Loving Airdrie Living - May 2016 by Source Media Group

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contents 8

12 MARKE T OVERVIE W

4 Going to school Community planning requires both history and math lessons COVER FE ATURE

6 Airdrie’s new inner-city community APEX, Wenzel Developments launch Airdrie’s new downtown community DE VELOPER FE ATURE S

8 Live like a king King’s Heights delivers the best environment to raise a family FE ATURE

12 Building Futures Airdrie students build foundation for bright futures

DEPARTMENT

14 City of Airdrie map PUBLISHER •

Source Media Group

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • EDITOR •

Jim Zang

Pepper Rodriguez

ART DIRECTOR •

Jean Faye Rodriguez

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS •

Dave Macaulay, Vivian Zhang

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR • CONTRIBUTORS •

Colleen Leier

Jock Mackenzie

Heather Dougall, Andrea Glowatsky, James Pearce

ADVERTISING SALES •

Loving Airdrie Living® is published bi-annually and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and Airdrie. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the written permission from the publishers. Copyright 2016 Source Media Group Corp. All rights reserved. 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 reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Contact: Source Media Group, 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. E-mail info@sourcemediagroup.ca; Tel 403.532.3101; Fax 403.532.3109; Toll free 1.888.932.3101; Printed in Canada. Distributed by Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group. PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Source Media Group, 207 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9.

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LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING

market overview

Going to school

Community planning requires both history and math lessons n By

s the old saying goes: “life is what happens when you make plans.” The same could be said about the City of Airdrie. Plan as they might, with the most recent information at hand and the very best of intentions, to phrase it in PG language — stuff happens. Stuff being, well, mostly unpredictable. Like the price of oil. Sure, it fluctuates from time to time, and many of us have lived through a recession or two. But nobody expected $30 per barrel oil. Similarly, lots of folks had heard the rumblings of public dissatisfaction with the provincial Tories. But an NDP government? In Alberta? It would have taken a bold political pundit indeed to have predicted that! A new federal government… just add it to the list. So, with that in mind, allowing that hindsight is 20/20, it’s interesting to look back and see whether the City’s planning, as it relates to housing, is being supported by current realities. First, it’s important to get a feel for the market, where it’s been and how it’s performing. The ‘big picture’, if you will. A full understanding of any topic starts with the history. Because there’s another important saying out there: “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat its mistakes.”

Jim Zang

Chart A shows Airdrie housing starts for the past seven years. If you visit www.airdrie.ca, however, and check out the Airdrie Comprehensive Growth Strategy, developed in 2008, it’s pretty easy to see there’s a fairly wide gap between the ‘plan’ and what’s actually transpired over the last few years. The predicted increase of 3,454 total dwelling units from 2013 to 2018 is off, way off. In fact, 3,277 new units were started in just 2014 and 2015 alone, and factoring in the first couple months of 2016 the city has already reached the predicted 2018 total. Even allowing for a couple of

Final Starts 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

654

1083

871

1509

1698

1640

1437 CHART B

starts by dwelling type

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02 2015 YTD 2016 YTD 2015

101

Semi-detached

Row

Apartment

Total

160

130

Photo courtesy City of Airdrie

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01 2016 02 2016

Single

Photo courtesy City of Airdrie

CHART A

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market overview

$778,546, and is expected to undergo further ‘market slower years the numbers are still a couple thousand dwellings off. correction’, but it’s still a pretty big ticket compared to Of course, hindsight is always right, but with projected population many multi-family options. growth (current 58,690) to 65,000 in 2017 and 85,000 by 2025, an inThat’s why multi-family construction is outpacing crease of some 26,000 people in a little over a decade, Aidrie is expected single-family by more than 186 per cent, with nearly to be a Southern Alberta housing hot spot for years to come. three times as many mutli-family units as single-family But, with a 2015 total of 21,147 dwelling units and a predicted 2023 homes being built (see Chart C). total of 23,897 units, an addition of just 344 homes per year, on average, Most of these, of course, were actually started lat the numbers just don’t add up. Even 2009, one of the lowest years in year, with 2015 final starts figures boosted by the adrecent history, saw 654 new homes started, nearly double what the plan dition of 83 apartment homes in May, another 201 in had forecast. June and 159 in November, which means a handful of Meanwhile, the facts are the facts. Fewer homes were started in Airdie big projects accounted for nearly 31 per cent of all new in 2015 than in 2014, and fewer still will be started in 2016. That seems home starts last year. to be a safe bet, even though, through the first two months of the year, The moral of this story, then, is that while plans and 2016 starts were outpacing 2015 by about 23 per cent (see Chart B). strategies are great, and you have to have them, they’re Much of this activity is on the multi-family side of things, where increased starts more than make up for the year-to-date decrease in single- subject to the vagaries of life just like the rest of us. n family starts. Reading between the lines, that’s likely due to CHART C multi-family units simply being more affordable, especially Under Construction Febuary 2016 in uncertain economic times. The average absorbed singled detached unit price has Single Semi-detached Row Apartment certainly dropped, from $647,555 last February to $629,774 302 66 329 471 this year, but is still far below the average Calgary price of

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cover feature MIDTOWN IN AIRDRIE

Airdrie’s new inner-city community

APEX, Wenzel Developments launch Airdrie’s new downtown community n By

Pepper Rodriguez

irdrie will never be the same, as the suburban demeanor of this thriving city gets a shot of urban excitement and sophistication with the launch of its first new inner- city community, Midtown. This new “boutique” community is a joint undertaking between APEX Developments and Wenzel Developments, and its biggest strength is its location right in the middle of the growing city of Airdrie. Midtown is just off Airdrie’s downtown along 8th Street S.W. and is bordered by Iron Horse Park to the north and the established community of Luxstone to the south, and Main Street is just at the back of the community.

And like Calgary’s upscale inner-city communities, Midtown will feature this same sophisticated urban style that today’s modern families, single professionals and active downsizing couples love. In a real sense Midtown is Airdrie’s newest inner-city community. It is in a central part of town, and stylish, modern architecture give it the trendiness of an Altadore, and well-manicured green spaces and a central pond give it the stateliness of an Elbow Park. “The biggest draw for Midtown is that it is the only new community in Airdrie that is surrounded by already existing amenities,” says Creations by Shane Homes’ area manager, Satwinder Notay. “We already have groceries, entertainment, schools and leisure centres and more surrounding us, all the conveniences of a modern lifestyle are already there for you to enjoy,” she says The moment one enters Midtown, they Creations by Shane Homes’ urban style street towns and duplexes are right at the entrance of Midtown, setting the stage for the community’s inner-city look.

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Midtown is just off Airdrie’s downtown along 8 Street S.W. and is bordered by Iron Horse Park to the north and the established community of Luxstone to the south, and Main Street is just at the back of the community.

will experience the village charm that brings family and friendships home. “Midtown embraces your lifestyle on all levels with an appreciation for smart designs that come alive with our broad range of home styles,” Notay adds. Midtown will be a “boutique-style” community, she adds, at only 90 acres in size and a build-out of approximately 600 homes. A distinguished builder group comprised of Excel Homes, Shane Homes/Creations by Shane Homes, and Trico Homes are offering a wide range of home products here from laned and front-drive duplexes to street towns, and semi-estate homes. Show homes are already open that can easily surprise the casual visitor with their urbane elegance and contemporary design that hasn’t been seen in Airdrie. Trico is initially offering front-drive and laned duplexes starting from 1,455 squarefeet. “We have some of the best lots in Midtown, including laned duplexes looking over the pond,” says Trico’s Carmen De Luca. Front-drive models start at $358,600, while laned duplexes by the pond are from $361,900.

Excel Homes have some of the largest double-attached garage duplexes in Airdrie at just under 2,000 square-feet. Their laned duplex models from 1,500 square-feet start at $339,000, and their front-drive garage duplexes are from $374,900. “Our customers love that Excel’s duplexes are comparable in size and features of a lanced or front garage single family homes but have a very affordable price point,” says Excel’s Ken Lydiatt. “Most of our buyers are from the area and want to stay in Airdrie, they just want a lifestyle change to a more convenient and newer community.” Creations by Shane Homes’ urban style street towns and duplexes are right at the entrance of Midtown, setting the stage for the community’s inner-city look. They have seven street town models from 1,260-square-foot two-bedroom models to threebedroom models from 1,600 square-feet. Starting price is from $354,000, including GST, Notay says. “You can’t get anything like what we offer in Midtown in Calgary, if you do, they will likely be twice the price.” Shane Homes will be the first to offer single-family front attached garage homes in Midtown. They will be from 1,454 to 2,405 square-feet and two new show homes are now open. Midtown provides a rare sense of openness in the midst of a city. With plentiful outdoor conveniences interwoven amongst inspiring new homes with easy access to major thoroughfares and established amenities. n

For more information visit www.midtowninairdrie.ca NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION

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developer feature MELCOR DEVELOPMENTS

