Developer targets Sunshine Coast

Vision of residential, resort and industrial projects would bring in thousands of residents

An Abbotsford-based developer has plans for the Sunshine Coast that would bring thousands of new residents and a Whistler-style resort to the area.

Columbia National Investments CEO Steve Dunton unveiled a plan to Sunshine Coast Regional District directors to build a large residential community on the benchland above Sechelt.

He also proposed an upscale resort with up to three marinas and up to 1,000 time shares and condos at Seaside Park, a 10-minute drive north of Langdale.

Dunton's vision for the resort, a 125-hectare parcel near Port Mellon, is to have dwellings clustered to leave most of the property in its natural state. He noted it has 3.5 km of waterfront and is zoned to allow four-hectare parcels with four dwellings apiece.

Vacation property prices in Whistler are all the evidence Dunton needs that Vancouverites are desperate for getaways within easy driving distance.

"If you time it perfectly you can be in downtown Vancouver in about an hour and 10 minutes," said Dunton.

Regarding the residential proposal for the 879-hectare property near Sechelt, Dunton envisions a self-contained community with parkland, community centre and commercial and retail development.

Regional district officials were interested when Dunton suggested that CNI could help build an inland highway. CNI owns about eight km of land along a possible route for that road.

"A bypass [between Langdale and Sechelt] away from Gibsons is strong on the local political agenda," said John France, chief administrative officer of the regional district.

CNI bought all three of the Sunshine Coast properties for $32 million from AJB Investments, part of the Surespan Construction group based in West Vancouver.

CNI is involved in three major projects in Abbotsford. Falcon Ridge is underway, with 90 homes built and another 145 homes and up to 120 condos to be constructed on the south slope of Sumas Mountain.

In central Abbotsford, the Duntons are building a 943-unit seven-building residential complex on Gladwin Road. And on the eastern edge of the city, CNI is planning a massive $1-billion agglomeration of 2,200 residential units, 2.2 million sq. ft. of commercial and office space, 14 hectares of green space, and possibly a convention centre.

Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

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