 Million$ in Permits !

Resort plans unveiled for Tranquille
An upscale hotel, single and multi-family housing, inland marina and golf course are all in the works for the former tuberculosis sanatorium at Tranquille.

B.C. Wilderness Tours president Russ Cundari outlined some of the plans that will be presented to the public Wednesday at an open information session.

“It’s going to be a resort community,” he said Thursday. “It’s a large project and will take many years.”

The project plans span 40.5 hectares of the 190-hectare parcel, with the remainder dedicated to agricultural uses and a golf course. Cundari said he and his partners have been working with the city, B.C. Environment Ministry, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Agricultural Land Commission on the early-stage plans.

Now it’s time to get public input, he said. That’s what Wednesday night’s presentation is about. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the North Shore Community Centre, 730 Cottonwood Ave.

“It is the most beautiful spot in the Interior of British Columbia,” said Cundari.

A four-star or better hotel with 150 to 200 rooms would be built at Cooney Bay, where there would also be an inland marina entered through a channel. A couple of legitimate tourism operators have already expressed some interest in the hotel.

Public access to the lake and beach would be maintained, along with trails around the Tranquille River, he said.

“The main attraction on the property is the water.”

One of the old buildings on the site could be converted into a three-star hotel. In addition to the golf course, a vineyard would be created.

Around the rim of the property, single- and multi-family homes would be built.

While Tranquille is within the city’s boundaries, the resort community would have its own water pumping and treatment system along with its own compact sewage treatment plant, Cundari said.

“It’s going to be a pedestrian friendly development. We’re going to look at environmentally sound systems.”

Those systems include geothermal heating and possibly deep-water cooling.

“It’ll be a significant project for the North Shore,” he said, noting Tranquille is about four minutes from the airport.

“We’re looking at preserving some of the barns and agricultural buildings. In fact, where we locate, there will be a component for horses.”

Cundari said there will be efforts made to preserve some of the most interesting buildings on the site and uses found for them, such as a museum.

I originally put this thread Togeather to show projects going on in the rest of the Province . I guess there is Just no construction anywhere except the Lower mainland , Victoria and yes ... Kamloops.

I really hope formers from the Rest of B.C. will begin to contribute to this , or is there no other formers?

well I will see if I can inform people about the goings on in prince george

-There is a propsal for a 4 story condo/ comercial project downtown
-a 5 story 68 unit apartment building on 2nd avenue I believe
-18 "luxury" loft units on one side of quebec street, the other side will get another 18 in the future and ther are plans to close the street and make it a pedestrian mall.
-2.6 million $ in renovations to pine centre mall
-32 million dollar sports plex at unbc
-a new residence building at unbc is in the works currently
-26 million $ teaching and learning centre is currently underway at unbc
- prince George golf and country club was recently sold off to a company in grande prairie, a new Golf club will be constructed at a cost of around 14-16 million in the "Harpers Valley" area
- $30 million dollar twinning of highway 97 south with the 4 laning of 6-30km of highway, a new weigh scale will also be constructed
-a new Rona store and Safeway is to be constructed on highway 16 west
housing starts should top 300 this year, 3 years ago there were 46
Ainsworth is apparently building a new MDF plant nearby
-foothills blvd extension
-Prince George Exibition grounds revitilization
-$6 million community energy cogen plant for downtown prince george
-extension of the runway at the airport to handle 747's

That is it for now

Cool , I sure hope other join soon . I now have my camera back and will be doing a run down of projects and other crazy crap soon . weezer , could you do one too ?

condo at T.R.U.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/plants012.jpg

towards my neighbour hood
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/plants013.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/plants010.jpg

Well Currently I am at UNB in fredericton studying civil engineering. I can't afford to go home for christmas so I won't be able to get back to pg untill april. In april however I would be more than glad to take some pictures!
Presently I get all of my knowledge from reading the city council minutes religiously. Maybe I should have stayed at UNBC lol

looking forward to pics weezer, I didnt have much time today but will have more.

Copper refinery eyed for HVC
by Cam Fortems

Highland Valley Copper’s parent company is taking a second look at a refinery proposal that was rejected seven years ago because of its high cost.

Greg Waller, a spokesman with Teck Cominco Ltd., told the Canadian Press Tuesday a hydro metallurgical process developed by the company as an alternative to conventional smelting is under consideration for the mine.

The technology, developed in Richmond, is being used at a commercial operation in Brazil.

Highland Valley Copper ships copper concentrate overseas, where it is further refined for use in everything from copper tubing to copper wire.

“Of course we pay a fee to the refineries overseas to convert our concentrate into metal,” Waller said.

“What this does is takes the concentrate and refines it on-site and produces the metal. So it reduces our transportation costs substantially.”

The proposal was first considered in 1998 when it was announced by then-premier Glen Clark. Clark flew into the mine site on a helicopter to promote the project as part of the NDP government’s Power for Jobs initiative.

The refinery was supposed to bring an estimated 100 to 150 jobs and add three to four years to the mine’s life. Clark held out the possibility that it could refine copper for other B.C. mines.

The province and Highland Valley’s owners committed to entering discussions on providing low-cost electricity for the project if it were deemed viable after a $1-million study.

But the project was ruled out because of high capital costs.

Since then, however, the commodity landscape has changed dramatically. Copper prices have nearly tripled since 1998, reaching all-time highs late this year. And the mine life has been extended by five years, until 2013.

Transportation costs, due to the doubling or tripling in the price of a barrel of oil, are also much higher — a factor that should weigh in favour of the refinery.

On the other side, construction and steel costs are also much higher than seven years ago.

B.C. also faces potential electricity shortfalls in the coming decade and beyond unless it increases production.

Highland Valley Copper is BC Hydro’s largest single customer.

http://westcoast.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/27_Kelowna/2700102_3_300.jpg
TRU tower shot
http://westcoast.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/27_Kelowna/2700102_12_300.JPG

I just wanted to share this and the above shot with every one, I wanted to get a bunch of shots but still dont have a lot of time
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/7adb5bbf.jpg

I would love to hear other development projects from other northern BC towns. Anything forumers from Terrace or Fort St. John?

From what I hear about the BC Peace, there really isn't anything truly earthshaking going up there in places like Fort St. John, but the region seems to be doing well economically, considering the massive natural gas fields, the exploration and oil/gas pipelines up there. As for Dawson Creek, it's just a farming town that hasn't changed much in the last 40 years, although a rail line from Alberta to DC is already being reopened after a decade of being shut down. This is in anticipation of the future port expansion in Prince Rupert.

The majority of the building and infrastructure projects seems to be on the other side of the AB/BC border. Especially in Grande Prairie, the city that you almost never hear about, but yet is growing like crazy. (in fact it's the 2nd fastest growing city in Alberta after Fort McMurray and is also planning a massive annexation of land - up to 320 sq km in addition to the current 62 sq km it currently covers)

^i've read about the port expansion in rupert being stopped due to the natives wanting more say in the decision and they want their workers to work on it.

^i've read about the port expansion in rupert being stopped due to the natives wanting more say in the decision and they want their workers to work on it.

I posted an article on that the other day in the thread on Prince Rupert. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=196132&page=4)

MERRITT TO THE RACES

http://www.activemountainresort.com/images/resort_2nd_row_rgt.gif

Opening for summer 2006, Active Mountain resort will offer privileged guests everything from the ultimate in racing excitement and outdoor activities, to the most sublime relaxation facilities.

The track has been carved out with engineering and design work well
Active Mountain Resort is the BC’s premier motor racing resort and a completely new level in resort hospitality.

The Off-Road Vehicle Training Facility opened on October 1st, and we are scheduling numerous programs and events for the coming months.
AMR hosted stages for two successful Rally events:
June 18th, 2005 Western Canadian Rally Championship
October 14-15, 2005 National Rally Championships
They gave the drivers and spectators a small taste of where Active Mountain Raceway is headed but 2006 will truly be they year that the entire Active Mountain Resort becomes…ACTIVE.
2006 will see us commence paving the skid pad, parking areas and the track, subsequently adding many more raceway events. Accommodation for racers, driver training participants and spectators will be available on the resort.

With zoning and services complete, construction is already underway on the first resort condominium units with completion of Phase 1 planned for The Summer of 2006
Moonshadows Campground and RV Park will be operational and providing the finest camping facilities in the area
Sales of phase 1 and 2 of the Active Mountain Resort will be underway
The Merritt Mountain Music Festival will continue it’s record breaking success

Merritt is located 271 Kilometres (168 miles) northeast of Vancouver in the heart of the Nicola Valley. With a population of approximately15,000, Merritt is the commercial centre for the area.

http://www.activemountainraceway.com/images/airlayout.jpg
http://www.activemountainresort.com/images/resort_layout.gif

The Merritt thing in pretty cool , I was told they are building a whole pile of Condos there to , something like 1000 or so . they believe that the Population could grow to over 25, 000 people in 5-10 years . It is all ready a nice Bedroom communitee to Kamloops ( only 30 minuites a way . )

More Kamloops shots
Im not going to get a chance to get great pics , as I probably wont be here in spring, so better now then never.

ROYAL INLAND HOSPITAL
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Bank of Montreal
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Used to be a court house , then Hostel and now city hall is talking about buying it .
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Victoria Landing ( newest large apartment completed in 1999 )
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Kensington meetings in Union Bay



By Bruce MacInnis
Record Staff Writer
Feb 22 2006

Editor's note: In error, we published an old story in Friday's Record that said public meetings about a proposed development in Union Bay would be in Courtenay. This article includes the updated location in Union Bay. We apologize for any confusion.
A draft official community plan and environmental studies for the Kensington Island Properties development at Union Bay will be released at public meetings, the regional district says.
The rezoning application and proposed official community plan drafted by Kensington will be unveiled during a public meeting today at 7 p.m. at the Union Bay Community Hall.
Results of environmental and other studies required by the regional board will be released at a meeting at the Union Bay Community Hall on March 1 at 7 p.m.
Studies to be released at the meeting include development strategy, an environment protection study, a sustainability study, a transportation impact study, a visual impact study and a water study. The meeting is organized by the developer.
Rezoning for the project has received tentative approval from the regional board and is scheduled to go to public hearing March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Union Bay Community Hall.
The hearing is convened by the regional district board and is citizens' opportunity to voice opinions on the issue to regional board directors. The hearing was initially scheduled to be held at the Florence Filberg Centre, but the regional district opted to change the venue.
Provincial law prohibits directors from receiving public input about the proposal after the hearing is adjourned.
If plans are approved by a number of federal and provincial agencies, the project is expected to take shape over the coming 15 to 20 years. At completion, it is expected to include a 27-hole golf course, 1,240 housing units, 450 housing units for old people, 95 vacation units, 165 hotel rooms, a 100-slip marina and 15,000 square metres of commercial space.
For information about the project, contact the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona at 334-6000.



© Copyright 2006 Courtenay Comox Valley Record

Kamloops indian Band eye's development

Kamloops Indian Band Chief Shane Gottfriedson said the priority for the KIB is to "make some money" in 2006.
Key to that goal is the band's plan to build a $16-million sewer system infrastructure, a project it had originally planned to do with Terasen Utility Services, but which it will now do on its own.
A business plan is being developed and will take about six months to complete. Construction should start just after then.
It's not the only key to development for the band, however. Planning is underway for a $1.2-million health centre, to be built near St. Joseph's Catholic Church on the band's land, and an additional 500 acres of land heading north toward Rayleigh have been designated for industrial, commercial and retail development.
"It's important that we get all the infrastructure in place so we can continue to expand," Gottfriedson said. "And that means creating our own economy - retail, commercial, industry."

=========================================

sun Peaks Expantion
Bam! Sun Peaks Resort is kicking it up a notch with more than $4 million in capital improvements for the 2006-2007 winter season.
The Sun Peaks Resort Corporation announced Friday it's moving through phase 2 of its four-phase master plan with capital improvements designed to raise the already world-class resort experience to the next level.
Great snow conditions and an increasingly unbridled reputation are pushing the resort toward record-breaking numbers, said Steve Ogden, Tourism Sun Peaks marketing and media co-ordinator.
Unfortunately, the resort is finding it increasingly difficult to accommodate the droves. In fact, visitors were turned away during the holiday season.
It is hoped the expansion will take some pressure off strained seams.
In addition to more parking stalls, the resort plans to add lifts, routes and runs to Tod Mountain, Mount Morrisey - and a new mountain.
Orient Ridge is scheduled to open by next season, along with other phase 2 expansions, and will stand as an anchor to the future east village.
Already under construction, the east village will be located at the base of Mount Morrisey and Orient Ridge and will consist of commercial and residential development.
Plans for an expanded and enhanced children's ranch are also in the works. An animated theme park with dedicated terrain and fun features, it will be designed for kids ages three to 12.
Careful consideration has been made with regards to the environmental impacts of expansion in the area, said Ogden, who noted the resort was recently awarded the Environmentally Responsible Tourism Reward from Tourism B.C.
"The goal is to protect the environment, preserve it and do [the development] in a way that is sustainable," he said.
Sun Peaks is the only resort in Canada to receive the International Organization for Standardization ISO 1400 designation, recognizing its environmental management system.
Growth at the resort is scheduled to continue through phases 3 and 4 during the next 15 to 20 years, with visitor numbers effectively tripling.
By 2026, Ogden said, when the four phases are complete, the resort expects to be able to accommodate about 18,000 visitors a day.
Increased traffic on the mountain should also increase the opportunity for events and festivals, he said.
Already this past year, an extra day was added to the Ice Wine Festival and a new concert series is planned for the summer.
All things considered, the multi-million dollar development has been designed to maintain the area's invaluable and characteristic intimate charm.
"If you look at the way it is being laid out and planned, it is all done in a way that will maintain the quieter character of the mountain and the intimate feel of the village," said Ogden.
Phase 2 expansion is scheduled for completion in time for for the 2006-2007 season and "there is still the opportunity for the people in Kamloops to enjoy all this, at this year's pricing," he said.
Early season pass prices will be offered again this year until June, but after that, 2006-2007 rates could increase, said Ogden.

http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals/uploads/kamloops/.DIR288/Sunburstchairactual_060319.jpgSun Peaks Resort plans to add to its existing facility, with new runs, a new quad chair, more residential and commercial development, an expanded children's area and more parking space. Above is the Sunburst Chair run, at right, the location of some of the new services.