Live like a king

King’s Heights delivers the best environment to raise a family n By

Pepper Rodriguez

uch like Airdrie itself is a family town, King’s Heights by Melcor Developments was designed to provide a nurturing, active and neighbourly environment to all its residents. At King’s Heights residents enjoy all the modern day conveniences and perks that go a long way in providing the ingredients for an ideal family life. This established neighbourhood on Airdrie’s southeast also offers a wide range of housing product that will be appreciated by singles, couples, and downsizers. “Melcor designs communities where residents can live, work, play, and shop,” says Catharina Mendonça, marketing manager for Melcor. “Kingsview Market at the entrance to our community is a hub of retail, medical and food services. Everything from Shoppers Drug Mart, to Starbucks, to a neighbourhood pub is right out your front door. A public Francophone school is already open and a new K-5 school is being built and will open in the fall of 2016.” It’s an excellent place to raise a family, says Mendonça, with more than 27 acres of green space, 10.5 kilometres of winding natural trails, and storm ponds with themed stone features and pedestrian bridges. “As well, we have recently completed construction of two amphitheaters and a faux bridge at the south end of the pond. Residents have been using this space for picnics, a quiet space to read, or just an outdoor play space for families,” she adds. “It offers all the amenities of city living without being in the city. Residents have big city shopping at CrossIron Mills just five minutes south of the community and Calgary is a short 20-minute drive away,” she says. “A new Save-On Foods is opening in the fall, too.” King’s Heights will have about 1,200 homes at build-out, with a wide variety of elevations to create an eye-catching streetscape and automatic curb appeal. The entire community features bold natural colour palettes with comprehensive trim packages, varied roof pitches, and decorative craftsman ele-

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ments like gables, brackets, blocks, and false trusses. “The architecture in our community really stands out,” says Mendonça. “The exteriors of homes in King’s Heights are inspired by the Tudor, Craftsman and Georgian Colonial styles.” King’s Heights recently opened its latest phase (Phase 19) with lots backing onto a linear park that leads straight to school. “These lots have seen a lot of interest as it means your kids can walk to school without ever crossing a street,” Mendonça says. Phase 18 still has a limited number of pond lots with walkout available, but there are only a few remaining. A renowned builders group — composed of Shane Homes, Jayman BUILT, and Homes by Avi offers front drive homes from the $420,000s. “Prices have come down $30,000 to $50,000 in King’s Heights, so there’s ample opportunity to get in the market now,” she adds. Merge Developments’s StoneKeep is also in King’s Hieghts with an array of row and stacked townhomes from the $229,000s including GST. n

King’s Heights recently opened its latest phase (Phase 19) with lots backing onto a linear park that leads straight to school.

For more information visit www.kingsheights.ca

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feature

Building Futures Airdrie students build foundation for bright futures

n By

Jock Mackenzie

“I “Youth have a different enthusiasm for life than adults. It’s good for all of us to have that ‘stop, look at things, and check in with life’ moment. The program really provides that for the kids… and for the adults too.”

haven’t missed a day of school all year; I like it that much.” “It’s an amazing program.” “Would I do this again next year? Absolutely!” “Youth have a different enthusiasm for life than adults. It’s good for all of us to have that ‘stop, look at things, and check in with life’ moment. The program really provides that for the kids… and for the adults too.” The quotes above come from the students, tradespeople and teachers involved in the Building Futures program. For 32 Grade 10 students from Airdrie’s three public high schools (George MacDougall, Bert Church and W.H. Croxford), Building Futures is a school away from school. Their classroom consists of two garages joined by a breezeway and two adjacent houses. The garages were finished in September, while “one house is framed — all ready for mechanical, plumbing and electrical — the other is just dirt,” says teacher Mark Turner.

Student-Alexa Hynes

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Monday to Thursday, for the entire Grade 10 year, the students take all of their courses — English, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc. — on the job site in their garage classroom as well as work alongside the various tradespeople. On any given day, half of the students spend time in the garage classroom while the other half work in the two houses assisting whatever trade is currently at work. Fridays are spent back at George McDougall High where they spend two hours in Physical Education and two hours reflecting on the prior week’s activities. Each student must take a safety course in the summer and a teacher is always on hand. But flexibility is also a key factor. If more time is needed in either the classroom or the house, everyone cooperates to make that happen. How and why did the program begin? In 2013, Sheri McAllister, who is now the Construction Superintendent of Building Futures, commuted to work with Greg Rankin, an Airdrie teacher. Sheri’s son was in high school. Together with George McDougall shop teacher Jarret Hooper they hatched the idea of taking Grade 10 students (where the curriculum fit was the best) out of the actual high school setting and into the real world. Sheri went to her boss, Elaine McKee-Doel, at McKee Homes with a proposal. The seed was planted in April and by September of that year, 32 students were at the first Building Futures site. Each year the program evolves and its popularity increases. With the success of year one, the word was

Each student must take a safety course in the summer and a teacher is always on hand. But flexibility is also a key factor. If more time is needed in either the classroom or the house, everyone cooperates to make that happen.

out. Students talked up the program at school and the word spread. In year two, besides their school work and work on the houses, the small student groups set up small businesses. In year three, the students have built Little Free Libraries, will construct a tiny house (a self-sustained Gaming Den) and are involved in a variety of Airdrie First projects like Friday Gaming Night, helping the local food bank, preparing a Found

Poetry project and more. By year three, all three Airdrie high schools were involved. Cochrane has begun a similar program. The Red Deer Public School District has expressed interest. The future? “The sky’s the limit,” says McKee Homes’ McAllister. “We could do so many different things.” n

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city of airdrie map

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