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contents
spring 2013 | issue 03
market overview
11 Just the facts
Central Alberta housing market to remain strong in 2013
12
feature
18
12 Estate homes
High end market driven by healthy economy
events
15 Red Deer Home Show
Everything for your home under one roof, for one weekend only
community
16 An investment in lifestyle
15
Malibu Communities focused on developing sustainable quality neighbourhoods
25
18 Good neighbours
Melcor committed to creating quality communities
industry news
23 Celebrating excellence in housing
Local home building stars set to shine bright at annual awards
interiors/exteriors
departments
25 Ground rules
6 Message from the Executive Officer 9 Getting to Know… 30 Member List
Some tips on growing the perfect garden in Central Alberta
@chbaca1
@CHBACA1
Cover photo: Bowood Homes Photo by Andrea Wiseman
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message from the executive officer
Planting seeds Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation not just for mind, body and soul, but for our homes as well. It’s a time when homeowers’ thoughts turn to spring cleaning, gardening and home improvements — and folks who don’t own homes start thinking about buying one. And what better place to start the process than in Central Alberta Homes magazine, the official publication of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta? We kick off the season with our annual Red Deer Home Show, and you can read all about it in the article on page 15. From renovation and landscaping products and ideas, to lighting and appliances, to furnishings and professional services, there’s something for everyone. Whether you take in one of the speakers offering expert advice from the main stage, or just want to chat with a few new home builders before
CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION – CENTRAL ALBERTA represents professionals in the housing industry. CHBA – Central Alberta has been in existence for over 55 years and is a network of professionals that manages industry issues to provide value to our members. 10, 7895 - 49th Avenue Red Deer, Alberta T4P 2B4 Tel: 403.346.5321 Toll-free: 1.888.346.-5329 Fax: 403.342.1301 Toll-free: 1.877.342.1301 E-mail: eo@chbacentralalberta.ca www.chbaca.ca Denie Olmstead | Executive Officer eo@chbacentralalberta.ca Joan Butler | Executive Assistant admin@chbacentralalberta.ca
you start looking at show homes, the Home Show will plant the seeds for any number of home-related projects. And, speaking of planting seeds, we haven’t forgotten about the outside of your home either. Just in time for the spring thaw — it seems the snow’s never really gone for good until early April — we’ve asked a couple of local gardening gurus the timeless question: “How does your garden grow?” They share their opinions on what grows well in Central Alberta, as well as some secrets on how to make the most of your garden plot, no matter the size.
Published by Source Media Group Corp. 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9 Tel: 403.532.3101, Fax: 403.532.3109 Toll free: 1.888.932.3101 Email: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca Associate Publisher | Jim Zang
Of course, the theme of our magazine is homes and we don’t disappoint this edition
Art Director | Jean Faye Rodriguez
with several stories on the local housing market. For example, who’s building $1 million
Graphic DesignerS | Lama Azhari, Dave Macaulay, Megan Sereda
dollar homes? And where? Join Red Deer realtor Mike Wiseman as he looks at this growing segment of the industry in a feature article on estate homes. In addition to the increased demand for high-end homes, we’ve also got our regular
Production Co-ordinator | Colleen Leier
update from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which shows the estate
contributors | John Burnham, Tess Flewelling, Treena Mielke, Mike Wizeman
market isn’t the only market on the rise in these parts. All economic indicators point to
Accounting | Donna Roberts
a good year for members of the local home building business, which is good news not just for their trades and suppliers but for consumers too as there are options aplenty. You’ll find many of these housing options in Red Deer’s new communities, so we’ve profiled a couple of them this time around. Both Melcor Developments and Malibu Communities are very active in the region and offer a wide selection of lots and builders to choose from, many with show homes on site. Wrapping up the magazine, as always, is our membership list. Whatever you’re looking for, if it’s home related, you should check here first. Sincerely,
director of sales | Norma Robertson norma.robertson@sourcemediagroup.ca advertising sales | Andrea Rinkel andrea.rinkel@sourcemediagroup.ca Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group Corp reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Central Alberta Homes is published quarterly and is distributed to every member of the Canadian Home Builers’ Association – Central Alberta, as well as on free stands throughout the region.