=================================
WILD LIFE PARK EXPANDS

The B.C. Wildlife Park is about to embark on a fundraising program that will help its own patrons learn about the life of a bear - and otters, also - as it moves into phase 2 of its five-year development plan.
Phase one will come to fruition in the spring, with the opening of the park's new Discovery Centre and outdoor and amphitheatre.
The target amount to build a new bear and river otter exhibit, as well as a new educational feature on nature, is $1.5 million, said part general manager Rob Purdy.
Helping to kickstart the campaign on Friday were Kamloops This Week, the Broadcast Centre, the city and the provincial government.
The bear and otter exhibit will place the animals in a creative and natural-looking environment that has invisible fencing, underwater viewing locations and landscaping that will be chosen to enhance the public's appreciation of the wildlife.
The nature exchange will be an educational area in which children can participate, report on what they learned during their visit to the park and earn "nature points" they can use to exchange for items at the park.
As the park develops, with its focus on celebrating B.C. wildlife, attendance is also expected to increase. Purdy said annual attendance should reach 155,000 visitors, which would have a spinoff economic benefit to Kamloops of about $3.5 million.

http://www.gatewaycasinos.com/images/gatewayheader.gif
I just found out from a contact at Radio NL that these folks are building a new establishment here in town to be opened in 2008 , I hope this is the beginning of the New Las Vegas of the North !
I of course would like any info from anyone on this or any B.C. projects .

City's boundary may stretch a bit
Part of land in Tranquille development lies in the TNRD area

Kamloops' land mass is poised for expansion by a smidgen, should a development on the city's western fringe proceed.
British Columbia Wilderness Tours has applied to city council for an amendment to the city's official community plan to allow development of a resort-type community on the shores of Cooney Bay at the site of the former Tranquille Sanatorium.
A few hectares of the 192-hectare property lie outside city boundaries and are part of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
Theoretically, the two parcels of land on the property's northern and western edges do not have to be incorporated for the development to go ahead. Practically, however, it makes sense because having the development in one jurisdiction would make it easier to administer.
Once the TNRD agrees, the ultimate decision whether to permit Kamloops to extend its boundaries is up to Victoria. This process could last up to one year.
Before that happens, however, British Columbia Wilderness Tours will have to apply to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to have more than half of the entire portion of the land removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
Following a public hearing on April 25, council will decide whether it will apply for that removal from the ALR on behalf of B.C. Wilderness Tours.
Council is expected to support the application.
Following the ALC's ruling, the Tranquille development would go back before council in the fall.

Waste-water plant waits on Ottawa Estimates for a new waste-water treatment plant have skyrocketed, breaching the $90-million mark this year because of rising construction costs.
Meanwhile, a federal funding program for such infrastructure projects has not yet been announced.
"The sense that we get is that Ottawa is not moving very quickly on this," said Coun. Pat Wallace during a workshop discussion this week.
Funding for the plant, estimated to cost $92.2 million, is most likely to come from Western Economic Diversification Canada, the same ministry that would fund expansion of the terminal at Kamloops Airport.
To be able to apply for a federal grant, said Mike Warren, engineering manager for the City of Kamloops, his department has to complete a predesign, worth $100,000. This sum is included in the budget.
The predesign will be submitted to Ottawa once a new grant program is announced.
A treatment plant using membrane filtration is the preferred option, according to the waste-water steering committee.
One advantage of using Zenon, the company that supplies the technology for the water-treatment plant, is that used membranes from the latter could be used to treat the waste water, said David Duckworth, director of public works and utilities.
However, the eventual supplier of the technology remains to be selected.

A development double
http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals/uploads/kamloops/.DIR288/hillside_lofts_EAG_RGB_060412.jpg
Plans to develop a parcel of land across from Thompson Rivers University could go before city council this spring.
Kelowna-based developer Mike Culos holds an option to buy the property, part of which lies on a former landfill, and may develop it into a commercial-residential complex.
Culos said he expects to make an application for rezoning and subdivision within the next four weeks. It will take about four months to have the application processed at city hall.
Ministry of Environment regulations require that development of the former landfill can only proceed once a certificate of compliance is issued, following an environmental assessment.
SEACOR Environmental Inc. is completing a study of the area on behalf of the City of Kamloops, the results of which will be submitted to the ministry in July.
However, Dave Freeman, the city's real estate manager, said Culos does not have to wait for this certificate because only a small portion of the land he plans to purchase is part of the landfill.
Freeman said the landfill impacts six properties in the area.
Culos is also involved in another project in partnership with Aberdeen Lands Inc.
On Hillside Drive near Aberdeen Mall, the construction of a $10-million commercial-residential development is well underway.
The building under construction on the site will house the liquor store associated with Duffy's Pub, as well as a drive-though coffee shop. Culos said lease agreements with the other tenants still need to be finalized.
In the main building, 7,000 square feet are reserved for commercial development, room enough for seven tenants. Culos said the residential component will be started in May or June this year.
The entire project is scheduled to be completed in June 2007.

Housing remains hot in Kamloops
The new home market continues to climb in Kamloops and is being boosted by an increase in construction of multi-family units.
While single-family homes are still leading the way in new home construction, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) market analyst Paul Fabri said multi-family dwellings, whether duplexes, townhouses or condominiums, are experiencing a surge after years of little activity.
Multiple-family units provide a different lifestyle option for homeowners, said Fabri, including their affordability and lower maintenance requirements.
"While single-family starts have been quite strong over the last two to three years, there haven't been a lot of multi-starts.
"I think there's been pent-up demand for that and builders are recognizing the market opportunity."
In March, construction started on 32 single-family homes and 18 multi-family units, together representing an 85 per cent increase over March of last year.
Meanwhile, the first three months of the year have recorded 91 single-family housing starts and 40 multi-family starts, for a combined increase of 118 per cent over the same period in 2005.
Kelowna and Penticton continue to see housing starts rise as well, whereas Vernon has experienced a decline.
Reasons for the continued rise in new home construction, said Fabri, are the same as they have been for a while - an expanding economy, new jobs, more people, and relatively low interest rates.
The latest figures from CMHC represent the best quarter for housing starts in Kamloops in 12 years.

A big development for Penticton called Alysen place. Not crazy about the name. Three big condos eight stories each.

http://www.alysenplace.com/location.htm

There are pics at.

http://www.pilotpacific.com/projects.html

There is also Harrison Landing, but it seems to be in the begining stages.

cool , Penticton is a great Place , reminds me of Florida for some reason.

Revitalization underway

Kamloops' downtown core continues changing as two separate developments are expected to get underway this spring and summer.
Plans to replace a commercial-residential building at the intersection of Seymour Street and Third Avenue are still in their infancy stages.
The building, home to the popular Jade Garden Rest aurant, is owned by Plainsman Companies.
Jim Thomson, the company's owner, said he is contemplating tearing down the existing structure and replacing it with a new one, possibly another commercial-residential building. So far, however, nothing is definite, and no development permit has been submitted to city hall.
"We're thinking about it," he said. "Nothing's been decided yet."
Should Thomson go ahead and replace the existing building, the zoning of the property allows for a building up to eight storeys high. The existing building is two storeys: commercial at the bottom, residential on top.
A parking lot behind the building, used by employees of businesses in the area, is also part of Thomson's property.
Thomson said he expects to make a decision within the next two months, noting he doesn't wish to alarm existing tenants. Should he decide to tear down the structure, they will receive "lots of notice," he said.
The tenants include the Jade Garden Restaurant, Oops Cafe, Healthy Life Nutrition and Willms Architectural Scale Models. Two commercial spaces are vacant. Thomson said he bought the property about two years ago.
A few blocks to the southeast, across the street from the YMCA, a parking lot is to be transformed into a building housing 15 luxury suites, according to a sign on the property advertising the development.
In May, council will be asked to review a development permit for the property, said Randy Lambright, the city's community development supervisor.

KAMLOOPS LAKE PROJECT TO OPEN HOUSE
The developer of a proposed resort community at Tranquille Farm hopes those opposed to the removal of land from the site will see the project’s environmental benefits.

Russ Cundari, president of B.C. Wilderness Tours Inc., said a letter was sent to councillors by Karen Willies, director of the Kamloops Naturalist Club, saying members were “unanimously in support of the retention of agricultural land within the Agricultural Land Reserve.”

The letter points out the area was used to grow hay, corn and other fruits and vegetables. The KNC is concerned the development will disrupt the land and any wildlife grazing in the area.

Cundari assured the group the project is designed to enhance the environment around it. Contractors will update the area’s irrigation system and remove hazardous asbestos when they remove the existing buildings.

“Agricultural land will take up three-quarters of the property,” he said.

“We’re still going to have agricultural land and make sure it’s kept up in future years.”

This includes conditioning soil for the vineyards and orchards that are a big part of the proposal, he said.

“Instead of focusing on the land that has to come out they should look at the end of the day and how the land is being utilized,” Cundari said.

He invited people to bring their concerns to a public meeting at City Hall Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The meeting is the latest step in B.C. Wilderness Tours’ bid to gain council’s support as the project goes before the Agricultural Land Commission.

Cundari said the 150 people who came out to last week’s public meeting were supportive of the project overall.

Coun. Tina Lange said the community will not only be a beautiful residential area but also a tourist draw attracting people from all over the world.

“What they are proposing fits beautifully into the KAMPLAN. In my mind it’s a slam dunk,” she said.

Coun. Peter Milobar said he will reserve any decision until after the public meeting.

“I’ll hear the concerns the developer has and the public has and then make a decision,” he said.

The proposal includes 320 single-family homes, 900 multifamily units, a four-star hotel, golf course and marina on Kamloops Lake.

I would really like anyone who wants to to complete this survey . Right now a lot of projects are beeing looked at because Nimbies are calling them bad .
Help us folks in Kamloops out http://www.kamloops.ca/survey/index.html

Kamloops defies national trends
Real-estate demand in Kamloops continues to skyrocket, despite a national trend showing a decline in housing starts.
Last month, the number of single-detached and multiple-family housing starts in Kamloops jumped 40 per cent from April 2005.
"We have seen the cost of labour and materials go up quite sharply and the cost of building lots have gone up," said Paul Fabri, a market analyst with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
"All the fundamentals that are driving housing in B.C. are very positive."
Nationally, housing starts have fallen 13 per cent, seeing drops in every province, with only modest declines in B.C. at 2.3 per cent.
Fabri said it is hard to say when Kamloops and B.C. will align themselves with the rest of the country, but he predicts a strong housing market well into 2006.
"But I don't want to overstate that," he said.
"I think it is going to be strong, but I do think we will see it begin to flatten out."
Donna McMillan, a realtor with Realty Executives, said despite the growing market, Kamloops is still an affordable place to buy a home in B.C.
She said housing costs in Kamloops have not caught up with the rest of the province, where costs have hit record highs.
But she isn't under any illusions that the rising real estate market will last forever.
"If you look at graphs from the last 20 years, back in the 1980s it just dropped all of the sudden," she said. "What goes up must come down."
In the first four months of 2006, housing starts in Kamloops have increased 81 per cent over the same time period in 2005. The city saw 40 new single-detached units and 52 multiple-dwelling units since January.
Nationally, overall housing starts in April dropped to 218,000 units, down from 251,700 from the previous month. Quebec and the Prairies saw the biggest drop in housing starts, down 24.7 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

Airport numbers rise

Kamloops Airport saw 10 per cent more travellers in April than during the same month last year.
In April, 12,200 people used Kamloops Airport in their travel plans, an increase of 1,075 travellers over April 2005, when 11,125 people used the facility. Airport manager Fred Legace said that, although a significant portion of the increase in travel activity is indicative of the continuing economic activity in the region, it also includes a degree of additional capacity with the Air Canada Jazz fleet.
There were more aircraft of the larger size compared to April 2005.
Meanwhile, the roadway and parking lot lighting upgrade project is near completion and people visiting Kamloops Airport in the darkness can expect a brighter welcome and be seen easier. The $184,000 project was funded by the Kamloops Airport Authority Society.

:) Culos developments just announced they are building 4 , five story condos and a 21 story condo in Kamloops ASAP !!!! when I get more I will post more !

SOME SHOTS I TOOK TODAY AROUND TOWN !!! :)

TAKEN AT SUN RIVERS ( Kamloops indian band ) .

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T.R.U. area taken today
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and some one made this , standing on Campus grounds ( thought it was neat )
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/GALEA065.jpg

^That's really creepy :( Makes me sad

Anyway, Kamloops seems to be booming eh? Pretty spiffy!

yep good times ahead. I will be posting many other location in Kamloops soon , as yesterday was my first real oppertunity to take decent pics.

:) Culos developments just announced they are building 4 , five story condos and a 21 story condo in Kamloops ASAP !!!! when I get more I will post more !


I heard that they may be building it. They still have to go through a bunch of stuff like paper work, a public hearing, and to see if that property can even hold the weight of a 21 storey structure. I could almost see it not being built to tell you the truth. besides that does anyone know anything about that hotel project that they are starting on in northshore kamloops across from northills mall?

I have a contact at City hall , he said that the Geo testing is done and the area can support a building that size.

