Decided on 8 frame medium Langs, foundationless. A local maker makes beautiful hives, with a quilt box, top entrance and peaked lids, screen base with slide in inserts. Ordered 2 hives, total 10 medium boxes, since I'm not very handy with making things myself.
Fingers crossed for a BC nuc from a community club. No guarantee I'll get one. I could order a package from a commercial supplier, but I'd rather Canadian bees and queen than New Zealand.