History of Forest Crowne

Here is a link to a copy of an excellent local book, “A Salute to Kimberley”

History of Forest Crowne

So far, this research, completed by David Chorneyko, former Strata President, has consisted of going through old newspapers, which has provided a good foundation for what has happened out here.  If anyone has documents, pictures or information about the history of Forest Crowne, please contact the strata at info@nes2947.ca as I would greatly appreciate the input.

The Context

To understand how Forest Crowne fits into Kimberley, one must understand the roots of Kimberley. Kimberley was a one industry mining town and that mine was the Sullivan Mine. The Sullivan Mine was one of he most significant lead zinc mines in the world. It produced 8 million tonnes of zinc, 8 million tonnes of lead and 280 million ounces of silver – valued at $20 billion dollars. On average, there were 1000 people employed in Kimberley at the mine. The mine started operation in 1909 and was shut down in 2002.

In 1990, there was a 9 month shut down of the Sullivan Mine. Everyone knew that the Sullivan Mine would not run forever, but prior to this shutdown, people were fairly comfortable that the permanent closure of the mine was a long time away. This shutdown changed complacency to urgency. The question was asked: When the Sullivan Mine shuts down for good, what will happen to Kimberley?

In the fall of 1990 the City of Kimberley commissioned the Region District of East Kootenay’s planning department to do a best-use study for the western part of Kimberley.

Best Use Study for the western part of Kimberley

Kimberley West is Born

In January 1994, Mick Henningson the General Manager for Cominco’s Kimberley operations, announced that Cominco intends to create a new subdivision – Kimberley West. This was met with a lot of enthusiasm from the community and also concern from the Kimberley Sanctum Society, who were the self appointed stewards of the area. Cominco partnered with Genstar to conduct an economic viability study combined with the intent to partner in the development.

In March 1994, the Kimberley West area was brought into the Kimberley Official Community Plan as development area.

In 1995 there was a Heritage Resource Overview conducted and it was followed up with a Heritage Impact Assessment. The overview found that this area was used during pre-contact times and has 18 archaeological features of some significance. These sites ranged from isolated finds to 5 larger sites that should be avoided with development.

In Feb 1996 Cominco and the Province signed two of three agreements that would be required for the Kimberley West development to proceed.

• Agreement One was a commitment between Cominco and the Province to make lands available for the Kimberley West Development. At this point of the development, Cominco owned 398 hectares and the province owned 108 hectares of Kimberley West. So, Cominco and the Province would be partners in Kimberley West.
• Agreement Two was a land exchange between the Province and Cominco. The Province agreed to sell Cominco 108 hectares within Kimberley West and the timber rights to Kimberley West. And Cominco agreed to sell the Province, lands outside of Kimberley West. See the section on Land Ownership for a better understanding of this land deal.
• Agreement Three – the one not signed – was the partnership with a developer.

November 1996, Genstar was no longer involved with the development.

May 1997, United Inc, a developer from Calgary is now involved with this development.

June 1997 is when Cominco brought forward the requirement of an access road from Kimberley West to the ski hill, through the Nature Park. At the time, Cominco General Manager Don Boyle stated, “… this is needed to enhance the features of Kimberley West.” This may make sense on paper to someone who does not live within the community, but certainly does not make sense from a community perspective. This access road will divert highway 95A traffic through this residential community.

Land Ownership

It seems like every other Daily Bulletin news article has a different size for Kimberley West, so the numbers used here are 506 hectares total, 398 hectares legacy Cominco tenure and 108 hectares needed from the Province. What is important to understand, is that during the development of Kimberley West, the boundaries of Kimberley West were somewhat dynamic.

Cominco had owned 398 hectares of this 506 hectare development area since the early 1900′s and in July 1998 Cominco gained control of the remaining 108 hectares of land from the province in a land swap. This land swap started with an agreement between Cominco and the Province, dated February 9, 1996. In this agreement, Cominco agreed to sell the Province certain lands north, south and west of Kimberley West for $496,513, lands which are now known as part of the Kimberley Nature Park. The Province agreed to sell Cominco, certain lands west of Townsite for $126,920 and the timber rights within Kimberley West for $531,344. The net result of this agreement, was that Cominco owed the Province $161,751 which they agreed that Cominco would pay in either cash or land. This agreement was made condition to a number of legal things that were to be cleared by September 30, 1996, with closing 60 days after that. The dates of this agreement were amended a number of times with the final conditional removal date being July 15, 1997 and execution of the agreement on May 22, 1997.

On July 21, 1997 the following land deal was announced in the news paper:

• Cominco received 3 parcels of land from the province
  • 108 hectares in Kimberley West
  • 85 hectares near the Sullivan Mine
  • a 0.1 hectare lot in the Purcell Park Subdivision
• In return, the province received 270 hectares of land at Porteous between Marysville and Wycliff. I believe that this land is now owned by The Land Conservancy and is the original portion of the Wycliff Wildlife Corridor.

The Plan is Unveiled

July 1997 Cominco and United released the Kimberley West Comprehensive Development Plan.

Kimberley West Comprehensive Development Plan 1997

September 1997 the City of Kimberly rezoned the land to R-1.

The Final Touches

July 1999 Cominco and United signed a joint venture agreement and they have created a new entity called Kimberley West Joint Venture. At this time United is doing the engineering of services and roads.

November 1999 road work is happening in Kimberley West.

Forest Crowne is Born

January 2000 Cominco and United officially changed the name from Kimberley West to Forest Crowne.

April 2000 people can put holds on lots, but the lots can not be sold as the services were not yet in.

November 2000 services are being put in.

First house built in 2002.

Eagles Nest Resort Homes

United felt that they needed a house builder in Forest Crowne. So Chris Kolozetti, vice president of United Inc. along with Larry Krause and David Chamberland, of Cannex Construction, created a company called Eagles Nest Resort Homes(ENRH). They brought in Mark Love as the President. It is my understanding that ENRH has the right of first refusal on all lots developed in Forest Crowne. ENRH has the show home in Forest Crowne and has developed The Cottages, Phases 2A, 2B and 2C. ENRH markets and sells The Cottages, and contracts the construction of them to New Dawne Developments.

The Pool and Amenity Center

For a couple of years, one of the marketing tools used to sell The Cottages, was an amenity building and pool. This particular development idea has ended.

Current Development Plan

The Forest Crowne Development Plan below is the tentative future development plan for the area. It is subject to change.