Business in Calgary - January 2022

JANUARY 2022 | $3.50 BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

A Logical

TRANSITION

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DEBORAH YEDLIN ON HER NEW ROLE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO AT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Alex was part of the fourth graduating class of Webber Academy (2009). During her time there, she played and coached volleyball and soccer, worked in the afterschool program, photographed school events, and was awarded the very first “Heart and Soul Award” at Webber Academy. She reflects that the pace and high expectations she experienced as a student at Webber Academy contributed greatly to her success in university and beyond: “The scope of projects and curriculum we had at Webber Academy were on another level — so much that once I was in university, I felt I had more than enough tools to excel in all my courses.”

After graduating high school, Alex attended Mount Royal University to pursue a Bachelors’ Degree in Communications in Information Design. She chose Information Design because it was a new and innovative degree that was a great blend of graphic design, technical writing, and usability.

In the middle of her communications degree, she studied abroad for a semester at the Queensland College of Art, in Brisbane, Australia. There, she was able to take courses that went beyond what her MRU degree was offering, and expanded her creativity and design skills. The style of education in Australia incorporated open discussions and fullclass feedback on all projects. This approach was challenging at first, but led to rapid growth.

After returning to Calgary from Australia, Alex had the opportunity to come back to Webber Academy as the marketing coordinator summer intern. During the internship, she worked alongside fellow alumni on projects like yearbooks, agendas, marketing the Calgary Invitational Spelling Bee, and coordinating the beloved school-wide 1100+ person event, the Welcome Back BBQ. Just before she began working at Webber Academy, Alex met her soon-to-be husband while teaching spin classes at YYC Cycle. The following year they were married, and shortly after that, they were expecting their first child. Although Alex loved her job at Webber Academy, the arrival of her daughter brought along with it the next chapter which led her to raise her children in Fernie, BC. During her three and a half years in Fernie, she had a son, started two business ventures, taught spin and barre, and got pregnant with their third child. With her first business Joy Cultivate, she ran goal-setting and wellness workshops locally in the Kootenay region for young girls and women.

With the intention of normalizing pre-loved goods and opposing fast fashion, she started her second business: WCBH Vintage. It was a curated second-hand store that shipped unique clothing pieces around the world.

Just before her third child was born, and before the Covid-19 pandemic made its breakthrough, Alex and her family moved back to Calgary. The next year, she applied to come back to Webber Academy in the marketing department as she deeply enjoyed her time as a student as well as an intern. She accepted a role as the marketing and communications coordinator in May of 2021, and was promoted to Marketing and Communications Director shortly after.

Alex’s latest work includes producing the alumni newsletter, designing Wildcats Baseball logos, producing static and video advertisements, and redesigning all of the information packages for new parents.

As the Marketing and Communications Director, Alex has a unique role that has many facets to it: “I feel excited to go to work everyday. I am the storyteller, the memory keeper, and a brand propeller. I connect students and staff at Webber Academy with the moments they enjoy, moments they are proud of, and moments they will remember.” Alex uses her expertise in photography, video editing, social media coordination, and information design to align the communications materials with the values and vision of Webber Academy: “I am in a special position. I know what it is like to be a student at Webber Academy, a staff member of Webber Academy, and now, what it is like to be a parent of children who attend Webber Academy.

These viewpoints help me serve all members of the Webber Academy community, to produce beautiful, effective, and aligned content, and it makes me care very much about what I do. My love for this school is deep, and I want my work to always reflect that.”

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 31 | Number 1

REGULAR COLUMNS

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Where are we at and where do we go from here?

By Shane Wenzel

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What a Difference a Year Makes: 2021 Year in Review

By Cody Battershill

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CONTENTS

Parker’s Pen

By David Parker

Calgary Chamber of Commerce

COVER FEATURE

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A Logical Transition Deborah Yedlin on her New Role as President and CEO at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce

By Melanie Darbyshire

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: DEBORAH YEDLIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO AT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PHOTO SOURCE: EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 31 | Number 1

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CONTENTS THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

COMPANY PROFILES

67 83 91

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B OSS Lubricants

Celebrates 30 Years

57

Riteway Signs

Celebrates 30 Years

Boost Innovation

Celebrates Business Excellence

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Alberta Private Schools Serving students, parents and communities with Directory

Calgary’s New ‘Burbs “More vibrant, diverse and sustainable than ever before”

By John Hardy

voiding a Corporate A Health 911 Tips from the experts on building a health and wellness program for 2022 and beyond

By Jamie Zachary

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Over the hills and far away New year, new opportunities for local skiers and snowboarders

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WHERE ARE WE AT AND WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? // SHANE WENZEL

Where are we at and where do we go from here?

BY SHANE WENZEL

T

he past 21 months have been the most difficult in most people’s lives regardless of age. My first new year’s resolution is to not talk about the pandemic, or any of its derivatives when I can avoid it.

“IT SEEMS OUR KEY FOSSIL FUEL

I was excited to have the opportunity before 2021 ended to attend my first normal function in months for the Business in Calgary 2021 Leaders Awards. Not only was the crowd dynamic and excited to finally be at a celebration, but the best part was also seeing smiling faces, hopeful eyes and people talking about the future once again. Having been in the position of managing a business during ‘normal times’ gave me a greater appreciation for what these winners had accomplished. I marveled at how they survived and thrived during one of the most difficult times experienced in decades. Some adapted how they operated; others took advantage of unexpected opportunities by expanding their business to meet needs created by the pandemic. Some made these changes by looking ‘outside the box,’ others were successful by looking ‘inside the box’.

MORE INVESTOR INTEREST AND

Turning to what we might expect to experience in 2022, I remain hopeful for only good things on the horizon and continued forward momentum. Before the end of 2021, we received an encouraging report from our Minister of Finance that I viewed as my first Christmas present. It seems our key fossil fuel industry has once again rescued us through increased revenues, more investor interest and increased business activity overall. Collectively, that has put more dollars ‘in Alberta’s bank’ and a predication that we can pay down our debt by the fourth quarter of 2022 or early 2023.

At year end we were still waiting for a similar ‘good news story’ from the Federal Minister of Finance.

Along with such good news of course comes inflation.

The forced slowdown in production revenues, cancelled

INDUSTRY HAS ONCE AGAIN RESCUED US THROUGH INCREASED REVENUES, INCREASED BUSINESS ACTIVITY OVERALL.” projects, pipeline disruptions, and a nervous industry due to prohibitive federal government policies resulted in an increase in energy demand. This was reflected in a noticeable rise in gasoline and food prices which together make up a large share of household expenses. At the time of writing, inflation stood around 4.2 per cent according to economists.

And the supply chain is a mess with shortages and missing parts and products.

The new City Council declared a climate emergency in ‘hour one’ and quickly dealt home and property owners a 3.9 per cent tax increase in ‘month one’ regardless of campaign ‘talk’.

Clearly there will be lots to talk about in 2022 on this front.

Back on the good news side, we hear businesspeople are solving some supply chain problems with plans to finally start making things at home with our own feedstock and talent. It turns out many of our long-awaited products and supplies are sitting on barges outside ports.

The ‘ball has dropped in Times Square’ and 2022 has arrived.

I am looking forward to more good news to report and many galas. Three ‘2s’ can only mean good luck. Right?

Shane Wenzel is president of the Shane Homes Group of Companies. Follow him @shanewenzel on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.His column is written for the Alberta Enterprise Group, @AEG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // JANUARY 2022

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WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW // CODY BATTERSHILL

What a Difference a Year Makes: 2021 Year in Review

BY CODY BATTERSHILL

T

aking a look back at the year just concluded can be a sobering exercise. My year-end column of just 12 months ago touched on pessimistic markets, unemployment concerns and the effects of COVID on a largely-unvaccinated population.

To be clear, I mentioned there were some signs even a year ago that a recovery was around the corner. What we didn’t know was the strong global economic rebound would contribute to energy shortages, and that Alberta would soon lead Canada in economic growth.

What a difference a year makes.

I can’t overstate the importance of Canadian energy in the context of these global shortages, where Asian and European manufacturing has slowed as a result of a lack of natural gas to power factories, where a third of UK gas stations were shuttered earlier this year for a lack of gasoline supply, and where blackouts hit a number of U.S. states as a result of extreme weather, poor planning and under-investment in energy development.

It would be hard to argue that nobody saw it coming. While there were some surprises around the margins, such as unforeseen (and in some cases tragic) storms in specific locations, the trend toward demand growth for energy has been well understood.

Organizations from the International Energy Agency to Deloitte – to name only a few – have been predicting future demand growth in energy for months or more. It’s time we listened.

Equally important, the year has helped the world understand Canada’s continued success with environmental leadership, innovation and ethical production standards – in addition to reliability.

We still lead the world in emission intensity reductions, renewables, clean-tech, water recycling, carbon capture utilization and storage, methane emission reductions and innovation, and we’re still one of only a few global oil and gas producers with carbon pricing.

As stories go, this is a powerful one. Combine it with our abundance of natural resources, our educated workforce and our enviable research and development network and there’s no doubt Canada’s energy future is strong.

I’ve mentioned in the past the fact that a study in the journal Science found that if all global oil producers adopted Canadian flaring and methane standards, then the emissions from producing a barrel of oil would drop by 23 per cent, equivalent to taking 100 million cars off the road.

And by now you know that of the world’s top 10 oil exporters, Canada ranks first on at least 10 environment, social and governance indices, from 2020’s Environmental Performance Index to the Sustainable Development Index 2020.

Moving into 2022, Canada’s energy and natural resources sector is motivated to make the strongest possible contribution here and around the world.

Cody Battershill is a Calgary realtor and founder / spokesperson for CanadaAction. ca, a volunteer-initiated group that supports Canadian energy development and the environmental, social and economic benefits that come with it.

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PARKER’S PEN // DAVID PARKER

Parker’s Pen

BY DAVID PARKER

L

etters to the Editor are always a good read; written by people who have a genuine gripe, want to have some fun, or just want to bring something they feel strongly about to other people’s attention.

I enjoyed the missive written by Governor General Awardwinning Calgary architect Fred Valentine who complained of the four-square box clad with Soviet-style glazing that will become our new event centre.

I agree with Mr. Valentine – surely, we could expect a Central Library kind of design with some pizzaz for $608.5 million.

The Saddledome design remains – for the time being – iconic Calgary.

I don’t often scan flyers but an item jumped out at me in a Canadian Tire sheet. I just can’t imagine someone spending $999.99 (on sale) for a Christmas tree, no matter if it had Aurora music and colour changing LED lights. What could the Mustard Seed have done with that money?

Irwin Drugs was pharmacy years ago on the corner on 8th Street and 17th Avenue S.W. owned by paraplegic Mel Irwin.

He used to say: “It’s bad enough being sick without having to pay for it.” Which meant his prescriptions were really low cost.

I was reminded of him paying for parking at the former Children’s Hospital at the posted rate of $4.50 per hour. Bad enough having to be there, and not knowing how long a visit would take so better buy enough not to worry.

Wonder where the revenues are used?

Some people just love what they do – and stay around a lifetime in doing it. It’s great to go for a beer and nachos at Nick’s Steakhouse & Pizza and still say hello to Nick Petros

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who founded the popular eatery across from McMahon Stadium in 1979. And nonagenarian Joe Giuffre’s big complaint about the pandemic is that it kept him away from his office at Avenue Living too long.

Providing a postage-paid return envelope is a smart marketing tool for charities to encourage a follow-up donation. But I was really disappointed in receiving one from a local charity I support urging that ‘Your gift stays in your city’. I found the statement to be quite selfish. Yes, we support local organizations but don’t try and persuade me not to care about people in other parts of the world who desperately need help from those more fortunate.

Calgary-based not-for-profits like Operation Eyesight that has been preventing treatable vision problems since 1963 and HOPEthiopia, established 20 years ago to provide care and live to the marginalized in East Africa, particularly with the orphaned and widowed in Ethiopia and Rwanda, are just as deserving of our giving.

Attending the well-run Business in Calgary dinner honouring Calgary’s visionary business leaders was the first time in several months for many of us to sit down at crowded tables.

What a pleasure to enjoy fellowship with good conversation over a hearty meal. Let’s trust we can have the opportunity in 2022 for many more occasions to be as relaxed and forget about pandemics for a night.

Final Words Confidence is the feeling you have before you really understand the problem.

It takes the right partner to go from seeing the opportunity, to seizing it.

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, and realize growth opportunities in Alberta and beyond, you need a partner that’s as future focused as you are.

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Brewing Greatness!

Lil E Coffee Café opened in early 2021, in the newly renovated Ampersand building located in downtown Calgary at 140 4th Ave SW. Lil E is more than a coffee café.

They are ‘Brewing Greatness’ by providing meaningful employment opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Lil E was inspired by founder/director, Paul Constance’s threeyear-old daughter, Ella, who has Down syndrome. Through the experience of raising a child with Down syndrome, Constance and his wife Alana (Ella’s mom), discovered there is a gap between the Canadian workforce and individuals with disabilities who are able and willing to work.

“These individuals are not successfully finding paid, consistent work opportunities,” says Constance. “I didn’t want that to be the case for Ella when she is an adult. We saw an opportunity to make change.”

Lil E is not just a job opportunity. They are facilitating a journey for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build meaningful and long-lasting careers; in turn creating a more accepting and inclusive community.

Lil E’s BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) as a registered charity is to build 10,000 bright futures, one cup at a time. Using Lil E as career platform for these individuals, as they craft their skills

and transition into a future career. When Lil E team members are ready to further apply their workplace experience, they are connected with future opportunities through the Lil E Roasters (their corporate friends). Lil E Roasters are fabulous sponsors who have shown immense generosity in this endeavour of Brewing Greatness with personal or corporate donations in amounts at our LuckE or Xtra-Awesome levels. These individuals and organizations have set a foundation for success.

These wonderful corporations share the café’s values and are aligned to hire Lil E employees and/or candidates in their pipeline.

“Greatness starts with a belief that each person has what it takes to succeed,” says Constance, describing the Lil E mantra which is what makes us difference, makes us great! “We want to ensure important awareness for our local community. We have received overwhelming support from Calgarians and internationally since opening in early February, and we are looking forward to using our platform to create a culture of acceptance and inclusion.”

Stay tuned to learn more about the exciting expansions news with Joey Moss Foundation and Winnifred Stewart Association for Edmonton Lil E location along with Toronto Lil E Café in 2022.

TOP ROW: MICHAELA, NICK, DARBY, MEGAN AND SHELBY. BOTTOM ROW: BRETT, HANNAH, RHIANNON, AYDAN AND ERIC.

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OFF

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Bracing for Business Tax Hikes As much as Calgary business is focused on the dynamics of moving forward from the various COVID disruptions and the roller coaster of the Calgary economy, even the most polsitive and gung-ho Calgary business types are starting to wonder about the relevance of the cliche, “can’t win for trying.”

Now that Calgary Council has approved 2022 budget changes (individual property assessments won’t be finalized until January and tax bills mailed out in the spring), there’s much concern that some Calgary businesses could see the heavy hit of property tax hikes of more than 10.37 per cent.

The explanation, and most of the blame, for the downtown tax hikes are about spending increases at City Hall, the continued pressure of high downtown vacancy rates aggravating the squeeze on municipal finances, and the advanced math of Calgary’s protracted tax shift problem.

The tax shift refers to the Calgary reality that, under the city’s assessment system, high downtown office vacancy rates combined with Calgary’s depressed property values have caused a redistribution of the tax burden on to commercial properties outside the downtown core.

The hardest hit properties are expected to be retailers in neighbourhood shopping centres, which could see a more than seven per cent hike in taxes directly attributable to the tax shift. There is also concern about large-format industrial warehouses getting hit with a more than nine per cent tax hike and maybe getting driven out of town, to tax-friendlier business jurisdictions such as Rocky View County.

“Over the last several years, non-residential properties in Calgary have seen the largest tax hikes relative to other

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major cities in Canada,” notes Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber. “Despite early signals of a moderate increase to property taxes, the approved 2022 property tax rate will result in double digit increases for some Calgary businesses.”

The Calgary Chamber has consistently urged Council to rebalance property tax ratios to foster fairness and competitiveness in Calgary’s property tax system. “With the tax split and ratio remaining relatively consistent, the burden placed on businesses to fund critical investments reinforces the need to ensure that Calgary can effectively raise revenue through alternative means,” she adds. “This could include the sale or lease of City-owned property or the issuance of municipal bonds.”

With certainty and stability as key factors for ensuring a sustainable economic recovery, The Chamber urges that Council turn its attention to creating a property tax system that is predictable and transparent. “The higher taxes, coming at a time of inflationary pressures, will put additional pressure on Calgary businesses,” Yedlin says, “as they seek to move beyond the challenges presented by the pandemic and, given ongoing issues with downtown vacancy.”

There’s business consensus about the need for the City to be innovative and identify additional options to diversify revenue streams, while also addressing the property tax issues, in order to ensure Calgary is positioned to attract new businesses.

Yedlin emphasizes that, as Calgary enters the next fouryear budget cycle, Council must establish a direction that supports economic recovery and fiscal responsibility, while also investing in the future of the City.

A LOGICAL TRANSITION // COVER

A Logical

TRANSITION

DEBORAH YEDLIN ON HER NEW ROLE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO AT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

T

here are few individuals who have as deep an understanding of Calgary’s business community as Deborah Yedlin. Her background as an investment banker, coupled with an MBA brought a different and valuable perspective to her more than 20 years covering business as a columnist at the Calgary Herald and the Globe and Mail. And she was the trusted voice of business on CBC radio’s ‘The Eyeopener’ for 24 years. When Yedlin became the 14th Chancellor of the University of Calgary in June 2018, many were surprised she had decided to step back from her journalism career.

“I look at my life and it’s like a big LEGO project [as the mother of three grown boys, she’s seen her share of LEGO],” she says. “Everything has been built on the previous layer. The experience in New York taught me about finance and capital markets, and I was able to use that – and leverage my ability to write – as a business columnist. I saw myself as a voice for business then – and now, at the Chamber, I am able to continue to do that, in a similar context. But I am not on deadline!”

But education has been a focal point in her life. Born to immigrant parents who arrived in Edmonton after World War II, and were both educators, the importance of education was emphasized at every turn. Her father taught at the Edmonton Hebrew School and her mother was a history professor at the University of Alberta, from where she retired as professor emerita in 1996. “She broke the glass ceiling,” Yedlin says proudly. “And she set an incredible example for me.”

A distinctive voice for Calgary business

Inspired by her mother’s example and driven by her family’s emphasis on education, Yedlin studied economics and english at U of A and ended up on Wall Street for a two year stint at Goldman Sachs. After completing an MBA at Queen’s she moved to Calgary in the early 1990s, where she gained valuable insight and understanding of the energy sector as an investment banker.

The pieces, made from an unusual combination of building blocks, put Yedlin in a distinctive position as the leading voice for Calgary business: “I see so much opportunity to tell Calgary’s story proudly and confidently and share what we’re doing in ways that will benefit our businesses and help build our economy.”

Not that it will be an easy job: Yedlin assumed the role of president and CEO last July, during one of the most challenging times for the city, rife with pandemic and economic issues, and with federal and municipal elections on the horizon.

RIGHT: DEBORAH YEDLIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO AT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PHOTO SOURCE: EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

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A LOGICAL TRANSITION // COVER

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A LOGICAL TRANSITION // COVER

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Yedlin admits, “to come into the role in the midst of the third wave of COVID and help our business community navigate every type of issue.

We jumped in with a very strong position on vaccine certification and focused on making sure, ahead of both federal and municipal elections, we were engaging our members and candidates on key issues.”

Yedlin’s role at the Chamber requires broad knowledge of the issues facing Calgary’s business community – of which there are many – including the labour shortage, supply chain challenges, rising inflation, government supports, travel and trade barriers and pandemic-related constraints.

“There’s a level of uncertainty in terms of where the economy is headed,” she says. “Women are disproportionately affected and that’s why childcare must be more affordable and accessible for all. Affordable daycare for every family in this province will absolutely help our economic prospects.”

Barriers to inter-provincial trade are also on her radar, and she advocates for a fluid flow of labour across the country. “The New West Partnership between Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba has proved quite successful in aligning qualifications and apprenticeship programs,” she notes. “The common certification has encouraged the flow of labour. We need to use that as a platform and extend it across the country, in a deliberate attempt to reduce trade barriers.”

While she acknowledges inflation is a concern, she notes it’s a sign of a return to economic growth and that she doesn’t think it’s sustainable over the long-term. Meanwhile, many businesses have taken on a lot of debt to get through the pandemic, and Yedlin calls for a mechanism to help address that: “Whether it’s interest payment forgiveness, longer terms to pay back loans – we need to be looking at all the options to help businesses move forward.”

Yedlin describes how businesses have been managing. “To get through the pandemic, government supports have been critical for local businesses, which were already challenged pre-pandemic,” she says. “Alberta was on its back foot before COVID hit and we’re still dealing with the collapse in oil prices and empty office towers. Our unemployment rates are still higher than the national average. So we have a ways to go.”

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Reasons for optimism Through pandemic challenges and from what she has learned from businesses during her first months with the Chamber, she maintains there is reason for optimism.

“There are building blocks here that are starting to take shape into something, into many things, and not just from one sector or industry,” she explains. “There are foundations being laid all over the place, collaboration happening. One thing that hasn’t changed in Calgary is our ability to turn challenge into opportunity.”

Perhaps it’s all those years covering Calgary’s business community, through high highs and low lows, which gives her a unique confidence and perspective.

Front and centre for Yedlin is the question of how to position Alberta for the future: “What do we need to do?

How do we change the channel in Calgary? We need to do some very deliberate work to revitalize and rejuvenate the economy. And we need to make sure we have the talent pool to support our economic diversification.”

Pathways to potential As the energy sector has continued to be a target – whether from investment and endowment funds or nongovernmental organizations, Yedlin is encouraged to see the next chapter unfolding as companies focus on innovation to decarbonize the energy sector.

“The fact six companies [Canadian Natural, Cenovus Energy, ConocoPhillips Canada, Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor] came together to declare the Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative in June is an incredible signal to those who are quick to criticize the sector,” she says. “This is an important to step to ensuring we have a viable industry for the long-term. There isn’t an industry on this planet that has seen competitors come together, so deliberately, to address a challenge like decarbonization.”

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Dean Voykin, CPA, CA | 403.537.7651 | dean.voykin@mnp.ca MNP.ca

A LOGICAL TRANSITION // COVER

She describes another fundamental piece to fortifying Calgary’s economy and reputation as an energy producer. “We have such an opportunity to tell our story well across the country and around the world,” she says.

“Unfortunately, there have been too many occasions for organizations and politicians to exploit a wedge where they’re not fully aware of the work that’s already been done to produce the world’s most sustainable barrel and scale that technology for the world to benefit from.”

“The development of Alberta’s renewable sector represents a generational opportunity for economic growth,” she continues. “The technologies, processes and innovation that will come out of the Pathways to Net Zero initiative will have a huge impact. Not just in the energy sector, but for the decarbonization of the global industrial complex as we know it today.”

“Alberta could be a global leader,” she adds. “We have a huge opportunity in front of us. We have capital flowing in, accelerators focused on this very issue, clean tech, climate tech. There’s research going on at the University of Calgary that is making huge strides.”

It’s part of the importance of the “and” conversation, vital to the revitalization of the city, energy and the environment. It’s not one or the other.

Calgary’s burgeoning tech sector is another area Yedlin is focused on. The November announcements that Amazon will open a cloud computing hub near Calgary and along with global business accelerator Plug and Play opening a headquarters in the city were very welcome. “It also signals to these companies’ clients and customers that this is the place to be,” Yedlin adds optimistically.

“One challenge remains, that we need to have the talent to support this growing sector of our economy,” she says. “It’s critical that our post-secondary institutions can provide the education needed for the world of today and tomorrow.

But we also need to focus on the up-skilling and re-skilling opportunities for people who perhaps need to pivot but lack the underlying background to do that.”

She consistently returns to the fundamentals her parents instilled from an early age: “Investment in education is

critical. You can take your education with you, wherever you go – and no one can take it away from you.”

With her four-year term as University of Calgary Chancellor ending in June, Yedlin is both proud of and amazed with what she has been able to witness in terms of the research activity at UCalgary. Whether it’s the fact UCalgary’s Kinesiology faculty is top in North America, the advancements in neuroscience taking place at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute or the stroke protocol developed at UCalgary and now used around the world to TOP: DEBORAH YEDLIN KICKS OFF THE 2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD GALA. BOTTOM: DEBORAH YEDLIN MODERATES A PANEL AT THE CALGARY CHAMBER’S SMALL BUSINESS WEEK. PHOTO SOURCE: CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

A LOGICAL TRANSITION // COVER

“ONE CHALLENGE REMAINS, THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THE TALENT TO SUPPORT THIS GROWING SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY,” SHE SAYS. “IT’S CRITICAL THAT OUR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS CAN PROVIDE THE EDUCATION NEEDED FOR THE WORLD OF TODAY AND TOMORROW. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO FOCUS ON THE UP-SKILLING AND RE-SKILLING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS NEED TO PIVOT BUT LACK THE UNDERLYING BACKGROUND TO DO THAT.”

treat strokes, Yedlin remains committed to making sure everyone understands the contribution UCalgary makes to the city – and that the impact extends far beyond Calgary.

at the Chamber. We have the right building blocks. I believe in Calgary. I believe in its potential.”

The Calgary advantage After living here for 30 years, Yedlin is a proud advocate of her adopted home city – even though she is still an Oilers fan. “Calgary is a place where you can raise a family, as I have, build a meaningful career and make an impact in your community,” she says. “All you have to do is raise your hand and you’re welcome to come in and work in any capacity, especially in the community as a volunteer.”

She lauds the willingness of Calgarians to come together to solve problems, something not seen in many other big cities across the country. “It’s a very special place and that’s why I took the role

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SERVING STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES // PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ALBERTA INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS: Serving students, parents and communities

I

ndependent schools (referred to as private schools in legislation) have been part of the fabric of Alberta since the province joined Confederation. In fact, there are independent schools that have been operating consistently since the early 1900s. Over the years there has been incremental growth in the number of students attending independent schools, as well as expansion in the number and types of schools. This year there are over 40,000 students in Alberta who attend an independent school. This includes students who attend community-based Early Childhood Services organizations, and students who are home-educated but are registered with an independent school.

Parents choose to send their children to independent schools for many reasons. Some schools operate with a special focus on students with specific learning needs. Others are built to offer a unique type of educational approach like Montessori or Waldorf. Sometimes parents choose a school that respects and supports their child’s faith and world view (like Sikh,

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JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Jewish, Muslim or Christian), or because they want their child to learn about their culture, or for a specific academic, athletic or other educational focus. In recent years, the Government of Alberta has formally acknowledged and recognized the rights of parents to choose the education for their children by passing school choice legislation.

For the past 50 years the government has also recognized that independent schools serve the public good by providing partial funding for students attending our schools. This partial funding has allowed parents of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to access independent schools; recent research suggests that in more than 80 per cent of independent schools in Alberta the average household income of the parents is slightly below the provincial household income average.

While the partial public funding helps, in order to be able to operate, many independent schools have to charge tuition. These fees will vary considerably depending on the

SERVING STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES // PRIVATE SCHOOLS

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ARE ALSO INCREDIBLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR PARENTS. AS SCHOOLS OF CHOICE, THERE MUST BE STRONG ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENT AND THE PROGRAM BEING OFFERED, OR ELSE PARENTS WILL CHOOSE TO PLACE THEIR CHILD IN A DIFFERENT SCHOOL SETTING. TO ENSURE THE SCHOOL IS MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD, THERE IS OFTEN A HEIGHTENED EMPHASIS ON COLLABORATION AND PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT IN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS. kind of capital investments for buildings, teacher/student ratios, extracurricular program activities and additional technological costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, there are often other fundraising initiatives that help alleviate the cost of operating a school. Some schools also offer bursaries to assist parents in managing the tuition requirements. Parents from a broad socio-economic, cultural, religious and geographic background choose to send their children to independent schools.

Although each independent school is operated by its own school board, Alberta Education ensures thorough accountability measures are in place. Each year, the schools must submit an audited financial statement which confirms that the public dollars the school receives are appropriately spent on the educational needs of the students. Most independent schools are accredited and must teach a program of studies that is approved by the Minister of Education and hire Alberta-certified teachers to maintain this accreditation. There is also regular on-site monitoring by Alberta Education staff, and schools must annually submit education results reports and three-year plans.

Independent schools are also incredibly accountable to their parents. As schools of choice, there must be strong alignment between the needs of the student and the program being offered, or else parents will choose to place their child in a different school setting. To ensure the school is meeting the needs of the child, there is often a heightened emphasis on collaboration and parental engagement in independent schools.

One of the most powerful arguments in support of independent schools is also the most basic. They serve a public good. Education, at its core, is about providing an opportunity for children to learn, grow and equip themselves to be ethical, engaged and innovative citizens. To ensure this occurs, Alberta Education surveys students, parents and teachers in all schools in Alberta each year. The results show that independent schools are highly successful at meeting student needs.

For almost two years, the pandemic has impacted the lives of all Albertans. For students in independent schools the shift saw similar challenges to the rest of the education system: switching to at-home learning in March 2020, adjusting to new technologies, protocols for re-entry as school re-started in the fall. The value of independent schooling has only increased during this time. The close connection between the school and the home has allowed independent school leaders and teachers to make the required adjustments to learning in a way that fits the needs of their specific groups of students.

The nimble and targeted response that independent schools have been able to demonstrate has ensured that the students in their care have continued to receive an elevated level of support as they navigated these uncertain times.

Independent schools are an integral component of Alberta’s excellent system of school choice.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // JANUARY 2022

27

DIRECTORY // PRIVATE SCHOOLS

DIRECTORY Airdrie Christian School

Calgary Academy Collegiate

Calgary Jewish Academy

Accredited / Eligible for Funding Preschool, ECS, Grades 1 - 12 77 Gateway Drive NE, Airdrie AB T4B 0J6 Phone: (403) 948-5100 connect@airdriechristian.com www.airdriechristian.com

For students looking for greater challenge, change and complexity in their learning Grades 5 - 12 Phone: (403)-686-6444 admissions@calgaryacademy.com www.calgaryacademy.com/learnmore

Accredited / Eligible for Funding Nursery - Grade 9 6700 Kootenay Street SW, Calgary, AB T2V 1P7 Phone: (403) 253-3992 • Fax: (403) 255-0842 info@cja.ab.ca www.cja.ab.ca

Alberta Chung Wah School

Calgary Chinese Alliance School

Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 10 - 12 #270, 328 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4X8 Phone: (403) 271-8033 • Fax: (403) 288-8887 info@albertachungwahschool.ca

Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 1 – 12 150 Beddington Boulevard NE, Calgary, AB T3K 2E2 Phone: (403) 274-6923 • Fax: (403) 275-7799 chineseschoolcalgarychinesealliance.org

Calgary Mandarin School

Aurora Learning Calgary

Calgary Chinese Private School

Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 3 – 12 Unit 137, 5305 McCall Way NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7N7 Phone: (403) 277-9535 Calgary.admin@sterling.education

Accredited / Eligible for Funding K, Grades 1 – 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 - 12 128 2nd Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0B9 Phone: (403) 264-2233 • Fax: (403) 282-9854

Accredited Grades 10 – 12 #110, 138 - 18 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5P9 Phone: (587) 718-8138 • Fax: (403) 228-5330

Calgary Quest School

Banbury Crossroads School Accredited / Eligible for Funding J/K, ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 B1 #201, 2451 Dieppe Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7K1 Phone: (403) 270-7787 • Fax: (403) 270-7486 general@banburycrossroads.com www.banburycrossroads.com Offers Home Education Program Offers Home Education Blended Program

Bearspaw Christian School Accredited / Eligible for Funding Jr. K, Sr. K, Grades 1 – 12 15001 - 69 Street NW, Calgary, AB T3R 1C5 Phone: (403) 295-2566 • Fax: (403) 275-8170 info@bearspawschool.com www.bearspawschool.com

Bethel Christian Academy Accredited ECS, Grades 1 – 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 2220 - 39 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6P7 Phone: (403) 735-3335 • Fax: (403) 219-3059 tbetts@encountergod.org

Bright Path Early Learning Inc

Accredited Preschool, Jr. K, ECS, Grades 1- 6, Grades 7 - 12 700 - 77 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5R1 Phone: (403) 240-1500 • Fax: (403) 249-5899 www.cfis.com

Calgary German Language School Society Accredited Preschool - Grades 12, Adult Classes located at Bowcroft Elementary 3940 73rd Street NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2L9 germanlanguageschoolcalgary@gmx.com www.germanlanguageschoolcalgary.com/index.html Beatrice Binmore (Chair) Steve Zitterer (Secretary) Dagmar Blaettermann (Treasurer)

Calgary Islamic Private School Akram Jomaa Campus Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades K - 12 2612 - 37 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 5L2 Phone: (403) 248-2773 • Fax: (403) 569-6654 info@cislive.ca Principal: Mr. Asad Choudhary

Calgary Islamic School

Early Learning Childcare 201, 200 Rivercrest Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2C 2X5 Phone: 1-188-808-2252 dkearns@brightpathkids.com www.brightpathskids.com

Accredited / Eligible for Funding K, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9 225 - 28 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2A 5K4 Phone: 587-353-8900 • Fax: 587-353-8999 info.omar@cislive.ca Omar Bin Al-Khattab Campus

Calgary Academy

Calgary Italian School

For students with learning difficulties Kindergarten - Grade 12 1677 93 St SW, Calgary, AB T3H 0R3 403-686-6444 admissions@calgaryacademy.com www.calgaryacademy.com/learnmore

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Calgary French & International School

Calgary Italian School Accredited Language School Age 5 – Grade 12, Adults 416, 1st Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 0B4 Phone: (403) 264-6349 clcic@shaw.ca www.italianschoolcalgary.com

JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 3405 Spruce Drive SW,. c/o Spruce Cliff Elementary Calgary, AB T3C 0A5 Phone: (403) 253-0003 • Fax: (403) 253-0025 info@calgaryquestschool.com

Calgary Waldorf School Accredited / Eligible for Funding Preschool, Kindergarten, Grades 1 - 9 515 Cougar Ridge Drive SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5G9 Phone: (403) 287-1868 info@calgarywaldorf.org www.calgarywaldorf.org