Denie Olmstead Executive Officer CHBA – Central Alberta 6
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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Source Media Group Corp., 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. Publication Agreement # 41072011
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getting to know…
Kevin Wilkie Vice President, CHBA – Central Alberta
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n the job, on the ice, or on the ball diamond, Kevin Wilkie gives it everything he’s got. Which is good news for his customers, who reap the benefits of Kevin’s dedication to excellence in everything he does. The current 1st Vice President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta is also the Chair of both the Home Show and Member Services committees and a board member of the Executive and Awards Committee. His real job is Vice President of Sales with True-Line Homes. “I oversee all of the sales and marketing,” he says, “which includes supervision of two full-time and five parttime new home consultants as well as creating all the marketing and branding for the company.” Who would have guessed that the son of a Calgary fireman, whose favourite job growing up was washing cars at Eastside Dodge, would end up in the home building industry? Not Kevin’s classmates at Red Deer College, where he took two years of Theatre and Film Technology, that’s for sure. And, although he’s changed direction professionally, he retains his love for going to movies, concerts and even the odd road trip to Las Vegas where he doesn’t mind “losing a little money”. So just how did a fine arts student find
his way into the home building industry? “I actually had started a marketing company in Red Deer and the majority of my work was with home builders. I starting working on a condo project for a company and they asked if I’d be interested in working for them doing part time sales. This was right before the housing boom and I got so busy selling homes for them that I had to commit full time. That was about 10-years ago, and now I get the best of both worlds. I still get to come up with creative branding/marketing ideas for all our True-Line projects and also get to work closely with our sales staff and customers to design custom homes for people.” Kevin loves calling Red Deer home. “I Enjoy the small town feel of Red Deer, but with some of the big city amenities. There are also a lot of great people living here.
Above: Kevin and his nephew hit the ice on the lake at Invermere
I have had the opportunity to meet and associate with a lot of outstanding people.” And he sees plenty of good things in the area’s future. “Things are really starting to pick up,” he says. “Red Deer is consistently growing and all of us builders hope there will be lots of land to build on in the future.” For now, though, his advice to wouldbe homebuyers: “Make sure you feel comfortable with your builder and you understand what is included in your home. Nobody likes surprises.”
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market overview
Just the facts Central Alberta housing market to remain strong in 2013
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hether in business or home building, there’s a lot to be said for the importance of a solid foundation. And, for 2013, the local housing industry is counting on it. In fact, in Red Deer, full-time job growth, lower carrying costs and smaller ownership premia create a sound housing bedrock. Red Deer’s full-time job market improved and the employment outlook is bright. At the projected annual rate of 680 units in 2013, up nearly 20 per cent from last year’s total of 568, total housing starts are nearing the levels that are in line with household formation. “There are currently roughly 36,345 private dwellings occupied by residents,” says Regine Durand, market analyst, Prairie & Territories for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “This can serve as a proxy for the number of households. Annual population growth is currently at 1.8 per cent. Applying that rate to the number of private dwellings gives a rough estimate of 650 new households created each year. This represents the number of homes that need to be built each year to house new households.” CMHC expects a 16 per cent gain in single detached starts in the City of Red Deer 2013, up from 326 to 380 starts. Three game changers will shore up the gains: full-time job gains, less resale supply and increased lot selection. Full-time employment growth of 4.5 per cent between 2011 and 2012 will keep bracing up demand, as will the roughly 5,000 folks who are expected to move to Red Deer in 2013. The recent six per cent drop (Dec. 2012) in active resale listings in the city will cue builders into starting new projects, as some prospective
buyers turn to the new home market to gratify their housing needs. The servicing of roughly 200 R1 lots planned to be completed in Vanier Woods by 2012 yearend will also help bring construction up to speed. Multi-family starts in Red Deer proper are forecast to increase by almost 24 per cent in 2013, a reversal of last year, which saw a 6.9 per cent decrease in multi-family starts, rising from 242 last year, to 300 in 2013.
... in Red Deer, full-time job growth, lower carrying costs and smaller ownership premia create a sound housing bedrock. Red Deer’s full-time job market improved and the employment outlook is bright. Single-family detached
Multi-family
Total
Location 2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
Camrose
63
52
26
20
89
72
Canmore
2
9
28
12
30
21
Clearwater (County)
42
61
0
0
42
61
Lacombe
66
82
39
127
105
209
Lacombe (Country)
60
57
0
0
60
57
Mountain View (Country)
41
76
0
0
41
76
Red Deer
295
326
260
242
555
526
Red Deer (Country)
62
107
0
8
62
115
Sylvan Lake
126
109
13
98
139
207
Total
757
879
366
502
1,123
1,386
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feature
Estate homes High-end market driven by healthy economy s tory By M ike W isema n
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photos by andrea wiseman
