Daily Informative Updates on
New Residential Real Estate & Construction News
for Vancouver Island Communities

When working with limited square footage, it is essential that commercial renovation projects are well thought out. Capstone Dwelling Design Build provided those solutions for Ki Fitness and Health, a Comox Valley fitness studio. With Capstone Dwellings taking care of both the design and construction of the commercial renovation, Ki Fitness was guaranteed a unique, quality fitness studio to house the services they offer.
The new bright studio makes use of limited space with built-in storage areas and well- considered equipment placement. Versatility though design allows spaces to evolve for different uses when needed. And for fitness facility, wide-open space was a priority.
Ki Fitness is a boutique personal training facility set in the Tin Town community of Courtenay on Vancouver Island. Energizing Japanese elements enhance the space and provide an ideal atmosphere for clients on a quest for balance.
Jared Sato, an experienced personal trainer, martial arts instructor and yoga teacher, is now accepting new clients in the Comox Valley. Sophie Simard, a certified yoga therapist offers yoga sessions and classes. The studio space at 2425 C Rosewall Crescent is also available to rent for other fitness & health professionals. Contact them at 250.871.7800.
Capstone Dwellings Design-Build is currently accepting new clients for both residential and commercial design-build projects. The Capstone team is comprised highly organized office staff, certified designers, and journeymen carpenters, among other professionals. Contact Capstone Dwellings at 250.331.9004.

The Calgary Herald is reporting that many Alberta residents are buying real estate on Vancouver Island. Whether for recreational use now, future retirement, or both, owning real estate on Vancouver Island remains the ultimate goal for many Albertans, according to a recent Herald artcicle.
Vancouver Island continues to be popular as a retirement destination, with a buyers' survey indicating that 40 per cent of people purchased their property for immediate or future retirement purposes.
At 10 per cent, Albertans make up the largest segment of out-of-province real estate buyers on Vancouver Island.
People looking for retirement property have plenty to choose from, Guy Bezeau, president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, told the Herald
“Retirees can’t be pigeon-holed as to what they want; they are so diverse. So we’re seeing retirees buying in all types of markets. The Island really offers that type of diversity.
“We do have a broad base — everything from manufactured-home parks, strata condominiums, townhomes, patio homes, single-family dwellings on small lots, and rural parcels.”
He says many areas of Vancouver Island offer excellent value in their real estate markets. There are affordable options to meet many different budgets.
Vancouver Island's mild winter climate definitely remains a big draw for Albertans; it’s possible to ski one day, golf the next, then go for a kayak paddle the following day.

Only 35 tickets remain for 1stView's Outlook 2012, the 6th annual economic forecasting forum on Nov. 24, 2011. Outlook 2012, now 85 % sold out, will take a look at expected trends in the Vancouver Island construction and real estate markets, with a focus on the North Island.
The perennial sell out event will once again be held at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay, and will feature presentations by four industry experts.
“We are excited to bring together business leaders, developers, trades people and others to network and hear industry insights from our panel of speakers,” said Clarice Coty of 1stView.ca. “We've moved the event from January to November, to give attendees the opportunity to use the information presented to guide their business planning for 2012.”
Keynote speaker Larry Pollock, President and CEO of Canadian Western Bank will address the “Local Perspective to Global Banking.”
Pollock was a guest speaker at this event in 2009. Described by the Globe and Mail as “gregarious, and outspoken,” the national paper says “Larry Pollock adds a dash of colour to the grey tones of the Canadian banking industry.”
Additional featured speakers include: Travis Archibald, Senior Market Analyst for Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, who will present a Vancouver Island Housing Market Update; as well as Greg Baynton, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association and Shirley de Silva, CEO of the Comox Valley Airport.
Outlook 2012 is sponsored by Presley & Partners and Jackson & Associates. Tickets are $75, and include a networking session from 4-6 p.m., including a trade show, dinner, and presentations.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.1stView.ca, email tickets@1stView.ca or call 250.338.5466.

Building Links, Vancouver Island's weekly construction industry newsletter has been a recognized as a valued resource providing up-to-date news for the Vancouver Island construction industry for 18 years. Building Links reports on tenders, building permits, development permits and breaking news in the construction industry. The newsletter is now available to new subscribers on a 4 week trial basis, and the company offers a guarantee that you will receive valuable leads during the course of your subscription, or they will refund 100% of your subscription.
Weekly features include :

• Building Permits issued in the municipalities of Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Campbell River, the Regional Districts, Port Hardy and Port McNeill.
• New tenders, to give subscribers the advantage when looking for new business.
• Proposed new development permits, from researchers who have delivered the first news on many large projects in the past. If you want to know the “inside scoop” on development projects in our area, you can find it in Building Links.
• News about Construction on Vancouver Island, including changes in municipal and provincial bylaws pertaining to the construction industry, topics such as development cost charges and changes in municipal by-laws and a quarterly summary on the region’s construction statistics and dollar volumes, to help you manage your sales forecasts.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC (ICABC) has recognized Wendy Lewis, CA, partner at MNP LLP, with an Early Achievement Award for outstanding professional achievements.
“Wendy has worked hard to make a difference in both the profession and her community,” said Richard
Rees, FCA, CEO of the ICABC. “We are thrilled to recognize her outstanding accomplishments.”
The Early Achievement Award recognizes chartered accountants who earned their designation within the past ten years for remarkable accomplishments in their career, community service, and work within the CA profession.
Prior to her qualification as a CA, Lewis owned and operated a small business in the Comox Valley. In 1998, she began articling with Huxham & Co. in Courtenay, and earned her CA designation in 2000.
Today, in addition to being a partner and business advisor with MNP, Lewis is the regional leader and national instructor for the firm’s client service training program.
Her volunteerism in the community has included: coaching high school volleyball; a director of the 2005 BC Special Olympics Summer Games; a director of the Comox Valley United Way; and treasurer of the Comox Valley Community Foundation. As president of the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club in 2009-2010, Lewis, with the help of many others, spearheaded a project to develop a fully accessible playground that could accommodate children with physical disabilities.

Comox Valley realtors The Anna Jorgensen team have announced that they are now associated with Royal LePage in the Comox Valley. Melissa Berrigan and Richard Verrier continue to work with the Anna Jorgensen team to help buyers find the perfect Comox Valley real estate. Anna Jorgensen has been selling real estate on Vancouver Island for almost 20 years, specializing in the Comox Valley and Campbell River regions. She is the recipient of many real estate awards for her success as a realtor. For more information, visit the Anna Jorgensen team website.

Two new Vancouver Island real estate projects at Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay were recently featured in the Vancouver Sun. View the complete article about Bonnington Ridge and Rockcliffe Park here. 

Bonnington Ridge is a collection of new residential lots which feature some ocean and golf course views. This quiet residential cul-de-sac is now 50 per cent sold, with only four lots remaining. Prices for these Vancouver Island residential lots for sale start at $209,000.

The members of the Mid Island Construction Association (MICA) and the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) voted to amalgamate into one association solution for the construction community on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Coastal BC.  On June 1, 2011, the existing Island construction associations approved a special resolution to amalgamate, MICA and VICA one new society called Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). The newly integrated VICA allows for a cross-island communication and collaboration on key member and industry issues, member services, education and networking that has not, until recently, occurred between the boards of directors MICA and VICA.  The new society will continue to operate with two offices, one in Victoria and another in Nanaimo. And a new Board of Directors, consisting of members from the existing boards, was approved by way of a vote by the general membership and has been appointed: