Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools also receives donation from local builders

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

It is a grass field on a huge plot of land today.

By September, thousands will visit to enjoy a parade.

Well, not just any parade.

The 2024 GRO Parade of Homes is coming in September, and on Wednesday the Building Industry Association of Clark County held a groundbreaking ceremony.

The three multi-million dollar homes will be built at what is being called The Reserve at Lake River, located at 14604 NW 56h Ave. in Vancouver.

“We love the Parade,” said John Colgate of Affinity Homes, one of this year’s builders. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase what we do.”

Bart Hansen, the executive director of the BIA of Clark County, said the Parade is for all homeowners or potential homeowners.

This year’s parade will feature homes between $2 and $3 million. But Hansen said that cost should not discourage anyone from taking a look at the homes when the Parade opens in September.

“Maybe they don’t want to buy a $2 or $3 million home, but maybe they want something in the (Parade) homes, in their home,” Hansen said. “There are a lot of ideas that you can get from these homes. And if you decide you want to build a $2 or $3 million home, guess what? It’s available to you.”

Colgate said Affinity Homes enjoys being part of the Parade, even if the timeline can be a bit exhilarating.

“It’s kind of wild how fast things can get done. It’s very stressful,” Colgate said. “Once you’re in, it’s got to happen.”

He said this year will be particularly fun because the builders have so much space. One lot is an acre and the other two are three-quarters of an acre.

Those lots will become three, luxurious, beautiful homes, Hansen said.

Cascade West Development is also a builder at the 2024 Parade.

The 2024 GRO Parade of Homes groundbreaking ceremony also completed some unfinished business from 2023’s showcase. That Parade featured a home built for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Hansen announced to the crowd that the St. Jude home raised more than $420,000 for the hospital.

Another home last year was to be sold on behalf of the Building Futures Association, a nonprofit associated with the BIA. From proceeds of that home, the BFA donated $120,000 to the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools.

Jenny Thompson, executive director of the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools, announced that the money will go to the completion of a new construction skills trade center on the campus of Hudson’s Bay High School.

“It’s huge. It shows the community commitment for the trades, and it means new opportunities for our students,” Thompson said.

The groundbreaking and the donation were celebrated by dozens of builders, vendors, contractors, other local business leaders, and city and county employees. 

“These two gestures symbolize bold beginnings and demonstrate the sense of community that has come out of the GRO Parade of Homes,” said Elizabeth Gomez, owner of Bride City Contracting and the committee chair for the 2024 Parade.

This will be the 46th Parade of Homes. The official opening date is Sept. 6. The Parade will be open for 13 days, which will include three weekends in September.