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hen you hear talk about “estate homes” — you might envision hillside mansions in Calgary, or perhaps something with a river valley view in Edmonton. But Red Deer and Central Alberta have their fair share of custom estate homes as well. Which, if you look at the numbers, and the background of this area of the province that is seeing such noticeable positive growth, perhaps should come as no surprise. Central Alberta is immersed in the driving economies of our province, with a heavy influence from the oil and gas, agriculture, and health care sectors. Its central location makes it an ideal location for service-based industries that help support these industries, regardless of which corner of the province they are located. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) statistics, Red Deer saw an increase in estate home starts for 2012, with approximately eight estate homes (defined as costing one million dollars plus) being absorbed (homes that were completed, and either sold or were rented out) in 2012. The numbers outside the City of Red Deer, although difficult to track, are notably higher due to some desirable acreage lots surrounding premiere recreational areas such as Sylvan Lake, the Red Deer and Blindman Rivers, and Buffalo Lake. The country residential market is where you will find the majority of estate home sales in Central Alberta. So, if you were looking for an estate home in Central Alberta, who should you chat 12
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with? Well, there are a number of builders in the area that will work with you to create your own custom dream home — with a few companies who have the reputation for building quality estate homes consistently in the area. Terry Loewen, CEO and Co-Owner of Platinum Homes, estimates that their company completed between five and 10 estate homes in Central Alberta in 2012. The prices for their builds range from just
Bowood Homes
over $1 million to upwards of $3.5 million. Their show home, located in Red Deer’s newest development — Vanier Woods East, is an incredible 2,844-plus square-foot, twostorey home that is fully automated, very modern, with a master suite that will take your breath away. Although the show home sold for just under the list price, Loewen says that if it were to have been built on a larger lot, it easily would have breached the $1 million mark. The Platinum show home
is currently the largest and highest in value in Red Deer at the moment. Another name you should remember when looking at estate homes in Central Alberta is Bowood Homes. Recipient of a number of awards from the CHBA Central Alberta — including Best New Estate Home $750,000 to $999,999, as well as Best New Estate Home over $1,500,000 for 2012, you can argue that they may be the most well-versed small volume builder in the estate home niche. Susan Knopp, Architectural Designer at Bowood Homes, says that in 2012 their company built one estate home in Red Deer and another five elsewhere in Central Alberta. Typical clientele include individuals from the oil and gas sector (both local and from the larger centres in the province) as well as the health care profession. Interestingly, the numbers for 2013 are looking even better — as Bowood reports more clients in place than at this time last year.
Larkaun show home
There are a number of builders in the area that will work with you to create your own custom dream home. Given the positive economic indicators that currently exist in the market, it should come as no surprise that this is the case. Job opportunities are still on the rise, there is currently a noticeable influx of workers migrating to the province, with numerous large-scale projects painting a positive picture for the next couple of years. All of this ultimately equates to a higher level of consumer confidence, meaning an obvious uptick in the average sale values in the area, including the estate home market. So what about the resale market? According to Cam Cook, Sales Associate at Larkaun Homes, purchasers in this price bracket typically aren’t looking to move in to “someone else’s dream home.” What this equates to is a very low percentage of estate home resales for the Central Alberta region. As far as specific numbers, MLS data indicated that there were nineteen $1 million-plus listings in Central Alberta in 2012. Of those 19, only six equated to a sale in all of Central Alberta. Of those six sales, none were in the City of Red Deer (all were country residential acreages). Prices on resale estate homes ranged from $1,175,000 to $1,630,000.
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feature
It appears to be a bright future for the estate home market in Central Alberta. So what does it all mean? It means that when a qualified buyer is in the market for an estate home, the majority of the time these buyers are building to suit their own personal tastes. At the end of the day, if a buyer is in that price range, they want to be in control of the fine touches to the home — they don’t want to be limited by the finishings in a pre-built home. The estate home market in Central Alberta is growing — driven by strong economic stability in the region and a positive outlook for the near future. It appears to be a bright future for the estate home market in Central Alberta — a market that has only recently emerged but shows no sign of slowing down over the next few years.
All photos are of Platinum show home 14
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events
Red Deer Home Show
Everything for your home under one roof, for one weekend only By J im Z a n g
“E
Fast Facts
veryone should attend the home show!” condos, to building and gardening supplies, So says Kevin Wilkie, committee to appliances, cooking and cleaning utensils chairman for the CHBA – Central — this year’s show offers informative Alberta’s 34th annual Red Deer Home Show, seminars on several topics. held March 8 to 10 at Westerner Park. Last year, more than 10,000 people “It’s great place to get all your information attended the Home Show, making it one of on new homes, renovations, trades, the regions most popular events. Indeed, landscaping ideas, household products and when one takes the population of Red Deer much more,” says Wilkie. “There are a lot into account, that’s more than 10 per cent of great companies with people there to of the entire population and just about one answer all your questions and also local in every six or seven adults — attendance experts offering seminars. There are always figures which shows in larger centres can interesting and new household products. In only dream of. fact, i don’t think I ever attended and didn’t So, whether you’re looking for a new go home without excellent information and home, ideas to improve your current abode, purchasing some great new product.” or just a fun, inexpensive way to pass some In addition to hundreds of exhibitors — time, drop by the Red Deer Home Show. featuring everything from new homes and There’s something for everyone.
