North Cowichan Civic Building received the Judges’ Choice Award at the Vancouver Island Commercial Building Awards. From left: Dakota Graham of Title Sponsor Coastal Community Credit Union, and from KMBR Architects, Diana Sanchez, Interior Designer; Kate Lemon, Principal; and Jason Roodpol, Project Manager.
NANAIMO – North Cowichan Civic Building was named the Judges’ Choice Best Overall entry in the 18th annual Coastal Community Credit Union Vancouver Island Commercial Building Awards April 17 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
North Cowichan Civic Building was also the Award of Excellence winner in Community Institutional, one of 12 categories in the sold-out event.
There were a near record 48 finalists in the event from communities north of the Malahat on Vancouver Island, including Mill Bay, Duncan, North Cowichan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Tofino, Parksville, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Campbell River, and for the first time, Powell River.
“A number of people said this was the best Vancouver Island Commercial Building Awards yet, and we’ve had a lot of great events over the years,” says John MacDonald, President of the Business Examiner News Group, which coordinated the event. “The room was packed and there were a lot of people attending the event for the very first time. It was an exciting way to celebrate the best of the best in commercial, industrial and revenue-producing properties completed in 2024 on Vancouver Island.”
The North Cowichan Civic Building at 6430 Ford Road in Duncan was constructed to address the evolving needs of the local community and modernize their policing services, the owner/developer, District of North Cowichan, sought to replace the outdated 1980 facility. The new 4,645 square metre North Cowichan Detachment, a collaborative effort between the local municipality and Federal RCMP, consists of a three-story heavy timber office building and a one-story detention facility.
Architect/designer was KMBR Architects Planners Inc., General Contractor Unitech Construction Management and Electrical Contractor Houle Electric Ltd.
Gold sponsors were MNP LLP and RE/MAX Commercial. Category Sponsors this year were Western Financial Group, Modern PurAir, WA Architects, Lark Group, K&S Railings, EllisDon, WWK Engineering, Current Millwork, Knappett Projects, IWCD, Top Trade Hazmat Abatement, Lacasse Construction, dHKarchitects, and Kinetic Construction, with Avalon Mechanical and Naturally Pacific Resort as Gift Bag Sponsors, Yellow Sheet Construction Data as Media Sponsor, and SW Event Technology as Networking Reception Sponsor.
The event also added a number of special awards this year.
Developer of the Year, sponsored by IWCD, was Akers Property Solutions, General Contractor of the Year, sponsored by WWK Engineering, was Knappett Projects, Architect of the Year, sponsored by Current Millwork, was dHKarchitects, Civil Contractor of the Year, sponsored by Coastal Community Credit Union, was Edgett Excavating, Engineer of the Year, sponsored by Knappett Projects, was Aplin Martin, Electrical Contractor of the Year, sponsored by Kinetic Construction, was Osprey Electric.
Other category winners were:
Affordable Housing, sponsored by Modern Purair: Naut’sa mawt Affordable Housing Project at 1679 McPhee Avenue of Courtenay. The Naut’sa mawt (meaning “together as one”) Affordable Housing Project provides 40-units of housing for Indigenous Elders, individuals and persons living with disabilities with low to moderate incomes in Courtenay. Naut’sa mawt helps address the ongoing issue of affordable housing by providing 40 homes instrumental for many individuals and their families.
Owner: Wachiay Friendship Centre Society; Architect: MacDonald Hagarty Architects Ltd.; General Contractor: Kinetic Construction; Electrical: Muir Engineering.
Automotive, sponsored by K&S Railings: Galaxy Motors at 2358 Kenworth Road, Nanaimo.
The new Galaxy Motors is a 15,554 sq. ft. state-of-the-art dealership built to enhance the customer experience and operational efficiency. IWCD had the pleasure of constructing this project for Galaxy Motors with the intention of consolidating their two separate locations, bringing together their sales centre and their service centre under one single, modern facility.
Owner: Galaxy Motors Nanaimo; Architect: BJK Architecture Inc.; General Contractor: IWCD; Electrical: AES Engineering Ltd.
Hospitality and Tourism, sponsored by Lark: Naturally Pacific Resort at 700 Petersen Road of Campbell River.
Naturally Pacific Resort was conceived with an eye on Campbell River’s rich hospitality and tourism history, and a look forward to the revitalization of the industry in the region. Located at the crossroads of forest, mountain and the Pacific Ocean, Naturally Pacific Resort opened in May, 2024 with the goal of bringing a new level of luxury and adventure to Campbell River.
Owner: Naturally Hotels & Resorts; Architect/Designer: Abele Architecture; General Contractor: Seymour Pacific Developments; Electrical: Osprey Electric Ltd.
Industrial, sponsored by Western Financial: Qathet Commercial Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre at 4924 Marine Avenue of Powell River.
This project involved the construction of a comprehensive Resource Recovery Centre and Commercial Transfer Station, designed to enhance waste management efficiency and sustainability. The facility includes the Resource Recovery Centre, featuring an EPR building, Product Care facility, Free Store, and all associated site services and works – commonly referred to as the “free side.”