Chinook Winds Adventist Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 10101 - 2nd Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5T2 Phone: (403) 286-5686 • Fax: (403) 247-1623 lmelashenko@cwaa.net

Clear Water Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding / Catholic Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten - Grade 6, Grade 7 - 12 3910 Quesnay Wood Drive SW, Calgary, AB T3E 8G1 Phone: (403) 240-7908 admissions@clearwateracademy.com clearwateracademy.com

Columbia College Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 10 – 12 802 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7N8 Phone: (403) 235-9300 • Fax: (403) 272-3805 Columbia@Columbia.ab.ca www.columbia.ab.ca

Delta West Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding JK, K, Grades 1 - 12 414 - 11A Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 4P3 Phone: (403) 290-0767 • Fax: (403) 290-0768 www.deltawestacademy.ca

GRADES 7 - 12

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DIRECTORY // PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Eastside Christian Academy

Lycée international de Calgary

Renert School

Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS – 9 Home Schooling Options 1320 Abbeydale Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2A 7L8 Phone: 403-569-1003 • Fax: (403) 569-7557 admin@eastsidechristianacademy.ca www.eastsidechristianacademy.ca Offers Home Education Blended Program

Calgary’s Private French School - A Passport to the World Preschool to Grade 12 4099 Garrison Blvd. SW, Calgary, AB T2T 6G2 Phone: (403) 243-5420 Ext 123 admissions@lycee.ca www.lycee.ca

Accredited / Funding Available School for Girls: Grades 4 - 9 14 Royal Vista Link N.W Calgary, AB T3R 0K4 Phone: (403) 291-5038 Ext 1800 www.renfreweducation.org Renfrew Educational Services - Assessment and Therapy Services For children, adolescents and adults KimLaCourse@renfreweducation.org

Edison School Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 Site 11, P.O. Box 2, R.R. 2 Hwy 2A, 1KM North of Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2 Phone: (403) 938-7670 • Fax: (403) 938-7224 office@edisonschool.ca www.edisonschool.ca

Equilibrium School Accredited / Eligible for Funding 707 - 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2A4 Phone: (403) 283-1111 • Fax: (403) 270-7786 school@equilibrium.ab.ca www.equilibrium.ab.ca

Foothills Academy Accredited Grades 3 - 12 745 - 37 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4T1 Phone: 403.270.9400 Fax: 403.270.9438 Email: admissions@foothillsacademy.org www.foothillsacademy.org

Greek Community School of Calgary Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades K - 6 1 Tamarac Crescent SW, Calgary, AB T3C 3B7 Phone: (403) 246-4553 • Fax: (403) 246-8191 admin@calgaryhellenic.com; greekschool@calgaryhellenic.com www.calgaryhellenic.com/Our-School

Halpern Akiva Academy Accredited Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten, ECS, Grades 1 – 6, Grades 7 - 9 140 Haddon Road SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2Y3 Phone: (403) 258-1312 • Fax: (403) 258-3812 office@akiva.ca halpernakiva.ca

Janus Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 1 - 12 2223 Spiller Road SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4G9 Phone: (403) 262-3333 • Fax: (403) 693-2345 contact@janusacademy.org www.janusacademy.org

Khalsa School Calgary Educational Foundation Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9 245228 Conrich Road, Calgary, AB T2M 4L5 Phone: (403) 293-7712 • Fax: (403) 293-2245 cheryl.steadman@khalsaschoolcalgary.ca

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Maria Montessori Education Centre of Calgary (MMEC) Accredited / Eligible for Funding Toddler, Preschool, ECS, Grades 1 - 9 2634 12 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1K6 Toddler, Preschool, ECS 1721 29 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2T 6T7 403-668-8538 info@mmec.ca www.mmec.ca

Renfrew Educational Services Assessment and Therapy Services

Montessori School of Calgary

Renfrew Educational Services Bowness Centre

Accredited / Eligible for Funding, A.M.I accredited Preschool (3 - 6 yrs), Grades 1 - 6 2201 Cliff Street SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2G4 Phone: (403) 229-1011 • Fax: (403) 229-4474 admissions@msofc.ca www.montessorischoolofcalgary.com

Mountain View Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 3915 34 Street NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6Z8 Phone: (403) 217-4346 • Fax: (403) 249-4312 Office@mountainviewacademy.ca www.mountainviewacademy.ca

New Heights School and Learning Services Accredited / Eligible for Funding D.S.E.P.S. | ECS, Preschool (2 ½ - 6 years), Grades 1 – 12 2521 Dieppe Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7J9 Phone: (403) 240-1312 info@newheightscalgary.com www.newheightscalgary.com

North Point School Accredited - Independent School where boys and girls thrive in environments that are suited for their specific needs.

School for Boys: Gr. K - 9, School for Girls: Gr. 4 - 9, Co-Ed High School: Gr. 10 - 12 2445 – 23rd Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2T 0W3 Phone: 403-744-5214 info@northpoint.school www.northpoint.school

Phoenix Education Foundation Accredited Kindergarten (k), Home Education (1 - 12) BlendEd (1 - 9) Online (1 - 9) 320 19 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2E 6J6 Phone: (403) 265-7701 • Fax: (403) 275-7715 info@phoenixfoundation.ca Offers Home Education Program

JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS for children with special needs 8620 – 48th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2B2 Phone: (403) 291-5038 • Fax: (403) 291-2499 renfrew@renfreweducation.org www.refreweducation.org Door-to-door bussing available

Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS for children with special needs 8620 – 48th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2B2 Phone: (403) 291-5038 • Fax: (403) 291-2499 renfrew@renfreweducation.org www.refreweducation.org Door-to-door bussing available

Renfrew Educational Services Child Development Centre Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS for children with special needs 3820 – 24th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2X9 Phone: (403) 291-5038 • Fax: (403) 291-2499 renfrew@renfreweducation.org www.refreweducation.org Door-to-door bussing available

Renfrew Educational Services Janice McTighe Centre Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS for children with special needs and grades 1-6 for children with special needs 2050 - 21 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6S5 Phone: (403) 291-5038 • Fax: (403) 291-2499 renfrew@renfreweducation.org www.refreweducation.org Door-to-door busing available

Renfrew Educational Services Thomas W. Buchanan Centre Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS for typical children and children with disabilities and grades 1-6 for children with disabilities 75 Sunpark Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3V4 Phone: (403) 291-5038 ext 1601• Fax: (403) 291-2499 renfrew@renfreweducation.org www.refreweducation.org Door-to-door busing available

LYC E E .C A / V I S I T

DIRECTORY // PRIVATE SCHOOLS

River Valley School

Tanbridge Academy

Calgary Christian School

Accredited / Eligible for Funding Pre-Junior Kindergarten (3 years) - Grade 6 3127 Bowwood Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2E7 Phone: (403) 246-2275 • Fax: (403) 686-7631 admissions@rivervalleyschool.ca www.rivervalleyschool.ca

Accredited / Eligible for Funding • K - Grade 9 178003 – 112 St. W, Foothills, AB T2S 0V8 (Corner of Hwy 22x and 53rd Street) Phone: (403) 259-3443 info@tanbridge.com www.tanbridge.com Bussing available

Preschool - Grade 12 Elementary Campus (Preschool - Grade 6): 2839 - 49th Street SW, Calgary, AB T3E 3X9 Secondary Campus (Grades 7-12): 5029 - 26 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3E 0R5 Phone: (403) 242-2896 • admissions@calgarychristianschool.com www.calgarychristianschool.com

The Chinese Academy

Calgary Girls School

Saturday classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 Grade 11 and 12 International Baccalaureate Chinese Classes Campuses: Sir John A Macdonald School, John G. Diefenbaker High School 191, 1518 Centre St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2R9 Phone: (403) 777-7663 • Fax: (403) 777-6228 thechineseacademy@gmail.com “The largest heritage language school in Alberta.”

Grades 4 - 9 6304 Larkspur Way SW, Calgary, AB T3E 5P7 Phone: (403) 220-0745 Judi.hadden@calgarygirlsschool.com • www.calgarygirlsschool.com

Rundle Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding Our premier program meets the needs of students who have a diagnosed learning disability and/or ADHD. Our students are in the average to the above-average range of intellectual functioning and thrive in a caring learning community, where students have the 4330 16 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2T 4H9 Phone: (403) 291-3866 rundle.ab.ca • admissions@rundle.ab.ca

Rundle College Accredited / Eligible for Funding Following Rundle’s Pathways to Learning philosophy, students’ high academic achievement is strengthened by a multitude of co-curricular, character, and leadership-building programs. Our College program consistently ranks top in the province. Grades: K–12 7375 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T3H 3W5 Phone: (403) 291-3866 rundle.ab.ca • admissions@rundle.ab.ca

Rundle Studio Accredited / Eligible for Funding We provide a dynamic, interactive online learning environment for students with diagnosed learning disabilities and/or ADHD. A first of its kind in Alberta, this virtual school is designed to meet our students’ personal learning styles, regardless of geographic location.

Administrative Office | 7379 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T3H 3W5 Phone: (403) 291-3866 rundle.ab.ca • admissions@rundle.ab.ca

Rundle College Society Accredited / Eligible for Funding Rundle is a private, post-secondary preparatory, co-ed, day school.

Small class sizes, enriched curricula, and diverse co-curricular opportunities are pillars of our distinct academic programs: the College (K – 12), Academy (4 – 12), and virtual Studio (7 – 9).

7379 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3W5 Phone: (403) 291-3866 rundle.ab.ca • www.rundle.ab.ca

St. John Bosco Private School Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9 712 Fortalice Cres SE, Calgary, AB T2A 2E1 Phone: (403) 248-3664 • Fax: (403) 273-8012 stjohnbosco@shaw.ca

Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) STS inspires compassionate, curious, and creative global citizens who lead with courage. Offering both International Baccalaureate (IB) and Alberta Learning curriculum. Alberta’s only Kindergarten to Grade 12 full IB independent school Scholarships and bursaries available.

RR 2, Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2 Phone: (403) 938-8326 • admissions@sts.ab.ca www.strathconatweesdsmuir.com City-wide bussing. Small class sizes. 220-acre campus minutes from Calgary.

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The Third Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 Bay 3, 510 – 77th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2H 1C3 Phone: (403) 288-5335 • Fax: (403) 288-5804 info@thirdacademy.ca www.thirdacademy.ca

Tyndale Christian School Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 28 Hart Estates Blvd. NE, Calgary, AB T1X 0L3 Phone: (403) 590-5881 • Fax: (403) 590-6998 tcs@tyndalecalgary.ca

Webber Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding JK and Kindergarten, Grades 1 – 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 1515 - 93 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3H 4A8 Phone: (403) 277-4700 • Fax: (403) 277-2770 psutherland@webberacademy.ca www.webberacademy.ca

Edge School Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 4 - 12 33055 Township Road 250, Calgary, AB T3Z 1L4 Phone: (403) 246-6432 • Fax: (403) 217-8463 info@edgeschool.com • Website:www.edgeschool.com

Glenmore Christian Academy Accredited JK to Grade 5, Grade 6 - 9 16520 – 24 Street, SW, Calgary, AB T2Y 4W2 Phone: (403) 254-9050 admissions@gcaschool.com • www.gcaschool.com

Heritage Christian Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 12 2003 McKnight Boulevard, NE , Calgary, AB T2E 6L2 Phone: (403) 219-3201 • Fax: (403) 219-3210 www.hcacalgary.com

Master’s Academy Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 6 4414 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2T 5J4 Phone: (403) 242-7034 • Fax: (403) 242-3515 www.masters.ab.ca

West Island College Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 7 - 12 7410 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 1M5 Main: (403) 255-5300 • Fax: (403) 252-1434 Admissions: (403) 444-0023 wicyyc.ca

Yufeng Chinese School Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 1 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 – 12 708 44 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T2K 0J4 Phone: (403) 289-7876 • Fax: (403) 210-0261

Master’s College Accredited / Eligible for Funding Grades 7 - 12 4414 Crowchild Trail SW Calgary, AB T2T 5J4 Phone: (403) 242-7034 • Fax: (403) 242-4629 www.masters.ab.ca

Menno Simons Christian School

Alternative

Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 9 7000 Elkton Drive, SW, Calgary, AB T3H 4Y7 Phone: (403) 531-0745 • Fax: (403) 531-0747 linda.best@pallisersd.ab.ca www.mennosimonschristianschool.ca

Banff Hockey Academy

Trinity Christian School

Grades 7 – 12 • College bound hockey athletes Box 2242 Banff, Alberta T1L 1B9 Phone: 1-888-423-6369 • Fax: (403) 760-0868 registrar@banffhockey.ab.ca • www.banffhockey.ab.ca

Accredited / Eligible for Funding ECS, Grades 1 - 9 #100, 295 Midpark Way SE, Calgary, AB T2X 2A8 Phone: (403) 254-6682 • Fax: (403) 254-9843 www.tcskids.com

JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Leading the Way for Students with Learning Disabilities Foothills Academy school provides targeted supports in literacy, numeracy, and executive functioning for students with Learning Disabilities while also covering the full Alberta Education curriculum in small classes and a supportive environment.

Now accepting applications for students diagnosed with a Learning Disability entering grades 3 to 12

Learn more at our Virtual Open House on Feb. 22nd 403-270-9400

foothillsacademy.org

50 YEARS AGO, IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN IDEA. In 1971, a group of forward-thinking, courageous leaders and educators broke ground on a new campus in a remote rural area just south of Calgary, Alberta. Little did they know that this tiny school with big ideas would go on to become the gold standard of independent private education in Canada − and around the world.

STS is looking for future leaders and advocates.

APPLY TODAY! STRATHCONATWEEDSMUIR.COM

IMAGINE a school where you BELONG Academy 4–12 Premier program for learning disabilities and/or ADHD

College K–12 Top-ranked program for academic/ character/co-curricular

Studio 7–9 Virtual program for learning disabilities and/or ADHD

Apply for fall 2022

Small class size and personalized instruction Our Pathways to Learning balances exceptional academics with co-curricular and character programs 100% university acceptance

rundle.ab.ca

Spark Curiosity, Inspire Success.

Preschool - Grade 6 At River Valley School, we facilitate experiences that inspire and support academic excellence, exploration, creativity and student well-being.

The wonder children possess is encouraged, stimulated and celebrated through our inquiry-based programming where learning is driven by big ideas and big questions.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2022/23 Visit us online to learn more, book a tour or apply today!

WWW.RIVERVALLEYSCHOOL.CA

DREAM SCHOOL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN HOPE • HEAL • SUCCEED

It is now time for Third Academy to aquire a new building, to offer more children access to the quality programs they need and deserve. Our Dream School is larger than our current, dated East Campus space.

We will have room for more classrooms, labs, break out spaces, washrooms, music and drama classrooms, as well as offices for specialized services like psychology, speech and language pathology, and occupational therapy.

Our Dream School is focused on being child centered, flexible, and functional. Yes, it has a proper gymnasium and, for the first time, playing fields and playground structures on site. The ‘Dream School’ capital campaign fundraising goal: $2.8MM.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

THE PERFECT PROPERTY FOR THIRD ACADEMY IS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW

APPRAISED VALUE

$9.25 MILLION

COST FOR A NEW BUILD OF THE SAME SIZE

$13.8 MILLION

NEGOTIATED SALE PRICE

$5.6 MILLION

FINANCING SECURED

$2.8 MILLION

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

$2.8 MILLION Learn more at www.thirdacademy.ca BENEFITS OF DONATIONS TRANSFORMATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR UP TO

62%

MORE students

WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE HELP

GOVERNMENT FUNDING SUPPORT AND A FLEXIBLE MODEL THAT MAKES

TUITION AFFORDABLE FOR EVERY FAMILY

Nature Inspired Education LYNX PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE JOE SMITH “Where Outdoors is In” 2020-2021 was our LYNX pilot year where we provided Alberta program of studies, grades 7-9, in Canmore. It was a small but tightly knit group.

Students experienced learning in a real world kinesthetic approach. No classroom, no desks, no masks. Instead of learning about the wetlands in a textbook, LYNX students explored real ponds, scooping up specimens, and studying live creatures.

By connecting to the land, they also gained respect, appreciation, and understanding of their environment and our place within it.

Our parents and students were delighted with the LYNX program. The students expressed how lucky they were to have “nature” as their classroom.

I was always pleased to hear of the success stories of our students. Five students won ursa awards at the end of the year for Language Arts, Social Studies, Sportsmanship, and Most Outstanding Student.

Study trips were a large part of programming success. They enjoyed trips to: The Flight Museum, Little Beehive hike at Lake Louise, Forest Fire burn sites in Kootenay National Park, night sky watching, snow science at Chester Lake, and bicycling along the Bow Valley Parkway from Castle Mountain to Johnston Canyon.

Our success in 2021-2022 has led us to expand LYNX from Canmore to Cochrane and Calgary. We now have the Bow Valley corridor covered! Approval for LYNX ECS was also granted for September 2021 at our Calgary Glenbrook SW location. A new ‘nature inspired’ model classroom has been installed and a playground is on order. That’s ECS- Grade 9, all nature inspired.

We also wanted to support parental choice. That means there are two pathways to LYNX: fully teacher directed and shared responsibility. Parents know their kids best. Providing choices gives them the opportunity to choose a program that is best suited for their child. Our students not only have the benefit of flexibility in programming, but also have direct access to the beauty of the world around us each and every day.

I was warmed by the sun, rocked by the winds and sheltered by the trees as other Indian babes. I can go everywhere with a good feeling.

