Nelson will have a new look in 2020 thanks to the work being done this year.
Several major construction projects either broke ground or were completed in the city. The changes will impact affordable housing and education, but facelifts were also given to several locations throughout Nelson.
Arguably the biggest was at Selkirk College’s new Silver King campus in August after a $23-million renovation to the 55-year-old location in Rosemont.
The project included a new student centre and carpentry building, two renovated trades buildings and equipment updates.
The end of the three-year renovations meant Silver King had a fresh look and improved services for the first time since it was built as the B.C. Vocational School in 1964.
“What it means is if a student in the Youth in Trades program in high school or someone who’s wanting to retrain or a mature learner comes onto this campus now and looks around, they say, ‘OK, so this would be a great place to study,’” said Selkirk College president Angus Graeme. “Before it was a little bit industrial.”
Elsewhere, Nelson CARES broke ground on two major affordable housing projects expected to be completed next year.
A 43-unit building at Hall and Front Streets began construction in April, while work on the new Lakeside Place building at 805 Nelson Ave., started in October. Nelson CARES also continued its restoration of the 107-year-old Ward Street Place, which will add seven new units for a total of 45.
Meanwhile on Victoria Street, a five-storey condominium is planned for the site of the former Kerr Apartments, which burned in 2011.
Broken Hill, a new beer and whiskey bar, also opened after over a year of construction at 479 Baker St. — the same location where Redfish Grill was gutted by fire in 2010.
“We’re making what’s old new again and taking a piece of history and putting it back on the map,” said Broken Hill’s co-owner Chad Hansen.
Related:
• VIDEO: Selkirk College unveils new Silver King campus
• Developer offers details for former Kerr Apartment site
• Ground breaks on Hall Street affordable housing project
• Construction begins on seniors affordable housing building
• Ward Street Place restoration project underway
• Nelson heritage building rises from the ashes
tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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