The hotel will be changed and down scaled as Ive been told by Dave Freeman ( city of Kamloops) . Originally they were pushing for 2/ 10 story towers but the owner of the land said no . Now it will include condos , and townhouses as well as new comercial and office space.
I also spoke to the manager at Walmart and he said " by 2008 , there will be a second walmart in Kamloops " . that is great news, by the way nice to see another person from Kamloops here !

I figured that they would have actually decided to build up for once with that new hotel project. Turns out according to what you have just told me, again they are not going to expand up but out instead. I ve been on the north shore ( Brock actually) my whole life and i was amazed when they actually built something over 4 storeys tall (new retirement home) in that area. I did that survey that the city had going for the north shore and i even put down that with limited space on the north shore, wouldn't it be wise to grow up instead of out? seems to make sense doesn't it?

The hotel and office building is supposed to be betweeen 4-6 stories , so it could be worse.

I also did the survey and said the same thing in the comment section .
" a city that contains only about 88,000 people and to drive from one end to the other takes over an hour"? ( Black pool - River shore ) . Thats an issue . We are the appidimy of spawl . But I do think that will change . I have heard rumors of a tower beeing built where the old Sun Country Toyota was , climbing to a nice 15-19 stories. We will see though . The hotel by the River project is dead to I guess. We do have to look forward to the YMCA project and 2 towers down town though .
http://www.kamloops.ca/400BlockCharette/images/heartbeat.jpg

Wildlife park opens $3.2M cornerstone attraction
The B.C. Wildlife Park officially opened the cornerstone of its New Vision Thursday, the $3.2-million Discovery Centre.

As a crowd of dignitaries and supporters listened, park manager Rob Purdy and president Mary Ann Milobar spoke of the facility as the first step toward the park’s future as a premier zoological facility in the province.

“This is really just a tremendously exciting day for us at the park,” Milobar said.

She credited the City of Kamloops for making the initial grant of $1.2 million.

“We fully realize that without that founding support from the City of Kamloops the rest of the investment would not have happened.”

An additional $2 million from the Canada British Columbia Infrastructure Program enabled the project to proceed. The building was completed on time and on budget, no minor accomplishment during a construction boom, Milobar noted.

It is now in the final stages of display completion with a public opening set for June 4, Purdy said.

Several speakers, including local MLAs, noted the importance of the park’s New Vision to regional tourism in that it will encourage highway visitors to stop over.

As the entry point for the park the centre contains the B.C. Adventure Gallery, filled with interactive displays that examine the province’s five main habitats — rain forest, mountain, Interior Plateau, grassland and boreal forest. Wildlife, such as a burrowing owl representing the park’s ongoing captive breeding project, is incorporated behind glass.

The new Great Blue Heron Café was named after a glass etching donated to the facility by local artist Chuck St. John. A new gift shop, Naturally Yours, features the work of local artisans.

The Exploration Corner, funded by the Ministry of Environment, is set aside for wildlife encounters led by park interpreters. The ministry and park have signed a 10-year partnership agreement to co-operate in wildlife interpretation and promoting sustainable living.

Purdy quoted E.O. Wilson, a leading U.S. scientist, who wrote that “the challenge of the current century is how we’re going to achieve a sustainable society.”

Wilson has written that the planet benefits from species diversity, with more emerging than disappearing over the geological time scale.

“There is now twice the species diversity than we’ve had over the past 450 million years. He points out, though, that in the next 45 years we will be faced with some massive extinctions. One of the exciting things about the B.C. Wildlife Park is being a forum to talk about just that.”

New Y boss foresees growth

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

Colin Reid, the new chief executive officer of the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA, expects to see the downtown YMCA facility grow, both in membership and actual building size.

He's only been here three months and already, Colin Reid's got some big ideas for the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA.

The new CEO, a veteran in public recreation and YMCA-YWCA work, said in his experience, the Kamloops facility is the smallest of all Y facilities in the province.

"If you were going to build a new Y in a community this size today, we'd have a building that would be two to three times the size of the current building and would serve between 50 and 100 per cent more people," said Reid.

Which is exactly the road he wants to go down, one way or another.

Growth is his strategy for the future and he has been exploring a number of options he inherited with the job.

The expansion of the downtown facility through the redevelopment of the 400-block of Battle and St. Paul streets is the No. 1 option.

Discussions are underway with property owners about possible redevelopment, which, if approved, would take several years to complete and millions of dollars to finance.

In the event that option fails, Reid said the existing facility could be modernized or satellite operations could be added throughout the community as needed.

"The Kamloops Y has to grow to service the growing needs of the community and we've got some exciting ideas on some things, but not on all things," he said.

Two that are certain are the newly acquired residential camp at Deka Lake in the Cariboo and the continued support of children's services.

The Y provides a number of services involving children, particularly through the Child-Care Resource and Referral Centre.

Camp Deka is replacing the aged Camp Chemo. It opens July 10.

"The main focus of the Y is fitness, health and recreation, and we serve a high volume of people in that area and our goal is to serve more - that's the bottom line," said Reid.

The Kamloops Y serves approximately 6,000 members at two sites and he wants to increase that number by 1,000 to 1,500 in the next year.

Hailing from Prince George, he said he is settling into the south nicely and is looking forward to the seasonal activities Kamloops has to offer.

I work in construction and such so i follow what goes on in the city. you seem to do they same judging by all the posts you have and what you have put on this thread alone. I remember how the city was stoked on that water front hotel project and how it crumbled because of the cost of the pilings to pound in the ground. It was unfortunate that we lost that hotel project, it would have been a great asset to the downtown in my opinion.

ps, Have you seen that new project that PCL is doing At TRU? i saw a smaller crane set up behind the new addition on the aquatics center and im curious as to what they are building, thanks

I thought PHI owns the land on the north shore. i remember hearing that they bought it like 6 months ago

Hmm , I did not know that .
All I know is that its nice to see equipment on site finally & they are doing somthing to boot. Kamloops is really doing well with the infill approach , soon there will be no vacant spot's and we will have to go up ! ;)

yeah id have to agree with the space running out. all the empty lots in brock that were once orchards are now turning into subdivisions and all the land that has been set aside for construction in batch is all spoken for it looks like.

ps, Have you seen that new project that PCL is doing At TRU? i saw a smaller crane set up behind the new addition on the aquatics center and im curious as to what they are building, thanks

Yes I have , ( sorry I must have missed your post ) .
I dont know what it is , but a crane like that is only brought in for something that will be above 4 stories . SO , I have no clue what it is .
I will how ever get a pic of it soon , so that we may Scutinize .
did I mention how much better it is to have a Kamloops person here on this thread if you can tell by the post's .... Its been almost all a solo job . :)

I wandered into this site about 2 weeks ago when i was trying to figure out if that battle street project was actually going to happen this year. I read through everything in western canada and came across your posts and your threads.
Since they built that large tower at TRU, ive been paying more attention to construction around the city to see if it was possible for kamloops to build one or two high rises a year like our rival city does. So far they are talking about that 21 storey high rise at the corner of mcgill and summit, that 8 storey building downtown where jade garden currently is, that 15-19 storey high rise where the old dealership is and battle street...thats a lot of projects in one year.
Now, if they actually start on any of them..or better yet all of them that would boost the economy like crazy and i bet we would break over $200 million in construction again this year.
I tried to get a good picture of that PCL construction site behind the aquatics center but it was too dark and it looked crappy through my windshield and i have no idea how to upload pics on here, or else id be uploading like the way you do.

to upload a pic is pretty simple but it took a while to figure out .
if you take a pic on your camera save them to your computer .
visit this site : http://photobucket.com/ . Upload the pics toit ( it is pretty easy , select upload and it will ask where from , just chooses " my pics" in windows. From there you can post them using IMG style. photobucket creates the the you need.

here is another way to do it .
Right click on any pic on the internet
it will bring up a menu .
choose properties.
once properties is open Copy the URL address . http://www.funnytimes.com/store/images/canada.jpg
like so .
now that shows nothing .
you need to put this [img] at the front and this at the end .
put them togeather and you have this
http://www.funnytimes.com/store/images/canada.jpg
Let me know if you have trouble and look forward to your pics !

i'll get some pics on here pretty quick, hopefully by the latest of friday. I'll get some pics of downtown like the tallest buildings in kamloops (Acia tower at 14 storeys and the garglardi building a 13 storey's whoo hooo!, i bet somebody from kelowna will toss in their 22 storey high rise if i do that) and maybe some pics of my stomping grounds here in brock and current construction like that intense hotel project (yeah right) and whatever is going on behind that aquatics center, unless you beat me to it.

your on ! may the best man win :)

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There you have it, i took like 40 pictures in like 30 minutes today and posted them all on here.
Some pictures might look at little grainy because they were taken through my windshield, but all in all i think they turned out all right.
I missed a few buildings downtown but im sure rhino will probably pick them up.
It would be nice to see other people add pictures to this thread.

PS. i won! :)

yeah , yeah , Im still at work . I will get more pics soon . maybe even today I will hmmmmm. I wonder. I do have some really nice ones I will post later today !

not able to post anything :(
MICROSOFT blocked me out of my PC last night , crap! Im at work now .

im curious to see what you have to post.
i was blocked out of this website last night too, and therefore i couldnt post anything.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/newretirementhome.jpg

Forgot to upload that one (above) yesterday.

nice , I reformated PC and am back in buisness. Tomorrow is supposed to be really nice so I will be out getting good shots after I leave the office . Maybe , a river side park walk through? We will see . oh if you have a Pirated or borowed version of XP ( anyone ) do not to the Windows updates from thier site . I lost all my pics and everything!!

oh , right I do have some pics but not much as it was not my cam. I had yesterday . Oh Trevor , any idea what counselor Arjun Singh would have been talking about when he said they appoved a new condo project in Batchlor heights?

any ways here are some pics, notice I get out of my vehicle ;)
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I think they meant expensive ... :) http://www.saddlebackhills.com
Believe there is only 3 left... Phase 2 comming soon !
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OLD ONE
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DOPE NIGHT TIME SHOTS
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http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/131725726_4f43e715b6.jpg

http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals/uploads/kamloops/.DIR288/old_courthouse_exterior_EAG_CYMK_060602.jpg

TOTAL COST: $1.6 M
So says mayor, as he estimates sale price and renovations of the old courthouse .
The City of Kamloops has outlined an ambitious renovation plan that will turn the newly purchased heritage courthouse into a cultural centre for the area.

Arts and cultural development supervisor Barb Berger said the overhaul will see the creation of multiple art studios and galleries.

"There are so many potential uses for this building," she said Wednesday as she stood in the main courtroom, which will be turned into a rental hall for banquets and weddings.

"People will be visiting for a number of different reasons."

She said she hopes all construction and restorations are completed by the spring of 2007.

But a close 5-4 city council vote almost saw the purchase of the property fall by the wayside, with some councillors fearing renovation cost overruns.

"I think it is a good project, I just didn't want to do it at any cost," said Coun. Arjun Singh.

"I don't want to see more money spent on what could be a money sinkhole for the city."

He said the costs put forward to council were not hard numbers, and that even city real estate manager Dave Freeman called the renovation figures "guestimates."

Singh added now that council has approved the purchase, he thinks it could be a worthwhile project.

Mayor Terry Lake said the renovation costs are pegged at about $800,000, with some of that expected to be covered by money generated from the property over the next few years.

He said the initial $810,000 cost to purchase the building will come out of prior budget surpluses.

Lake attributed the close council vote to the fact the city has recently approved multiple major construction projects.

"We have gone through an extensive period of bricks and mortar and I think some people just want to take a bit of a breath," he said.

"We are comfortable with the renovation costs," Lake said.

Coun. Tina Lang said the purchase will be one more reason for tourists and culture groups to come downtown.

She said the courthouse is one of the city's premier heritage buildings and should not be turned over to private groups.

"The one thing we have lacked in our community is culture and heritage," said Lang. "The strength of your city is directly measurable by the strength of your downtown."

In 1991, the city was offered the courthouse for $1, but declined to purchase for fears the dilapidated building would lead to skyrocketing restoration costs.

"Many people thought that was an opportunity we let slip," said Lake.

Since then, Hostelling International, the company that sold the building to the city, has put $500,000 into repairs and upgrades.

The courthouse was built in 1907 by the same architects who designed the Empress Hotel in Victoria, at a 20,000$ price tag .

June 2006
KIB begins $17-million wastewater system process


The Kamloops Indian Band (KIB) has hired TRUE Engineering Ltd. of Kamloops to conduct a feasibility study for the band's proposed wastewater system.

The study will look at a range of options for the collection, treatment and disposal connected to such a system which, when complete, will eliminate hundreds of septic fields on Kamloops Indian Reserve #1.

"This will be the economic component that will drive our government for many years to come - in leasing and property tax revenue and employment opportunities - for the betterment of all our people towards self-sufficiency," KIB Chief Shane Gottfriedson said.

"The wastewater system is the final piece of the strategic puzzle for the major initiatives outlined in the Kamloops Indian Band Strategic Plan."

The proposed wastewater system includes about 20 kilometres of collection and trunk main pipes, a treatment plant and effluent disposal system, all of which will be located on band land, directly north across the Thompson River from the City of Kamloops.

Gottfriedson said TRUE Engineering was chosen based on the company's experience with similar-sized systems, effective scheduling and a "good balance of effort" over all components of the project.

Gottfriedson said the feasibility study should be completed by the fall, with the design and construction stage set to follow.

"We are targeting December 2007 for the system to be up and running," he said.

The total cost of the wastewater system is approximately $17 million, with funding coming from the Kamloops Indian Band, the federal government and revenue from development cost charges.

Gottfriedson said the project will go a long way to improving the environment on the reserve via the elimination of the septic fields, noting the system will move the treatment process away from homes and businesses and protect groundwater by containing wastewater until it reaches the treatment plant.

