Meet the Face of Development in Kamloops: Sheila Minten of Total Concept Developments

Total Concept Developments is creative, innovative and, most certainly, does not shy away from challenging projects.

“We are a 40-year-old, local, family-owned company that likes to find solutions to make projects work rather than why they won’t work,” says general manager Sheila Minten.

Total Concept is currently creating Fairway 10, a stunning, five-storey, 42-unit condominium complex at the Dunes Golf Course.

As the name indicates, the contemporary condos will rise along the 10th fairway with jaw-dropping golf course and river views.

Fairway 10 offers studio, one and two-bedroom and penthouse condos with fireplaces, appliances, window coverings and a choice of two modern colour schemes.

The penthouses feature private, rooftop decks with pergolas and amped-up views.

Living at Fairway 10 at the Dunes means you’ll be located in the quiet Westsyde neighbourhood of Kamloops, can enjoy early-spring and late-fall golf and proximity to award-winning wineries, lakes and hiking trails along the river.

Total Concept just completed the six-storey, wood-frame Lightwell in downtown Kamloops, with 140 apartments and condominiums and 12,000 square feet of commercial space.

It’s an ‘airspace’ development, which means the apartments, condos and commercial space have separate airspaces so they can operate independently from one another.

Total Concept Developments built the first six-storey, wood-frame construction building in BC.

It’s called Library Square and it was also the first ‘airspace’ project in Kamloops.

Library Square also led the revitalization of North Shore.

“We’re most proud of Library Square,” says Sheila.

“It’s a P3, public-private partnership between Total Concept, which put in the proposal and built Library Square, and the Thompson Nicola Regional District.”

Sheila’s parents, Casey and Marilyn VanDongen, started Total Concept in the midst of the 1981 recession.

Over the past four decades the focus has become development, along with its construction partner Tri City Canada, which is managed by Sheila’s husband, Shaun Minten.

“We have a small, but dedicated, team with most employees working over 10 years for us,” says Sheila.

“Commitment goes beyond just earning a wage. There is more care and ownership in the projects with long-term employees that have become like family.”

Sheila gives special shout outs to controller Amanda Babcock, property administrator Jodi Hunt, bookkeeper Kathryn Abel, administrative assistant Shalon Osborne and her brother, Ken, who works with the construction company.

The family is also very community-focused and helps organize the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, an event it’s been involved with since Sheila’s mom’s diagnosis in 2016.

Sheila has received the Paul Harris Award twice from Rotary International for her volunteer work with Kamloops Daybreak Rotary Club.