Owner: quathet Regional District; Architect/Designer: Iredale Architecture; General Contractor: MKM Projects Ltd.; Electrical: Osprey Electric Ltd.
Mixed Use, sponsored by dHKarchitects: LINK of 4831 Cedar Ridge Place of Nanaimo.
LINK is a modern and energy-efficient apartment building that features spacious one and two-bedroom condos for rent with stunning views of Mount Benson and Long Lake. Amenities include on-site EV charging stations, secure bike parking, underground vehicle parking, in-suite laundry, air conditioning, and an on-site social lounge.
Owner: Primex Investments Ltd.; Architect/Designer: Raymond deBeeld Architect Inc.; General Contractor: Westmark Construction Ltd.; Electrical: Osprey Electric Ltd.
Multi-Family Condominium, sponsored by RE/MAX Commercial: Rutherford Place at 6030 Linley Valley Drive in Nanaimo.
Rutherford Place is the latest development by The Molnar Group, and it features three buildings with 152 premium apartment suites in the Linley Valley neighbourhood with a fully appointed amenity space flowing into an outdoor terrace, and fitness room, underground parking with EV charging, the thoughtfully designed rental apartments offer a range of floorplans.
Owner/General Contractor: Rutherford House Limited Partnership; Architect/Designer: WA Architects Ltd.; Electrical: Ram Electric Ltd.
Multi-Family Townhome, sponsored by MNP: Sunrise Ridge Resort at 1175 Resort Drive in Parksville.
Makon Projects was brought onto The Sunrise Ridge Resort project to oversee phases 6-15, which involved the construction of 64 townhome units on an active, oceanside resort. The project’s vision was to seamlessly integrate new luxury housing into the resort, offering residents and visitors a blend of comfort and scenic beauty. The purpose was to expand the resort’s offerings while maintaining its high standard of service and guest experience.
Owner/Developer: Sunrise Resort Parksville Ltd.; Architect/Designer: Praxis Architects Inc.; General Contractor: Makon Projects Ltd.
Office, sponsored by Top Trade Hazmat Abatement: Anderson Wind Law of 347 4th Street in Courtenay.
The Anderson Wind Law firm was a complete interior and exterior renovation creating and beautiful and modern work space for this thriving law firm. They worked around the existing structural posts which led to creative space planning to achieve the desired outcome. Due to the small footprint, they maximized every inch to ensure no space was wasted.
Owner: Shannon Wind; Architect/Designer: Blackthumb Design; General Contractor: AFC Construction.
Purpose Built Rental, sponsored by WA Architects: Riverside Apartments at 1600B Riverside Lane in Courtenay.
Riverside Apartments is a newly completed 6 story, 50 suite rental apartment building in Courtenay. Modern and inviting Studio, Studio + and one-bedroom units available for rent in the heart of Courtenay featuring air conditioning, private balconies and a shared rooftop deck and BBQ area hosting 360 degree views spanning the ocean to Mt. Washington.
Owner: Pacific Swell Developments Inc.; Architect/Designer: MacDonald & Hagarty Architects; General Contractor: IWCD; Electrical: Osprey Electric Ltd.
Renovation & Tenant Improvements, sponsored by Lacasse Construction: Sealand Market Redevelopment at 1840 Stewart Avenue in Nanaimo.
The Sealand Market redevelopment stands as a testament to the visionary efforts of the Snuneymuxw First Nation in breathing new life into an iconic community space. Through thoughtful recladding and repurposing, this ambitious initiative has transformed the development, ensuring it once again serves its dynamic purpose.
Owner: Petroglyph Development Group; Architect/Designer: dhKarchitects; General Contractor: F&M Installations Development Ltd.; Electrical: FMI.
Retail, sponsored by MNP: Quinsam Crossing Retail Development Project at 101-125 Brant Drive in Campbell River.
Located on the We Wai Kai reserve in Campbell River, the Quinsam Crossing Retail Development is a gateway location to North Vancouver Island that honors the nature of “Quinsam – the resting place.” The development includes a variety of compatible commercial and retail services constructed by Kinetic, including Starbucks Quinsam Crossing, and the Quinsam Liquor Store Ltd.
Owner: We Wai Kai Nation; Architect: WA Architects Ltd.; General Contractor: Kinetic Construction; Electrical: AES Engineering Ltd.
Awards of Merit (runners-up) went to:
Community Institutional, sponsored by EllisDon: Brentwood College Academic Building at 278 Mt. Baker Road in Mill Bay and Providence Living at The Views at 211 Rodello Street in Comox.
Mixed Use: 154 Weld Street of 154 Weld Street in Parksville.
Multi-Family Townhome: Evergreen Heights Townhouse at 1090 Evergreen Road in Campbell River.
Purpose Built Rental: Riverside Lane Apartments at 1801 Riverside Lane in Courtenay and Queens Garden Apartments of 488 Garden Street in Duncan.
Retail: Rail Yard Market.
The souvenir book featuring profiles and photos of all finalists can be accessed through: https://www.calameo.com/read/0068855171f663cea5f69
