The 2021 Training House is being constructed on Elston Drive in Westsyde (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

2021 TRAINING HOUSE

Next year’s Y Dream Home under construction in Westsyde

Aug 12, 2020 | 5:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — If you’re still getting over the disappointment of not winning the Y Dream Home, construction on next year’s house is already underway.

The 2021 Training House is taking shape in the Oak Hills community of Westsyde. TRU Residential Construction students are framing the house and preparing to pour the foundation.

“When I saw an opportunity to get here, I took it,” said student Dayton Thomas. “It’s great. You’re never really going to run out of work with carpentry. It’s always going to be there.”

Instructor Bryce Coombs is taking the students through the process of building a house. He’s hoping it piques the students’ interest and they carry on with the trade.

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“It’s planting the seeds to help them get started,” said Coombs. “By no means am I everything to carpentry myself. It’s always improving, lifelong learning, showing them hopefully from the word ‘go’ the right things at the right time, so they don’t fall into bad habits and make mistakes.”

The added bonus is residential construction is one of few TRU courses held in person with most other courses happening virtually this fall.

“It’s an opportunity for the students, even I think in a situation that we’re in, where they’ll be able to get the practical skills and to be as competent as past graduates,” noted Dean of Trades & Technology Baldev Pooni.

The house — under construction on Elston Drive in Westsyde — is the 31st house built by TRU students in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior. It will be a two-story home and will be 2,800 square feet. It’s one of 15 lots developed by Chimera Construction.

“It’s a little bit of a smaller home. The one last year was very energy efficient. This is even one step more in the energy efficiency and we’re using some new techniques for our area that increases energy efficiencies,” said Past President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior Kelly Reid.

The Kamloops Y, the biggest beneficiary of the Y Dream Home Lottery, says it’s a project that is keeping the non-profit afloat during turbulent times.

While other YCMAs across the country are permanently closing, the Kamloops branch is hanging in there. The net income from the 2020 home, and the 50/50 draw, is close to $800,000. It’s money that will be spent immediately.

“Trying to bring services back online during times of COVID are more costly,” noted Kamloops YMCA-YWCA CEO Colin Reid. “There’s a slow uptake and the public is still a little reluctant, and so it’s going to take a long time before services are back to normal. Opportunities like the dream home help us weather this storm so that we’re here for the community.”