Quarterly Newsletter, March 2006

Real Estate Activity for Past Quarter

There have been 28 sales and 8 conditional sales since January 1st, 2006 as compared to 45 total sales for this time last year.  The median price for the winter of 2006 is $239,000 as compared to the winter of 2005 at $190,000. Total number of properties currently on the market is 73. Of these 28 are bare land and the rest are residential. In addition there are 10 commercial properties for sale.  The market has had a slow start in 2006 but has become much more active throughout the month of March and prices are remaining stable.

Lots and acreage have become a hot commodity this year! There have been 10 completed sales of half acre lots with a median sales price of $86,000 and 5 completed sales of acreages with a median sales price of $245,000.

Contact us now to list your property - it's a great time to sell!

*Community Gardens - Gabriola Commons and People for a Healthy Community are sponsoring a community garden project this year. Donations of garden tools and equipment are helpful and appreciated. Contact Gill at 247-9750 for information.

*Rain Water Collection - A very informative seminar on rain water collection took place on March 19th, hosted by the Dental Clinic. http://www.rainwaterconnection.com/
*Hope Center - North Road @ Tin Can Alley - The Hope Center has received a grant from the BC Ministry of Children & Family Development to finish the expansion that will house the Gathering Place Youth Center for Teens, the Licensed After School Care Program, and a Daycare for 3-5 year olds.

*Coast Card - BC Ferries will be replacing the currently used books of ferry tickets with the "Coast Card" which will be similar to a debit card. A positive aspect of the Coast Card is that each card will have an identifying number so that customers can notify BC Ferries if their card is lost or stolen and have their balance transferred to a new card. On the negative side, the card is intended to be non-transferrable in order to prevent one-time visitors from receiving the discounts associated with pre-paid commuter tickets.

*Cox Community Park - GaLTT Update (The Gabriola Land and Trails Trust) - The formation of GaLTT provided a means to better facilitate volunteer trail work and fund raising efforts necessary for the goal of an island trail system. Cox Community Park trail projects include the Yogi Trail and the River Place Boardwalk. GaLTT has been able to assist with funding Cox projects through a Shell Environment Fund grant of $5000 to clean up hazards and provide safe and environmentally sustainable access to the park. One day, it is hoped that these trails will connect with a broader community trail system that will link all Island neighbourhoods and provide the community with some fine ways for non-motorized users to get around.

*Co-op Radio - The CRTC application for a non-profit community radio station is completed and the Gabriola Radio Society has plans to build it's own tower and station. They have been offered 2.5 acres of land at the top of the island for less than market value.

Lifetime memberships are available for $1000 - for information contact Ken Zakreski at 247-9891 or email gabriolaradio@shaw.ca.

*Village Foods has done away with it's Quick Stop convenience store and has used the extra space to expand it's selection of dairy and grocery items as well as expanding it's business hours. The store seems a lot bigger!

*Islands Trust
See a full colour map showing the "big picture" of development on the island:

*2006 Census coming in May.

*Community Events

http://www.gabriolalife.com/
We hope you have enjoyed this Quarter's newsletter!
 
Sincerely,
Lesley & Robyn McMahon