Show times Friday, March 8, noon – 8p.m Saturday, M . arch 9, 10a.m . – 6p.m. Sunday, Mar ch 10, 10a.m. – 5p.m. Where Westerner Park Admission Adults $10 Students $8 (w ith valid Seniors $8 (55+ ID) ) Children fre e (under 12, w ith adult) Parking $4 per day Exhibitors & Sp onsors Visit www.redd eerhomeshow .ca for a complet e list
Star power Carson Arthur brings his green thumb — and ideas — to Red Deer If you’re into environmentally friendly design, and you like him on TV on shows like Green Force and Room To Grow, then you’ll absolutely love Carson Arthur in person. Arthur, known for addressing outdoor design challenges with a keen sense of style and passion for eco-consciousness, will be giving two presentations on Saturday March 9. The topics are: • Show me the Money focuses on environmental changes that people can make to their outdoor spaces which will improve their home value. • The New Low-Maintenance considers how landscape design is changing our homes and if it is for the better, while mentioning some of the current top trends.
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community profile
An investment in lifestyle Malibu Communities focused on developing sustainable quality neighbourhoods s tory a n d photos by J oh n B u r n ham
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eveloping neighbourhoods that will protect both a homeowner’s investment and lifestyle is the goal of Malibu Communities. “The company was established in 2002 to support the smaller communities in and around Central Alberta,” says founder Hugh MacBeth. It’s their business philosophy that turns Hugh’s vision into reality. Operations Manager Audrey Corry’s belief is that “every relationship should be a win-win. My approach is ‘let’s all work together and build dreams together.’ ” Typically, building a home is the largest investment an individual will ever make, Hence, it’s best to make that investment in a community with architectural controls and other sustainable amenities that will enhance the value of the home.
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we keep our standards to the level that they should be.” The standard approach used by Malibu Communities is to specify such things as the amount of brick or stone to be used on the front exterior of the house and then leave the choice of what type of brick or stone to the client. They also require that designs with approximately identical exteriors not be repeated more often than every sixth house on either side of the street. Marketing and Administration Manager Erika Pearle puts it this way: “We don’t want to be so restrictive that people can’t get a house that they just love. It’s their house. We have necessary guidelines, but there is such a wide range of choices within those parameters that they can make the home uniquely their own.” Malibu Communities’ Springbrook, in the hamlet of Springbrook, Alberta is a master planned community designed with creative old fashioned charm. Down to each intricate detail, such as specialized street lighting, Springbrook offers a small town
“There is such a wide range of choices within those parameters that they can make the home uniquely their own.”
Springbrook 01 16
Malibu Communities is a project manager, explains Corry. They don’t build the houses. What they do is create a physical environment consistent with the character of the existing community and then market developed lots to quality builders. They will work with any size builder — from developers of subdivisions to individuals — who will adhere to their quality standards. “We have a lot of conversations with the municipal officials regarding what is going on there so that what we do is consistent with, and adds value to, the larger community,” says Corry. “We want to be a proud part of the community, so we work closely to make certain that what we are doing there benefits everyone. The people who live there are the ones who are going to be affected, that’s why it is important that
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community profile
Hazelwood
Audrey Corry (left) and Erika Pearle lifestyle without isolation. There is a general store, a liquor store and one restaurant, each one serving as a place where people meet and greet and enjoy the company of one another. But, a few minutes south is the huge, new, multiplex in Penhold. Immediately to the west is the regional airport. A short hop north is the huge shopping complex at the south end of Red Deer. The hamlet is even served by Red Deer Transit, so it would still be possible to enjoy the postcard-picture-perfect storybook charm of Springbrook if one did not own a car. The final plus for Springbrook is that factors such as the tax structure make it a prime candidate for being the most costeffective real estate investment in Central Alberta today. About 90 per cent of the lots are single-family residential with the remainder being multi-family residential. Currently, Serge’s Homes, Mason Martin Homes, Falcon Homes, and Scarlett Built Homes are working in Springbrook. Malibu Communities’ Valley Ridge Estates, in the town of Blackfalds, was
Valley Ridge
“We don’t want to be so restrictive that people can’t get a house that they just love.” designed to continue the social bond existing there. Blackfalds is a friendly town of young families (currently, 85 per cent of the population consists of people under the age of 40) that need mobility. The town is currently building a new field house in Valley Ridge Estates with a swimming pool and facilities for various indoor sports and recreational activities. Schools are close at hand, there are four parks, and there is direct access to three highways. Construction of single and multi-family structures is currently being carried on by Paradise Homes Corporation, Serge’s Homes, Mason Martin Homes, and Falcon Homes. Hazelwood Estates, in Innisfail, is a luxury community with exceptional recreational amenities. In Hazelwood Estates, one can take canoe ride on Dodds Lake, go next door for a round of golf at
the 27 hole Innisfail Golf and Country Club, enjoy the ski hill or hike along trails equipped with game watching platforms. The town of Innisfail features a new library, three schools, a pathway system and a swimming pool with adjacent water park. Bomaier Developments, Mason Martin Homes, and Stevenson Homes are currently building single-family premium or executive style homes dictated by Hazelwood’s larger lot sizes. Meadowlands By The Park, in Stettler, is Malibu Communities’ latest addition to its selection of subdivisions. Malibu Communities has recently taken over managing this promising project and is looking forward to overseeing the development. For more information please visit www.malibucommunities.com
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Good neighbours Melcor committed to creating quality communities by J im Z a n g
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ith a well-deserved reputation for developing quality communities everywhere they go, Melcor Developments pretty much has their choice of where they want to do business. And, for Melcor, that choice is Central Alberta.
