January 25, 2005
For Immediate Release
B.C. Town of Kitsault Sold
New Westminster, B.C. -- After just four months on the real estate
market the former ghost town of Kitsault, B.C., has been sold for
an undisclosed sum according to Rudy Nielsen, President of Niho
Land & Cattle Company. Nielsen is responsible for the appraisal
and marketing strategy while an affiliate company, LandQuest Realty,
sold this unique property.
“The lights are going back on in Kitsault,” says
Nielsen, who adds that the new owners, Kitsault Resort Ltd. B.C.,
are planning to revitalize the spectacular oceanfront town as
a premier northern destination. “The outdoor recreation
opportunities in this region are limitless,“ says Nielsen,
“and include spectacular sport fishing and the potential
for world-class heli-skiing.”
“The new owners are planning to refurbish the town and
begin consultations with the Crown and First Nations early this
year. They want to bring this community back to life. Along with
the sale of single family homes and condominiums, they are looking
at other possibilities such as a time share vacation resort and
even a movie studio.”
Located 500 air miles northwest of Vancouver, and a 3.5-hour
drive north of Terrace, Kitsault was once a thriving coastal community
on the shores of Alice Arm. Alice Arm is a fjord which is capable
of being a deep sea port with potential to form connections with
the nearby coastal city of Prince Rupert. It has been vacant since
the early 1980s when a nearby molybdenum mine shut down.
The Kitsault town site consists of over 322 acres on eight titles.
It includes approximately 90 houses and duplexes, seven apartment
buildings (which contain a combination of over 200 bachelor, one
and two bedroom units) over twenty foundations for double wide
mobile homes, a shopping centre, two recreation centres, a hospital,
a large work yard and a local dock.
There is a 22,000 square foot shopping centre that has a grocery
store, liquor store, bank, hardware store, restaurant, post office,
and other specialty stores. Together, the two recreation centres
include a swimming pool, hot tub and whirlpool, locker rooms,
gymnasium, a library, a curling rink and even the Maple Leaf pub.
The Kitsault General Hospital is equipped with operating equipment,
examination room, waiting/reception area and even a suite to house
visiting physicians and dentists.
Throughout Kitsault, all utilities including telephone and cablevision
have been installed underground. Pavement, curbs and landscaping
have enhanced the human engineered aspects of the town site. There
is even a complete sewage system with lift stations and a sewage
treatment plant.
“Phase I of the redevelopment project focusing on infrastructure
is scheduled to begin this spring, says Nielsen, “and the
new owners are looking forward to working closely with First Nations
government agencies and the local region to build a premier destination
that everyone can be proud of and one that will provide significant
economic benefits for Northern British Columbia.”
For more information: www.niho.com
Contact:
Rudy Nielsen
Niho Land & Cattle Company
Appraisal, Marketing Strategy & Consultation
(604) 606-7900
Brian Harris
LandQuest Realty Corp.
Associate Broker - Sales
(604) 664-7600