Excellent photos, Rhino. I have been really busy all weekend, big golf party on friday night and trying to put in 14 hour days for work so i haven't had a chance to pay attention to any news so far.
I didn't even know there was a condo project happening in batch, even though i live close to that area and dirt bike up there at least once a week.
Im interested in seeing how it will turn out.

by the way, ill get out of my vehicle next time i take pictures only if i have more than 30 minutes to spare :)

deal , lol :)

I drove past the old toyota dealership on my way to subway today and i noticed that the for sale sign on it is gone.
I'm guessing it sold.
Maybe ill eat those words that i said earlier about there not being any new landmarks in town for five years.
I'm hoping construction on high-rises takes off like crazy here in town like it is all over the lower mainland and the okanagon
Let's cross our fingers on something big. :)

It would be nice to see if anyone else adds to this thread like Rhino and i do.
I noticed there were some other people who did in previous pages but not for awhile.
You guys should post some photos or something.

there are not enough people from other places any more ( besides the Lower main land and victoria ) . Kev the burnerator and is one I know and there are more some where . I guess there is NOTHING going on in thier cities .... To bad fro them ..... ;)

yeah too bad their cities aren't enjoying the boom like ours is.
Did you hear that the bank of montreal building downtown is up for sale?
city hall thought about purchasing it but went for the old courthouse instead.

really ? That internet company i-Compass Technologies should buy it . I heard they were looking to expand .

yeah they could look into it.
Im pretty sure that building is up for like 15 million or more, it's 9 stories tall and at least 50 thousand sq feet.
It would have been kinda cool if city hall relocated into a building of that size.

it's been dead around here for awhile, anything new going on..anyone?

lol , I havent seen much , Im still planning on going and doing more photo taken soon
( Landsdown Center , Airport , Downtown and maybe sun peaks. ) I have some shots from the Wild Life park on the 7th of June , and some local Hidden Hideway's right here in town . Tomorrow is last day of the week for me so I will hopefully be up and picture show'n by monday aftrenoon ! what about you ? no pics? Or news?

Umm im working towards some pictures actually. Problem is I drive a v-8 so gas to me is like $30 nearly everyday. I know i sound cheap, but i got my truck up for sale and im going to downgrade to something considerably smaller so i can drive around a lot more and get more pics from around town and maybe from other interior cities.
As for news, as i mentioned earlier I think the old toyota dealership sold, seeing as how the forsale sign is gone. Im hoping on a biggie in that location. I heard that the groundbreaking for the hotel on the north shore should begin sometime this week. I wonder if they'll bring in a crane for it. Im hoping it will turn out to bigger than what you told me it was supposed to be because that hotel company PHI owns the land so i dunno. If so, it will be nice to have a visible landmark for the Northshore, for as we all know there is nothing exceeding 6 stories on that side of the river yet.
I also noticed a new rezoning sign downtown on an empty dug up parking lot on Seymour i think it was (correct me if im wrong, but i wasn't paying attention to the street i was on) It's probably not for anything big, or else one of us would have heard about it.

hmmm . Maybe I'll place some calls tomorrow and see what i can find out .
there must be something going on or somehting in the works some where that we dont know about yet .

That would be great if you place the phone calls because you seem to have reliable connections.
Did you hear the latest about the heritage building downtown that city hall bought? The city can't afford to do upgrades on it like installing a/c and doing renovations. Smart choice they made eh? lol!

I am calling Jeff Putnam this afternoon . Hopfully he'll have some goddies.
He told me about the 21 story tower project in December of 05 ! .

Awesome! he'll know whats going on.
I also heard about that big project last year or the year before.
But it wasen't anything near what it is proposed to be now, i think before it was supposed to be a buncha townhouses and condos not exceeding 4 stories.

hmmm . I was unable to reach MR. Putnam , but I did speak to a nother Guy named Mike who knew what was going on . Here is the scoop. NOTHING .
Everything that was mentioned during our call We all ready know about and posted info on like 6-7 months ago . I dont know . That sucks. Maybe they are just trying to be tight lipped about things and dont want the public to know. He asked for the web address to this site , so Maybe He will check it out . .

oh ,and the TOYOTA location on the N/S is suppoed to be a retail project of some sorts. no specifics. once again NO high RISE for the N/S . surprise.

So much for the northshore becoming more attractive. This is shitty for kamloops, it seems that even though we have a construction boom going on,(i don't even know if we do anymore) we have next to nothing to show for it.
I just stumbled across an article on the westin hotel being built in kelowna in my dads monthly British Columbia magazine. Now theres a construction boom.
I don't think there are gonna be any big projects in town for quite awhile unless you hear different.

the problem are the people who live here . WINE BITCH WINE , I dont want that built here , I dont like the noise , I dont like the people beeing in my neighbour hood etc.
There all a bunch of old ass holes that should learn to shut the hell up .
I wrote a letter to the news paper like a year ago about this sort of thing . They dont want big projects because then they feel the city has changed, WELL GUESS WHAT .
It is not 1958 anymore pops . your not going to drive to the Roller rink and hold hands with your honey okay . Your not going to pick apples in the Orchards that belong to the Town of Brock . ITS ALL DIFFERENT NOW . These OLD FARTS dont give a shit about the city getting bigger or better . They want to remove roads and ride horse back for Christ sakes. they dont care about the jobs that say a big hotel would bring .
They want the city to RE gress . They should realize they are not the ones the city is working for now , there time is up and they need to shut up and move over.
I went to the open house for theHotel in River side park and got the chance to speak on behalf of the project because it wouls have meant something to me . The people who were apposed had no reason to be there at all . A group of old woman ( 70 -90 years old ) got up and sang songs about the 20's . What the hell does that have to do with anything ? One of the woman was asked what she had against the hotel by a reporter and she responded
" Hello Jason , could you take me to the bathroom " . SHE HAD NO CLUE WHERE SHE EVEN WAS or what she was doing there . She was just brought to fill seats for the ass holes. The mayor eventually told the Nay sayers if they didnt have anything intelegent to say not to bother getting up . FUCK I HATE THEM !

Well put my friend. very well spoken rant, you know exactly why we don't get shit for new buildings in town. the only old people i know who aren't like that are my grandparents, they have lived in kamloops since the mid 40s and they believe in change. Both of them are pushing 90 as well! I think its unfourtunate that these old people seem to be getting their way. this should not be allowed, its a drag on the economy. New projects like high rises and new bussiness create jobs for us still working. this in turn equals economic spin off from people spending their hard earned pay cheques in the community. when you have old and retired people bitching about this shit it pisses me off, THEY ARE RETIRED, they don't put anything back into the economy. if there aren't enough new jobs how do we support these old fuckers hmm??
It's unfourtunate that the raging grannies ( what a lame name) came to that public meeting for that proposed water front hotel saying it was bad. that irratated me. my uncle had a chance to go to that meeting and he said it was annoying to watch the old hags bitch about not wanting the hotel built. they got their way in the end, even though it wasent them that stopped it from being built but i bet they'll go to the grave with a smile on their face.

I got some good news on that project for the corner of mcgill and summit!
It turns out i work with a guy at my other job as a baker for coopers foods who knows Frank Culos (Mike Culos's brother) very well. He told me that no matter what Mike is going to build that 21 story high rise. When the public meeting happens im going to go and speak my mind about how this will benefit the community. Screw the old people scared of change!!!

yeah , I will go with you man for sure!

hah, did you hear about the results of the survey for the north shore infrastructure? It was 46% opposed to high rise developements, 46% all for it and 8% undecided. One of the things that was said in conjunction about opposing high rises was that it would block the views of the mountains....come on now for fuck sakes, go and take a walk to mcarthur island if you wanna see mountains, thats what the park is there for. Not tooention those living in the high rise buildings are the ones with the screaming views. This would attract people for sure, espicially those selling their damn near million dollar houses houses in Vancouver and then moving here to downgrade to a fancy condo.

well at least we know that 46 % of the people are not stupid. I think that would be enough to convice council if the opption came up .

West Jet more or less officially has puled of stakes now , but who cares . AIR CANADA JAZZ said it will probably start landing these bad boys here soon
http://www.aircanada.jp/images/fleet-CRJb-A.jpg
We should support a carrier that wants to be here !
Kelowna to Calgary on W/J is 256.oo$ return
Kamloops to Calgary on ACJ is 313.oo$ return. big deal , only I dont have to drive
to Kelowna.

Unemployment hits all-time low

Unemployment in the Thompson-Okanagan is at an all-time low, dropping 0.7 per cent in the last month alone, according to B.C. labour statistics.

Provincewide, 62,900 new jobs were created in the last 12 months, giving B.C. the third-lowest unemployment rate in the country at 4.7 per cent - the lowest in 30 years.

"We are pretty much at full employment," said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger.

"It is really nice to see jobs chasing people instead of people chasing jobs."

Thompson-Okanagan unemployment dropped to 5.3 per cent from six per cent between April and May.

Krueger credits the 2010 Winter Olympic Games as the catalyst for the major job creation that is happening in the province.

"We are cashing in on all the economic opportunities leading up to [the Olympics] and after."

But NDP economic development critic Mike Farnworth said the B.C. Liberals are taking advantage of a commodities boom that will not last forever.

He told KTW the Liberal government does not have a long-term economic plan and is only riding the financial benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympics.

"What is required is an economic vision," said Farnworth, "not a boom- and-bust policy like this government is following."

Farnworth said the low unemployment numbers are a warning sign of what will happen following the commodities boom and the Olympics.

But Krueger dismissed Farnworth's as sour grapes, opining that the NDP is scrambling for something negative to say.

"That is just silly," he said.

"The NDP is so embarrassed by their performance in the 1990s."

Krueger said it is not just the resource sector that is booming, but construction and retail as well.

Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen said commodity rates were similar during the NDP's reign in the 1990s, when economic growth in the province was at an all-time low.

"We spent the first five years of our mandate just getting our house in order," Hansen told KTW.

"We are now seeing record levels of investment in B.C."

He said provincewide unemployment statistics are the lowest they have been in 30 years, when the government started to keep track of labour numbers.

A provincial government press release said that since 2001, close to 300,000 jobs have been created across the province.

The Lower Mainland unemployment rate dropped 0.1 per cent, while the Kootenays and North Coast regions dropped by more than one per cent, over the last month.

The Island Coast saw employment gains as well.

The only region in the province to see unemployment rise in the last month was the Cariboo, which jumped to 6.9 per cent from 5.9 per cent.

Apparently, those wonderful old people who never oppose change are putting up a fuss over the tranquile resort plans. they do not want to see such a spectacular project turn out. now why would these charming aging folk want to do such a thing hmmmmm?

doesnt matter , its allready been pushed through , TO LATE ASS HOLES !

when was it pushed through? i must have missed something somewhere.

thats what Mike at Venture Kamloops told me , I was unaware as well . He said the Marina will be operational soon . did you know that between the Kamloops lake project and the one by Cherry Creek , the total amount spent on the combine projects is over 1 Billion dollars ? !
I had NO idea , but that is also what he told me .

holy shit son, 1 billion dollars...thats a disgusting amount of money. good for us though i have to say. do you happen to know what size of buildings are going into the kamloops on the lake and the 6 mile ranch project? i heard of some up scale hotels..dunno how big though. Also, have you been out to 6 mile ranch lately to view the developement thats going on right now? im going to try to make it out there hopefully one of these days and get some photos of current construction.

I was at 6 mile about 3 weeks ago , all the ground is cleared and graded & they have a new club house or discovery center built as well .
The buildings in the Kamloops lake project : a few will be 4-5 stories ( about 6 of them ) with a complete town center with upscale restraunts. They will also have thier own Water treatment plant !



SMALL RUN DOWN OF BIGGIES IN KAMLOOPS
===================================
The Lansdowne Village
Thompson Park Mall Ph: (250) 828-3311(City of Kamloops)
Thompson Park Mall will be redeveloped into a market style mall called
The Lansdowne Village, to include facilities for Coopers Foods and
London Drugs.
Status: Proposed Start: February 2006
Est. Cost ($ million): 15

Water Front Hotel
The City of Kamloops is exploring the potential for a four-star waterfront
hotel and convention centre. Two proposals were submitted in response
to the Citys call for Expressions of Interest. One of the proposals includes
160-rooms, convention facilities, a health spa, 200-seat restaurant, retail
stores, marina and river-front entertainment facility. Rezoning is
completed. The city is re-assessing the project.
Status: Proposed Start: ?
Est. Cost ($ million): 30
who new this eh?

Afton Copper/Gold Project
DRC Resources Corporation Ph: (604) 687-1629
The pre-feasibility study for the Afton Copper-Gold Project 10km west of
Kamloops was completed Oct 2003. The mine is expected to have 51.5
million tonnes of production at 9000 tonnes per day with a mine life of 17
years. A feasibility study is underway and expected to complete in Jun
2006. Website: www.drcresources.com
Status: Proposed Start: Early 2008
Est. Cost ($ million): 140 Finish: Fall 2008

Tobiano Project
Pagebrook Inc. Ph: (250) 314-0660
A Residential Resort development on the 17,000 acre Six Mile Ranch
site. 1000-acres of land was removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve
and will be the location for this project. The development plan calls for
over a 1000 homes, a hotel and retail stores, as well as, an 18-hole golf
course, designed by Tom McBroom, which is under construction and will
open Jun 2007. Included in the project are a marina, equestrian centre
and trail network.
Status: Proposed Start: Summer 2006
Est. Cost ($ million): 500 Finish: 2016

Kamloops Sewage Treatment Plant
City of Kamloops Ph: (250) 828-3467
The city has reviewed various wastewater treatment plant options,
reviewing conventional processing versus membrane technology through
a number of studies. Detailed design will complete in early 2006. Funding
approvals required.
Status: On hold Start: ?
Est. Cost ($ million): 50
Finish: ?

