City of Rossland Wins Award
By Contributor
The City of Rossland has been honored with the prestigious 2024 CAMA Award for Collaboration with External Organizations by the Canadian Association of Municipal
Administrators (CAMA).
This recognition celebrates the remarkable achievements of Rossland and its partners in the groundbreaking “Rossland Yards” project. The award was presented during a ceremony
at the Awards of Excellence Ceremony held today. “CAMA is pleased to recognize Rossland for the municipal excellence and collaboration demonstrated by this project,” said Tony Kulbisky, CAMA President, CAMA Representative for Alberta and CAO for Westlock County, AB. “This innovative effort not only resulted in a new City Hall, but affordable workforce housing for the community.”
The “Rossland Yards” project is situated on a historically significant site, once home to the Red
Mountain/Great Northern Railway station and later a highways maintenance yard. The project marks a transformative endeavor by the City of Rossland to tackle the challenges of housing affordability, civic infrastructure, while utilizing municipal lands to fulfill both municipal and affordable housing policy objectives. Rossland Yards serves as a model for future initiatives nationwide.
Designed to provide affordable workforce housing, the project offers a total of 37 affordable rental housing units. These include 21 one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units and 4 three-bedroom units, which are managed by the Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society (LCAHS). Additionally, the building houses the new Rossland City Hall, Council Chambers, and community meeting spaces on its ground floor. The $16.4 million project adheres to the highest standards of the BC Energy Step Code, ensuring sustainability and energy efficiency.
The development was made possible through partnerships and funding from BC Housing,
LCAHS, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (in collaboration with the Government of Canada), and the City of Rossland. To ensure effective planning, engagement, design approvals, and construction, a joint building committee was formed. This committee was guided by a charter and collaborated closely with the LCAHS Board, senior staff from BC Housing, and City of Rossland staff and Council, to make informed recommendations on major project components.
Aligned with the City’s Official Community Plan and Council Strategic Initiatives, the project emphasizes key priorities including growth management, environmental stewardship, community services and housing. It specifically addresses objectives outlines in the Rossland Midtown Transition Area Neighbourhood Plan.
“Strategically integrating the new City Hall with affordable housing showcases a creative approach to civic planning, maximizing the use of available space,” said Bryan Teasdale Chief Administrative Officer. “This integration signals a shift from standalone civic infrastructure projects to a more interconnected and community-oriented development model.”
A total of 45 submissions were received for this year’s awards program. To find out more about the City of Rossland’s award, as well as the other 2024 CAMA Awards of Excellence winners, visit 2024 CAMA Awards Recipients | Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) (camacam.ca) and look for the award recipients’ link.
