Several years ago an amazing transformation of the former CFB  military base started taking place turning this community into the vibrant 153-acre residential community of Garrison Crossing.  This has been part of a multi-year community redevelopment plan, with the goal of building a walkable community that compliments the charm and the ambience of the former base.  With its narrow, winding roads and majestic trees, when complete, Garrison Crossing will feature 1,800 homes encompassing both new homes and restored military homes.

Garrison Crossing is a pedestrian-friendly, environmentally aware community that was meticulously planned by a team of British Columbia's leading architects, designers, engineers and builders. Garrison Crossing features lots of green space and homes that blend beautifully together between curving roadways, pocket parks and community amenities.

Refurbished Home Backing onto Dedicated Park....with walkways and children's play area...

I remember several years ago having the Canada Lands Company come and do a presentation about the proposed community.  There were a lot of naysayers.......on a couple of levels.  First of all we were looking at a community of renters who currently occupied the orginal base residences.......and were concerned about where they would go?

Well it was difficult for lots of them, some found other places to rent and some ended up becoming First Time Buyers...Some accomodation was made available in the newly constructed homes, as many of them had legalized suites....as well as through the added bonus Carriage suites that were built above many of the Garages.  Fortunately a boom in new construction also helped with a better selection rental properties - unfortunately though - none of them as reasonably priced as these houses had been (previously rented for between $400-800/month).

Home with detached garage and 'Carriage Style' suite above garage.

Orignal Base Homes that are being moved and then refurbished. Typically such things as the orginally framework, hardwood flooring, fireplaces etc.  are kept and windows, siding, roofs are replaced...

Refurbishing of a Duplex - in Progress

Sample of a Reburbished Home

Secondly the prices.......they were suggesting prices of $300-350,000 - which up to that point was basically unheard of.   Well little did we know.....Well lets put it this way - houses now range somewhere in the $500-700,000 range, with townhomes in the high $200,000-$400,000.  Amazing eh? 

The first homes were released to the market in mid-2004, and quickly sold out. "To date, virtually all the new and refurbished homes offered for sale have been snapped up in record time.  Over 170 units have been sold, being a combination of new single-family homes, refurbished single-family and duplex homes, townhouses and refurbished row houses. There are still portions of the site that are under construction with even more single-family homes, refurbished homes and rowhouses......as well as apartments and townhouses.

Gorgeous Rowhouses...

Also coming soon will be the renovation of the existing Cheam Community Centre featuring a new indoor pool and outside spray park. Integrated with this exciting new facility will be a pedestrian oriented neighbourhood retail village at the corner of Keith Wilson and Vedder Roads.

Well all in all this is one of my favorite communities in Chilliwack.  And frankly if I were to be moving this is where I'd love to move to!

If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.