Thompson River Veneer Products Ltd.
Webb & Associates Ph: (250) 374-3734
Thompson River Veneer is building a wood and steel 75,600 sq. ft.
industrial building for its value-added business. The business will employ
up to 90 people. City council approved the development permit Aug
2005. A second phase to this project is being considered.
Status: Construction started Start: Oct 2005
Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Finish: Summer 2006

Tournament Capital Facilities Expansion Project
City of Kamloops Ph: (250) 828-3311 (Kamloops City)
A multi-phased project to include renovations and redevelopment of
facilities at the Hillside Stadium and McArthur Island Sports complex (ice
rinks, soccer, baseball). Current projects at McArthur Island facility
underway include renovations to Norbrock Baseball Stadium, which will
double the seating capacity to 1,500 - completed in Jul 2005, Phase 1
installation of five out of 12 new ball fields and seven soccer pitches, two
completed in Jul 2005, and installation of a new $10 million Olympic size
ice sheet, which is completed. Projects at the Hillside Stadium include:
outdoor track and playing fields with a 1000 seat stadium ($7 million)
started on schedule in the Summer 2005, indoor track and field facilities
($23 million) to commence after the outdoor facilities, to complete in Oct
2006.
Status: Construction started Start: Dec 2004
Est. Cost ($ million): 50
Finish: Oct 2006

Thompson River University/Residence & Conference Centre
Thompson Rivers University Ph: (250) 828-5000
Plans include a 584-bed student housing complex including an approx
210,000 sq ft, 11-storey conference centre which is currently under
construction. Architect: Moffat Kinoshita Architects and PCL Westcoast
Construction. An expansion to the old main building will also be
constructed, as well as a new library. Website: www.cariboo.bc.ca
Status: Construction started Start: Apr 2005
Est. Cost ($ million): 65
Finish: Aug 2006

Sun Peaks Ski Resort
Sun Peaks Resort Corp. Ph: (250) 578-7222
Development of 23,000-beds as part of a long-term plan to be developed
in four phases. Phase 1 is complete, which included the 230-room Delta
Sun Peaks Hotel and a $70 million expansion to skiing on Mt. Morrissey
which opened up 600 acres of new terrain. Trapper’s Landing, 40 units of
townhouses, 4-plexes and duplexes, completed in Mar 2005. Stone’s
Throw is finalizing construction on two buildings, Phase 1, 2 and 3
completed Aug 2005. Phase 4 and 5 currently under construction and will
complete Feb 2006. Woodhaven, Phase 1, of a 22 unit condominium is
under construction and will complete Fall 2006. Phase 2, a 26 unit
condominium will begin construction Fall 2006. Lookout Ridge part of a
new East Village subdivision launched Nov 2005. The Residences, a
condo hotel, will start construction Spring 2006 expecting to complete in
Early 2007. Capital improvements of $10 million made to the resort,
including an expansion of the water reservoir were completed Summer
2005. Website: www.sunpeaksresort.com
Status: Construction started Start: 1993
Est. Cost ($ million): 635
Finish: 2015

Thompson River University/Residence & Conference Centre
Thompson Rivers University Ph: (250) 828-5000
Plans include a 584-bed student housing complex including an approx
210,000 sq ft, 11-storey conference centre which is currently under
construction. Architect: Moffat Kinoshita Architects and PCL Westcoast
Construction. An expansion to the old main building will also be
constructed, as well as a new library. Website: www.cariboo.bc.ca
Status: Construction started Start: Apr 2005
Est. Cost ($ million): 65
Finish: Aug 2006

Trucking Service Area
Atrium Mortgage Corp/City of Kamloops/BC Government
Ph: (250) 374-1322
A truck service centre, hotel, fast-food services, an industrial park and
residential development is under construction at Campbell Creek. A
highway interchange at O’Connor Rd was built to replace two
intersections and 2.4 km of the TransCanada were realigned from Main
Rd to east of Peerless Rd. Roadwork is complete. Phase 1, fuel
bar/restaurant and convenience store are complete. The hotel
construction is on hold. Other potential services are in the proposal stage.
Status: Construction started Start: Fall 2004
Est. Cost ($ million): 25
Finish: 2007

Sun Rivers Community
Sun Rivers Development Corp. Ph: (250) 828-9989
Development of a country club, residential units, school, and retail and
commercial space on a 460 acre site near Hwy 16. The project will
eventually contain 2,500 single- and multi-family residential units, with
eight phases in total. An 18-hole golf course and a driving range are
complete. Development of Phase 1 of the single-family units: The
Fairways, a 9-townhouse unit, and the Sagewood are complete.
Construction of the Mariposa and Trillium neighborhoods are well
underway. The Rosewood, which will have 60 units, is under construction.
The Ninth Green, a 41 unit adult community is nearing completion.
Currently developers are being sought for the development of a 120–250
room resort hotel, townhouses, condominiums, seniors complex and
commercial sites. Website: www.sunrivers.com
Status: Construction started Start: 1997
Est. Cost ($ million): 450
Finish: 2010

well, it looks like theres a ton going out into construction for the next 10 years or so. no visible major landmarks except for that 21 story high rise are in the workings right now...at least that we know of.

its all about laying the foundation my friend.
We both know that this is not all there is , construction will not stop during these projects birth. When theese are out of the way , think of the size that our city will be ?
They will have very little option soon but to go up . I am all for infill , it forces the hand to build taller , we may just have to wait a little while . What I found interesting is that the WATER FRONT HOTEL had a second bidder? why was this not told to anyone? how long are they off , what is the plan?

Yeah that is most definatly true about how big our city will be. patience is the key but when i start hearing about all these projects in the making, i get a little bit impatient. im just eager to see my home town grow and make other cities envious.
now as for that hotel project, i had not even the slightest clue about a second bidder. i hope it pulls through and that they turn it into a taller structure than what was originally planned. im pretty sure one of us will hear something about it soon.
by the way, where did you find out about all that construction you posted?

lol , I got a secret web site from Venture Kamloops . ;)
You may NOT want to see it if your envoious of our sister to the south
( Kelowna) . but any way here it is : http://www.gov.bc.ca/bvprd/bc/channel.do?action=ministry&channelID=-8381&navId=NAV_ID_province
look under Major Projects Inventory Update . Needs adobe .

hah, where do you get adobe?? ive already seen a list of proposed projects for kelowna....it's very sick. they have soooo much on the go it's not even funny. i think theres something like 12 new highrises in the making and more hotels...like fuck eh?

I could not agree more , this is where you can get adobe : http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

omg the ammount of construction that is going on in kelowna is phenominal! like its overwhleming whats going to happen there in the next 3 years alone!

the projects under way in kelowna are disgusting. since when the hell could a city outside of vancouver build a 36 story building? can someone tell me what the unemployment rate is in kelowna? im thinking it is high becuase i can't think of what kind of manufactures could employ sooo many people....unless most living there are retired. it looks as though penticton is starting to build up too. they have surpressed us in the heigth department and theres 2 and a half times more people living here in kamloops than penticton. there seems to be a lot of projects left out of that thing i just read that needed adobe. they never mentioned that north shore hotel project or that 21 story project. odd.

.... since when the hell could a city outside of vancouver build a 36 story building?....


well calgary has a few, so does toronto and a few other cities around the world..but, well i suppose vancouver is the only one thats allowed to build 36 story buildings...sorry...the rest of us didn't know that lol (sorry man...lol. that was just funny)

anyways, as for Kelowna. i think it has something to do with it being located pretty much half way between both Calgary and Vancouver as well as Vernon and Penticton. geographically speaking, its a great place to have a developing city.

i even heard a nasty rumour somewhere (don't hold me accountable for this, after all it is just a rumour i heard) that Kelowna was in the talks for an NHL team. if its true or not, i don't know.

haha well when i said that 36 story part i meant it for b.c only. nowhere else in b.c has built like that yet. i guess kamloops is just shitty geograhpically.

no we are just special , like bike helmet special . lol :)

bike helmet special is better than no helmet at all :)

Also since the UBC opened up in kelowna it has become more international and because of it alot of development will spawn, i went to a talk on it (as a student from Toronto who goes to UBC in kelowna i was curious) and the amount of money alone in development on campus is goign to be phenominal but there are so many projects that have spawned off and become available since hte university opened up.

Refinery at mine would be ‘huge’ by Cam Fortems

Teck Cominco Ltd. has applied to the provincial Environmental Assessment Office to develop a refinery at Highland Valley Copper.

While the company is not expected to complete a feasibility study until the end of the year, mine president Wolf Nickel said Monday it opted to file early due to the complex nature of the environmental approval process.

“It’s a huge complex. It’s not something you put in the back parking lot. It would be one of North America’s largest facilities of its kind.”

Because the technology is new, Teck Cominco doesn’t want environmental approvals to stall construction if the project is determined to be economically feasible.

“If it needs to be rescinded we can do that later,” Nickel said, calling it “early days” for the refinery study.

Teck Cominco’s B.C. technology group developed a method to refine copper using a hydro metallurgical process as an alternative to conventional smelting. The corporation, along with international consulting firm AMEC, is working on a feasibility study to build a plant at the mine west of Logan Lake.

Highland Valley Copper currently ships copper ore to smelters in Asia for processing.

In tandem with the feasibility study, engineers at Highland Valley are doing more detailed work on the mine plan in an attempt to stretch at least four years beyond 2013, when it is otherwise expected to exhaust reserves.

Copper prices, which have settled back from recent records, are helping the business case to mine lower-grade deposits. Those same prices, along with rapidly rising costs to haul ore to the Coast, in addition to shipping costs overseas, bolster the case for the refinery.

The idea was first considered in the late 1990s, but shelved because of high capital costs.

Nickel said the project is exciting because it means ore mined in B.C. could be processed here, helping move the province away from the maligned “hewers of wood and drawers of water” reputation as a raw commodity exporter.

The corporation is expected to promote energy-saving and reduction in greenhouse gases from reduced truck, train and ship transportation as environmental pluses of the project.

As many as 150 jobs are contemplated at the refinery, which would produce 132,000 tonnes of pure copper.

I think we could use 150 new jobs in the area.

yeah 150 jobs is 150 jobs. hopefully something like that happens in our area. it'll also create tons of jobs for the construction process too.

I was just downtown at my buddies place and on my way home i made a right hand turn on that street that runs along the Aciacia tower and i noticed a rezoning sign next to an empty lot beside the tower. its a fairly big lot. im curious as to what it's being rezoned for. i doubt it's big because wouldn't that be let out to the public?

I dont know , I was given some inkeling that there was a secret or two not released yet , so mayber this is one of them? I wonder when the YMCA project will begin. That will be nice .

secrets eh? im all in for those. yeah ive been waiting on that ymca project for awhile now. it hasen't been mentioned in the news or anything for awhile now. i wonder if they have an offers to do the project yet.

One big happy city, says survey
by Cam Fortems

Those exhausted from the pursuit of happiness should seek rest in Kamloops, according to an Ipsos Reid survey that found 99 per cent of respondents believe quality of life here is either good or very good.

The citizen survey commissioned by the City of Kamloops found a satisfied populace who offered only property taxes and concern with criminal drug use as clouds over an otherwise positive outlook.

While the Ipsos Reid surveys done for more than 20 communities in B.C. overwhelmingly find citizens are satisfied with their quality of life, the rating here is two points above the norm. The “very good” quality of life rating for Kamloops is 47 per cent compared to the norm of 41 per cent in other B.C. municipalities.

“It’s more of an intense feeling in Kamloops,” pollster Catherine Gunter told Kamloops council in a special meeting Tuesday, noting the very good category was the highest she’s ever seen in a community survey.

The citizen satisfaction survey gained the opinion of 400 city residents and is weighted to reflect demographics in the most recent census. Interviews were conducted between May 3 and 14.

About 55 per cent of those surveyed said quality of life in the city has improved over the past five years, citing jobs and the economy as the No. 1 reason.

“Growth and development is really driving perceptions,” Gunter said. “Virtually everything mentioned is around growth and development.”

Mayor Terry Lake said the overall tone of the report was very positive for the city as a whole and its direction.

“People are generally happy because of the economy,” he said.

“They’re happy with leadership. There is a sense they want to pay more attention to taxes. People sense they’re up a bit. But people are feeling it more with utilities. They applaud investment in infrastructure but they’re feeling the pinch.”

Coun. John O’Fee said the city’s booming construction, low jobless rate and increased property values all contribute to an improved sense of life.

“For a large part we’re (city council and administration) along for the ride.”

Outside of the economy, 17 per cent of respondents mentioned the city water treatment plant as a reason why quality of life has improved. Another 12 per cent noted improved sports and recreation facilities.

Despite overall satisfaction with quality of life here, those surveyed said they want leaders to focus on taxation and municipal government spending. The 20 per cent who named the issue as the No. 1 priority is more than double the B.C.-wide norm of nine per cent.

The survey also found, however, residents would rather see taxes increased than a cut in services by a 3:1 ratio.

O’Fee said taxation may have risen to the top of the list because of lack of issues elsewhere. While transportation ranked No. 2 as the most important issue for local leaders, its 19 per cent mention rate compares to the average of 28 per cent elsewhere.

“In this community, commuting is, relatively speaking, a joy,” O’Fee said.

Gunter noted primary strengths are police service, road maintenance, waste collection and recreation facilities and programs.

Weaknesses include transit service, recycling and composting services and communication between city hall and residents.

good to know that at least everyone living here is happy.