There’s just no substitute for the ‘feel’ of the small town lifestyle offered in places like Red Deer. Where communities truly are communities...
Oh sure, they still have projects ongoing in Calgary and Edmonton, but, even for a true giant in the industry like Melcor, there’s just no substitute for the ‘feel’ of the small town lifestyle offered in places like Red Deer. Where communities truly are communities, and neighbours know each other. “Melcor has been active in Red Deer since the 1970s,” says Gregg Broks, development manager for the Red Deer region, “first building houses and now developing master planned communities. Melcor is committed to creating vibrant, innovative and sustainable neighbourhoods.” Curently, Melcor has three different local communities — Vanier Woods East, Southbrook and Clearview Ridge — at various stages of development. In the case of Vanier Woods East, the neighbourhood
encompasses a total of 145 acres, bounded by 19th Street to the south and 22nd Street to the north. The future 20th Avenue is directly east of the community. Easy access to 19 Street and 30 Avenue means you can be at the Collicut Centre or Westerner Park in just a few minutes. Plus, says Broks, Red Deer Transit has plans to extend service into this area, with stops along Viscount Drive and Van Slyke Way that could start as early as 2014. Melcor is proud to create communities that have unique identity and a sense of place, says Broks. “As you drive into the neighbourhood, you will notice the decorative street light pendants and masonry way-finding. Vanier Woods East was the first community where Melcor made a co-ordinated effort to have our large builder group showcase their products.”
“There is such a wide range of choices with in those parameters that they can make the home uniquely their own.” 18
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And the effort was definitely worth it as the community features the largest show home parade in Red Deer, with 14 homes included. There will be 668 single family homes constructed in the neighbourhood at build-out, says Broks, including duplexes, with an additional 170 units of townhouses and apartments. The show home parade on Viscount and Voisin will be open until September when a new parade will open to showcase homes on Veronica Close. “Melcor has prepared a master plan that provides housing at all levels of affordability. One and two bedroom apartments, townhouses (with and without garages) in the $240,000 to $300,000 range, duplexes in the $320,000 to $360,000 range, narrow lot homes with no front garage selling for under $350,000 and narrow lot homes with front garage for under $400,000. For the move up and executive home buyers, we have lots that will accommodate walkouts and triple garages.” More than 250 homes in the neighbourhood
community profile
back onto green space, providing convenient park access at all levels of affordability. In fact, fully 16.5 per cent of the neighbourhood is set aside for open space, including the linear trails, constructed wetland, natural tree stands, and central park areas. There’s also access to the City’s regional trail system that follows the AltaLink ROW. The neighbourhood is also well situated to take advantage of existing schools in nearby Lancaster and Lonsdale. St Francis of Assisi and Mattie McCullough are primary schools in the area. A grocery store and other retail services are planned for the community to the immediate north and should be open in 2015 or so. There is a church planned for the community, says Broks, with further details to be announced in the near future. Phases 2, 3 and 4A are selling right now, while the final phase, 4B, which will offer affordable housing with rear lane parking, is expected to have lots available for building permits in October 2013. Lots range in size from 40 to 70 feet wide for R1 (singlefamily homes) construction, with 367 lots in
The Vista will be an inspired lake community designed with timeless architectural elegance and offering an impressive vantage point to appreciate Sylvan Lake.
inventory. 104 lots are zoned R1A for duplex development, 125 for smaller homes with front garages and 72 for narrow lots with rear parking. Consumers don’t purchase the lots directly, says Broks, but through their chosen builder. And there’s plenty to choose from. “Melcor sells exclusively to our 21 member builder group. Builders will sell homes ranging from $240,000 to above $1,000,000.” The list of quality home builders includes Abbey, Asset, Avalon, Bella Rosa, Cambridge, Canada West, Deer Run, Executive, Falcon, Fanta, Landmark, Larkaun, Levi Rio, Mason Martin, McGonigal, Pegasus, Platinum, Pointe 5, Sorento, Ted Olson, True-Line, and Unique Elevations. Melcor expects full build-out to occur in 2015, says Broks, while parks and amenities should be complete by the end of 2013. The next Melcor projects will start to come out of the ground this spring, says Broks. The last remaining quarter in south east Red Deer will be called Laredo. This prairie themed community is located north of Vanier Woods East. Melcor is also preparing to open The Vista in Ryder’s Ridge in Sylvan Lake. The Vista will be an inspired lake community designed with timeless architectural elegance and offering an impressive vantage point to appreciate Sylvan Lake.
