by John McNamee, Ravens Crossing Cohousing | photos by Tanya Murchie –
On September 30 the residents of Ravens Crossing Cohousing (RCC) celebrated the third anniversary of moving into their new homes at the corner of Seventh Street and Brethour Avenue in Sidney. In 2021, about 53 people became residents of RCC, becoming the fifth cohousing community on Vancouver Island – joining those already in Sooke, Nanaimo and Courtenay. This concept originated in Denmark and has developed in North America with Vancouver Island having the highest number, per capita, of anywhere in North America. Cohousing is not the same as cooperative housing. Members own their units, which fall under the BC Strata Property Act.
RCC’s history on Vancouver Island began in 2016 when over 50 people heard a community talk at the Saanich Fairgrounds where Dr. Margaret Critchlow spoke about cohousing. At the end of 2017, a group formed and took on the name Ravens Crossing Cohousing (RCC). A year later this group purchased the land for our building. In 2019, the Town of Sidney approved the development permit and, working with an architect, consultants and builder, RCC started to make our cohousing dreams come true. Our building is rated as “Built Green Gold,” appealing to RCC’s many environmentally-conscientious residents. Solar panels have recently been added to the building and several residents enjoy our many outlets in our parkade for charging their electric vehicles.
At Ravens Crossing we value collaboration, compassion, diversity, health and wellness, play and connection. We have monthly meetings to make community decisions using a consensus model. Members contribute to teams such as gardens and grounds, building maintenance, legal and finance, and community building. Members sponsor activities such as walks, bike rides, potlucks, movie nights and game nights. Tea and cookie time is a popular time to visit with each other. A quilt was made for a bereaved partner and various work bees for building projects such as a garden shed and a walkway for a resident in a wheelchair have been completed. The building has a large common kitchen and dining area where meals can be prepared for the community. Common meals provide an opportunity to enjoy a meal while strengthening a sense of community. We are fortunate to have some excellent cooks and barbecue chefs among our members! There is a common kitchen garden where residents can help with the gardening, and where any resident can harvest the bounty of fruit and vegetables grown. Working and playing together has helped us strengthen our bonds and build a better community.
Our members enjoy local venues such as the Star Theatre, the Butchart Gardens and the Mary Winspear Centre. Several of us volunteer at the elementary school and other local organizations.
We do not select our members. Our members choose us – anyone can buy a condo at Ravens Crossing. If you need any further information about
Ravens Crossing or, if you would like to organize a visit to our building, our website is located at www.ravenscrossingcohousing.ca.