So Nanaimo's conference centre/Marriott project has been upped to a whopping 36 stories.

again im going to refrase what i said before, nowhere outside of the lower mainland/ the island has built that big

Here's some convention centre info:

http://www.nanaimo.ca/cityhall/index_inside.asp?id=395&collection=57

And newly posted on the City's VICC website - a rendering of the hotel/condo tower AND the two new (taller??) towers at the Civic Arena site (also to be by Millennium).

http://www.nanaimo.ca/uploadedImages/Site_Structure/Corporate_Services/Corporate_Administration/New_Nanaimo_Centre/PhotoInterpretationoftheNanaimoDowntownSkyline.jpg

Im very empressed , but they look all the same ( grey ) .
Reminds me of the Island version of Kelowna , spread out .

thats crazy if thats what they have proposed for naniamo. i never knew it was that big there.

yeah , Its comming along nicely

Hey Trevor , Rememeber how the City said they would build the second bridge to the N/S when our City pop. hits 100,000. With the rate of growth pegged at 3.5 % this year , it wont be to far off wouldnt you say ?

Interior helps fuel growth for B.C.
by Cam Fortems

The economy of what the B.C. Liberal government calls the heartlands is pumping faster than in the province’s big cities, says an analysis released Thursday.

The finding by the B.C. Progress Board is in stark contrast to four years ago, when the economy in the Interior, North and rural Vancouver Island failed to see the gains registered in the big cities.

The progress board released an interim benchmarking report on the performance of this province in five key areas compared to other provinces.

It also looked at the economy of “regional B.C.” — everything outside Greater Vancouver Regional District, Victoria and Abbotsford — and compared it to the province’s large urban centres.

“On the key economic benchmarks regional B.C., for the past two years running, is at a faster pace,” progress board executive director Tim McEwan said in a telephone interview.

“It shows the recovery is taking place across the province.”

In four key areas studied in the report — population growth, employment growth, housing starts and growth in business incorporations — regional B.C. outperformed the big cities.

• B.C.’s regional population grew faster (1.4 per cent) than in the urban centres (1.2 per cent) between 2004 and 2005.

• Regional B.C.’s employment growth in 2004 and 2005 was 4.7 per cent, versus 2.6 per cent in the big cities.

• Housing starts in regional B.C. grew 25 per cent in 2005 while the rate in the big cities declined slightly.

• Business incorporations, while lower as a number because of the smaller population base, grew in regional B.C. by 28.4 per cent versus the 24.4 per cent in 2005 in big cities.

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger said the numbers show an investment plan by his government, in everything from tourism marketing to pine beetle action plans, in rural areas is working.

“This (report) doesn’t surprise me. We’ve been feeling it all over the heartlands. The premier set a goal and strategy to make it happen.”

Krueger said the regional economies took more time to turn around from dismal numbers seen six years ago, when regional B.C. saw an overall decline in population.

“We just needed a little more time to benefit. We knew things would turn around. We’re marketing the lifestyle of the Interior, low times to get back and forth to work. There’s been an investment in tourism.”

While the numbers are undoubtedly driven by booming economies in the Okanagan, Kamloops and Peace River, McEwan said the declining jobless rate in every part of the province shows recovery is widespread.

South Cariboo MLA Charlie Wyse said another report released this month by Chartered Accountants of B.C. shows the south central Interior is not seeing economic recovery.

“This part of the Cariboo and Fraser-Fort George are suffering greatly,” Wyse said, arguing the progress board report doesn’t provide the detail in rural B.C.

“If you take a large enough area it (underperformers) gets swallowed.”

Wyse said the Cariboo overall has seen a loss of jobs and out-migration of people.

And while the province trumpets the growth elsewhere, the heartlands are not seeing investment from a commodity-driven boom, he said. That includes the pre-election announcement to four-lane HIghway 97 from Cache Creek to Prince George.

“Outside of the normal (highway maintenance) announcements there hasn’t been any work,” Wyse said. “Concern for government is on the Gateway (Port Mann Bridge) and the Olympics. It’s being spent in the golden triangle of the Lower Mainland.”

yeah , Its comming along nicely

Hey Trevor , Rememeber how the City said they would build the second bridge to the N/S when our City pop. hits 100,000. With the rate of growth pegged at 3.5 % this year , it wont be to far off wouldnt you say ?


yes i do actually. a guy i know who was in urban planning at tru showed me the kamplan 2006 booklet that showed what the bridge would look like in the future. it connects up where west victoria street becomes summit and goes straight across the river to what looks like nicolani street. thats only like 3 or 4 blocks from my house actually. the book also showed what the city might look like with a population of 100 000+. could you belive they had high rises on the north shore? as well as a bunch more new ones downtown that you could see. 3.5% growth rate is more than double what we have been at for some time, i think that was 1.5% or something like that for awhile

oh yeah, its nice to see other people finally adding to this thread, it makes it more interesting.

yes , I enjoy this much more now , it was rough by my self there for like .... a year .It would be great if you could post images from that book . Id really like to see that !!!

i'll see what i can do for those pictures, he was only borrowing that booklet from a library at tru for studying. since hes on a break for the summer it might be awhile. i do belive you can purchase the entire book at city hall for under $20.

K , maybe Ill get the book from city hall.

if you do pick it it up, it would be cool if you could put some on here i wouldn't mind seeing those pictures again.

City embraces wireless world

By MARKUS ERMISCH
Staff reporter
Jun 25 2006


Surf's up at Riverside Park.

Well, not quite, but soon.

Later this summer, wireless Internet will be available in most of Kamloops save for a few areas, such as Juniper Ridge and parts of Valleyview.

This means that people using electronic devices able to detect wireless service, such as most laptops and some hand-held devices, can access the Internet from anywhere in about 80 per cent of the city's populated area.

Incorporating the service into the Kamloops Community Network - a system of fibre optics linking public buildings - will cost $130,000, to which city council agreed this week to spend.

Within nine months, the city hopes to recoup the cost and generate a profit of $676,000 over three years.

Fees are $39.95 per month, $14.95 per day or $3.95 per hour. City employees pay $10 per month.

The service can be most easily accessed using a credit card. Computer shops in town will be selling user cards to those who don't want to use a credit card.

In providing the service, the city has partnered with OCIS, a local Internet provider.

northills theater to be demolished this fall. the lease on the northills theater has run out and the mall officialls aren't going to re-lease it again. instead it's going to be demolished and replaced with a 2 storey structure containing 5 new stores. the parking lot will also connect all the way around now in the process of rebuilding that side of the theater. i just read/heard this in the news this morning.

Kick ass , that makes so much more sence then that crap theater ! Mind you its kind of an icon though , but oh well . Its not like the Toyota Pagoda . that pissed me off.

yeah the theater is pretty shitty, they said its only highlight was back in 99 when titanic played there for 6 months. it sold out for 3 months straight. im liking the 5 new stores idea, but they haven't told anyone what they are going to be yet.

they will all be dollar stores and a social services office . lol . No I hope it is something WORTH WHILE , Im sick of these mom and pop places that " add so much Character" and suck while their at it . WE need main stream stores on the N/S , the only people who like the so called Quaint idea of Tranquile market is people Who DO NOT live on the N/S . the N/S needs change an fast .

how did you find out what kind of stores were going in there so quick? the news said it wasen't going to be revealed to the public untill fall.

I was joken , :)

im a dumbass, the heat got to me. i read what you put down wrong. hahaha

North Hills theatre to close and make way for future.

After screening movies for four decades, the North Shore's only movie theatre is likely to shut its doors permanently in September, once its lease with Northills Shopping Centre expires.

Owned by Landmark Cinemas, Northills Theatre has, for the past decade, specialized in films generally not shown in mainstream theatres.

The only other theatre in town to show similar pictures is the downtown's Paramount Theatre, which, like its Northills counterpart, is owned by Landmark.

Dave Pilchar manages both.

Landmark, he said, took over both theatres in the late 1980s.

Prior to that, Famous Players owned Northills Theatre.

Business was brisk, especially since the North Shore cinema was located in Kamloops' most populous neighbourhood.

Most visitors, Pilchar said, were people from the North Shore.

Then Cineplex Odeon Cinemas opened at Aberdeen Mall, complete with eight silver screens and able to show several blockbusters at once.

Numbers at Northills Theatre began to drop and have not recovered since.

During most showings today, only a handful of people show up, the few patrons looking rather lost in the large theatre.

Another reason numbers at Northills started to dwindle could be the reluctance of south Kamloopsians to drive across the Overlanders Bridge to see a movie, according to Pilchar.

"South Shore people are not as transient as North Shore people," he said.

Once Northills Theatre closes its doors, numbers at the Paramount downtown could increase.

At least that's what Pilchar is hoping will happen.

Most people, he said, select the movie they wish to see, not the cinema.

Northills Shopping Centre manager Sharlene Patko was reluctant to discuss the changes the mall has planned.

All they have done so far, she said, was to apply for a development permit at city hall.

Patko said she is not informed of the details of the lease arrangement with Landmark Cinemas - those decisions are handled at a higher level - but noted the decision not to renew the lease was partially the tenant's as well.

Valleyview exchange Project to begin planning
If the city’s going to put money into safety improvements at the Valleyview exchange, it should do it right — and that means spending up to $3.6 million.

The first step, however, is to do the planning.

City council voted unanimously Tuesday to spend $70,000 on design work on the project, which would see an overpass built for cyclists and pedestrians to go over traffic coming toward the city centre off the highway, and over the CP Rail tracks.

Council also voted unanimously to widen the pathway from the overpass ramp to Battle Street to three metres, instead of the proposed 2.2 metres, so that it might qualify for bike-path grants.

The latter change came after Mayor Terry Lake pointed out that the 2.2-metre width wouldn’t qualify for such grants. Widening to three metres would only cost $110,000 more to a project that has seen estimates increase from $1.8 million to $2.1 million to current figures of $2.6 million to $3.6 million.

“If it’s only going to be built once, do it right,” he said.

“That would be the wise course of action,” agreed Coun. Peter Milobar.

The safety project has seen estimates swell due to the rising cost of concrete. Milobar said by the time the design work is done, concrete prices could be on the decline as building is bound to eventually reach a plateau or even start to drop.

The plans originally called for the overpass to extend over the rail tracks and link up with Lorne Street. But City development and engineering director David Trawin said some people wanted access to Battle Street, so a ramp was added to the plans that put costs up by $500,000.

Widening on Lorne pushed the price tag up to $3.6 million.

The overpass would begin at the western end of Valleyview Drive, go under the Trans-Canada overpass, then build upward to create an overpass across the city centre exit offramp that heads toward Battle and Columbia streets. Pedestrians and cyclists would have a choice of getting off onto the north side of Battle or staying on the overpass to go over the CP Rail tracks and ending up on Lorne Street.

Coun. John O’Fee asked if the project could be done in phases, as the costs are rising.

Trawin said that was looked at. The overpass to Lorne Street could go first, then the ramp to Battle, then widening along Battle.

Council voted on staff holding more talks on the project with CP Rail and the Highways Ministry.

on a side note , Im leaving today to Osoyoos , ( the land of booze and sun ! :) )
Ill bring pics of the construction down there , I know there has been quite a bit !
TALK TO YOU ON MONDAY !:goodbye: :drunk: ,:wave: ,:booze:
And of course :puke:

construction in osoyoos? are you kidding me?? this i gotta see, im up for those pics. i guess while your gone i'll write down anything i hear about for construction here in town on this thread. party hard in osoyoos :scouserd:

any project development around kootenay area?

as a matter of fact there is. ill download the information on here a bit later on because i have adobe reader. there isn't tons of constuction, but i did see a fair bit going on in cranbrook and surrounding areas.

apparently that empty area of land next to the new student residence is going to be developed into something that floored me. according to what i was told by a reliable source (who happens to be in urban planning) they are planning on building another high-rise residence in that location.
it's not nearly as long as the 11 story one they just built but its very tall, around 18-22 stories. its supposed to contain something like 550ish beds.
it's kind of like the other residence, just half as wide and twice as tall. not to sure as to when its supposed to be built, it could be 5 years down the road for all i know.

pretty crazy eh? it's about time these buildings started popping up around town. now all thats left is for those empty lots downtown with the rezoning signs next to them to be revealed. im almost certain they are high rise buildings because the lots aren't big enough to build to much out on. something i still can't get over is how penticton, a city that is more than half the size in population than kamloops has already surpressed us in the height department with that new 15 story high rise building called lakeshore or some crap. it's time fore something big here in town to be released soon.

Cranbrook
Aberfeldie Redevelopment Project
BC Hydro Ph: (250) 489-6862
The Aberfeldie Generating station is located about 30 kilometres east of
Cranbrook on the Bull River. The project includes the construction of a
new powerhouse with an approximate capacity of 25 MW to replace the
existing 5 MW powerhouse. In addition, the aging wood stave and steel
pipeline will be replaced. The project also includes a new surge tower and
switchyard and improvements to the existing water intake, dam spillway
and access road. The existing powerhouse and pipeline will be
dismantled and removed from the site.
Status: Proposed Start: Spring 2006
Est. Cost ($ million): 50 Finish: Apr 2007
First Entry: Sep 2005 Last Update: Mar 2006
Project ID: 153

Cranbrook
College of the Rockies Cranbrook Campus Expansion
College of the Rockies Ph: (250) 489-8243
Expansion to the Cranbrook campus of the College of the Rockies.
Construction of roads completed Nov 2005. Site-prep is underway for the
construction of a 4,928 sq metre academic building. Tenders for the
construction of the academic and a trade building have been awarded to
T.A. Rendek & Associates Ltd. of Creston and Cormode & Dickson
Construction Ltd. of Kelowna. Architect: Killick, Metz, Bowen and Rose.
Website: www.cotr.bc.ca
Status: Construction started Start: Spring 2006
Est. Cost ($ million): 17 Finish: May 2007
First Entry: Jun 2005 Last Update: Mar 2006
Project ID: 1407


Cranbrook Airport Expansion
Cranbrook City Ph: (250) 426-4211 (City of Cranbrook)
Extension to the airport runway and a 1,100 sq m expansion of the
existing terminal. Architect: McFarlane Green Architects was chosen to
design the expanded terminal building. Associated Engineering is the
runway extension design and construction proponent. Website:
www.cranbrookairport.com
Status: Construction started Start: Spring 2006
Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Finish: Summer 2007
First Entry: Mar 2003 Last Update: Mar 2006
Project ID: 930


this is all there is for cranbrook, theres others for like fernie, castlegar and such, but nothing really major i think..

if any one can post pictures of high rise construction sites in kelowna or penticton, that would be awesome.