Geronimo

Visit us at www.lynx.education.

Leave a legacy for Calgary’s special needs children by donating now

ESTABLISHED, PROVEN, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION WITH A

95% STUDENT Success rate

NORTHSCHOOLPOINT FOR BOYS

TEACHING BOYS the way BOYS LEARN WE SPECIALIZE IN

SCHOOL FOR BOYS GRADES K-9

NORTHSCHOOLPOINT FOR GIRLS

Personalized Learning Small Class Sizes Hands-on Learning Outdoor Education Physical Activity Mentorship Character Development Enhanced Math and Science Program through Financial Education and STEM Education

TEACHING GIRLS Developing CONFIDENCE Discovering PASSIONS

GRADES 4-9

NORTH

Annual Business Fair

445 23 Ave SW, Calgary www.northpoint.school

SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

POINT

HIGH SCHOOL

T: 403.744.5214

OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 23 @ 7PM

OUTanOF THE DESK d into the world

LEARN MORE

CO-ED HIGH SCHOOL GRADES 10-12

BOOK A SCHOOL TOUR www.northpoint.school/admissions

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

THE RESULTS ISSUE

MARKET PREDICTIONS what’s ahead for 2022

THE HIDDEN PAIN OF SELLING how to make the process easy

SALES SUCCESS STORIES

how does your home compare?

JANUARY 2022

ASK SAM

Q

FIRST QUARTER REAL ESTATE MARKET PREDICTIONS FROM SAM COREA

Q: What are your expectations for the market for 2022?

2022 WILL START OFF WITH A BANG Typically during November and December Real Estate activity slows. This was not the case for 2021, when we saw competing offers on properties in November and December. This is a strong indicator that the New Year will start off with a bang. Based on similar trends I experienced in 2021 and even 2006, I am anticipating a busy start to 2022.

HIGHER INTEREST RATES ON THE HORIZON I expect that buyers will become very active in the spring of 2022. With the threat of increased interest rates on the horizon, they want to take advantage of the low interest rates that are available right now. I anticipate a rush of activity early in the year similar to what we experienced in 2021. Smart sellers are already preparing for this increase in activity and I am advising that they get on the market as soon as possible.

AN INVENTORY INCREASE The big story of the last quarter of 2021 was the lack of properties available for purchase. These “seller’s market” conditions make finding a property to purchase a frustrating experience for buyers. During the spring, there is always an increase in inventory which will give buyers more options. My recommendation is for sellers to get their homes listed as soon as possible while inventory levels remain low. The timing is perfect if you want to sell because it is easy to stand out from the crowd. Then, as inventory naturally increases in the spring, there will be more options available to purchase.

WHAT THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US We’ve learned that market conditions can change in a heartbeat. We’ve also learned that many people are smartly taking advantage of the opportunities on hand to make a move. Lastly, we’ve learned and proven that it is safe to buy and sell property and we will continue to remain focused on the health and safety of our clients.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO SELL, GET YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET BY FEBRUARY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER INVENTORY AND INCREASED BUYER ACTIVITY.

CALL TODAY SO WE CAN FORMULATE A PLAN THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.

Not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale nor intended to cause a breach of any existing agency relationship.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

A GALLERY OF FINE WESTHILLS AND INNER CITY HOMES FOR SALE

ELBOW VALLEY | $3,500,000

65

MAJESTIC POINT

Unparalleled luxury and refinement throughout the 7,900 sf of renovated living space in this spectacular home.

Although palatial in proportions, you will find the rooms inviting and welcoming, offering intimate spaces for small family gatherings or large celebrations. The opulent living room can hold a grand piano as well as ample seating for guests. A French style kitchen offers double islands, marble countertops, and a chef ’s appliance package. Host formal dinners in the dining room or serve causal family meals in the nook, which overlooks the serene pond views. Use the main floor bedroom with ensuite for visitors or as an additional office or family room. The enclosed, heated patio with fireplace and BBQ extends the season for outdoor living. Upstairs, there are 3 bedrooms including the stunning master retreat with a spa inspired ensuite and two massive walk-in closets. The lower level has something for every amusement, including an indoor pool, exercise room, media room, theatre, wine room, billiards area and bar. Outside, multilevel patios and decks make the most of the woodland setting. The level of detail, craftsmanship and luxury this home offers is impossible to recreate at this price point.

BRITANNIA | $2,595,000

711

I M P E R I A L WAY S W

This contemporary home has a breezy, California style that accommodates everyday living and entertaining. An impressive floating glass staircase greets you from the foyer. The living room has plenty of space for a grand piano. Host dinners in the dining room or casual meals in the massive, light filled breakfast nook. At the back of the house, a wall of windows spans from the family room to the kitchen and overlooks a tiered deck and south backyard. A combination of wood and high gloss cabinets give warmth to the clean-lined, modernist kitchen. An adjacent flex room is perfectly sized for a home office or playroom. Escape the demands of a fast-paced life in the expansive master bedroom and luxurious ensuite. Three additional bedrooms each with their own ensuite are also upstairs. A sunny recreation room, 5th bedroom and mudroom connecting to the under drive garage complete the lower level. This home offers loads of square footage and current design details in one of the city’s best neighbourhoods.

SPRINGBANK HILL | $1,800,000

42

A N ATA P I L A N E S W

Country living within the city limits! This large home nestled into the hillside offers spectacular mountain views. The living room features a wood burning fireplace and plenty of space for large parties. The craftsman style kitchen has granite counters, double wall ovens, a 5 burner cooktop, breakfast bar and overlooks the cozy sitting room. A conveniently located mud/laundry room offers lots of pantry storage for busy families. The quiet home office with built-ins is located off the foyer. Up the curved staircase is an open library, ideal for homework. There are 3 spacious bedrooms and an owner’s suite upstairs with a fireplace, a ensuite and walk-in closet. The lower floor has an additional 1947 SF of living space that includes 2 bedrooms, a games area, family room, snack bar and media room. This home is in immaculate condition, has a new roof, furnaces and water tanks. Some of the city’s best private schools are steps away. This home has space for everyone to spread out and enjoy the peaceful setting.

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SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

MAHOGANY | $1,695,000

#202

17 M A H O G A N Y C I R C L E S E

This luxury lakefront unit offers resort-like living, stunning views, spacious layout, contemporary design details, soaring ceilings and over 540 SF of outdoor living spaces. Entertain friends easily in the open-concept living and dining room.

Serve cocktails from the beverage bar and whip up gourmet meals from the chefs kitchen. Sub Zero and Wolf appliances, ample storage, and an expansive quartz topped island are just a few of the many features of the modern kitchen. Enjoy coffee on the sunny south balcony or dine al fresco on the the north patio overlooking the lake. The master is a serene retreat, with a luxe ensuite and large walk-in closet. Use the den as a home office or TV room. The 2nd bedroom is ideal for guests with its own ensuite. A laundry room, powder room, foyer with bench, and a convenient private 2 car garage complete this unit. Concierge, 24/7 security, pool, hobby rooms, and golf simulator are just some of the extensive amenities catering to every interest. Live in the lap of luxury!

SPRINGBANK HILL | $1,250,000

218

M Y S T I C R I D G E PA R K S W

A spectacular spot to build your dream home! This half acre lot backs on to a natural ravine lined by a grove of mature spruce trees. The unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains are absolutely breathtaking. It is an ideal lot for a home with a walk-out basement. The backyard would have sunny southern exposure and the reserved land behind offers a beautiful backdrop and privacy from neighbours. There is no building timeline or commitment so you are able to select the builder of your choice and take your time in the design phase. This affluent cul-de-sac is just moments from the Aspen Landing and Westhills shopping districts. Some of the best schools in Calgary are nearby. This is a rare piece of land where you can build a spectacular home to your own specifications. It’s country living within the city limits!

DISCOVERY RIDGE | $1,100,000

6

D I S CO V E R Y R I D G E M A N O R S W

Welcome to this recently updated, large family home backing a green belt. A quiet home office with panelled ceiling is found off the foyer behind double glass doors. The formal dining area provides an elegant room for celebrating special occasions. A spectacular living room with a beamed, vaulted ceiling is separated from the casual dining nook by a full height, double sided fireplace. Freshly painted cabinets, granite counters and stainless appliances make this kitchen a standout. Brand new, wide plank hardwood floors flow throughout the main floor. The lower level is ideal for hanging out with friends and contains a games area, snack bar with sink, and media room. Upstairs the owner’s suite contains an ensuite with an elegant clawfoot tub, his and her’s walk-in closets and a sitting area overlooking the lushly landscaped yard.

There are three additional bedrooms, one which could be used as a bonus room. Access the paths of Griffith Woods via the back gate. This turn-key home is ideal for a growing family.

CALL TO BOOK YOUR PERSONAL TOUR

FEATURED PROPERTIES

A GALLERY OF FINE WESTHILLS AND INNER CITY HOMES FOR SALE

SPRINGBANK HILL | $995,000

244

SPRINGBLUFF HEIGHTS SW

Absolutely majestic unobstructed Rocky Mountain views! This walkout bungalow offers more than 2800 SF of developed living space. The open concept living, dining room and kitchen have soaring ceilings and large windows overlooking the stunning mountain vistas. Granite counters, stainless appliances (including a French door fridge and warming drawer), a walk in pantry and breakfast bar can be found in the kitchen. The adjacent dining area contains a built-in credenza with glass display cabinets and in the living room a gas fireplace is flanked by bookcases. Also on the main floor is the master bedroom with its own fireplace, ensuite and walk-in closet as well as a quiet home office. Downstairs, you will find a family room with a bar, a media area and lots of space for a pool table or gym. There are also 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and storage. Outside, the upper deck and lower covered patio offer plenty of space for al fresco dining or watching the sunset with a glass of wine. The view from here is spectacular!

PATTERSON | $575,000

#1

12 2 0 P R O M I N E N C E WAY S W

This two bedroom corner unit in a sought after complex in Patterson has been tastefully updated. Highlights of the open concept living and dining area include a stone clad fireplace, a vaulted ceilings and big south facing windows. The sunny kitchen has ample storage, granite counters, a large central island with seating and stainless appliances including a French door fridge and a wine fridge. The owner’s bedroom contains two closets, an ensuite finished in limestone and deck access. A second bedroom and bathroom complete the main floor. French doors from the foyer lead into the lower level family room which features skylight windows and a built-in Murphy bed ideal for guests. The laundry room offers additional storage and the double attached garage makes running errands a breeze. Outside, the deck is edged with mature landscaping providing privacy and a green space. The park across the street make this a perfect option for pet owners. This low maintenance, tastefully renovated townhouse is a standout!

SPRINGBANK HILL | $379,900

#26

74 01 S P R I N G B A N K B LV D S W

This air-conditioned, well laid out semi-detached townhome provides a great opportunity for empty-nesters. It has 9’ ceilings, big windows and a neutral palette with broad appeal. The kitchen features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and an eat-in breakfast nook. The large living area has access to the balcony and features a gas fireplace. Hosting dinner parties is a breeze with the large dining area with west-facing windows. The bedroom includes a walk through closet which leads into the four-piece bathroom. Downstairs, the walkout level features a second bathroom and a large flex space that can be used as a bedroom when guests come to stay. The double attached garage provides ample space for parking and storage. This location provides easy access to Stoney Trail making getting around the city or heading out to the mountains a breeze. Both the Signal Hill and Aspen Landing Shopping centres are a short distance away. Enjoy carefree condo living without sacrificing any living space!

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403 870 8811 |

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403 686 7800 |

www.SAMCOREA.COM

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SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

THE HIDDEN PAIN OF SELLING The hardest part of selling your home is the time and effort it takes to prepare it for the market. In the current market conditions, this “hidden pain” is the biggest challenge to home sellers and it all has to be completed before the property even hits the market. Here’s a handy calendar to help you get started on the process.

30 DAY ACTION PLAN step by step checklist to get your house ready to sell

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ASK US HOW MUCH YOUR HOME IS WORTH

Felling overwhelmed?

WE CAN HELP! Our new Concierge Service makes the process simple and quick.

We can assist with minor repairs, painting, home organization, staging, cleaning, pre-inspections, legal documents & more. Get in touch to learn about this new program!

SAM STATISTICS

118

4.5

NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD

BY SAM’S TEAM IN 2021*

AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD BY CREB REALTORS IN 2021*

*among calgary REALTOR® members, the typical number of home sales was 4.5. SAM’s Team successfully negotiated 118 home sales and purchases in 2021 as of November 30th. That’s an accepted offer every 3.1 days giving the SAM Team the opportunity to hone their skills in a way that an agent who sells one home per quarter isn’t able to.

On average Sam’s team sold a house every 3.1 days

The average CREB REALTOR® sold a house every 81 days

West Hills

Other

the SAM team sold

$125,711,086

the number of homes that Sam’s team sold over $1Million

$1M

19.5%

Inner City

Percentage of SAM Team sales per region of Calgary

38 +

39.8%

40.7%

of real estate in 2021

A SNAPSHOT OF OUR CLIENTS Upsized

22.3%

Moved Out of Town

18.8%

Downsized Moved Into Calgary

10.4%

Bought/Sold Investment Property

9.7%

Got Married / Moved In Together

6.7%

Divorced / Parted Ways

6.5%

Building a New House

DUPLEXES 6.8%

HOUSES 67%

TOWNHOUSES 11.2%

5.9%

First Time Buyers Bought Property for Family Member

LOTS 2.5%

12.4%

5.7%

APARTMENTS 11.7%

1.6%

Why They Bought / Sold

What They Bought / Sold

FLIP THE PAGE TO FIND OUT HOW YOUR PROPERTY STACKS UP *Statistical information sourced from CREB.com, Sam Corea’s information sourced from his own data.

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403 870 8811 |

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403 686 7800 |

www.SAMCOREA.COM

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SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

LUXURY PROPERTIES CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES FROM 2021

Bel-Aire | $3,200,000

received competing offers Springbank Hill | $2,148,000

saved buyer $78K Hillhurst | $1,995,000

sold at 95.2% of list price Bel-Aire | $1,750,000

sold at 98.6% of list price

Britannia | $2,495,000

received competing offers & sold to our buyer in 1 day

Chaparral | $2,100,000

sold at 95.2% of list price Mount Pleasant | $1,795,000

sold at 98.3% of list price Springbank Hill | $1,695,000

sold at 94.4% of list price

GET OUR MARKETING DOLLARS WORKING FOR YOU

West Springs | $2,195,000

sold at 95.6% of list price Watermark | $1,999,999

saved buyer $49K Briar Hill | $1,788,000

saved buyer $48K Altadore | $1,690,000

sold for $60K over list price

WEST HILLS & INNER CITY CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES FROM 2021

Altadore | $799,000

Altadore | $365,000

sold at 97.3% of list price

sold for $20K over list price Aspen Woods | $1,435,000

Aspen Woods | $1,295,000

sold at 96.6% of list price

sold at 99.5% of list price

Aspen Woods | $995,000

Aspen Woods| $899,000

sold at 98.4% of list price

sold for $65K over list price in 2 days Aspen Woods | $835,000

Aspen Woods | $780,000

sold to our buyer within 4 hours on market

matched buyer and seller

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Aspen Woods | $1,525,000

won bidding war for buyer Aspen Woods | $1,268,000

sold at 95.4% of list price Aspen Woods | $849,000

sold at 98.7% of list price Aspen Woods | $375,000

sold at 97.3% of list price

www.SAMCOREA.COM

|

SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

WEST HILLS & INNER CITY

CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES FROM 2021

Aspen Woods | $324,900

matched buyer and seller Christie Park | $1,050,000

sold at full price Cougar Ridge | $724,900

sold for $26K over list price in 6 days Garrison Woods | $928,000

sold at 95.8% of list price

Aspen Woods | $299,000

sold at 95.3% of list price Christie Park | $1,000,000

Bel-Aire | $1,195,000

matched buyer and seller Christie Park | $875,000

saved buyer $75K

sold at 99.6% of list price

Cougar Ridge | $599,900

Garrison Woods | $1,395,000

won bidding war for buyer Hillhurst | $1,540,000

exclusive listing sold to our buyer

FIND OUT ABOUT OUR CONCIERGE SERVICE

exclusive listing sold to our buyer Hillhurst | $1,495,000

sold at full price

WEST HILLS & INNER CITY CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES FROM 2021

Hillhurst | $1,150,000

Hillhurst | $1,149,777

Hillhurst | $710,000

Patterson | $1,098,000

Patterson | $775,000

sold at full price

sold at 97.5% of list price

matched buyer and seller Patterson | $750,000

Richmond | $1,295,000

sold at 97.7% of list price

sold at 97.7% of list price Richmond | $799,900

Richmond | $719,000

sold at 99.4% of list price

sold at 96.7% of list price

403 870 8811 |

saved buyer $29K

saved buyer $49K

saved buyer $30K

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Hillhurst | $899,900

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403 686 7800 |

Richmond | $1,099,000

sold at 97.8% of list price Rideau Park | $1,150,000

sold at full price in 1 day

www.SAMCOREA.COM

|

SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

WEST HILLS & INNER CITY

CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES FROM 2021

Signal Hill | $1,195,000

sold at 94.6% of list price in 1 day Signal Hill | $725,000

Signal Hill | $899,000

received 11 offers & sold $52K over list price

Signal Hill | $699,000

Signal Hill | $799,900

saved buyer $33K Signal Hill | $629,000

sold at 98.7% of list price

sold at 98.6% of list price

Springbank | $1,498,000

Springbank Hill | $1,650,000

Springbank Hill | $1,295,000

saved buyer $8K

sold at 96.9% of list price

sold at 94.6% of list price

sold $10K over asking price in 2 days

Springbank Hill | $1,072,300

sold at 93.2% of list price

Springbank Hill | $678,000

saved buyer $3K

CALL TODAY TO GET YOUR HOME IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

South Calgary | $749,900

saved buyer $37K

WEST HILLS & INNER CITY CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES FROM 2021

South Calgary | $524,900

South Calgary | $359,900

matched buyer and seller

won bidding war for buyer Strathcona Park | $950,000

Strathcona Park | $895,000

sold for $101K over asking in 3 days Strathcona Park | $475,000

West Springs | $1,450,000

West Springs | $750,000

West Springs | $569,999

saved buyer $24K

sold $10K over asking price in 2 days

403 870 8811 |

sold at 97.2% of list price Strathcona Park | $580,000

sold at 99.1% of list price West Springs | $823,000

saved buyer $10K

sold at 94.8% of list price

sold at 95.8% of list price

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sold at 96.1% of list price

South Calgary | $285,000

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403 686 7800 |

West Springs | $1,198,888

sold at 98.4% of list price

www.SAMCOREA.COM

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SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

EVERY SALE HAS A STORY

WHAT IS YOURS?

