By David F. Rooney
With the recession and the heavy price paid by small timber companies like Ross Lang’s cedar cutting and timber hauling companies, the local small businessman began casting about for something new.
He and his wife, Phyllis found it in the form of land they owned in the Industrial Park and the notion that other small businesses might be willing to purchase their own industrial and commercial space.
“The land itself came to us in 2005 and we used it for our 16 trucks, shake yard and workshop,” Phyllis said. “Then when the recession hit and cedar went down our lives changed.”
Ross said they didn’t want to sit and wait for things to get better and started thinking about ways to stay in business.
It occurred to them people always need places to do business. And storage.
“But it had to be done right,” Phyllis said.
And so Revelstoke Business Complex was born at 1240 Powerhouse Road.
With 10 completed, 1,200 square-foot units, , which can even include the installation of a 720 square-foot second floor for office space, display area and rest area, the Langs are holding a Grand Opening at noon on Friday, October 21, for the venture.
Mayor David Raven, City Councillors and members of the business community have all been invited to attend the opening, which will also see an on-side broadcast by EZ Rock’s Steve Smith.
“This isn’t new,” Ross said. “Things like this were built in the Big Eddy years ago.”
Here’s what the Langs are offering:
Price: $140,000 / $260,000
Property Size: 1200 sq ft / 2200 sq ft
Loading Area: Front with emergency rear exit
Construction Material: Concrete and Steel
Parking Type: Stalls
Parking Spaces: 2 per unit, with additional complex parking
Legal Description: M1 light industrial
Features
- 16 x 16 foot insulated roll up doors
- 10 of 2ft x 3ft glass panels per door
- 3/4 hp electric lift with chain aux overdrive
- 3′ x 6′ 6″ entry door with glass
- 3′ x 6′ 6″ rear exit door
- Building has a 3′ overhang front and back
- each unit has 100 amp 3 phase power included
- 200 amp upgrade service available at additional cost
- each unit comes complete with vanity, sink, toilet
- hot water heater provided in each unit (shower drain available)
- your choice of 3 locations of bathroom installation
- 4′ x 3′ sliding glass window at rear of building
- pre-engineered second floor mezzanine space can be added by purchaser to add an additional approximate 700 square feet R20 installation throughout
- 2 hour fireguard on all walls
- 2 inch municipal water supplied to each unit providing necessary water for sprinkler system installation if necessary (at purchaser’s cost)
- 5″ concrete rebar reinforced floor
- in-floor heating installed (purchaser responsible for hot water boiler)
- all paved parking lot
- all units are designated as class 1 residential with an approximate tax of $900 / year higher taxes will apply to light industrial/business/light manufacturing
They initially thought they could sell the units to snowmobilers looking for a place where they could store their machines, tools and equipment. The fact that it’s zoned for light industrial and manufacturing means no one can live there permanently or use it as a residence. However, they can nonetheless by fitted with showers and light cooking facilities for users or someone staying over from time to time.
According to legal advice received by the Langs, if the strata bylaws for the complex limit the length of time anyone can stay over “you do not give anyone permission to use it as a residence, but rather make it clear that the units are not to be used as a residence.”
How it all shakes out remains to be seen, but three of the units have already been sold — one to Bear Canyon Cabinet Company, one to Revelstoke Garage and another to a private individual.
“This is perfect for me,” said Tyler Sunaert of Revelstoke Garage. “I’m putting in three vehicle bays here… there aren’t a lot of places in Revelstoke where I could do that.”
