Building Project Update

June 2021

Important Rental Application Information  

The BC Housing  Registry is NOW OPEN. To apply for one of the units, connect through this link:   

  https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-housing/housing-listings 

All applications are now processed through this link. 

May 2021

If you have driven by our redeveopment site, you will be aware that construction is progressing and we are grateful to be on track for completion before the end of 2021! 

Rental Apartment Inquiries

If you or a family member or friend are interested in renting one of the apartments in the new building and would like information about types of apartments and eligibility, please contact Don Evans by email at devans@united-church.ca or by phone at 778-977-4921 for information. 

March 2021 

The new building, shrouded in waterproofing, looks fairly quiet when you drive by, but there is a lot going on inside and we are grateful for the talented team working togerher to bring this project across the finish line. The most recent estimate for occupancy is October 2021. All apartment rentals will be handled by a management company. Information about how and when to contact the managment company will be posted on this website.   

December 2020

Our Como Lake United Repurposing Team (CRT) has met with the team for the redevelopment project as part of the start-up of construction. You will see signage up shortly. The Contractor is TL Housing Solutions and the Development Management Consultant is Atcorr. 

After more than six months of waiting and preparing by Don Evans (Team Lead for the Property Resource Team of Pacific Mountain Regional Council of the United Church - PMRC) plus BC Housing (who is providing the development loan to the United Church), we are in start-up mode and, all going well, the new apartments and the church space should be ready for occupancy in fall 2021! 

November 2020

You should begin to notice new signs and resumed construction activity starting up shortly on the site. We are grateful for the interim security measures that have been in place these past months while the revised completion plan has been established. 

We continue to watch and wait and pray for all who are tending this project. 

October 2020

There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes on our behalf for the past few months, for which we are very grateful. The new estimated completion date is late summer 2021. In the meantime, we continue to wait in faith, giving thanks for the support and encouragement of so many. Thank-you!

August 2020

Don Evans, along with Colliers and our architects VIA, are now working with a new contractor, Knappett Construction. Due to this change, there are many details to work through. The plan is to resume construction as soon as is possible, hopefully October. 

COVID was not a direct cause of the issue with the previous contractor but, of course, COVID has indirectly affected everything.

The 3-Point Housing Society (of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council of the UCC), will be overseeing all redevelopment projects. The Society will also administer property management.

Note that there are 5 churches now inside this redevelopment portfolio: Como Lake (Coquitlam), Brechin (Nanaimo), Brighouse (Richmond), Lakeview (Vancouver), and First Met (Victoria). 

There have been unexpected changes and challenges on this journey...and we are all committed to completing the project in as timely a manner as is possible.

What can the Congregation do? Be patient, discern, prepare to move in, pray, and practice our faith.

Introducing Don Evans, Regional Redevelopment Team Lead 

We are pleased to introduce Don Evans to you.   Don is the new lead for the redevelopment project and has been very helpful in this time of change.  We asked Don to tell us all a bit about himself... 

I grew up in St. Albert, Alberta and moved to the west coast as a single father of my daughter, Krystal, in 1990 where I resided in the Lower mainland until 2012. Since then, I have been located in Victoria.

My early adult years were spent as a business entrepreneur and a financial planner. I have been a long-time member of the United Church of Canada as a member of St. Albert United, Kerrisdale United, St. Andrews Wesley United, as well as, First Metropolitan United and Cadboro Bay United located on Vancouver Island, and have spent the past 10 years in leadership positions at United Church community ministries. During this time in community ministry, I have gained much experience in operating social housing at First United Church in the DTES of Vancouver and at Our Place Society in Victoria.

I have been on the Board of Directors of the 3 Point Housing Society (United Church Housing Ministry) until recently stepping down to assume the Acting Property Resource Team Lead position at the Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church. I am excited to now be working closely with Como Lake United to achieve the completion of the redevelopment project underway for the purposes of congregational renewal and much needed affordable housing for this community.