The founder of a unique community event and co-working space that has transformed an old warehouse on Port Moody’s Murray Street says building relationships has been key to its success.
And Chris Peacock says he’s looking to bring the Site B model to other communities.
Tuesday, March 11, Port Moody voted unanimously to grant Peacock’s venture a three-year temporary use permit (TUP) that can be automatically renewed for another three years. Several councillors indicated they’d like the arrangement to last even longer.
Since opening in 2022, Site B has hosted events like holiday sales, weightlifting competitions, roller derby, professional wrestling cards, long-table dinners, wedding receptions and even a gold swap using special event permits.
The new TUP will remove a bureaucratic hurdle and allow the space to blossom to its full potential, said Peacock, a tech entrepreneur who started Site B as an adjunct to the Brave brewery further west on Murray Street that he also acquired.
Peacock said Site B has forged partnerships with community groups like Canadian Blood Services, Collective Markets, the Port Moody Old Timers Hockey Association, Michael Cuccione Foundation and Port Moody Firefighters Charitable Society which use the facility to host events and fundraisers regularly.
He said their commitment along with the proceeds from more lucrative one-off private events has created a mutually-beneficial environment that keeps the facility busy and beloved by the community.
“There is nothing better than returning guests and long-term tenants,” Peacock said. “They understand you and the cost benefit of working together.”
Peacock said the certainty that comes with the city’s temporary use permit will allow him to further build the co-working community that occupies the warehouse’s upstairs mezzanine area during the weekdays. Its presence, solidified by a partnership with The Fountainhead Network that moved in to Site B when it had to vacate its former digs in Port Coquitlam, provides a stable membership base that allows the business to develop its “play community” in the evenings and on weekends.
Peacock said the symbiotic relationship between Site B’s work and play components isn’t easily replicated despite the endless quest of municipalities and developers to create community by bringing public spaces and commercial entities together. Just look at Queens Street Plaza that remains largely barren years after its creation despite being flanked by shops in Port Moody’s heritage downtown and city initiatives like adding seating and play features.
“This is not the model or mandate of our elected civic officials and it’s not the core business model of a developer or strata group,” said Peacock, who's casting about for new and different spaces to bring the business beyond Port Moody.
“The opportunity is infinite and there is not an idea that we wouldn’t consider.”
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