Rainbow building to start Sept. 1

June 13, 2008

Future residents of the 45-acre Rainbow development were treated to a long-awaited first glimpse of their homes at a presentation on Tuesday (June 10).
The multi-purpose room at Whistler Secondary School seemed like a fitting location as members of the Whistler community, many with young children in tow, gathered to hear what the developers and the builders had to say about their future community.
Representatives from Whistler Housing Authority, the builders Vision Pacific and Glacier Creek, mortgage advisors from RBC and Garibaldi Mortgage, and lawyers from the firms Race and Co. and Ratcliff gave brief presentations to the crowd of more than 200 Whistlerites.


All of them spoke positively about the project, stating that most of the major contracts and permits have been approved. The plan now is to focus on having all of the services in place by the end of August or the beginning of September so that builders can finally begin constructing the homes.
“We have been working incessantly to make this project available to you and to make these homes available to you,” said Bill Hayes, the project manager.
Ann Chiasson, of RE/MAX Whistler, assured the crowd that “the good news is that there is a huge amount of interest for the Rainbow Development.”
The Rainbow neighbourhood will consist of 355 units and will include multi-family, duplexes and single-family homes. Forty of the homes will be designed and set aside for seniors. Organizers have included a three-month free contract with Shaw Cable, so that residents will be able to have their television and Internet access working for them from the moment they step into their new homes.


Glacier Creek Contracting is responsible for building the duplexes and multi-family homes. The first phase is set to include 24 homes, ranging from 1,250 to 1,675 square feet, with the average unit being 1,370 square feet. There are five different layout plans for the duplexes. Prices for these homes range from $400,000 to $500,000, with the average unit costing $430,000.


“We are going to blow your socks off from a green perspective,” said Serge Cote of Glacier Creek Contracting.
Glacier Creek built the Beaver Flats apartments in Creekside and won numerous awards for their energy-efficient features. “Instead of producing more energy for less money we are going to preserve energy,” said Cote, adding that the contractor is aiming for 80 as an energy rating. The average code rating is 72.


Vision Pacific will build the 70 single-family homes, ranging in size from 2,000 to 2,600 square feet, and in price from $525,000 to $625,000. Vision Pacific hopes to begin construction of the first 13 lots on Sept. 1, with all pricing of the lots and design determined by July 1.


Future owners will have some options for customizing their homes, although much of the development will be streamlined, especially in the duplexes. Vision Pacific is also looking into the option of putting rental suites in six of the first 13 units.


The presentation centre for Rainbow is at Nesters, and will be open Thursday through Sunday. Hours will be posted at www.rainbowatwhistler.ca. Site walks will be done on June 22 and 29, and visitors are advised to wear good walking shoes.


“This is a very intricate, one-on-one process,” said Chiasson, as she informed the crowd that all applicants will be contacted individually and appointments will be made to help buyers choose the home best suited to their needs.


“This is going to be an energy-efficient, fun neighbourhood,” said Chiasson.


To purchase a home in Rainbow, applicants must be qualified by the Whistler Housing Authority. The closing date for applications to Rainbow is June 30.