Revelstoke development for 166 units, child-care spaces approved

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Revelstoke development for 166 units, child-care spaces approved - Revelstoke Review

Progress toward the construction of Revelstoke’s largest rental unit development in recent years lies within reach for the local community housing society. However, city council is requesting aesthetic design changes after issuing a development permit, with the goal still to break ground in spring 2026.

A joint project between BC Housing and Revelstoke Community Housing Society (RCHS), 420 Downie St. in the Southside neighbourhood, will be transformed over the next three years from a former school lot and vacant field into a 166-unit residential and multi-use complex.

Slated for the three different buildings, tucked between Downie, Edward and Fourth streets near Southside Market, are 45 studio, 40 one-bedroom, 65 two-bedroom and 16 multi-bedroom townhome units, and 365 square metres of child-care space for 49 children.

Seven units will provide accessible living, and other features planned for the site include above-ground parking, 66 underground stalls, 24 bicycle parking spaces, a community garden area and a fenced dog run. For child care, 24 spaces will cater to infants and toddlers, while 25 will operate for preschool ages.

RCHS and its selected contractor, Vancouver-based Kindred Construction, have been pursuing a development permit needed under the City of Revelstoke’s Official Community Plan (OCP). Now successful, they anticipate a building permit will subsequently be issued in the near future so construction can start next spring as planned.

In an Oct. 1 letter to city council, Kindred thanked Revelstoke for considering its amended development permit in recent months, and addressed city staff’s concerns around OCP design compliance for the development’s proposed roofing and facade.

“The proposed materials — fibre cement panels, shingles, and perforated aluminum balcony screens — were selected for durability in Revelstoke’s mountain climate,” engineer Jeff Waters wrote. “While we understand the desire for traditional materials, wood and brick introduce significant long-term maintenance burdens and moisture concerns. Choosing modern, resilient products ensures these buildings remain safe, attractive, and affordable to operate over their full lifespan.”