The Confluence Receives Provincial Recognition for Community Impact

On May 13, 2026, in Penticton, BC, the Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce was recognized with the BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) Community Project Award in the population 10,000–25,000 category — a provincial honour awarded to one community per population category across all of British Columbia.

Our Executive Director Tammy Verigin-Burk accepted the award on behalf of the organization, the board of directors, and the entire community that helped make The Confluence a reality.

What Is the BCEDA Community Project Award?

The BC Economic Development Association has been celebrating excellence in economic development across British Columbia for over 20 years. Its annual awards recognize organizations and communities that have implemented initiatives delivering meaningful economic benefit to their region.

The Community Project Award specifically honours a community or partnership that has worked together to advance economic development in a significant and replicable way. Winners are selected by a panel of judges from submissions across the entire province. Only one award is given per population category — making this recognition both competitive and meaningful.

A 13-Year Vision Becomes Reality

The Confluence did not happen overnight. What began as an idea more than 13 years ago evolved through years of planning, partnership-building, community consultation, and persistent effort into one of Canada’s first fully public Passive House-certified mass timber facilities.

Passive House certification represents the gold standard in energy-efficient building design — a rigorous standard that significantly reduces energy consumption while creating a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment. Combined with mass timber construction, The Confluence stands as a model of sustainable, forward-thinking community infrastructure.

The building is also a 2025 FortisBC Efficiency in Action Award winner, further recognizing its commitment to energy innovation.

More Than a Building — A Hub for the Region

The Confluence is home to the Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce, the Castlegar Visitor Centre, Destination Castlegar, and a Castlegar & District Economic Development — bringing together tourism, economic development, and community support under one roof.

The building’s coworking space offers flexible options for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and professionals. The Mercer Celgar Board Room accommodates up to 75 people, and the Sunrise Meeting Room provides an intimate space for smaller gatherings. As the building continues to grow, a new souvenir shop celebrating local makers and Kootenay-inspired products is set to open in the coming weeks.

Month by month, more individuals, organizations, and businesses are finding their way to The Confluence — using it as a place to work, connect, meet, and build.

“This provincial recognition is not only a celebration of a building, but of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision. The Confluence represents years of collaboration, persistence, innovation, and community belief. We are deeply honoured to have this work recognized at the provincial level and proud that the Castlegar and District region is being acknowledged as a leader in rural economic development innovation.

Tammy Verigin-Burk, Executive Director, Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce

Thank You

This award belongs to everyone who believed in this project: the staff, the board of directors, funders, local governments, Indigenous communities, partner organizations, businesses, and the countless community members who championed The Confluence from vision to completion.

We are proud to call Castlegar home, and proud to represent this community on a provincial stage.