Wendy & Patrick prefer to plan a new project, so they part ways with their posh palace in Britannia ◆ Krista & Daniel amass abundant attention on their Altadore abode with our advertising approach ◆ A vision of Argentinian vineyards triggers Tanya & Bevan to replace Mount Peasant with more pleasant pastures ◆ Warren & Ania wrap up Wildwood & upon our surprising suggestion find sanctuary where they weren’t searching in Springbank Hill ◆ Audiophiles Kurtis & Cara get amplified offers & attain an ample Aspen Woods abode for their audiovisual equipment ◆ Cheers to Steve & Leah who come into a more compact casa in Cougar Ridge ◆ Connie & Sam try with no sales success but with our suggestion they speedily sell & wander up to West Springs ◆ Nanette & Frank bid adieu to Bel-Aire & buy a less big, brand-new build ◆ It’s a race to sell the Ross’ rowhouse so they can fly off to Florida ◆ Liz & Peter wrap up Richmond to find rest & retirement in Victoria ◆ Evelyn & Philip part from their Patterson pad to plunge into Okanagan lake life ◆ With our counsel, first time buyer Cole collars a cool condo in South Calgary - Congrats! ◆ Sandra & Michael sell Strathcona & settle parallel to the pathways of Point McKay ◆ Melissa & Iaian merge households & move to Spruce Meadows ◆ With our recommendation, Cynthia & Michael remove themselves from Rideau at exactly the right moment ◆ Kathy & Theo seek something smaller than Signal Hill & skedaddle to West Springs ◆ We supervise the staging & servicing in West Springs while Jeffrey & Carmen comfortably clear out ◆ Helen & Douglas downsize to a dwelling with diminished domestic duty demands ◆ Melissa & Dermott are determined to discover their dream home ◆ From Washington to Woodbine, Jodie & Brandon acquire accommodations via Zoom with their sister’s assistance ◆ Joel & Morgan purchase their 1st place after their parents put in a good word ◆ Linda lessens her living quarters by selling Springbank Hill & happens upon happiness in Harmony ◆ Alison, Tim & their awesome offspring upsize & move on up to Signal Hill ◆ Tanya & Luc leave the mountains for the Maritimes ◆ Earl parts ways with Pumphill & gets going to Garrison Woods ◆ From Patterson to Parksville, it’s time to retire for Alastair & Esther ◆ We smartly sell Shelley’s apartment near MRU to an astute student ◆ Janet & Frank finish fixing their home with our facilitation to successfully sell Strathcona ◆ Marilyn perceptively procures a pre-sale inspection on Springbank Hill to sidestep setbacks ◆ First time buyers Courtney & Matthew put down roots in Cochrane, close to their clan ◆ William & Kseniia were allured by an acreage, but then pivot to Parkdale & pounce when a place pops up ◆ From the Fraser River to the banks of the Bow, Karmali & Daulat’s ambition is to be beside their grand babies ◆ Li & Keith lay out loot for a Tuxedo Park investment property with plenty of potential ◆ Glenys & David purchase the perfect Rosedale plot & put their plans for a palace on paper ◆ Bravo to Britney & James who buy in Mahogany because they need a bigger home with better bedrooms ◆ Christina & Sang sell their south facing suite & move into a multi-generational mansion with mom & dad ◆ Their first shot missed but golf pro Jeremy & Ashley hold on until they score a hole in one ◆ After a slew of showings, Mikki & Blake shuffle from Silvan Lake & establish themselves in Edgemont ◆ Susan & David sell as soon as the for sale sign was set up - seriously! ◆ We connect a curious customer with Colin & clinch the deal prior to putting the property up for purchase ◆ Gillian & Bradley were beat in bidding battles, but they carry on & eventually conquer in Cochrane ◆ Laura-Lee & Patricia pack up their pad in preference for a place where their pooches can play ◆ Vanda & Tim vend their veranda in Inglewood with intentions of immigrating to Vancouver ◆ Multiple offers emerge when Lorie & Mike market their McKenzie Lake manor ◆ Katie & Logan live through a long lasting search for their Lakeview lodgings ◆ From Ft. Mac, buyers Cheryl & Tyson fall in love when they find Crestmont on FaceTime & finally see it for the first time on the Friday they move in ◆ Sharon & Andrew ache for a mountain view & at long last, acquire one ◆ Kent & Sara set out on new trajectories after trading their Tuscany two-storey ◆ Burnt-out from the back and forth, the Brocks buy a Varsity villa in-between their grand babies ◆ Congratulations to Melissa & Brad who cash out of their Cranston condo ◆ David departs Toronto to settle into Springbank Hill, close to his darling daughter ◆ Jonathan & Shosh suffer a setback when their offer is shot down, but then their Watermark wishes are rewarded ◆ Angela & Kyle boost the building process by bartering for a Bel-Aire lot with a pre-built basement then sell their sizeable West Springs shack ◆ From Springbank Hill to Nelson BC, Roxane & Larry need to be near their parents in their advancing years ◆ Logan lands a place with better proportions, then puts her petite pied-à-terre on the market ◆ Cindy, Trevor, & their teens seize an opportunity & take a transfer to Toronto, leaving Hillhurst on their heels ◆ Jason & Melanie buy a Britannia beauty & all the furniture - lock, stock & barrel ◆ To get closer to their grandchildren, David & Janice say goodbye to Bel-Aire & go to the grasslands of Texas ◆ Kirk & Michelle’s munchkins mature & move out so they splurge to sprawl out in Springbank ◆ Dale withdraws from Aspen Woods & winds up in the wilderness of the Crownest Pass ◆ Marian & Marta say adiós to Aspen Woods to settle permanently in their

second home in sunny Spain ◆ The moving van to Vancouver is packed after Kaveh & Nadere pocket a profit ◆ After 30 years, the Parkers part with Christie Park & treat themselves to a trendy townhouse with a giant gym & glorious views ◆ For Fadel, freeing up his funds was his first priority so he sells Aspen Woods & rents a residence

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MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

Tanya & Paul change their address from shoreside in Chaparral to the cerulean Caribbean sea ◆ Empty nesters Fiona & Peter spread their wings & upsize to a new nest nearby with roomier rooms ◆ Dianna liquidates her investments, bagging bountiful benefits on her Bankview building ◆ Shannon & Eric swap Bel-Aire for Britannia then purchase a place for their parents ◆ Before other buyers have a shot, Danusia bids on Aspen Woods so her kids can skip to school ◆ Gita & Ramin continue the chase until a classic Christie Park castle comes their way ◆ The first offer collapses but then a higher-calibre candidate comes along with more cash for Patricia & Troy’s Cougar Ridge casa ◆ Glen & Alison gallop to get Garrison Woods on the market so they can pop into a pleasing penthouse ◆ Shuj constructs & sells several stylish, state-of-the-art structures◆ When Wanda & Phillip part ways they find a purchaser painlessly & pretty-darn-quick ◆ Meghan & Marc save a heap on Hillhurst while we harmoniously handle the haggling ◆ Kate keenly re-lists her Kelvin Grove quarters when the tides turn & the timing is right ◆ Mejia gets motivated to move into the duplex next door to her daughter ◆ Before they bring their brand-new baby home, Sarah & Dave sign on the sale of their Bankview bungalow ◆ Onna from Ontario obtains a townhouse tailor-made for Taco her tail-wagging doggo ◆ The Morgans more than double the measurements of their new maison ◆ Derek decides to depart from his Richmond dwelling but stays in the district ◆ The Chengs capitalize on our concierge service to stage and service their semi-detached ◆ Maite migrates from a compact South Calgary condo to kick up her heels in Killarney ◆ Doctors Patrica & Dorian dive into a Hillhurst homestead where the kids can hangout ◆ Mona & Michael are madly in love & merrily move in together ◆ Hooman & Parvaneh’s soccer playing son is scouted so they vacate to Vancouver ◆ It was time for Alison to go from Aspen Woods to Antigonish NS, so she closes on her condo ◆ Tep & Jane join up & jump on a just-finished Hillhurst home ◆ Alexandra captures a cool & quirky Killarney crash pad ◆ Deuk & Kyung close on their Signal Hill two-storey after selling their corner store ◆ Newlyweds Alex & Patrick pin-down a purchaser on their apartment posthaste ◆ Scott is starting out so his dad delivers a helping hand ◆ First-line responders Jacqueline & Aaron accept offers on Airdrie & Chaparral and amalgamate in Okotoks ◆ Shirley cashes in by selling her rental condo in the core ◆ Cindy & Daryl’s Garrison Woods home is grabbed when we connect them with our committed client before their lodging is even listed ◆ Christina turns over a new leaf & leaves her leafy Aspen Woods lookout ◆ Howie & Jeanie swap Strathcona for a stress-free suite ◆ Ellen & Eden emigrate to South Calgary from the East Coast ◆ Suncor transplants Sylvie & Steven select the calm community of Cochrane ◆ Ray & Michelle seize the opportunity to sell Signal Hill & secure several offers ◆ Gina & Chad renovate Richmond but really want to relocate to BC ◆ Rookie buyer James requires rooms for renters ◆ Elizabeth acquires an Aspen apartment for her scholarly son

Every sale has a story behind it. There’s a multitude of reasons why our clients decide to buy or sell -some happy, some sad, some challenging, some inspiring & some are completely out of the ordinary!

Whatever the reason, it is a privilege & a pleasure to represent them. We are honoured to serve our clients & deeply grateful for their friendship & trust.

We thank them for the opportunity and appreciate them selecting our team when there are so many choices out there.

Whenever you need us, we’re here to help.

Jacqueline Corea Marketing Director

Chris Fullerton

Sales Partner, Agent

Sam Corea

Team Leader, Agent

Alison Kallstrom Sales Partner, Agent

MOVING FORWARD c

403 870 8811 |

t

403 686 7800 |

Sam Corea, Chris Fullerton, Alison Kallstrom and Jacqueline Corea

SAM Team Re/Max House of Real Estate

www.SAMCOREA.COM

|

SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

SAM SHOWCASING CALGARY’S FINE HOMES SAM and his Real Estate Concierge Team get really excited about making great deals. Selling or buying property -

he helps homeowners get thrilling results.

For a seriously successful and enjoyable

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SAMCOREA.COM

CALGARY’S NEW ‘BURBS // REAL ESTATE

CALGARY’S NEW ‘BURBS “MORE VIBRANT, DIVERSE AND SUSTAINABLE THAN EVER BEFORE”

BY JOHN HARDY

A

s Calgary dynamically grows north, south, east, west and beyond, communities like Alpine Park, Wolf Willow, Belvedere Rise and others are booming as Calgary’s new ‘burbs. It’s complicated, strategic and it doesn’t just happen.

“The City looks at many factors when planning for growth and change,” says Matthew Sheldrake, Calgary’s manager of Growth and Strategic Services, “working together with developers to ensure that Calgary’s new communities are more vibrant, diverse and sustainable than ever before.

“Once every two years, as part of the Citywide Growth Strategy for making growth budget decisions, the City receives business cases from developers interested in initiating new community developments. The submissions address key city-building, servicing, market

and financial criteria. Council’s decisions then drive new community investments and planning approvals, which set the stage for infrastructure installation, home construction and first occupancies.”

Despite the time-sensitivity of developer business plans and schedules, the planning and engineering work prior to business case approval, takes about three to five years. Once a business case is approved, it’s another two to four years until the first residents move in.

Alpine Park, Calgary’s new west-end expansion is quickly becoming one of the City’s popular new ‘burbs and also creating an innovative, new planning and development trend. New Urbanism – a contemporary development phenomenon and an alternative to traditional single-use, low-density development. The core principles of New

ABOVE: ALPINE PARK.

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JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Urbanism are the neighbourhood and the pedestrian. People-first versus vehicle-first.

Dream Homes has chosen Alpine Park as the only next-generation new urbanist development of its kind in Calgary. “It is fundamentally different from anything else available in Calgary’s new home market today,” explains Michael Tandara, Dream’s director of marketing for Western Canada Development. “Calgary is a young city, even in North American terms, but a lot of its development occurred during ‘car-focused’ eras where the automobile was king and the most important decisions made by planners was keeping cars flowing, not creating the best possible spaces for residents.

“Feeling more connected to neighbours and the community, where every streetscape is beautiful, full of life and more than just slab after slab of concrete driveway, is New Urbanism. Nearly all Dream homes in Alpine Park focus cars at the back, meaning streetscapes are a compelling mix of a higher calibre of front porch homes of every size, with architectural styles that celebrate the prairie, mountain and urban history of Calgary itself.”

HDR/Calthorpe, the globally respected urban planners specializing in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services, has managed projects in countries worldwide and is part of the Alpine Park Dream team. “It’s the biggest piece of new

CALGARY’S NEW ‘BURBS // REAL ESTATE

urbanism that we’ve attempted and built in Canada,” explains renowned urban planner Joey Scanga, HDR/Calthorpe vice president.

“Usually it’s the smaller scale things, like implementing sidewalks on both sides, tree wells, open space, investing in the landscape. Coming out of this COVID slumber, community is more important than ever. The world is getting flipped on its head a little bit about how people are going to commute and move around.

We’re very proud. Places like Alpine Park are going to be important to growth and to strategy of growth.”

According to Sheldrake, “Making decisions for new community approvals is about strategically enabling growth in ways that maintains a healthy, competitive housing market, while maximizing infrastructure and operating cost efficiency. Different parts of the city have different amenities and service needs, which can affect the cost of growth. Different parts of the city also offer different markets and product offerings, which is also a factor.”

Cameron Tainsh, development manager at Westcreek Developments, developers of Calgary’s Wolf Willow, says “There’s a lot of process and detail that goes into moving a piece of land and making it into a community. Sustainability and preservation of the natural environment are important considerations every time we build a new community. And it all starts with the land.”

Planning and strategizing for tomorrow are also vital. “Key factors like density, pedestrian connectivity and housing form diversity,” notes the personable Mike Selinger, regional president of Cardel Homes, also a key Alpine Park builder. “Location has always been, and will likely always be at or near the top of the list. Customers are looking for good quality park space, walkability, local service amenities, access to schools and good transportation routes, and of course, affordability.”

Consumer priorities and trends are also key factors in Westcreek’s new Wolf Willow community. “We do constant market research to determine the demand in the current market and we build the community to meet that demand,” Tainsh adds. “Approximately 2,900 homes will be built in Wolf Willow, and include nine parks, a dog park and a school playfield. Our planning integrates all aspects of life, not just the houses themselves. By focusing on how we bring people and communities together – with businesses, infrastructure, natural landscapes and green spaces – residents have boundless opportunities to enrich their daily lives.”

Calgary’s new ‘burbs also meet the City’s planning and development priorities.

“Alpine Park features a grid-based street network centred around a higher density mixed-use village centre that has a pedestrian-oriented high street where people will be able to work, shop, relax and gather together,” Sheldrake points out.

“Wolf Willow is designed around a network of paths, parks and safe, walkable streets that allow residents access to amenities and services, as well as multiple connections to Fish Creek Provincial Park.”

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AVOIDING A CORPORATE HEALTH 911 // CORPORATE HEALTH, WELLNESS & REJUVENATION

AVOIDING A

CORPORATE HEALTH 911 Tips from the experts on building a health and wellness program for 2022 and beyond

BY JAMIE ZACHARY

I

t’s been one of those years. Or maybe this is just the “new normal” we often hear about.

Yet for many companies heading into the new year, it’s anything but normal when it comes to caring for their employees. New work models, different protocols and, overall, a stressed-out workforce are putting the focus squarely on what local experts say is a new generation of health and wellness programs.

Melanie Peacock, an associate professor who specializes in human resource management in the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University, notes occupational health and safety programs have been around for decades.

Over the course of this pandemic, however, they have flourished into a front-line topic.

