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Village Centre brings new homes, commercial spaces and childcare to Canal Flats

Published 10:30 am Wednesday, February 11, 2026

First new residential and commercial builds since the 1960s support families, seniors and long-term community stability

This April, Canal Flats will see the opening of its first new residential and commercial buildings in the downtown core since the 1960s, marking a major milestone for the community’s long-term growth.

Located across from Family Foods and within a 15-minute walk of Martin Morigeau Elementary School, Village Centre introduces an integrated approach to housing, childcare and future services – designed to support residents while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Designed and developed by the Arvora Housing and Childcare Society, Village Centre combines new housing with commercial space, creating a built-in customer base for entrepreneurs while supporting families and seniors who want to remain rooted in Canal Flats and maintain access to essential services.

“We’re building infrastructure that makes it possible for residents to stay and thrive in our community – to raise their families here, work here, and age comfortably and safely here,” said Ashley Nielsen, Executive Director of the Arvora Housing and Childcare Society.

A cornerstone of the development is Headwaters Academy, which opened in 2023 and is expanding this spring by 60 licensed childcare spaces. 

Headwaters Academy offers programs ranging from daycare to after-school care, with a strong emphasis on nature-based learning and community involvement. 

On April 15, the first phase of rental housing at Village Centre is set to open, adding 16 new suites to the community. 

The homes include accessible units designed for seniors and residents with mobility needs, as well as income-assisted units that help ensure affordability for local households.

The development also includes new commercial bays intended for food, retail, health, or service-based businesses. By integrating commercial space directly into a residential and childcare hub, Arvora hopes to attract entrepreneurs who want to establish businesses that meet everyday community needs while benefiting from consistent foot traffic and a growing local customer base.

Families moving into Village Centre this spring will receive a $750 child care credit, designed to help ease the transition into their new homes and connect households directly to local supports.

Rural communities across British Columbia often face a “chicken-and-egg” challenge: whether services must arrive before people do, or whether population growth must come first.

“We didn’t want to wait for one piece to justify the next,” Nielsen says. “Housing without childcare doesn’t work. Childcare without stable housing doesn’t work. When you plan them together, the community has a real chance to succeed.”

Future phases of Village Centre include plans for a health hub, which would bring pharmacy and wellness services closer to home for seniors and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the community for care.

Residents interested in applying for housing at Village Centre can find information on available suites, eligibility and upcoming phases at arvora.ca.

Details on Headwaters Academy programs and applications are available at headwatersacademy.co/programs