Garrison Crossing North Gate
Today’s post is part of a series that will take a look at the transformation for the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Chilliwack into the award winning “Garrison Crossing”. This series will be of interest to those thinking of buying in the Garrison Crossing area, urban planners curious about affordable housing options, how to successfully work a transition plan and for people like me that grew up or lived on the former base. If you have a memory to share please send it along to me.
It is my belief that “Garrison Crossing”, Chilliwack, BC is a community that should serve as a template in the creation and development of neighbourhood centres throughout the province and I hope that series of posts will explain why and encourage similar projects throughout our province.
CFB Chilliwack Revisited
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Chilliwack was the home of a military base from 1942 to 1997. The Base was divided into two sectors the working Military sector south of Keith Wilson road and the Permanent Married Quarters PMQs or residential section north of Keith Wilson road. Through the years thousands of families were stationed here including the Mullock family. My father and mother were first sent to the Base in the late 1940's and quickly after that my brother was born. This was the start of a family of five kids that would find a tight but comfortable squeeze into a 3 bedroom PMQ house and later a 4 bedroom 1/2 duplex.
It was quite honestly a very sad day when they announced the Base closure and many have worried how the City of Chilliwack would fare without this clean economic engine. The truth is, 11 years later the City is still trying to recover and while terrific effort has been made by the City and Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) there is still considerable work yet to be done. The exciting residential redevelopment plans will take it part way there but future requires that the Military Section of the Base become more of an economic titian. Pending development plans will form a part of an upcoming post.
If you are curious as to what residences are available in Garrison Crossings as of this date click here.
Next Posting: Transition Marketing Garrison Crossing: Respecting the Past - Building a Future
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not Subscribe to be notified of the next one?
Stephen Mullock is a Chilliwack real estate associate broker with 29 years of experience. He can be reached at Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty, telephone 604-792-0077.
Copyright September 22, 2009 by Stephen Mullock.
0 comments:
Post a Comment