A 2020 Workplace Outcome Suite survey that interviewed more than 35,000 employees in 26 different countries found that ROI for employers ranged from 3:1 for small-size employers to 9:1 for large-size employers. The results found cost savings upward of $3,500 per employee using an EAP. “Yet it’s not just about choosing any type of employee assistance program,” says Peacock. “Employers still need to research the provider. Make sure they’re reputable. I’d focus questions on things like their availability, who they hire, can they provide references – those kinds of things.

And she’s encouraged that many employers and employees alike are now openly talking about it in a much more encompassing manner.

“Then, it’s about educating employees. A lot of those employees might not understand what those programs offer, which could include services such as financial advice and relationship counselling. And they need to know it’s all confidential.”

“It’s not just about tying down cords or safely operating equipment. In the context of health and safety, we’re now starting to talk about things like harassment, bullying or the feeling of being left out. We’re talking about mental wellbeing,” says Peacock.

Nutritional programs are also becoming popular in supporting employee wellness and preventing escalating costs related to the employee health. According to the Dietitians of Canada, seven out of 10 major insurers now include dietitian services in their standard plans.

“And while these are not new topics, what we’ve done is illuminated and elevated our awareness and importance of a variety of occupational health and safety issues. These things have always mattered. They’re now just at the forefront.”

“When companies start to invest in their employees – whether that be through mental health or nutrition support – the only things they can do is enhance performance and show they care,” says Leslie Steeves, a Calgary-based registered dietitian at Grassroots Nutrition.

Peacock highlights employee assistance programs (EAPs) as being more important than ever. She acknowledges that while they are not cheap, research also shows a high return

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on investment through improved productivity and less time lost.

JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Steeves works on corporate nutrition programs for clients in industries such as oil and gas, often in the form of team

AVOIDING A CORPORATE HEALTH 911 // CORPORATE HEALTH, WELLNESS & REJUVENATION

lunch and learns, workshops, wellbeing initiatives or even challenges such as recipe swaps.

The challenge that is commonly being looked at these days is how to ensure employees’ nutritional needs are being met. After all, it’s not as simple as stocking the corporate pantry with healthy snacks given the rise of hybrid or fullyremote workplaces.

“It starts at the leadership level where the company’s culture becomes one where it’s OK to block off time to put their health first,” says Steeves. “Many employees don’t have access to the lunchroom anymore. They’re just grabbing something from the fridge at home and coming right back to their computers. They don’t put the time into healthy meal prep like they might have before.”

Next, employers should look at offering resources such as nutrition counselling services as part of their health

insurance plans. Steeves points to research by the Dieticians of Canada that a healthy, well-fed employee can provide employers with a high ROI – for example, every $1 invested into dietician services saves $4 in drug costs.

In addition, it’s estimated that such programs can reduce health-related lost productivity by up to 64 per cent and decrease disability days by up to 87 per cent.

“For employees, when you’re fueled and nourished, it gives you the ability to have better decision-making capabilities,” says Steeves. “And for companies, you’re going to have employees who are more present.”

Moving forward, the dramatic transformation away from the once-traditional brick and mortar workplace that has occurred over the past two years is a theme Vince Danielsen believes will continue to play a prominent role in the development of future health and wellness programs.

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AVOIDING A CORPORATE HEALTH 911 // CORPORATE HEALTH, WELLNESS & REJUVENATION

The CEO of INLIV, a Calgary-based private health clinic, as well as Wello, a nationwide virtual health care platform, points to the high costs the pandemic is having on companies and their employees.

For example, he notes chronic illnesses are steadily on the rise, citing a Mental Health Commission of Canada study that’s found 70 per cent of disability claims are mental-health related.

“That wasn’t there before,” he says, adding prescription drug claims are also up by more than 12 per cent.

When companies are thinking about the future of work and their benefits, Danielsen suggests they start by thinking mobile.

“That means having the right technology in place so your employees can access the resources,” says Danielsen, whose organization works with companies in industries such as oil and gas, aviation, retail and technology.

WHEN COMPANIES ARE THINKING ABOUT

“The second part is personalization. Someone at home with a mental health issue is going to need something quite different than someone at home with a musculoskeletal issue – both of which are on the rise.

START BY THINKING MOBILE. “THAT

“Mobile, flexible, personalized and customized – these are the philosophies that will help employers address things moving forward.”

ACCESS THE RESOURCES.”

Danielsen adds the ROI of these programs will often not be immediately obvious – often requiring regular reviews to find the right fit. So he preaches patience as employers look to realize the benefits.

Yet he also says that investment is more essential now than ever, especially because unprecedented mobility in workplace has created increased competition for talent.

To that end, he urges employers to be actively asking what their employees expect from them.

“Employees are going to choose environments that work for them,” says Danielsen. “So for employers, I’d suggest they focus on being supportive and have an encouraging culture.

And to think about this not being a one-size-fits-all, cookiecutter type approach anymore.

“The responsibility of the employer is to have customized solutions to the segments of their workforce and what

THE FUTURE OF WORK AND THEIR BENEFITS, DANIELSEN SUGGESTS THEY MEANS HAVING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE SO YOUR EMPLOYEES CAN

they’re going through. For example, the call centre staff with an airline are going to have very different needs than someone checking their bags or flying the plane.”

For companies still on the fence about investing in their health and wellness programs heading into 2022 – particularly after what might have been a lean 2021 – Peacock has one final piece of advice.

“Pay now or pay later,” she says. “It’s an investment. If you don’t spend the money now, there’s a chance your employees will leave. Then, you’ll be spending even more on recruitment and selection, not to mention the potential impact on your brand in the marketplace. And if they don’t leave, you might have to pay the cost of leaves or employees who come to work not engaged.

“It’s not about spending a lot of money. You can do things strategically based on what employees value. There are ways to get good bang for your buck.”

ABOVE: VINCE DANIELSEN, CEO OF INLIV AND WELLO. PHOTO SOURCE: INLIV

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JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Thank you On November 17, 2021, the incomparable Mr. Ronald N. Mannix, Mr. Michael J. Tims, the late Mr. Kenneth Stephenson and the late Mr. Samuel Switzer were inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame - Southern Alberta.

We offer a heartfelt congratulations to the 2021 laureates, and much gratitude to the supporters who, through the Alberta Business Hall of Fame, ensure the accessibility and sustainability of JA programming.

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Valued Supporters

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south.abhf.ca

The Calgary Chamber is the voice of the business community. We help businesses reach their potential as they start, scale-up and grow through connection, advocacy and education.

CULTIVATE: AGRICULTURE SUMMIT

C

anada is the breadbasket of the world, producing and shipping nutritious products globally. Producers are leveraging technology, ensuring our agriculture industry remains competitive. As a top exporter of agricultural products in the world, Canada is uniquely positioned to reduce emissions, cultivate more efficient crops and address the challenge of feeding a growing population through sustainable practices.

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Established in the 1960s, some argue the system is outdated and limits innovation and competition, while others suggest it is needed to maintain stability for both producers and consumers.

ESG AND SUSTAINABILITY

On January 27, 2022, the Calgary Chamber brings Canada’s agriculture industry together for a day focused on one of our country’s backbone industries. The day will include sessions on key topics:

Explore how agriculture companies are addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues to measure the sustainable and ethical impact of investment, as well as ways to move to a regenerative agriculture model in farming operations.

SMART FARMING

LABOUR AND SKILLS GAP

Technology is changing the way we do everything, including farming. Whether it’s crop production, livestock farming or urban cultivation, modern farms are using technology to increase quantity and quality of their products.

SUPPLY MANAGEMENT

Prior to the pandemic, the Canadian agriculture sector posted the highest job vacancy rate of any Canadian industry at 5.4 per cent. With forecasts for job vacancies predicted to double by the end of the decade, a growing global population continues to drive demand for food. Labour and education experts will speak about what the future of agriculture work looks like and how skilled positions in this important industry can be filled.

Supply management is unique to Canada, controlling the amount of products produced to reduce price and supply fluctuations.

Join the conversation and learn more about one of Canada’s backbone industries. Tickets are available at calgarychamber.com.

JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

S

MENTAL HEALTH: A BUSINESS PRIORITY FOR 2022

omeone you know is suffering. Someone you love is hurting. Someone you work with or lead is struggling to make it through the day. Maybe you are, too.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a worldwide mental health crisis. It is affecting each one of us, whether we know it or not.

Statistics Canada’s Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health indicates one in four Canadians aged 18 and older screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Among those, 94 per cent said the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health.

Whether you’re a people leader, a CEO, a business owner or co-worker, this is alarming because the effects are wide-ranging.

Along with the negative impact on an employee’s well-being, poor mental health can contribute to reduced productivity, higher turnover and lower work quality.

For Pauline Chan, lawyer and co-founder of Barre West, the impacts of a stressful workplace weren’t immediately obvious. “I was talking to a colleague who had been injured and on shortterm disability. I thought, ‘she’s so lucky to get some time off!’,” Chan recalls. “It wasn’t until I expressed these thoughts to her, that they were reflected back at me and I realized, my reaction was not right. I needed to make a change.”

With a record number of people seeking mental health care, high rates of burnout and more stress leaves – the costs are astronomical. Fortunately, employers have options when it comes to addressing the potential costs of mental health.

• A 2019 Deloitte report found the annual economic impact in Canada is estimated at $50 billion per year in direct (like health care, social services, income support). That’s $1,400 for every Canadian.

• The same report cites an additional $6.3 billion in indirect costs stemming from lost productivity.

• Every week, there are 500,000 Canadians unable to because of mental health challenges.

• Mental health issues account for 30 to 40 per cent of shortterm disability and 30 per cent of long-term disability claims in Canada.

• Such claims are climbing 0.5 to one per cent every year.

And those are the pre-pandemic statistics.

The numbers could be much higher due to unreported mental health challenges. “No one is exempt from the challenges of this pandemic,” says Sara Jordan, executive director, Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region (CMHA Calgary).

“Recent research tells us eight out of 10 Canadians are struggling with their mental health. It’s possible the remaining two of 10 may be struggling as well, but with the stigma that still exists, are reluctant to admit their challenges.”

HOW BUSINESSES CAN FOSTER POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

THE COST OF IGNORING THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), “long working hours led to 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29 per cent increase since 2000.”

Businesses around the world are taking steps to address the mental health crisis. A recent Forbes article outlined how some companies are offering employees benefits specifically designed to improve moral and address mental health and burnout concerns. Large organizations such as ATB Financial, Enbridge and Amazon have implemented multi-pronged wellness programs for employees.

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Small and medium-sized businesses may not have the capacity to offer big programs, but solutions need not be expensive or time consuming. When properly implemented, a small-scale approach can have just as much impact on the mental health of your employees and your bottom line: less turnover, improved productivity and a healthier and more connected workforce.

Here are a few ways you can foster a pro-mental health workplace without breaking the bank: 1. Create a daily practice If you have regular team meetings, consider including a daily or weekly practice to talk about mental health topics. Whether discussing the challenges of the pandemic or exploring what each team member will do to care for their mental health that day, visibly carving out meaningful time signals the importance of self-care and wellness.

2. Lead by example Tone at the top matters because a positive mental health culture really does start with an organization’s leaders. Consider your own habits, your daily practice for mental health and even the way you talk about mental health among your employees. The positive examples you lead with create a safe and open space, without stigma, to talk about and address mental health.

For Ernie Tsu, Owner of Trolley 5, encouraging open dialogue is key. “My door is open. My phone is on. Text me, call me, come and talk to me,” he says.

Tsu describes the struggle as a busy business owner and community leader to understand what his employees are facing.

“What’s painfully obvious to them, might not be to me. So, I keep my door open and let them know I’m here to talk.”

3. Do something for others There is clear evidence showing employees who support charitable organizations through workplace programs perform more effectively and connect more meaningfully with their company’s purpose. Helping others can also have a positive impact on mental health. In the workplace, this could mean allocating time for employees to volunteer with a charity of their choice. Another option is to consider combining a company’s charitable initiatives with team building, such as volunteering as a group at a local non-profit.

Despite having its own challenges through pandemic restrictions, Trolley 5 has led the way on several key initiatives to contribute to the community. Its latest coat drive for the Calgary Drop-In Centre offers customers a free appetizer when they donate a coat.

“There’s a lift you get when you do something for someone else,” says Tsu. “I see it in my staff, too.”

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JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

4. Look for warning signs According to the CMHA Calgary, there are risk factors to pay attention to.

“Poor nutrition, limited social connections and physical activity, tobacco use and high alcohol consumption are all things to watch for – in yourself and in others,” says the CMHA’s Jordan.

Pauline Chan agrees. “You know the people in your life best,” she says. “If you notice a change, or haven’t heard from them in a while, it’s important to reach out and make authentic space to learn how they are really doing. I find sharing something personal is sometimes a good way to help others open up.”

5. Offer resources If you notice a change or have a conversation that reveals an employee’s mental health struggles, it’s important to understand your role. You are not the mental health professional. But with many programs that offer a range of self-directed learning opportunities and team training, you can facilitate and encourage access to a range of supports, including: • Mindfulicity, powered by YW Calgary, offers a series of bite-sized skill-building modules online to help employees better manage stress and conflict.

• Adaptive YYC, offered in partnership with United Way of Calgary and headversity, offers personalized resilience training to help the workforces of small businesses and nonprofits address stress and build emotional well-being.

• headversity offers individual and team training that focuses on building resilience skills through daily practice tools, micro lessons and reading material.

• CMHA Calgary offers extensive free training through its School of Peer Support in addition to a full suite of free classes through its Recovery College, with education on topics like sleep, personal boundaries, body image, nutrition, selfcare and more.

• Calgary Counselling Centre and Virtuous Circle Counselling are examples of Calgary-based companies offering a range of counselling services.

“It’s important to remember mental health and supports exist on a continuum. Just as we’ve learned working from home works well for some and not for others, it’s important to understand various approaches to mental health support will work well for some, but not for all,” Jordan says. “If you can build a positive mental health culture and facilitate access to the range of tools and resources freely available, you can support your people to seek out what they need, have healthy conversations and pave their own path to positive mental health.”

Brad Flegel, Jarrett Flegel, Murray Flegel and Steve Jakubec.

Photo by Riverwood Photography Inc.

Serving Canadian Companies for 30 Years

by Rennay Craats 67

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 2

B

OSS Lubricants has established itself as a top player in Canada’s lubricants industry by honouring the company’s core values implemented when it was founded in 1992: providing quality products and superior service at fair prices. For 30 years, this family-owned and operated business has grown as it navigated the rollercoaster of boom-and-bust economies and evolved with the times to remain on the cutting edge of the industry.

From its inception, BOSS has been proudly Canadian owned, offering Canadian-made products that work in the diverse and often extreme Canadian climate. BOSS possesses an impressive line of products including gas and diesel engine oils, gear oils, tractor fluids, transmission fluids, hydraulic oils, synthetics, greases, coolants and various environmentally friendly products.

BOSS prides itself on providing a one-stop shopping experience for its customers. BOSS can fill tanker trucks, drums and totes as well as

BOSS prides itself on providing a

one-stop shopping experience for its customers. BOSS can fill tanker trucks, drums and totes as well

as one-litre, five-litre and 20-litre pails. All products are tested by

a third-party lab to ensure high

quality standards are maintained on every product they sell.

one-litre, five-litre and 20-litre pails. All products are tested by a third-party lab to ensure high quality standards are maintained on every product they sell.

This Trans-Canada operation wasn’t always so prolific. It started out as a small family

FROM CONTROLLING LUBRICANT COSTS TO GROWING YOUR BUSINESS. SHELL SPIRAX S4 CX HIGH PERFORMANCE OFF-HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION AND HYDRAULIC OIL MAKES IT POSSIBLE ■ Shell Spirax S4 CX is designed to provide operators with trouble-free operation and maximum reliability for the lifetime of the equipment.

■ Spirax S4 CX meets the demanding requirements of modern transmission, oil-immersed brake and hydraulic systems fitted to heavy-duty-off-highway equipment.

To learn more, visit shell.ca/lubricants

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 4

Jim Koshman wins Make It Happen Award.

endeavour, with Murray handling local sales and operations while his wife, Arlene, took care of invoicing and accounting. Their sons, Jarrett and Brad, helped on weekends and holidays, learning the business from the ground up. With Murray’s strong work ethic and knowledge of the industry garnered after two decades with major companies including Turbo and Texaco, the company grew and with it Murray’s reputation for quality and integrity.

In 1996, to get where he wanted to go, Murray welcomed in silent partner Bill Dickson, whose business and industry expertise helped steer the company to achieve the organic growth and success Murray was striving toward.

“Bill was a 14-year partner with my dad and was one of the key spokes in the wheel that gave us the experience, knowledge and financial help we needed,” says Jarrett Flegel, president of BOSS Lubricants.

This support and guidance allowed BOSS to find its long time and current headquartered location at 6303 30th Street SE in Calgary. To accommodate its growth over the 30 years, BOSS has continued to expand its operations in the facility by taking over bays in the building as other tenants have left.

With Murray’s strong work ethic and knowledge of the industry garnered after two decades with major companies including Turbo and Texaco, the company grew and with it Murray’s reputation for quality and integrity.

“We came into this building in 1996

and we thought, ‘Wow, it’s too big for what our needs are’,” says Jarrett.

“Now, so many years later, we have

bought the building and occupy the entire space.”

“We came into this building in 1996 and we thought, ‘Wow, it’s too big for what our needs are’,” says Jarrett. “Now, so many years later, we have bought the building and occupy the entire space.”

