Once part of the Canadian Forces Base in Chilliwack, Garrison Crossing was acquired by Canada Lands Company in 2001 from the Department of National Defence. The 61-hectare (153-acre) redevelopment was modeled on the principles of “new urbanism” and represents one of Canada Lands’ larger revitalization projects. 

The Garrison Crossing development complements Chilliwack’s existing natural surroundings and promotes social integration, connectivity and engagement within the community to increase the property’s overall environmental and social value. The development was intentionally designed to be pedestrian-friendly, with a central boulevard linked to a network of bikeways, walking pathways and the implementation of narrow roadways to calm street traffic and make the community safer for everyone. Nature trails allow the community to walk to the nearby elementary school, as well as a new community centre and the Garrison Village retail space. Part of the Garrison Crossing redevelopment included the preservation of most mature trees on the site, including the dedication of a 1-hectare (2.5-acre) Douglas Fir forest as a park. The installation of a complete stormwater collection system and implementation of a treatment and groundwater recharge system helped protect the city’s drinking water aquifer. Demolition materials like concrete and asphalt were also recycled with on-site crushing for use as a base material in newly built roadbeds. 

Garrison Crossing saw more than 1,700 residential housing units built that include refurbished single-family homes, new and restored townhouses, and condominium apartments at varying price points. The redevelopment also enabled the addition of secondary suites in basements of larger homes and in the form of carriage houses above detached garages on rear lanes of homes. 

In an effort to honour the history of the former military base, several historical elements were preserved including the refurbishment of the Permanent Married Quarters – while a newly built Legacy Walk (also known as the Legacy Trail) was created in 2006 to honour the men and women who lived and worked at the former Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack from its inception in 1942 to its closure in 1995. 

Garrison Crossing won many awards over the years, including:

•    The Chilliwack Mayor’s Office 2001 Award for Environmental Achievement
•    The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce’s 2003 Award for Development Excellence (won for three consecutive years)
•    The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Award for Business Excellence
•    The Urban Development Institute’s 2007 Award for Excellence in the category of Best Master Planned Community 
•    The Canadian Military Engineers Association 2007 Branch Commendation

In 2010, Garrison Crossing secured stage 2 LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Neighbourhood Development) certification as part of a pilot program led by the U.S. Green Building Council. The designation was particularly notable as Garrison Crossing broke ground years before the council’s program rating system was even established. Garrison Crossing’s LEED-ND designation demonstrates Canada Lands’ early and precedent-setting commitment to the inclusion of environmentally sustainable best practices into its real estate developments.