I have a pic of the Crane in Penticton Ill post tomorrow . I ... erased most of the shots from osoyoos off my camera , but did retain some , So ill post them as well .
what you were saying about the residence that's great news , hopefully they will begin soon!

it would be nice to see them start on that residence soon..hell even tomorrow would be nice. i think they may start groundbreaking after the current residence is completly finished...i hope.

that picture of the crane you have in penticton is for that 15 story high rise i was bitching about earlier..lol. did you get any progress that they have on that structure in your picture as well?

so i was reading the province this morning and i came across a story on that new discovery pointe resort in kelowna. lol, it turns out the building is deemed hazardous to the people living in it and they must evacuate from the building so the repairs can be made. just thought id mention this because that building is less than 3 years old and is already falling apart.

yeah , I read that as well , thats to bad . Maybe they should move to Kamloops where its safe . I do have to say one thing , wow is Kelowna buzy . Way more then us .
There mall is great to , Way to much Traffic. I waited in the HWY entering Kelowna from the south for like 1/2 hour. Yes the new Bridge will help , but they should keep the old bridge too .

Picture from Penticton , not to great , but ....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/Osoyoos2006105.jpg

yeah it's too bad that building is going to collapse if it doesn't recieve upgrades soon.
kelowna has some of the worst traffic i've encountered anywhere except for vancouver. you probably were waiting for exactly a half an hour to get into kelowna from the hwy.

so i've noticed that there hasn't been any activity on that hotel project on the north shore in almost 2 weeks so far. the news said it was supposed to have been started on around june 20th, but thats when the the heavy equipment left the job site. you would'nt happen to know what the deal is would you rhino?

hmmmm , Ill have to dig but I will find out . would suck if like what happen with water front project , $ dried up . ??

lets hope it didn't dry up.

they already dug that area up and installed sewer and water mains to the property.
thats all thats been done so far, they haven't even dug a pit for the foundation yet.

when you talk to your reliable source, you should mention something about those 2 empty lot's downtown with the rezoning signs on them, see what they have to say...if they wanna tell you that is.

I will make an inquiry on those too , all though they are sneaky. :)
See if you can dig up any more info on the new TRU high rise you told us about as well If able ... I will try to see about that too .

the students attending the urban planning course at T.R.U know about these sorts of things before the public does by a long shot. from what i was told they are going to build another residence between now and 5 years i think it was. the teacher had said its between 18-22 stories and contains roughly the same amount of rooms as the other residence does. maybe you might hear something about it too.

Figured id take some pictures of one of the industry giants in Kamloops.
these pictures are of Wheyerhauser's pulp mill. it often smells like crap when the wind blows north east

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/pulpmill.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/sidepulpmill.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/industrygiant.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/Picture014.jpg

nice . maybe an industry tour is a good idea?

here are some pics of that empty hotel lot
(notice the lack of equipment around?)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/lotforhotel2.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/lotforhotel.jpg

here are some pictures of the nearly completed residence

front view
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/frontview.jpg

back view
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/93a14d89.jpg

PCL's current progress on the 4 storey open learning building at T.R.U
this site also contains the only construction crane in kamloops at the moment
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/currentconstructiononopenlearning.jpg

the new retirement home on the north shore
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/6d606697.jpg

a downtown shot
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/downtownshot.jpg


that should do it for a bit

yeah that industry tour could be an idea, i know that they are happening right now

**Mods sticky this.


A bit late, but done! :)

^^ huh???

:cucumber: :banana: :cucumber: WOO HOOO

Residents rally against exploration
CLEARWATER - North Thompson oldtimers who recall a bitter fight against uranium more than 25 years ago united with newcomers to the valley Tuesday to gird for another battle against exploration of a radioactive deposit.

Announcement last month by a Vancouver junior mining company that it intends to drill holes in the Rexspar deposit beside Birch Island brought more than 100 people to a local ski lodge to discuss ways to stop it.

Bob MacKenzie, a physician in Clearwater, said representatives of the mining firm that wanted to explore Rexspar in 1979 were caught off guard by meeting 500 residents in a school gymnasium.

“They felt they could do this because we were a bunch of country bumpkins,” said MacKenzie, who urged residents of the valley to stand up against the exploration company, International Ranger Corp.

“Information is out there. It supports that it’s unhealthy, environmentally unsound, expensive in the long run and will affect us for hundreds, thousands of generations.”

Both MacKenzie and a geologist from the valley, Jim Lewis, said the proximity of the North Thompson River makes exporation of the uranium deposit dangerous for people from Clearwater to Kamloops and further downriver.

“These drill holes are full of water,” said Lewis. “The moment you shove a drill down there you’ll push it out. There’s concentrated uranium in there. It will go into the aquifer in Birch Island. It can’t be stopped.”

Lewis expressed skepticism about International Ranger’s claims it is interested in flourite and molybdenum, rather than uranium. He also circulated a map with yellow dots showing where other uranium deposits have been indentified in the valley in past.

“All these yellow dots are uranium concentrations. Believe me it’s scary. . . .You let jack in there, you’ll have to let Sam and Tom and everyone else.”

While many people who attended here Tuesday are retired or older baby boomers, a smattering of younger people were also present. One of them, Dana Foster, said the north valley must stand up for all of B.C.

“This will be a precedent.”

Foster and others said the fight against development at Rexspar must involve Kamloops, which is under threat from the development.

“Transportation?,” she asked. “CN Rail seems to have a great record these days. I don’t think I want them transporting it along the river.”

Wes Morden was a young teacher who recently moved to the valley in the 1970s when he took a stand against uranium development. He noted the area already has areas of concern with radon gas, an odorless substance associated with uranium that can leak into homes and cause cancer.

“Was that why my oldest daughter contracted cancer? I don’t know.”

Morden said any exploration risks more exposure to radon gas and radiation.

Another longtime Clearwater resident, Ray Jackson, called himself “young, foolish and full of idealism” 27 years ago. His opposition hasn’t changed. He said he’s not met anyone in Clearwater in favour of exploration of the deposit.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has yet to issue a permit for exploration.

Bert Walker, director for Wellls Gray Country, said he’s standing against exploration. Only through political pressure on MLA Kevin Krueger will the province take the same position.

Walker said Krueger is neutral thus far, but it was through his intervention the ministry called for International Ranger to hold a public meeting in Clearwater July 10, from 2 p.m to 8 p.m. Company representatives, health officials and a uranium expert are slated to be on hand.

“If he (Krueger) sees enough people against it, from Kamloops, Barriere and here, he’ll take a stand.”

First big hurdle in institution's future arrives next week
By MARKUS ERMISCH
Staff reporter
July 2006

It's a quiet place, absolutely peaceful.

Just like the name suggests - Tranquille.

A great horned owl, perched in a window of the main building, is eying every visitor with distrust. Insects are the only other visible creatures.

Throughout much of the last century, Tranquille had been a bustling hub of activity, first as a sanatorium, later as a mental-health institution. Today, the place's myriad buildings are empty and in various stages of decay.

B.C. Wilderness Group wants to change that and convert the site at the northeastern shore of Kamloops Lake into a resort-type community, complete with hotels, a marina and a golf course, as well as vineyards and orchards.

Next Tuesday will be a critical day in the history of Tranquille. That day, the Agricultural Land Commission will visit the site and listen to arguments why it should release some of the land from the agricultural land reserve to let it be developed as part of the resort. A negative decision would effectively kill the development plans.

Russ Cundari is the president of B.C. Wilderness Tours. During the past year, he and his son Nick have spent countless hours on the site, scouting out the more than 100 buildings. The local lawyer has read up on the area's history, and, flashlight in hand, become an expert tour guide.

He is particularly fond of the old powerhouse. With its two gleaming chimneys, the building is one of the property's most prominent buildings. Inside, dials, gadgets and pipes of various sizes give the powerhouse an industrial feel.

"You couldn't replicate this kind of atmosphere," said Cundari, a fan of industrial architecture. He would like the powerhouse retained and perhaps converted into a restaurant.

If the development proceeds, it will be an expensive undertaking. Removing the asbestos from the town hall will cost in the vicinity of $2 million. Exclusive agricultural use of the site will never be able to generate that kind of cash, said Cundari.

Most of the buildings on the site would be demolished. Many are no longer structurally sound. Floors are in danger of caving in and roofs are slowly rotting away. Others no longer conform to today's building standards, or are not worth preserving.

Parts of two of the oldest buildings - the 1908 main building and the 1929 Greaves building - will be retained and incorporated into the resort community, said Cundari, as will the maze of underground tunnels that connect the main buildings. One of them could be converted into a wine cellar - Cundari said he would like to produce wine in Tranquille.

From the roof of the Greaves building, a magnificent view extends across Kamloops Lake all the way to Six Mile Ranch, where a similar resort community is slowly taking shape.

Cundari says that development doesn't worry him in the least. In fact, he sees it as complimentary because it will help open up the lake.

Market studies have shown the Kamloops area can support both resort communities.

Will people move all the way to the end of Tranquille Road? Cundari certainly will - he'd be there in a "heartbeat."

I snagged this shot of our good Friend TREVOR B's because it is of this exact location


http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/928e3d65.jpg


one of mine
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/BeachinMarch020.jpg

here is another shot of the area, only bigger and a shot of the rezoning sign for the proposed 500 million project
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/areafor500million.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/rezoningsignfor500million-1.jpg

well done

did you find anything out about those rezoning signs and the proposed residence yet??

no , forgot to phone , i will tomorrow though .

that works fine for me. i remember you said something about a guy you spoke to from the city who wanted the email adrees to this website, im surprised he hasn't added to it yet.

one of the projects will be an upper class condo / town home project like on upper Columbia Street . the other two things ( TRU BUILDING , and re-ap ) he was not able to say anything on . I will be speaking to someone else as well soon , Hopefully and we will see what happends.

so they aren't building up??

hmmm , the one he was speaking of is by the YMCA .
The other you speak of he didnt talk about , so our hopes are still intact.

Looks great!

theres currently 3 rezoning signs downtown actually. the one you mentioned with the condo town house thing i think i already know about , theres a rendering of what it will look like next to the lot, it's around 4-5 stories tall i think. now theres the other two lots, hmmm i wonder....

The river city's growing pains

By MARKUS ERMISCH
Staff reporter
Jul 07 2006


Booming economy means new development, and poses challenges for entrenched areas


As city council ponders a policy that would effectively subsidize the downtown core, Sahali continues to thrive, with the university acting as a main catalyst.

The latest example of that accelerating trend is a proposal to build Kamloops' tallest building, a 21-storey residential-commercial complex that would dwarf any other building nearby.

Its proponent, Mike Culos of Kelowna, said the development - 200 residential units and 85,000 square feet of commercial space - wouldn't have worked anywhere else in Kamloops.

To put this into perspective, an average store in the downtown core is between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet in area.

The proximity of the university and the availability of a large parcel of land were critical factors.

"We believe it's probably the finest site in the city," Culos said, noting the retail and business mix will cater primarily to students of Thompson Rivers University.

"It's going to be crafted up as a little urban village."

TRU spokesman Josh Keller said Culos' proposal is consistent with the growing university of 9,000 students and more than 1,000 staff.

About 1,200 students live on campus or in its immediate vicinity.

In September, Culos' plan will go before city council for a vote, following a public hearing, during which the pros and cons of the size of the proposed development, as well as the impact of the addition of more commercial space to Kamloops, will be debated.

Whereas the southwest sector is flourishing - in fact, the area is so successful it voted its business improvement association out of business in late 2004 after the organization wanted to increase rates - the downtown may be subsidized by the city in the form of a tax-exemption revitalization scheme.

From a planning perspective, there is nothing wrong with such an approach, according to Mayor Terry Lake.

"The city's role is to encourage a balance in all areas of the city, but the marketplace is the marketplace," he said.

"We do guide it with development-permit guidelines. That's kind of the stick, if you like. The carrot is the tax-revitalization type of approach, where you say, 'We encourage these type of incentives'."

Lake said he is happy that Culos, who has been involved in several projects in Kamloops, including in the downtown, has the confidence to once again invest in Kamloops.

But plans for the building, which will be Kamloops' tallest, still must be scrutinized at 7 Victoria Street.

Lake agrees with Keller that the building fits within the guidelines of the McGill corridor plan, which is meant to enhance and complement the area around TRU and its services.

At the same time, Lake said he deems revitalization through tax exemptions as "very appropriate" and would also favour one for the North Shore's Tranquille corridor.

A plan of how to guide development in the area is underway at city hall.

Tax revitalizations are one method for a city to balance development between areas, and Gay Pooler said this balancing act is part of council's job.

At the same time, "we don't want to be too protectionist," said the manager of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Area, noting the tax-exemption proposal is not that huge of a financial break for downtown developers because taxes would still be paid on the base amount of property values.

Culos' plan, she said, hasn't yet been discussed by the BIA's directors, but as long as developments in the southwest sector do not poach downtown businesses and instead focus on the big-box variety, she doesn't consider the area as that fierce a competitor.

However, the Bank of Montreal will move from the downtown's Victoria Street to the Summit Shopping Centre under construction across from Columbia Place.

Giving the market free rein by not encouraging developments in certain areas of the city, Pooler said, "would be a very shortsighted, not very informed attitude."

The city's top three areas, from a business-development perspective, are the Sahali area, the downtown and the North Shore, according to the head of Venture Kamloops.

