Q&A with Gambier Island homesteaders James and Lara
Gambier Islanders Homesteaders – James Spouler and Lara Kehler
Gambier Island
January is that time of year where people take stock of their lives and ask that all important question: “What am I doing with my life?” Usually this results in a few trips to the gym and then it’s back to business as usual. But for some, it leads to something more radical.
Recently, I spoke with Gambier Islanders James Spouler and Lara Kehler, who back in 2007 decided the time was right to pursue their dream of purchasing a piece of land they could call their own on.
What were you guys looking?
We originally wanted something wild. Close enough to civilization to make it easy to get there and bring supplies, but far enough away to be able to forget that the rest of the world exists. We are both designers and dreamers and have wanted to build a house or cabin of our own design, and wanted to find the right place to do it one day.
The view over to Bowen Island & a passing BC Ferry
What drew you to Gambier?
We started actually by looking at Bowen Island for a lot to build on, or a home to buy that suited our needs/ wants, but the prices were way outside of what we could reasonably afford. So we tried looking elsewhere, and we discovered the listings for the first phase development of Fircom on Gambier.
When did you purchase?
We tried to buy a piece in phase #1 of the Fircom development, but we were too late. There was a waiting list of potential buyers and we were so far back that by the time our name came up to choose a property, all the ones that drew us in were already taken. So when the second phase of development came round we were closer to the front of the line. This was great, because we got the one that we wanted. We selected our piece in the fall of 2007, and closed the deal in March of ‘08.
Thinking about purchasing a remote island property? Make sure you contact: Rick Gustavson first
Then call Westcoast Outbuildings to discuss your specific building needs. We deliver and build anywhere in Canada.