Show home grand opening BBQ
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industry news
Celebrating excellence in housing Local home building stars set to shine bright at annual awards
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t’s the biggest night of the year for members of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Alberta region, and for good reason. In fact, it’s a pretty big night for anyone interested in the local home building industry — consumers included — as the winners of the annual Awards of Excellence in Housing are revealed. Because, if you’re looking for a new home or renovation, why not start your search with the best of the best? Last year’s event saw more than 500 people attend the gala celebration, and a huge crowd is expected to enjoy themselves again this year, May 4 at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel, Trade and Conference Centre, with a live band and a casino providing just some of the entertainment planned for the evening. Pam Cameron, Awards Committee Chair and CHBA – Central Alberta Board Member, tells Central Alberta Homes, “Customer surveys are a large part of the scoring system for the home builders. Knowing that customers have already built with a builder or purchased a pre-built home and are very happy with the service they received, this speaks volumes about that home builder.” “The Awards of Excellence in Housing means customers can have their dream home built with confidence, knowing there is an association in place watching over the builders and encouraging them to take pride in their workmanship,” she adds. The big winners for last year, receiving the builder of the year awards were, for small volume, Bowood Homes and, for large volume, Mason Martin Homes. Homestead Custom Carpentry took home the trophy for
Renovator of the Year. So be sure to stay tuned, it’s sure to be a great night for home builders and buyers alike — and we’ll cover it all in our next edition. Winners will be honoured in more than 25 different categories as follows: Single Family with or without attached garage • Best Single Family: under $224,999 • Best Single Family: $225,000 – $259,999 • Best Single Family: $260,000 – $299,999 • Best Single Family: $300,000 – $374,999 • Best Single Family: $375,000 – $449,999 • Best Single Family: $450,000 – $524,999 • Best Single Family: $525,000 – $599,999 • Best Single Family: $600,000 – $674,999 • Best Single Family: $675,000 – $749,999 Single Family — Estate Home • Best Estate Home: $750,000 plus
Winners will be honoured in more than 25 different categories...
Multi-Family: Apartment Style • Best Multi Family: Under $199,999 • Best Multi Family: Over $200,000
• Service Professional of the Year — Large Category • Trade of the Year — Small Category • Trade of the Year — Large Category
Best Multi Family: Town House / Duplex Style • Best Multi Family: Under $199,999 • Best Multi Family: Over $200,000
other Awards • Safety Leadership Award • Excellence in Interior Design Award
Renovation Awards • Best Renovation under $99,999 • Best Renovation over $100,000
Best of the Year • Renovator of the Year • Builder of the Year — Small Volume • Builder of the Year — Large Volume
Partner Awards • Supplier of the Year — Small Category • Supplier of the Year — Large Category • Service Professional of the Year — Small Category
CHBA – Central Alberta Members: Please visit www.awards/chbaca.ca to register and enter your company’s achievements in any and all of the award categories you are eligible for.
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interiors/exteriors
Ground rules Some tips on growing the perfect garden in Central Alberta S tory a n d photos By Treen a M ielke
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he idea of growing their own vegetables is appealing to many Central Albertans who like the thought of slicing off some fresh lettuce, pulling up a few radishes and green onions and tossing them together for a salad while the barbecue is heating up. Growing a vegetable garden can be a fairly simple and successful undertaking simply by following a few basic ground rules. First and foremost, find a bright, sunny location. Alfred Prins, horticulturist for Parkland Nurseries says a hot, sunny location is crucial for a vegetable garden, no matter what the size, to survive. Jane Reksten, manager, botanic gardens and wetland treatment facility at Olds College agrees. “Most veggies require full sun (six to eight hours a day),” she says. Prins notes that tomatoes, beans, corn, cucumbers, pumpkins, mellons and squash should be planted in the sunniest part of the garden, while cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots and potatoes will thrive in a slightly cooler spot. “Root crops need to have at least a half day of direct sun,” he says. “Be mindful that taller vegetables like corn are not blocking the sun. Plant on the north side of the garden and something like sunflowers to the west.” As much as location will make a huge difference to the success of a vegetable garden, the type of soil is also of primary importance. “Good garden loam, amended with some compost which can be easily dug to a depth of 18–24 inches works well,” says Reksten. “This is especially important for
Jane Reksten, manager, botanic gardens and wetland treatment facility at Olds College checks out a healthy crop of cucumbers, ready for the picking at the college greenhouse. root vegetables so they can grow deep.” Prins suggests adding a generous amount of peat moss or well-composted mulch to hard packed soil. “Mix it well, but remember not to rototil too often because it grounds the soil too fine. It’s better to hand shovel.” Prins also advises gardeners to water with care. Knowing when to water separates good gardeners from the rest, he says. Once the location has been determined and the soil primed and ready, it’s time to plant. This can be done as early as April. Reksten says dropping seeds into ground that has barely thawed out is fine, provided those seeds are for cold hardy plants such as lettuce, peas, Swiss chard, carrots and beets. “The seed lines of these veggies can take a bit of frost if they geminate and start to grow before our last frost free day.”
