Insights & Updates from The Confluence

Showing 19 of 19 posts.

• 3 min read

  Feb 10

  Resilience Put to the Test: How Our Passive House & Mass Timber Building Handled an Unexpected Fire

  Two weeks ago, our building faced a significant real-world challenge. An accidental fire broke out near our back entrance. While the local fire department responded quickly and the fire was extinguished before it could cause structural damage to our mass timber frame, the incident resulted in heavy smoke entering the building. Smoke from a modern fire is complex; it isn't just wood smoke, but includes fumes other particulates. However, as the dust (and soot) settled, we realized that our...

  Read more: Resilience Put to the Test: How Our Passive House & Mass Timber Building Handled an Unexpected Fire
• 2 min read

  Jan 9

  50% Off Day Passes at The Confluence Coworking Space – Come Tour & Claim Yours Starting Jan 12!

  Happy New Year from The Confluence! If 2026 is the year you're ready to ditch home distractions and work in a bright, focused space, we've got something special for you. From Monday, January 12th to Friday, February 13th , we're offering 50% off day passes — just $10.50 incl. GST (regularly $21) for a full day of productive coworking . The best part? You don't have to decide blind. Come in for a free tour any weekday — we'll show you around the space, answer all your questions, and hand...

  Read more: 50% Off Day Passes at The Confluence Coworking Space – Come Tour & Claim Yours Starting Jan 12!
• 1 min read

  Dec 11, 2025

  Why Coworking Beats the Kitchen Table (and yes, science agrees)

  You love working from home… until your Wi-Fi drops during a client call, your dog barks at the mailman, and your back quietly plotting revenge. Sound familiar? You're not alone, Castlegar freelancers, remote workers, and side-hustlers are in the same boat, where your “home office” is currently the corner of the kitchen table between the cereal box and the kids’ homework. But here’s the thing: there’s a quieter, faster, greener alternative in the heart of Castlegar — and it costs less than...

  Read more: Why Coworking Beats the Kitchen Table (and yes, science agrees)
• 1 min read

  Dec 3, 2025

  New Outdoor Furniture: Another Step Toward a Greener, Friendlier Confluence

  Today a group of board members and staff installing the final pieces that turn The Confluence from “beautiful building” into “beautiful place to be.” New bike racks (encouraging more pedal-powered commutes) Sturdy picnic tables and benches (for lunch breaks with a view) Proper garbage + recycling stations (because even outdoors we keep it green). Every choice was intentional: The bike racks reduce car trips and keep parking free for visitors. The picnic tables are made from recycled-content...

  Read more: New Outdoor Furniture: Another Step Toward a Greener, Friendlier Confluence
• 3 min read

  Nov 21, 2025

  What Is Passive House Certification – and Why The Confluence Is Proud to Have It

  If you’ve visited The Confluence Building in Castlegar lately, you’ve probably noticed we talk a lot about being Passive House certified. But what does that actually mean – and why does it matter for you, for Castlegar, and for the planet? The Short Answer Passive House is the world’s most rigorous, proven, and science-based energy-efficiency standard for buildings. A certified Passive House uses up to 80 % less energy for heating and cooling than a typical building, while staying...

  Read more: What Is Passive House Certification – and Why The Confluence Is Proud to Have It
• 3 min read

  Nov 19, 2025

  Celebrating Our FortisBC Efficiency in Action 2025 Award Win: A Milestone for Sustainable Building in Castlegar

  What an incredible moment for our team at The Confluence! We were thrilled to receive the prestigious FortisBC Efficiency in Action 2025 Award in the Commercial – Small category . This recognition isn't just a plaque on the wall—it's a testament to our commitment to pioneering energy-efficient design and leaving a lasting green footprint on our community. As a building that's only been open since August 2024, achieving this in our first full year feels like a dream come true. A Quick Look...

  Read more: Celebrating Our FortisBC Efficiency in Action 2025 Award Win: A Milestone for Sustainable Building in Castlegar
• 3 min read

  Jan 10, 2025

  Work-from-Home Fatigue? Here’s How Coworking Can Help

  In recent years, the work-from-home trend has surged, and for many freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs, it’s become the new...

  Read more: Work-from-Home Fatigue? Here’s How Coworking Can Help
• 2 min read

  Sep 23, 2024

  Castlegar Chamber opens doors of $8 million building

  The Castlegar Chamber of Commerce officially opened The Confluence on Friday, Aug. 23. Betsy Kline, Castlegar News Aug 27, 2024 5:30 AM...

  Read more: Castlegar Chamber opens doors of $8 million building
• 3 min read

  Mar 12, 2024

  Castlegar Chamber of Commerce building nearing completion

  The Confluence will house the West Kootenay Gateway Visitor’s Centre Betsy Kline, Castlegar News March 12, 2024 5:35 AM Submitted by...

  Read more: Castlegar Chamber of Commerce building nearing completion
• 1 min read

  Dec 8, 2023

  The Confluence Building

  Photos by Matthew Bolt Photography. Courtesy of naturally:wood.com Mass timber and Passive House certification will combine for the first...

  Read more: The Confluence Building
• 1 min read

  Oct 20, 2023

  Castlegar Chamber receives $200,000 towards new building

  The grant will support the visitor's centre portion of The Confluence building Betsy Kline, Castlegar News October 20, 2023 1:00 PM The...

  Read more: Castlegar Chamber receives $200,000 towards new building
• 1 min read

  Jun 1, 2023

  Ground broken on Castlegar Confluence building

  The building will host the Chamber, Visitor Centre, Economic Development, Destination Castlegar Betsy Kline, Castlegar News June 1, 2023...

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• 2 min read

  May 30, 2023

  Ground broken on Castlegar Confluence building

  By Greg Nesteroff May 30, 2023 A Creston company has been awarded the contract to build the Castlegar Confluence building, a...

  Read more: Ground broken on Castlegar Confluence building
• 1 min read

  May 9, 2023

  Castlegar Chamber gala supports building project

  Fundraising event for The Confluence building Betsy Kline, Castlegar News May 9, 2023 3:30 PM Photo: Jennifer Small, Castlegar News More...

  Read more: Castlegar Chamber gala supports building project
• 1 min read

  Apr 26, 2023

  Castlegar Chamber of Commerce receives $2 million in funding

  The Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce received a total of $2 million in funding for the Confluence building. $1 million is...

  Read more: Castlegar Chamber of Commerce receives $2 million in funding
• 1 min read

  Feb 10, 2023

  Announcing The Confluence Gala!

  The Confluence Gala is a fundraising event for the Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce's new iconic building that will break ground...

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• 3 min read

  Nov 1, 2022

  Meet the Newest and Most Exciting Building in Castlegar

  November 1, 2022 | Architecture Kootenay Mountain Culture Designed by Cover Architecture, the new Confluence building will house the...

  Read more: Meet the Newest and Most Exciting Building in Castlegar
• 2 min read

  Jul 23, 2022

  Castlegar Chamber says farewell to a community hub

  The current building is being demolished to make way for a new multi-use facility Bill Metcalfe, Nelson Star News July 23, 2022 2:20 PM...

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• 3 min read

  Jul 20, 2022

  Meet the Newest and Most Exciting Building in Castlegar

  By Kyle Born - July 20, 2022 Designed by Cover Architecture, the new Confluence building will house the city’s Chamber of Commerce and...

  Read more: Meet the Newest and Most Exciting Building in Castlegar