Jeff Putnam said TRU is one of the city's top selling points.

Peter Mutrie, manager of the North Shore Business Improvement Area, could not be reached for comment.


I also found this in the opinion section of the paper


Jul 07 2006

Sahali tower will "distinguish" Kamloops

Those with any doubts about whether Kelowna developer Mike Culos should build the largest highrise in Kamloops on land near Thompson Rivers University should consider this interpretation of the Tournament Capital, offered by travel writer Neil Wiseman in a recent edition of Australia's Sunday Telegraph:

"The Rocky Mountaineer, with its glass-roofed double-decker observation cars and onboard silver-service breakfasts and lunches, is an unhurried way to see the country, and a photographer's ideal slowly rolling platform.

"The night was spent in the town of Kamloops. In the elderly Plaza Heritage Hotel, a sign in the 1927 lift boasted it was "the oldest elevator in the city", an announcement which made up in history what it lacked in reassurance.

"Kamloops was so undistinguished that it was one of the places where the visitor should take advantage of the free extras offered on the Grand Tour. In this case, a choice of dinner-theatre: a frontier tale or a lumberjack show . . ."

The opinion of a lone Aussie travel writer notwithstanding, surely a 21-storey modern skyscraper on a hill overlooking the flatlands into which the Rocky Mountaineer rolls will offer some type of "distinction" for visitors who may feel they have stepped off the train three decades ago, such is the facade of downtown.

For those who get it, it's a quaint, charming downtown, with the effort to remain relevant evident along the blocks of Victoria Street.

For those who don't get it, like Wiseman and many others, nothing will stand out, and that's understandable.

Why not a mammoth symbol, phallic or otherwise, straddling the hilltop of the great Tournament Capital, gleaming in the summer sun, showing the future of Kamloops in all its steel and glass glory?

Anybody concerned about how a 21-storey building up in Sahali will affect the south skyline need only walk across the Red Bridge and look south.

The nearly completed TRU residences building stands alone, and doesn't detract from the horizon.

If anything, the TRU project - and the proposed Culos monument to modernity - will help shield North Shore eyes from some of the "Coquitlam blight" that has spread across the hills of Aberdeen, and may help blot out the suburban blandness that has spread across the steep hills south of the freeway like a planning exercise gone awry.

I will be there in September yelling for sure ! :)

as will i and hopefully a lot more others

Hi . 1st time here and there doesn't seem to be many people from Prince George on here so I thought I would add something about whats going on up here.

There are several new condo projects upcoming downtown. The first is preselling in a couple weeks . phase 1 & 2 are 2 to 3 story units with retail on the lower floor. Phase 3 is to be 6 stories. This is from Ghiai development corp from San Francisco. If they sell well they want to add about 10 more low rise style buildings. No high rises yet .. damn !!

UNBC has about 60 mil in new construction ongoing. New class space and the new Northern Sport Centre. www.unbc.ca/nsc/

The new Sheraton Four Points Hotel is nearly completed and Sandman Inns are set to start construction on new 175 room hotel shortly. Rona is building a new store on the same site on Hwy 16 west. Site prep is under way.

Here's the reason why all this is starting to happen. This is from Enbridge Inc website about their new pipeline.

The Gateway Project is estimated to cost approximately $4 billion and will consist of a petroleum export pipeline and a condensate import pipeline along the same right-of-way, and a marine terminal.

The Gateway Petroleum Export Pipeline project will involve a new 1150-km (715-mile) 30-inch diameter pipeline with an initial capacity of approximately 400,000 barrels per day to transport petroleum from Edmonton to Kitimat. The Gateway Condensate Import Pipeline will be a 20-inch diameter pipeline capable of initially transporting approximately 150,000 barrels per day from Kitimat to Edmonton

This is one of 3 pipeline proposed for the same route and it looks like according to a BCTV report this week that all 3 will be built and all will pass within 40 km of PG. Thats a total pricetag of least 8-10 BILLION.

Let the boom begin ..I hope :)

Woah! I did not know they built a Sheraton in PG! Where is it located?

I was in PG with a few friends on a trip to Edmonton a while ago and I stayed at the existing Sandman Inn, and it was crap. We got the motel style rooms while some of the girls that were with us got the suites. Sandman Quesnel is much nicer. Let's hope the new Sandman will be better.

I'm guessing PG is also benefitting from being a possible inland container port for Prince Rupert, too. Hope the northern towns and cities along the CN boom as well!

Btw, welcome to the site, konarider.

yes , welcome BC'er !:)

Builders keep city in midst of boom
by Michele Young

Kamloops appears to be on its way to setting another record for construction values this year.

Halfway through the year, the value of building has tallied up at $110 million — that’s substantially higher than where it was last year and more than midway to passing the $207-million record set in 2005.

But the City’s director of development and engineering services still stands by his prediction that the total at the end of the year will be in the range of $185 million.

David Trawin said Friday some of that $110 million was boosted earlier this year by major projects such as the two malls currently being worked on — the new one being built at Columbia Street and Notre Dame and the revamp at Thompson Park Mall downtown.

What he found encouraging about the numbers was that they weren’t boosted by government-funded projects, but instead reflected investment by home buyers and businesses.

“Even now, the builders can’t get a house built before it’s sold. It’s impossible. It’s not a like a spec builder finishes a house and puts it up on the market. He’s basically selling them in the framing stage,” said Trawin.

The flurry of house activity in particular makes for busy times in his department. Homes have to be inspected at various stages, while a big project doesn’t require as many visits.

“Our staff have kept up with it as well as they can. It can take a couple of days to get inspections,” he said.

“The area where we’ve had trouble keeping up is in subdivision. It’s been difficult to keep up given the number of subdivisions.”

That’s because the City is dealing with five times as many lot subdivisions as it gets in a normal year. Right now, Trawin’s department has applications to create between 700 and 800 new lots. That includes big projects like Orchards Walk in Valleyview, but also smaller ones right down to homeowners splitting their large lots.

“It’s just scattered everywhere.”

Where lot prices were in the $50,000 range a couple of years ago, they now go for $80,000 to $90,000 on average, he said.

“We’d much rather see these lot splits and in-fill than expansion,” he added, noting it’s less draining on infrastructure and services that way.

Canadian Home Builders Association Kamloops president Tim Kasten said the demand for housing hasn’t been a surprise to those in the industry.

“Don’t ask me what’s fuelling it, other than we’re a very affordable community compared to Kelowna and Vancouver and Victoria,” he said, saying Kamloops has been a diamond in the rough that’s starting to get polished.

“The exposure that we’re getting, all the events and vision the City has to bring us to the forefront of people’s attention, they’re starting to know about Kamloops and what it has to offer.”

People from other parts of B.C. are realizing Kamloops is more affordable, Kasten said.

“We’re seeing a lot of semi-retired people coming up, realizing that moving to Kamloops they can retire a lot earlier — especially coming from Vancouver. If they had a house there, a comparable house here … they’re financially set.”

Even subtrades workers, who are in huge demand and are much needed in the province’s construction boom, are looking at Kamloops for work and for lifestyle, he said.

“We’re starting to see subtrades moving here from the Lower Mainland wanting to get out of that rat race.”

He agreed with Trawin from his own experience that people are snapping up houses before they’re completed.

“We do spec and custom houses. We’re finding that our spec houses are selling — last year, I only got one spec house to the framing stage before it was sold. The rest sold earlier.”

Kasten predicted the demand for housing is reaching a plateau.

“I think it’ll start to level off here and maintain this pace and pricing level, rather than fall back down or see any more big jumps. Talking to my colleagues in the industry, it seems to be a general consensus we’re seeing a levelling off here.”

He advised anyone considering having a house built or even getting renovations done to make sure they hire someone who’s qualified, because there are “predators” going around who will take advantage of the busy construction market.

“In the busy times, you’ll see the predators coming in. You hear about it.”


i found that in the daily news

you know what would be cool, if someone could tell me why a city the size of kamloops ( 89 000) can boast a building no taller than 14 stories. espcially since the building was built in 1975

Stupid city choices , Listening to 900 year old people that " hate everything that isnt old fashioned and songs about flowers ". What a joke that was .

..

KAMLOOPS NEWEST HIGH PRICE NEIGHBOUR HOOD
GUERIN CREEK
http://gceliving.com/images/reg_header.gif
Starting at a mere 500,000.00$
ENTER INTRO (http://gceliving.com/)

it's nice to see more developement in town like that. im not too sure where it is actually, you'll have to tell me cuz my computer wouldn't load it properly

the summit Connector is where that new neighbour hood will be ,below college heights. If your PC wont load it get your flash player update . ( www.flash.com ) .

The RE-Zoning app , down town is showing a condo , some 4-5 stories called
" THE DORCHESTER" Remax properties by Gary Ireland , Cant find anyting on it and once again NO F*cking Camera today . Looks dope though .

REMOVED DUE TO STUPIDITY OF POSTER

^^ i already posted that lol. i had a picture of that rezoning sign with the redering of the condo in my photo bucket but i accidently deleted it. aren't i just amazing? :)

opps . lol ,I will get a shot this afternoon .

Since I'm probably the only one from the northwest here, I'll add what I have so far from Prince Rupert. I'll be going to Terrace on Wednesday and I'll take pictures if the weather's not too shabby! I'll also try to find information about other Northern town projects.

The only thing I can think of with Terrace's development is the Sportsplex which is stalled due to costs, I think. And possibly the expansion of the airport lands for industrial opportunities being an inland port for Prince Rupert.

----

IN PRINCE RUPERT:

Timeline of projects: now to 2010
Investment in projects: $1,199,000,000
(This excludes spinoffs that the projects would create)

Source: [Prince Rupert Economic Development Corporation (http://www.predc.com/profile/projects.shtml)]

Phase 1
Container Terminal

Description: Intermodal facility, shipping 500,000 containers annually
Timeline: 2006-2007
Investment: $145,000,000

Phase 2
Container Terminal

Description: 2,000,000 containers annually
Timeline: 2007-2010
Investment: $500,000,000

Ridley Terminals

Description: Wood pellet and sulphur shipping
Timeline: 2007-2008
Investment: $11,000,000

Westpac, LNG terminal

Description: Liquid natural gas terminal
Timeline: 2010
Investment: $350,000,000

Royop, shopping complex

Description: 25 acre shopping complex
Timeline: 2007
Investment: $30,000,000

Gaming Centre

Description: Gaming, Entertainment, Conference Centre, Condos and Marina
Timeline: 2006-2007
Investment: $13,000,000

Pulp Mill

Description: pulp production plant
Timeline: 2006-2010
Investment: $150,000,000

There is also a rumour about new condos being built by Prudhomme Lake on HTMF (hackingthemainframe.com).

Good news for the North West , I look forword to your pictures.

Here is the Plan's for the New condo downtown Like I said I would .
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/July001.jpg

Here is across the road from the that project , a nice little dence neighbourhood it will be !
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/July002.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/rhino8484/July003.jpg

yeah thats the one. i was meaning to get a picture of that sign at some point. yes it will be a dense little neighbour hood now and there are 2 more rezoning signs within a block or two of that sign that may turn out to be a biggie.
i drove past that lot on the corner of mcgill and summit today and noticed that Culuos now has a sign up for that property. it looks like he finally bought the land, now im really excited for when the time comes that they start digging up the foundation and bring in a massive crane to construct that enourmous 21 storey structure :)
i get sooo impatient at times.

heres a picture of the sign that culuos put up on his new property
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/trevoranderson_photos/Picture015.jpg

From today's PG Citizen newspaper.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006



Downtown condo development wins council’s approval


by MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

City council approved a development variance permit for the first phase of the Metropolis condominium project slated for downtown Prince George and got a closer look at what's planned in the process.

According to a staff report, the first phase will consist of 16 residential units and five street-level commercial locations at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Quebec Street.

The exterior facade will consist of stucco in a range of colours -- yellow, blue, brown and grey -- and wood, possibly from beetle-killed pine -- will be incorporated into the balconies overlooking the streets.

Amenities will include an open plaza, clubhouse, gym and 21 parking spaces for the building tenants, although they are not required by city bylaw. Landscaping in the open plaza will consist of trees, benches, sculptures and open areas.

Each of the residential nits will cover about 1,450 square feet and will include hardwood flooring and granite countertops. And the main floor in each unit will have an option wall to convert a portion into an additional bedroom or study area.

The city's advisory design panel "was very please with the design of the project" according to the report.

The project's San Francisco-based developer and architect, Yves Ghiai, has said he wants 70 per cent of the units presold before construction can start. But he has also announced intentions to build a further 16-unit complex, along with a boutique hotel, on the same property

As well, Ghiai has said he intends to build 65 rental apartments, geared to university students and academics, on Second Avenue between Dominion and Quebec streets near UNBC's downtown campus in the former BMO Bank of Montreal building.

The project is being regarded as the catalyst to get the city's downtown back on its feet. Breathing new life into the area can't begin until there are people living in the area, it's been argued.

Ghiai was applying for a variance that would allow him not to build loading spaces on the site. Council was told it would mean the sacrifice of one to two spaces out on the street but that would be more than made up by the 21 spaces on the property itself.




All I can say is that it's about time and hopefully bigger things are coming.

Along those lines I've heard that once the airport here completes its runway extension to land 747's a German company plans to build a 80 million dollar refueling facilty for planes on the polar routes to asia & europe. Apparently ( this is news to me ) PG is only 30 km off of those flightpaths.

Micmiko, that Four Points Sheraton hotel you asked about is right near the Hwy 16 & 97 junction, just across 97 from the casino. The new Sandman will be nearby on Hwy 16. The new Rupert port will help spur on a lot these projects & its great to see whats happening there. Its been 8 or 10 years since I've got out that way & things i'm sure will change bigtime.