Other seeds such as beans and squash should not be planted until the ground has thoroughly warmed up and the risk of frost has diminished. Small plants such as tomatoes, cauliflower and broccoli may do better if started in a greenhouse and put into the garden as transplants. For the novice gardener, Reksten suggests trying a sampler garden. “Plant a row of each kind of vegetable, until you find out what you enjoy eating the most. Stagger your seeding dates and try different varieties of each kind of veggie as well — experiment until you find what works for you.” Central Alberta gardeners usually find vegetable gardens containing carrots, parsnips, lettuce, Swiss chard, beets, potatoes, kale, peas (snap, snow, shelling types), beans (bush and pole types) do well in this climate. Tomatoes grow well, too, especially in containers or raised beds. Lettuce, Reksten’s own favourite vegetable, is available in a number of different varieties. “I eat lots of salads in the summer and I plant several different kinds (of lettuce) such as oak leaf, butter crunch, and leaf so I can enjoy the harvest for as long as possible. You can even grow lettuce in a container if you want,” she adds. Growing a vegetable garden is good for you, says Prins. “It is not without work. It certainly isn’t maintenance free, but that being said the exercise is good for you, and the vegetables are healthy. It’s also very therapeutic. It’s good for the heart, good for the back and good for the soul.”
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BUSINESS PROFILE
Knelsen Rock Products Ltd. 40 years of solid customer service and concrete results S tory by t ess flewelli n g
| photos by jock macKenzie
A
ll successful businesses start with a solid foundation, and when it comes to Knelsen Rock Products, it all starts with good quality concrete. Knelsen has been supplying the Red Deer area with redi-mix concrete since the early part of 2006. Originally established in 1973 by Raymond Knelsen in Grande Prairie, it has expanded to serve customers in LaCrete, Cold Lake, High Level and Calgary, by providing a solid and reliable product, combined with a continuous focus on customer satisfaction. During the peak season of April thru November, Knelsen often employs more than 500 people, with many being skilled machine operators and truck drivers, who deliver quality tested products to new
With a wide range of products and services, Knelsen is your one stop for everything concrete... 28
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residential construction and commercial applications. Knelsen’s delivers on time and to strict specifications for projects such as basements, garage ffloors and decorative driveways, and can even be
Darrell Selent, Plant Manager
seen pouring curbs and sidewalks for the City of Red Deer. Inside the Red Deer location is the latest in quality control technology and state of the art automated equipment that both measures and monitors every single batch of concrete. With a wide
Advertising Feature
Quality Control Technician Derald Lundberg inspects the product
range of products and services, Knelsen is your one stop for everything concrete; including natural round rock for exposed aggregate driveways and an in-house colour machine. This allows Knelsen to offer specialized mixes to their customers that continue to perform even in less than ideal circumstances, while still ensuring customers receive a top of the line product. Knelsen customers can rest assured that nothing goes to waste, thanks to their environmental washout plant. All left over wash
Darrell Selent and Craig Reid on the plant ffloor
Knelsen also prides itself on employing a strong work force to help deliver on their core values of integrity, quality and customer service. water goes through a three-stage cleaner to make it reusable. Left over concrete is poured into forms to create new barrier blocks for use around Red Deer. Knelsen also prides itself on employing a strong work force to help deliver on their core values of integrity, quality and customer service. At this company, people make the difference; from the labourer to the truck driver to the dispatcher, each employee is a special part of the highly dedicated team. “People are our most valuable asset” states Darrell Selent, Plant Manager at the Red Deer location. “Each employee becomes the face of the company, interacting with customers every single day. We put your best face forward