Long Time BOSS Customer “South Pro Auto” Owners Shaun and Ryan Rankine pictured with BOSS President Jarrett Flegel.

BOSS has enjoyed an incredible impact on both the industry and the community. Over its 30-year tenure in business, the company has been active in the community, proudly giving back to the communities they serve. Murray has been a 22-year member of Rotary Calgary (Stampede Park), performing large community projects throughout the year. BOSS has also been a significant supporter of Youth Unlimited, which provides youth with access to fundamental work and life skills and has supported area food banks to help those in need.

Congratulations BOSS Lubricants on your 30th anniversary!

Wishing you much success in the coming years.

We look forward to continuing our relationship as both our companies grow.

All the best from Gerry and the Wood Automotive Group team.

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 5

11580 24 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3K1 Phone: (403) 253-2211 • woodauto.ca

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 6

Throughout the years, BOSS has also supported various sports and charity events including cancer foundations and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the company is a major contributor to the Gordie Howe Cares Foundation in support of the fight against Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In three decades, BOSS has supported many groups and causes in the places in which it does business, and it has grown to eight branch locations to better serve its clients across the country, all managed by the talented team at its headquarters in Calgary.

“We continue to keep expanding and growing our company. We have branches in Vancouver, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Regina, Brandon and Toronto while establishing 150 distributors across Canada,” says Murray Flegel, founder and CEO of BOSS Lubricants.

As BOSS continued to add branch locations, it slowly added more delivery trucks to its

The transportation side now

boasts 27 tandem delivery trucks

across the branches that perform local and outside city deliveries, and the fleet includes three

semi-trucks that deliver stock

trailers to the individual branches and distributors.

fleet and delivery infrastructure to make it one of the largest in Western Canada. The transportation side now boasts 27 tandem delivery trucks across the branches that perform local and outside city deliveries, and the fleet includes three semi-trucks that deliver stock trailers to the individual branches and distributors. This strong delivery infrastructure has only further

“In the last five years we have

initiated multiple upgrades and

renovations in our main location

here in Calgary. Adding additional storage tanks, blending capacity and becoming ISO 9001:2015 certified has enabled us to

maintain our high level of product

quality and ultimately take on more sales volume,” says Brad Flegel,

vice-president of Operations for BOSS Lubricants.

fueled BOSS’s growth as it opens new opportunities and extends the company’s market reach for its products.

“One of the important things is that it’s been growth from expansion and entering new jurisdictions, new territories and new industries.

We’ve grown from coast to coast now through our own branches and distribution network that allow us to reach anywhere in Canada,” says Steve Jakubec, general manager and controller for BOSS Lubricants.

“In the last five years we have initiated multiple upgrades and renovations in our main location here in Calgary. Adding additional storage tanks, blending capacity and becoming ISO 9001:2015 certified has enabled us to maintain our high level of product quality and ultimately take on more sales volume,” says Brad Flegel, vicepresident of Operations for BOSS Lubricants.

These upgrades and renovations at the Calgary location have allowed BOSS to double the amount of private labelling with OEMs and retailers it has done over the past five years. All manufacturing, blending and distribution is done out of the Calgary

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 7

During this period of unprecedented growth and expansion BOSS has had to face the challenge of ensuring that its products continue to be of the highest quality going forward while also ensuring sufficient storage space that could facilitate increased sales. Taking on this challenge, BOSS initiated several projects and upgrades in the Calgary location.

MAG 1 OILS, LUBRICANTS, AND CHEMICALS The MAG 1 family of products was created to be a high quality, full line offering that would be flexible enough to fulfill the demanding requirements, conditions and tests of multiple markets and equipment manufacturers. MAG 1 products can be found in many retail locations, service bays, bulk suppliers and distributor warehouses around the globe. Our desire to continually improve our products and manufacturing processes keeps MAG 1 performance levels consistent across all categories. This strategy keeps our quality levels high and our production costs low. MAG 1 lubricants are built using Superior Chemistry to achieve Superior Performance in the market place. We use the highest quality base stocks and advanced additive systems. Our API licensed fluids meet or exceed all testing, ensuring long term performance you can count on. MAG 1 products offer advanced technology and protection to help consumers and industry drive forward around the world. Thank you for selecting MAG1 products! We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to help you ignite performance and protect engines, vehicles and equipment.

Quality Means Doing it Right When No One Is Looking.

Fleet/ATF/Gear Oils

Fueled by excellence.

Formulated to excel.

Motor oils.

bosslubricants.com DISTRIBUTED BY/DISTRIBUÉ PAR : BOSS LUBRICANTS

6-0000

30 MONTH WARRANTY

Manufactured And Blended To the Highest Industry Standards.

Hydraulic/Industrial/Agricultural Fluids

Superior Chemistry.

Superior Performance.

Greases/Specialty prodcucts

Consistent High Quality Products Ensures Repeatable Performance.

Chemicals/Power Steering Fluids/ Brake Fluids/Small Engine Aerosols

BOSS Lubricants is the exclusive distributor of Mag1 in Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia)

Photo by Riverwood Photography Inc.

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 10

location, and as the company sales volume has grown so has its need for increased tank storage capacity and space.

Today BOSS can boast more than 100 tanks which provide a whopping total of 3.5 million litres of product storage capacity. This large storage capacity allows BOSS to have ample supply on hand for any of the high-quality products it provides to its customer base all within a controlled indoor environment while attempting to protect its customers from unnecessary price increases.

“Especially in the last couple years, there have been a lot of product shortages and we’ve been able to get ahead of it and try to build a buffer for our customers to make sure we don’t run them out of product,” says Steve.

From end to end, the renovated warehouse, plant and office reflects the image BOSS

Today BOSS can boast more

than 100 tanks which provide a

whopping total of 3.5 million litres of product storage capacity. This large storage capacity allows BOSS to have ample supply

on hand for any of the high-

quality products it provides to its customer base all within a

controlled indoor environment while attempting to protect its customers from unnecessary price increases.

Congratulations

Murray

and your Team at Boss Lubricants We’re proud to be your label supplier #112 - 5726 Burleigh Crescent S.E. Calgary, AB T2H 1Z8 403-287-0414

www.sheratonlabels.com

Congratulations BOSS Lubricants on your 30th Anniversary.

“We believe our staff should have a great working environment, a safer working environment, a more positive working environment because we feel we owe it to our staff, and they will become more productive because of it,” says Brad.

To support the company’s commitment to quality, efficiency and to doing business better, BOSS became ISO-9001:2015 certified in 2017. In establishing the ISO manual and customizing the company’s platform, BOSS has created processes and procedures for quality assurance while adding productivity metrics from within the ISO framework

We wish you many more years of continued success.

Safe. Secure.

Environmental Services YOUR CHEMICAL & HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PARTNER 2949 17th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2A 0P7 403-313-5053 | www.hzmtcorp.com

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 11

is working hard to embody as a company: professional, well organized, state of the art and pristine. BOSS has been rebranding and elevating the image of the company not only to customers but also to staff. The management team works hard to create a great environment for staff to increase productivity as well as morale and employee satisfaction.

“ISO is a custom-tailored

platform around the company’s most important core goals: 1) Product Quality, 2) Customer Service and Support and

3) Workplace Safety and

Environmental Stewardship. ISO

has been great for the company and has changed how we do

business and made us better overall,” says Brad.

that help management gather valuable data points. After the long hours put in by the senior management team and Chad Watson, BOSS’s Human Resources manager and safety officer, and years of documentation and fine-tuning the program, the team is extremely pleased to see the benefits of ISO compliance that reach beyond quality management benchmarks and boosting profitability.

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 12

“ISO is a custom-tailored platform around the company’s most important core goals: 1) Product Quality, 2) Customer Service and Support and 3) Workplace Safety and Environmental Stewardship. ISO has been great for the company and has changed how we do business and made us better overall,” says Brad.

This reinforces the company’s focus on quality as a core value, and to achieve quality products requires quality people.

The Flegels know they have the best in the business working for them and in turn take care of them and treat them like family. The strong culture and positive atmosphere throughout the company keeps people engaged and invested in the work they do at BOSS. It has maintained a smallbusiness feel despite its large client base and workload, and the phone is answered by a person not an automated system or a call centre. People come first, and both the staff and the customers feel the difference that makes. Relationships are key, and senior management knows everyone personally in the office and fosters inperson relationships with clients. That has led to a list of long-time customers as well as long-tenured employees.

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 13

Brad Flegel, Jarrett Flegel, Murray Flegel and Steve Jakubec.

Photo by Riverwood Photography Inc.

Congratulations to our very good friends at BOSS for 30 years of excellence!

From your friends at Maxcell Your Battery Specialist Rick Maryniak and Phil Forsey - 403.850.8372 philip.s.forsey@gmail.com

Circle B and team would like to congratulate Boss Lubricants for great support and look forward to working with them for years to come.

John Bogstie 235185 Ryan Rd SE. Rocky View, AB T1X 0K1 circleb@circlebtrailer.com p: 403.236.0223 | c: 403.804.6690

www.circlebtrailer.com

Congratulations BOSS Lubricants on your 30th Anniversary!

Proud to be your Pallet Racking and Storage System Supplier for all your locations across Canada!

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 14

Darrell – RackServices1 6444 – 42 St SE Calgary, AB T2C 2V1 • 403-680-5001

A division of Headzup Holdings ltd.

Congrats BOSS Lubricants on 30 Years!

TO MANAGE, CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN ELECTRIAL SYSTEMS

Peter Melnyk 403-371-1091

pmelnyk60@gmail.com

PO Box 999 Turney Valley, AB T0L 2A0

“Some of our employees have

been with us for 15 and 20 years.

The tendency is for employees to stay long-term. We’re really proud of that,” says Murray.

“We have five-, 10- and 15-year employment awards. We’re

giving away more awards this

year than we ever have before,” Jarrett adds.

“Some of our employees have been with us for 15 and 20 years. The tendency is for employees to stay long-term. We’re really proud of that,” says Murray. “We have five-, 10- and 15-year employment awards. We’re giving away more awards this year than we ever have before,” Jarrett adds.

In the end, the staff make the company successful, and the management team is proud to have such amazing people representing them day in and day out. Their knowledge, dedication, detail to quality, reliability and professionalism have earned the company its stellar reputation in the industry and it is what attracts customers and partners to do business with BOSS. Thanks to that reputation, in 2018 BOSS became an authorized distributor for Shell Canada’s lubricant line, which allowed them to sell Shell’s products to its customers.

Then in April 2020, BOSS’s relationship with Shell expanded as it started performing DFOA (Delivery For Own Account), delivering product to Shell’s customers throughout Saskatchewan and southern Alberta.

“We were able to create new revenue streams utilizing our established infrastructure.

Basically, we started delivering litre one when they declared a global pandemic,” says Steve.

Delivery and its relationship with Shell have become important business opportunities for BOSS and a feather in the company’s cap to have a strong association with an

industry leader like Shell. It is also appealing and convenient for BOSS’s clients to have extensive product offerings all in one place.

“What sets us apart is our service and product menu,” says Jarrett. “Now that we’ve brought on Shell and Mag 1’s product portfolio and expanded our own product portfolio, we have over 700 lubricant products we can offer customers – most of our competitors would have 100 to 200.”

BOSS has grown in an ever-evolving industry for the past 30 years, but its business model has remained consistent – ongoing investment in its technology, staff and relationships with customers as it provides top quality products and unbeatable service.

The team is celebrating three decades of service in the industry, but they are not done yet. BOSS Lubricants will continue to expand its offerings, grow the business and elevate the branding of its impressive product portfolio into the future.

Congratulations to BOSS Lubricants for 30 years of successful business.

MILLWRIGHTS • ELECTRONICS • WELDERS FABRICATION • HD MECHANICS CRANE & BUCKET TRUCK SERVICE

We look forward to working with together for many years to come.

Andrew Luchia Cell: 403.604.7978 • andrew.fredind@gmail.com Bus: 403.287.6006 • Bay #1, 6328 - 30th St SE, Calgary, AB

www.fredindustrial.ca

CVIP • MOBILE • REPAIRS • BODY WORK • WELDING • WARRANTY

Congrats BOSS Lubricants on 30 years! www.c-macservices.com

Congratulations to Murray Flegel and the team at BOSS Lubricants on your 30th anniversary!

Congratulations BOSS Lubricants on 30 years!

Proud to be a part of your success.

BAILEY’S BLASTS ENTERTAINMENT

PB Carpet & Furniture Cleaning INC. Paul Bailey 403-830-2743

Music & Cleaning Specialist

unifirst.ca

Congratulations BOSS Lubricants on your 30th Anniversary.

Thanks for selecting Pumps & Pressure Inc. as your fluid handling equipment supplier.

1-888-430-9359 Red Deer • Edmonton • Calgary • Grande Prairie • Lethbridge • Saskatoon • Brandon

www.pumpsandpressure.com

BOSS Lubricants • Celebrating 30 years • 15

104-6303 30th Street SE Calgary AB 1-800-844-9457 info@bosslubricants.com www.bosslubricants.com

UniFirst is proud to partner with BOSS Lubricants for their uniform and facility service needs.

We are proud to say we’ve been in business for 30 years, but we aren’t done yet.

BOSS Lubricants continues to evolve, expand and improve so we can help our customers do the same.

It has been an exciting journey since we opened our doors in 1992, and we couldn’t have done it without all the dedicated employees and valued customers who have supported BOSS Lubricants along the way. On behalf of the team at BOSS, I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to our customers for their trust and confidence in us over the years and for helping us become what we are today.

We are grateful to be a leader in the industry and we look forward to continuing to offer our great service and unbeatable product quality as we transition into the next 30 years of business serving customers across Canada.

THANK YOU! Murray Flegel Founder and CEO, BOSS Lubricants

Brad, Gage, Dave, Pat, Bryan, Darcy, Melodie, Greg, Sam, Jessica and Bella.

Missing from photo: Ian and Jeff. Photo by Riverwood Photography.

All Signs Point to Success for Second Generation

by Rennay Craats

W

hen Bryan Bunz started his company in 1991, he built his reputation on providing quality installations as well as silkscreened and computer-cut vinyl signage, all out of his home-based shop. Over the years, the industry has changed and Riteway Signs has evolved along with it. As digital printing replaced computer-cut vinyl and silkscreening, Riteway adapted quickly to the new technology, offering in-house digital printing and manufacturing using large format digital printers, laminators and applicators to produce high-quality products for its clients.

The world has gone digital, and Riteway has kept pace, offering a custom-built online ordering system with sign tracking for clients. Despite this technology, Riteway continues to give personalized service, meet deadlines with quick turnarounds, offer timely and effective communication, and

produce quality products in an effort to make every client a life-long one. Bryan has succeeded; he still has loyal clients who have been with him since the day he opened the business.

“Signing up with Riteway, you’re not just a client.

Over 30 years we’ve established some really strong relationships,” says Bryan Bunz, founder of Riteway Signs.

Today, Riteway is the preferred full-service sign provider for real estate agents in Calgary and surrounding areas. The company produces and installs real estate and property management signs for around 3,000 of the city’s approximately 5,500 (and growing) registered agents. At any given time, Riteway has more than 5,000 signs installed on properties in Calgary and surrounding areas.

Real estate agents want a company that can meet all their needs, and Riteway delivers.

Riteway Signs Celebrating 30 years

83

Left: Brad, Jessica, Melodie and Bryan.

Above: Storage yard showing sign posts and commercial signs at Riteway Signs. Photos by Riverwood Photography.

Three years ago, that facility got a major upgrade.

Riteway outgrew the 1,700 square foot homebased shop, so Bryan purchased a 4,400 square foot office and warehouse space on 102 Avenue SE to accommodate the company’s continued growth. Over the past five years, Riteway’s output skyrocketed from around 12,000 signs installed per year to more than 25,000 – with no signs of slowing down.

“We handle everything in the signage production process from start to finish. We do the graphic design, we digitally print it, laminate and apply it to different substrates,” says Jessica Bunz, director of Operations at Riteway Signs. “We are a one-stop shop. We take care of everything all within our own facility.”

Despite Calgary’s sluggish economy and the impact that a global pandemic has had on businesses, the robust real estate market has allowed Riteway Signs to not only remain strong but to grow. The Bunz family is proud to serve a growing number of clients and the Riteway team works hard every day to exceed expectations as they support their clients.

All the hard work and investment in the business has been worth it, and Riteway Signs’ 30th year has been its best year to date.

Congratulations

Riteway Signs on 30 years!

Century 21 Bravo Realty O: (403) 250-2882 | W: bravorealty.c21.ca Calgary Main: 3009 23 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7A4 Calgary South: 105-11500 29 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3S9 Olds, Alberta: 5221 46th Street, Olds, AB T4H 1T5

To meet the increased demand in this hot market and to help maintain Riteway’s high quality standards, Bryan brought on more people to work in the warehouse, office and out on the road.

Over the past few years, the team has expanded to include three people in the office, three dedicated warehouse and production personnel, and seven installation contractors. Riteway Signs is a family-owned and operated business, and Bryan carefully selects only people who align with the values and culture of the company to join the extended family. And some of the great team members have loved working for the company so much they have brought their own family members to work there too.

403.245.0773 1612 17 Avenue SW

With over 37 years in business, Century 21 Bamber understands the hard work it takes to last for 3 decades.

