See below for the official notices. Work begins tomorrow for the completion of Phase 1. Both this and the emergency repairs will require some patios on the ground floor to be cleared. Note that Prostar uses the terms “patios” and “balconies” interchangeably–all work will only affect units on the ground floor.
These notices have also been posted in the lobbies of all three buildings.
Weather: 18°C, cloudy
Workers onsite: At least 4
Work done today:
Photos:
Weather: 24°C, sunny
Workers onsite: At least 6
Work done today:
Photos:
Today was the first day that Prostar was back onsite to begin work on the emergency repairs to the membrane in the space between the 240 and 244 buildings. In the first section below I’ll talk about the work itself and in the second section, I’ll answer some common questions.
Weather: Sunny, 29°C
At least 8 workers were on site, with an excavator, multiple dump trucks and other vehicles on hand, with work starting prior to 9 am and continuing throughout the day. The work done was:
Here are some answers to what I suspect may be the most common questions.
Q: Funding for Phase 2 hasn’t been approved yet. Why is work starting already?
A: The work being done currently is classified as an emergency repair, as the area below has the worst leaking. This allows work to proceed before the permit application has been approved. It is within the scope of Phase 2 of the membrane replacement project, but is treated differently due to the emergency status.
Q: Will the area between 240 and 244 be closed during construction?
A: For now, yes, though Prostar hopes to either have a small path available for pedestrians during construction or will just finish the area quickly enough to minimize the lack of access.
Q: Why are there barriers going around the trees in the Heritage Courtyard?
A: The barriers are required by the City of New Westminster. They have specified that the barrier must circle the group of trees, rather than have boxes for each individual tree, and will require the barriers to stay for the duration of the project. Access to the courtyard will still be available, though the area directly under the trees will not. The arborist issued a permit for this work to be done immediately.
Q: What will be done next?
A: A portion of Phase 1 was left unfinished and will be completed next. As this falls under Phase 1 work, it already has permit approval. The area is where the temporary pedestrian “bridge” exists joining the path leading to the stairs and the visitor parking.
Q: When will Phase 2 “officially” start?
A: As soon as permits are in place, likely before the end of May, assuming owners vote in favour of the funding at the May 5th SGM.
Q: What if owners don’t approve the funding?
A: Council will have to consider other ways to fund the project. I do not know what those would be.
Q: How long will Phase 2 take?
A: A preliminary schedule suggested up to 8 months, though this is likely to be revised as the project progresses. The project should be completed in 2026.
Q: Will there be updates as the project progresses?
A: Yes. I will provide daily reports on this unofficial site (though I verify all information before posting and have been given the OK to record photos of the work). Council will also provide official updates as they did during Phase 1.
Q: What will happen to the trees in the central courtyard?
A: Unfortunately, the trees will be removed. Replacement trees will be brought in as the project is completed, but they will not be fully mature.
Q: Boo. Why can’t the trees be saved?
A: The trees grow in very shallow soil (because they sit on top of the underground parking), therefore they don’t have normal root balls, making removal/preservation impractical. There will be efforts to save at least some of the hedges and vegetation by transferring them temporarily into Phase 1 areas.
Q: Will Phase 1 be getting sod?
A: Yes, though this has been complicated by the Stage 2 water restrictions that started on May 1st, as watering of the sod would not be allowed. This may delay the placement, exact details are still to be confirmed.
Q: Will the Visitor Parking remain open?
A: It will remain partially open throughout the project, though the number of spots will be drastically reduced and at some point there will be no vehicle access except for emergency vehicles. Pedestrian access will be maintained and the driveway off Sherbrooke Street will remain open, down to the speed bumps, for deliveries and drop-offs.
Did I miss a question? Feel free to ask by sending an email to admin@copperstonecommunity.org!
If you have concerns about the project, you can email the property manager at manager.copperstone@quaypacific.com or council at copperstonecouncil@gmail.com.
UPDATE. May 1, 2026: It looks like the work may not begin until Monday, May 4th. It's also been clarified that access through the work area will be preserved for pedestrians for at least the beginning of the work. The article has been edited to reflect this.
Prostar will begin work in the area between the 240 and 244 buildings to remove and replace the membrane. Technically this is considered an emergency repair as the area has the worst leaking in the underground parking. For my purposes I am categorizing it here as part of Phase 2 of the membrane project.
Work will likely begin on May 4th and may last up to a month. Pedestrian access to this area will be cut off at some point, but will be open for at least the initial part of the work. Once access is cut off, you will not be able to come up the stairs from Allen Street to enter the property during construction.
Owners and residents with patios facing the affected area have already been informed.
Below, the shading shows the affected area (click to enlarge).
The work will take place in the area with the pathway that is three pavers wide. The photo below shows the area (patios facing the area will also be affected):