and in our case it is a smiling one.” Knelsen employees take great pride in being a part of a large Alberta based company that is focussed on family values. “Raymond Knelsen built this company on integrity and never tried to take short cuts, and we follow his example, knowing you will never get in trouble for doing the right thing,” says Selent. With integrity and customer service being a part of day to day activities at Knelsen, it is no surprise that they are a large part of the community. Or, whether it is donating products to Habitat for Humanity’s local house build or supporting Red Deer Minor Hockey, that Knelsen Rock Products Ltd. is always doing the right thing. n
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member list a Abbey Master Builder Ltd. Acadia Stone (Central Stoneworks Ltd) Alfano Homes All Weather Windows Allrose Exteriors Ammonite Developments Inc. Aries/Airflo Heating & Air Conditioning Artistic Stairs Ltd Asset Builders Corp. ATCO Gas Audio Integrations Avalon Central Alberta
b B&B Cowie Insulation Ltd Ben’s Glass & Marble Bildex Construction Ltd Bomaier Developments Ltd. Bowood Inc Bruins Plumbing & Heating Burnco Rock Products Busse Homes Ltd Buylo Homes Ltd
City of Red Deer (Inspections Dept) CKGY FM/CIZZ FM Clearview Glass Service Ltd. Coast Wholesale Appliances LP Colbray Homes Ltd Communications Group Red Deer Ltd Complete Flooring Solutions Inc Consolidated Gypsum Supply Ltd Cottonwood Meadows (CHW Land Management Ltd.) Counterscapes Cunningham Electric Ltd
d Deer Run Homes (1990) Ltd Dominion Lending Centres Regional Mortgage Group Doormasters Inc Durabuilt Windows & Doors Dynovac Industries Inc
e Eagle Ridge Homes Corp EMCO Corp. Executive Builders Group
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c Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp Canadian Closet & Storage Co. Candel Homes Can-Air Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. Carolina Homes Inc Carpet Colour Centre Central Alberta Co-op Ltd. Central Alberta Flooring/Hotck Holdings Ltd. Central Alberta Realtors Association Central Alberta Tile One Christenson Developments
Falcon Homes Ltd Fanta Homes Ltd Fargey’s Paint & Wallcovering FindMyNewHouse Fresh Renovations
g General Appliances Lacombe Ltd. Gienow Windows & Doors Gilmar Construction Global Overhead Doors Ltd Goodmen Roofing Ltd. G&R Builders Innisfail Ltd Great Canadian Roofing & Siding (Red Deer) Ltd.
h Habitat for Humanity - Red Deer Harbour Spas Harvard Broadcasting (100.7 FM The River) Havan Built Custom Homes Henry’s Eavestroughing Ltd Heywood Holmes & Partners Home Building Centre Home Renewals Homestead Custom Carpentry Inc. Howard & Company Real Estate Appraisers Inc. Huntwood Custom Cabinets Ltd
i Inland Concrete Ltd
j Jade Stone ( Red Deer) Ltd. JELD-WEN Windows & Doors Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Jorgenson Homes Ltd
k KCB Cabinets Knelsen Rock Products Ltd
l Laebon Homes Lafarge Canada Inc Lakeside RONA Building Centre Landmark Homes (Red Deer) Inc Larkaun Homes Ltd Levi-Rio Custom Home Builders Ltd
m Malibu Communities Marshall Construction Co. Inc. Mason Martin Homes McGonigal Signature Homes Inc. M.C Home Ltd. McKee Homes Ltd Melcor Developments Ltd Mr. Fireplace
Serge’s Homes Ltd Servus Credit Union Ltd Siderman Ltd Signs Now SML Games & Hot Tubs Snell & Oslund Surveys (1979) Ltd Soderquist Appraisals Ltd Sorento Custom Homes Ltd Source Media Group Stevenson Development Corp. Stoneworx Masonry & Stucco Inc. Sunny 94 FM Sylvan Lake Homes Ltd
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Paradise Homes Corp. Parkland Community Planning Services Parkland Drywalling Ltd Phoenix Insurance Group of Red Deer Inc Platinum Homes & Developments 2 013
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National Home Warranty Northland Construction Supplies
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Rainy Creek Developments Realty Investments Corporation Red Deer Advocate Red Deer County Red Deer College Red Deer Electric Red Deer Express Red Deer Fasteners & Tools Red Deer Lighting Red Deer Overdoor Riser Homes Ltd RBC Royal Bank RONA Revy Inc. Royal LePage Network Realty Corp
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Olds College Oriel Windows & Doors
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Tar-ific Construction Ltd Thermo Pro Insulation Ltd. The Alberta New Home Warranty Timber Wolf Truss Ltd. Touch Canada Broadcasting (2006) Inc. Trail Appliances Ltd True-Line Contracting
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Professional Home Builders Institute of Alberta Proform Precast Products Inc. Progressive Home Warranty Solutions Inc Ply Gem
Unique Elevations
w Western Financial Group-Red Deer Westridge Cabinets Ltd Window Masters Inc Windsor Plywood Wolf Creek Building Supplies Ltd
z Zybertech Construction Software Services Ltd ZyTech Building Systems Inc
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