Congratulations Riteway on your 30 years in business!

“We have two brothers that work for us. We have a father and son. Two sisters. Riteway has a lot of family,” says Jessica.

And the Bunz family – Bryan, his wife Melodie, and their children Jessica and Brad – are at the core of it all. They have built the Riteway Signs legacy from the ground up, and now Bryan and Melodie are preparing to step back from the business and leave Riteway in the capable hands of the next generation. Despite the leadership change, Riteway will continue to offer the same next-day installation and removal service, the same attention to detail and professionalism for every account, and the same sign storage, installation and removal services clients have come to expect.

Spicers Congratulations 30 Years Riteway.indd 1

“I’ve really run the company for the last four or five years so clients know me as their point of contact already,” says Jessica. “It’ll be a smooth transition.”

Riteway Signs is proud to have long-time, loyal clients, long-tenured core staff and a solid reputation based on decades of experience, and the second generation will carry on Bryan’s high standards as the company continues to do things the Riteway.

2021-11-26 11:11 AM

COATINGS

Congratulations from AK Coatings

on 30 years!

POWER PROPERTIES Bay 15, 4905 102 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2C 2X7 Phone: (403) 236-3432 ritewaysigns.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | MLS SALES | INVESTMENTS

(403) 509-0040 www.powerproperties.net

Riteway Signs Celebrating 30 years

OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY // SKI & SNOWBOARD

OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS

86

JANUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY // SKI & SNOWBOARD

BY JAMIE ZACHARY

“T

here’s no such thing as too much snow.” – renowned American skier Doug Coombs.

It’s a sentiment shared by skiers and riders from around the globe heading in the new year as the Canadian Rockies are back open for business with some notable new additions.

At Lake Louise Ski Resort, visitors will be treated to plenty of fresh perks within its 4,200 diverse acres of world-class terrain – notably an all-new learning area at its base near the Whiskey Jack Lodge.

Dubbed the Juniper Learning Area, it’s highlighted by a new high-speed quad that can take guests to the junction of three new runs: Men’s Downhill, Juniper Jungle and West Bowl egress.

“This will increase our capacity from the base area by 50 per cent and give us the highest lift capacity out of the base in the Canadian Rockies,” says Kim Locke, vice-president of strategy and corporate affairs at Lake Louise, noting the Juniper quad is expected to officially open in mid-January.

Locke noted the new runs accessible from Juniper are wellsuited to learner and intermediate skiers and riders as they progress from the Sunnyside Learning Area before moving to the upper mountain runs. Meanwhile, more experienced skiers and riders can benefit by a few cruisy groomer warm-up laps.

LEFT: SUNSHINE VILLAGE SKI RESORT OFFERS SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS WITH MORE THAN 3,500 ACRES TO EXPLORE. PHOTO SOURCE: SUNSHINE VILLAGE SKI RESORT

“It’s a very unintimidating area for learners and families,” says Locke, noting snowmaking infrastructure is also being installed to provide reliable early-season access to this new area for future seasons.

Meanwhile, for guests who were treated to Lake Louise’s new Summit Quad Chair last winter, they will be able to further explore 480 acres of new terrain in West Bowl.

This past fall, resort staff continued their glading program that will further enhance the West Bowl experience and allow easier egress back to the base area from all of the various glades, chutes, gullies and bowls.

“We’re very committed to enhancing the skier experience. And so, we expect that we’ll be doing one major project a year for the next five to 10 years,” says Locke, also pointing to a new fine dining option at Whitehorn Bistro, located 2,042 metres above sea level, which joins returning culinary favourites such as the Kuma Yama sushi restaurant at the lodge in Ten Peaks.

Sunshine Village Ski Resort has similarly experienced a busy off-season prior to its official opening this past November.

The resort, located just minutes from Banff’s historic downtown, made several upgrades to its Bourgeau Base Area, including adding 15 per cent to the existing parking capacity – or approximately 250 new parking spots within walking distance to the gondola.

Once up top and overlooking the 3,500 acres to play on, skiers can get a familiar taste for the best snow the Rockies has to offer, says Kendra Scurfield, brand and communications manager at Sunshine.

ABOVE: VISITORS TO LAKE LOUISE SKI RESORT WILL HAVE ACCESS TO SEVERAL NEW ADDITIONS WITHIN ITS 4,200 DIVERSE ACRES OF WORLD-CLASS TERRAIN THIS YEAR. PHOTO SOURCE: REUBEN KRABBE

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CALGARY’S LARGEST DEDICATED SKI SHOP

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ki West’s legacy of caring for Western Canadian skiers since its foundation in 1974 is well documented and the subject of fierce loyalty among avid skiers looking for superlative ski equipment recommended by personable, genuine, and knowledgeable staff.

In August of 2021, on the heels of the launch of it’s robust e-commerce platform skiwest.ca, Ski West added a gorgeous concept second location just south of the airport on McCall. They aptly named it Ski West Mountain Division in order to reflect its vocation as a showcase hub for all mountain sports including snowboarding. The brand-new purpose-built 4,800 square foot building is not only the nerve centre for their ecommerce and warehousing operations, it’s also a spectacularly modern retail space featuring presentation tables and clean site lines. Mountain Division is also the incubator for new staff, new brands and new product categories.

Anchored by a dedication to excellence that is only equaled by their commitment to enhancing their valued customers on-snow experience, the caring staff at Ski West and its management team are led by ex-competitive freestyle skier and coach David Degelman whose passion for skiing is only matched by his desire to promote and advance this sport that he and his family love so much.

Aside from its massive and curated gear and ski wear offering, what sets Ski West apart from other ski retailers in Canada is a relentless desire to provide all skiers of all abilities with the best, most inclusive experience possible through professional boot fitting (their reputation as the go-to place to find the perfect ski boots is legendary), as well as judicious and relevant ski (and snowboard) advice from skiers (and snowboarders) who have tested the products and skied the same mountains that you have.

Whether it be at their heritage location at 300 14th Street NW, their brand-spankin’ new Mountain Division store at 4950 McCall NE or online at skiwest.ca, Ski West continues to position itself as the leading ski and snow sports authority in the Calgary market.

Ski West Kensington 300 14th Street NW Calgary, Alberta T2N1Z7 Ski West Mountain Division Unit 109, 4950 McCall Way NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 9B5

www.skiwest.ca

// SKI & SNOWBOARD

YOUR MUSE, FOR FRESH IDEAS. Book your stay at Sunshine Mountain Lodge today.

Visit skibanff.com, or call us at 1-87-SKIBANFF 1.877.542.2633

We’re a bit different.

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The last three weeks of March have been known to be some of the best midseason like conditions with extra-long days for bonus runs!!

Please visit www.greatnorthernsnowcat.com for available dates or call 1-800-889-0765 5400, Highway 31, Trout Lake, B.C. Phone: 403-932-4441 | info@greatnorthersnowcat.com

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OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY // SKI & SNOWBOARD

“They can look forward to an escape from their day-to-day,” she says, noting you can still be connected if you choose thanks to investments made by Rogers over the past year to make the resort fully 5G compatible.

“Up top is absolutely beautiful. We call it our island in the sky. It’s miles away from ordinary, yet you’re still only 90 minutes away from Calgary.”

And for resort-goers looking to fill their tanks after carving up the slopes, Sunshine has added two new remote kitchens for this season. Visitors will be able to ski up to a southernstyle remote kitchen and a Beaver Tails on Goat’s Eye, near the Goat’s Eye Lodge. The Ten Roof Co. Outdoor Taco Kitchen will still be based in Sunshine’s village area. (Pro tip: the loaded tater tots are must-haves!)

This winter, both Lake Louise and Sunshine have elected to participate in the province’s restriction exemption program, aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19. This means all guests ages 12 and over are required to provide proof of vaccination to access all indoor spaces, the gondola, programs, tours and shuttle buses.

Alternatively, guests can provide a written or printed copy of a privately paid PCR, a rapid antibody negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours or a valid medical exemption letter.

Scurfield notes the restriction exemption program is not only providing resorts like Sunshine with the ability to provide safe environments, but also return to full capacity again, whether on the gondola, lifts or restaurants.

“Our daycare is open again, lessons are back … it’s a much more normal experience,” she says.

And after a year in which international visitors were kept away due to travel restrictions, Scurfield adds she’s looking forward to seeing plenty of familiar faces now that the border has re-opened.

“We’re not out of the woods, but it is a step in the right direction,” she says. “We’re already seeing many of our international regulars come back … it’s nice to see those friendly faces on the slopes again.”

Before hitting the slopes this season, Ski West manager Jean-François Ravenelle says it pays to take a bit of time in advance and ensure you are using the right equipment.

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“There’s a mind-blowing attrition rate of people who try skiing for the first time and they don’t do it again, and that’s because they’re not prepared,” he says.

Ravenelle recommends the best place to start is to paint a picture: What will the trip look like? Have you downloaded the trail map? Should you pre-book a lesson? Do you have the proper goggles? The proper clothing? Enough layers? The right socks?

“My best piece of advice: Be familiar with what you’ll be wearing. Don’t try your ski jacket on for the first time on the hill,” he says, with the extra tip of putting gear in the backseat instead of the trunk so that it arrives warm.

“And take your time. Get situated. Get there early if you have to so you’re not feeling rushed and putting your boots on in the parking lot. The chalets are open again. Find a table.

Enjoy the experience.”

As for the gear itself, Ravenelle says it’s not always about price, but about finding the right fit. When it comes to boots, for example, it should fit like a firm handshake.

Unfortunately, he notes many skiers don’t buy the right-sized boot, which can lead to discomfort and even serious injury.

“The binding is designed to release the boot from the ski at a particular torque point. The more room in your boot, the more your ski has to twist before the binding finally releases, which this can lead to considerable harm,” says Ravenelle. “A loose-fitting boot is like loosening the steering wheel on your car. You’re not connected anymore.”

And thick socks are not the solution. At least from the outset given that the boot will expand over time. Instead, he suggests thinner ski socks in the beginning, complemented by a footbed that will lead to a more comfortable fit.

Ravenelle also urges customers to shop at stores that offer boot fit guarantees.

“Boots are not Crocks. They’re ski boots. They’re supposed to fit like an orthotic,” he says. “There’s nothing that can replace going in, getting properly fitted and actually trying on several different types to find the right fit. At the end of the day, no one will ever cancel a ski vacation because their feet are too comfortable.”

Photo by Riverwood Photography

BOOST INNOVATION Revolutionizing Groups With Culture Analytics

by Rennay Craats

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othing erodes a company’s bottom line like a culture problem among the staff. Whether the company employs six people or 600, if the culture the company is espousing doesn’t match the one that truly exists, this disconnect can cause low productivity, satisfaction, engagement and retention. It can be difficult to identify a company’s true culture, and Ken King’s start up, Boost Innovation, is helping make that process easier.

Boost Innovation uses culture analytics to measure behaviour in essentially any organization where human interactions are a key part of the price model, anywhere in the world. The company started out manually analyzing the culture in a client’s workplace, watching interactions and documenting behaviours. They also conducted surveys asking staff questions about their workplace and its culture. As the experts collected more data they could identify issues and present clients with an action plan to create change.

The company created an algorithm to measure growth and performance in a group, with each interaction being assigned its own code. When they ran the observed interactions through the algorithm, they could measure the culture and performance of the group.

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Ken King, founder and CEO

Andrea Avila, director of marketing

The problem was the data used to identify factors in culture were invasive and not reliable predictors of performance, and the process itself wasn’t scalable. Over the past few years, King and his small team have started to look at the process differently and decided to create a more accurate way to measure workplace culture. The path: digitizing the method for analyzing information.

Boost evolved from training and consultation surrounding performance, culture and how people interact in the workplace to now using cutting-edge software to predict and proactively address culture problems without relying on surveys or other invasive methods.

“In December 2019, I pared the company back and moved away from having people who were delivering the in-person services in pursuit of a more technology-based service,” says Ken King, founder and CEO of Boost Innovation. “The pandemic allowed me a lot of opportunities to move toward some things and away from others, and now we’re focused on the software and technology that measures human behaviour and to connect that to the culture of the spaces that they’re in.”

King’s background is in collegiate basketball coaching, and when he decided to become an entrepreneur he completed an intensive altMBA program focused on how to develop and build a business from the ground up. He saw that most software or tech companies that failed did so because they were run by someone great at programming but not good at business. His strength is building a team that understands their roles and works well together but remotely to help it grow. Boost Innovation came to be by King forging strategic partnerships with established experts in the field and allowing them to do what they do best to better the company.

“I’ve had a few people tell me that the reason why they enjoy our model of how the company is being built is that the team-building aspect needs to come first in business, and that’s really what I bring to the table,” he says.

He started with a group of advisors and now Boost employs a dedicated team of five – CEO Ken King, CTO Amritha Sebastian, director of marketing Andrea Avila, director of operations Alexis Garcia and CFO Trevor Oseen – who are combining their skillsets to build a revolutionary analytics company. King has a clear vision for the technology side so the next hurdle is to secure sufficient investment capital to facilitate the next phase of the company’s growth.

BOOST INNOVATION • 2

Trevor Oseen, CFO

Amritha Sebastian, CTO

“I’ve worked with many start-ups and started a few myself,” says Oseen. “Ken posted a compelling job description about what Boost did and what he needed, and it fit what I do. Something this challenging to bring my expertise to Boost to help them get to where they need to be is key to me.”

Oseen, with his experience in international finance spanning 83 countries, is working with King to acquire and apply financing to realize Boosts vision.

Currently, that vision has two products in development: GRW Project for businesses and FLW Project for sports organizations. The FLW software is already released, and is a valuable growth mindset tool that helps coaches or managers identify knowledge needs of the team and measure sports-specific IQ and individual fit within that team. Boost’s strategic partner Adaptive Immersion Technologies out of Florida developed an algorithm used in the U.S. military to help place the right people in higher-level military positions, and Boost licenses this algorithm and has adapted it for its sport program. While it isn’t as intuitive as the business prototype yet, it produces extremely accurate results. In time, the FLW Project will share many of the same characteristics and capabilities as the GRW Project, where it will measure more behaviour and body language using groundbreaking AI. The GRW Project captures, analyzes and builds culture using data analytics. What makes Boost’s business product unique is its integration of empathetic artificial intelligence software that captures body language and recognizes facial expressions in order to analyze behaviours and relate them to the broader culture of the group.

“It looks for anything as subtle as how somebody leans or the micro-expressions on their face when someone says something. The goal is to capture things that you can’t lie about,” King says. “The ability for AI to measure body language and micro-expressions is so beyond anything we’d ever get from having people fill out a 100-question workplace survey.”

After all, people don’t always answer surveys honestly, instead recording answers that they want to be true or that they think management wants to hear. Surveys also have an inherent white middle-aged male bias so people in other demographics don’t necessarily read and interpret those questions in the same way, skewing the results.

BOOST INNOVATION • 3

As the GRW Project fine-tunes and develops the software system to better identify culture trends from the myriad of data points collected, the team is serving clients using manual methods and algorithms with great success. Boost conducted a week-long proof-of-concept with Hyatt hotels in Miami Beach, and at the end management wasn’t aware of the problems that the system’s coding identified.

“We kind of refocused their leadership into these areas, and they made some pretty big moves to switch out leadership. Then, sure enough, it was almost two weeks to the day after we left, something happened. They could identify that this was exactly on trend with what we’d identified and they didn’t second guess it because they knew it wasn’t a coincidence,” King says.

The results will only become more impressive as the AI software develops. King expects to have the product digital, making it as close to objective as possible, in the next six months. CTO Amritha Sebastian is currently mapping the plan for what the workplace software will look like, and the potential is vast.

The software is capable of capturing hundreds of data points in just a few conversations between individuals, and it’s possible to start spotting culture trends in an organization in as little as five hours. More data leads to more comprehensive and more accurate measurements of culture trends. Boost recommends at least four days of data in order to get the most accurate measurement. And as it uses an AI software, the assumptions and biases of people get eliminated as the AI gathers and analyzes the information. “(Analysis) has to have that constant learning and evolving side, and that’s why the AI piece is so valuable. The machine-learning aspect makes it way more accurate than a human ever could be,” he says.

It also makes scaling the company easier. The system is designed to fully integrate with existing security hardware so it will measure behaviours where the hardware is already capturing data.

To protect privacy, the images are never stored. They are collected, coded and then erased leaving only the coding behind. King’s vision is to have the program ongoing and reporting in real time, allowing managers to pull up the software and monitor the trends and identify aspects of the culture that need action.

King’s goal is to continually develop and evolve the systems, eventually using virtual and mixed reality components that would allow managers to use data capture to recreate situations that occurred to give employees an opportunity to identify issues and learn to handle things differently. He would also like to apply the technology to improve the student experience at post-secondary institutions.

The possibilities of Boost Innovation’s technology are limitless, and as more companies realize and apply the benefits, this start-up is sure to change the way companies do business.

“People need to understand that these little behaviours, how people act every day, impact whether or not they make money, whether or not they win, whether or not the mental wellness of the group is positive,” says Ken King. “Noticing and measuring these things early matters.

When we talk about all those things, you can make an extremely large individual impact that changes individual’s lives, but you also can have an extremely large organizational impact that improves bottom lines and wins more games and makes all your key metrics that much better.”

www.boostinnovation.io BOOST INNOVATION • 4

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