SEPTEMBER 2018
contents
8
4 Editor’s Message 6 Mayor’s Message 23 City of Airdrie Map
20
17 Thrifty business Great bargains are out there waiting to be found DE VELOPER FE ATURE
COVER FE ATURE
8 Southwinds of change Mattamy Homes’ landmark Airdrie community set for further growth
20 The best of times Brookfield has another hit with Chinook Gate
MARKE T OVERVIE W
11 A box of chocolates Local housing market predictably unpredictable
15
FE ATURE S
13 Hard act to follow Karaoke night keeps Airdrie rocking in the free world
15 Gone fishing Nose Creek home to several species of fish
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
3
editor’s message
Fall fishing, fashion and fun A
s always with the Fall edition, I’m writing the editor’s message mid-August — which means I’m still involved with all things summer. There’s lots to do in and around Airdrie during the summer, both indoors and out, and, if we’re lucky enough to have our usual warm fall, right into September and October. When I was a little guy, my Grandpa Jim used to take me fishing all the time. Every summer we’d head out to my Mom’s parents’ place in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, for a week — most of which would be spent at his cabin or in the boat on Mission Lake just east of town. We caught plenty of the three P’s; perch, pickerel and pike, but even if we didn’t catch anything I was just happy to spend the quality time with the man I was named after, Jim Hayes. So when I drove by Nose Creek Pond one day and saw some fishing going on, I had to stop for a closer look. Sure enough, people are fishing there and catching pike, carp and, of course, some of the trout they stock the pond with each year. I did a little bit of research just to see what was up, which you can read on page 15. One way to kill time on a cooler day (or a smoky day as was the case last week) is to visit some of the local second hand stores. Even if you can’t find a garage sale to go to every Saturday, these places will be open for sure. I’ve been looking for a couple pairs of slightly used dress pants or Dockers. I think I’m a 34 – 34 waist/inseam, which you think would be easy to remember. But, since all makes seem to fit different anyways, it’s always best to try them on. And, if possible, ask for a woman’s help and/or opinion. Just sayin’. In the meantime, I did pick up some handy kitchen gadgets and a way-cool miniature surfboard carved out of coconut palm. Take a quick visit to these stores with us starting on page 17, and then go check out the real thing — you never know what treasures you’ll find. Once the fishing is done and you’ve washed the smell off your hands, and you’ve got your new pair of pants on, maybe even your ‘dancing pants’, head on down to Bambino’s for some grown-up fun. I’ve been a few times, including once to see a live band and a couple of times on Friday night Karaoke with Loretta. So what did I sing? You’ll have to read the story on page 13 to find out. And, of course, what would any magazine about Loving Airdrie Living be without talking about just that — living in Airdrie. And that means taking a look at the local new home market. In this edition we examine some of the most recent CMHC stats, as well as visit a couple of new communities in town. If you get a chance, check out some of the show homes in these areas. Like the second hand stores, you might be surprised at what kind of treasures you’ll discover.
PUBLISHER •
Source Media Group
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER | LIFESTYLE EDITOR • HOMES EDITOR • ART DIRECTOR •
Jim Zang
Pepper Rodriguez
Jean Faye Rodriguez
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS •
Chloe Purcell, Vivian Zhang
PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR •
Colleen Leier
Andrew Best, Brandi Holmes, Jennifer Mills, Jim Zang
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 2018 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, 6109 - 6 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1L9. E-mail info@sourcemediagroup.ca; Tel 403.532.3101; Fax 403.532.3109; Toll free 1.888.932.3101; Printed in Canada. Distributed by Media Classified, Source Media Group, YPG. PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Source Media Group, 6109 - 6 Street., Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9.
Photo courtesy City of Airdrie
4
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
M AY 2 0 1 8
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
5
mayor’s message
Welcome
I
am proud to call Airdrie home and even more honoured to represent this City as Mayor. Residents of Airdrie enjoy a vibrant community and a high quality of life, while holding on to their smalltown values. Our City is full of enthusiastic people who look out for their neighbours and support
local businesses. This commitment to each other contributes to Airdrie’s sense of safety, belonging and our strong, local economy. These sentiments are also supported by our annual Citizen Satisfaction Survey. In 2018, 99 per cent of respondents felt safe during the day and 94 per cent felt safe overall. We are committed to maintaining this high level of satisfaction and sense of safety and because of this commitment, six additional RCMP officers have been budgeted for in 2018. According to the survey, 95 per cent of residents were satisfied with their quality of life, with respondents saying that Airdrie’s ‘small town feel’ was the biggest contributing factor to a high quality of life. Our friendly neighbourhoods, safe environment and caring nature have attracted many families to our growing city and continue to do so. Airdrie has excellent schools with more than a dozen public, private and separate schools, catering to more than 7,000 students. Airdrie is a young and dynamic community with no shortage of things to do. Our beautiful Festival of Lights and various parade and firework celebrations contribute to a full calendar of cultural experiences. The Bert Church LIVE Theatre attracts renowned musicians and performers from around the world and adds to the artistic and cultural fabric of the City. Airdrie’s parks and pathways are well-used by our residents and our extensive network of pathways make it easy to get around by foot or bike, year-round. Airdrie’s Nose Creek Park has a new boardwalk and amphitheatre along the south side of the pond, which is a great place for small plays and concerts. Airdrie is located just off the Queen Elizabeth Highway II, north of downtown Calgary, giving Airdrie residents’ direct access to YYC Calgary International Airport and a great jumping off point to four UNESCO World Heritage sites within a two hour drive. I encourage you to experience the energy and community that Airdrie offers. Come see it for yourself — you’ll be welcomed with open arms!
Peter Brown, Mayor City of Airdrie
6
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
cover feature M AT TA M Y H O M E S
Southwinds of cha Mattamy Homes’ landmark Airdrie community set for further growth
T
he winds of growth are blowing strong in Southwinds, as Mattamy Homes’ hit Airdrie community begins expansion plans that will bring in more lifestyle options and recreational amenities. As it celebrates its 40th anniversary year, Mattamy Homes is announcing the expansion of Southwinds, which has been enjoying exponential growth and is already 65 per cent complete in its current phases. Southwinds occupies approximately 150 acres of prime real estate in one of Airdrie’s most desirable areas on the popular west side of town, bordered by 8th Street and 40th Avenue S.W. The expansion is set to add some 155 gross developable acres. “Southwinds will extend directly west beside existing land,” says Karla Schultz, Marketing Manager at Mattamy Homes. Furthermore, Mattamy Homes is partnering with the City of Airdrie and Rocky View school division to build a 40-acre recreational site here that will have a combined high school and rec area.
8
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
“We are also looking at developing around the dry creek bed that is there and look at how to offer similar features that Southwinds residents love, such as playgrounds, connected walking trails, and friendly family charm,” Schultz says. Currently, Mattamy is working on Phase 7 of Southwinds’ existing stage and is introducing a new model here called the Onyx, one of its best-selling models in its Calgary communities of Cityscape and Yorkville. The Onyx is a 2,273-square-foot split level with a variety of architectural options. It has proven to be immensely popular as it can easily be modified from a three-bedroom to a four-bedroom home plus several other options.
nge Schultz says they will also be offering their Urban Townhomes again in Southwinds after a prolonged absence. These townhomes with double garages will sit on the southwest corner of the community, adjacent to Gates of Hillcrest, Mattamy’s newest Airdrie community that is now approaching build-out. “The Gates of Hillcrest is in its final stretch — final opportunities remain to own in this quaint and beautiful little village style community,” Schultz says. As always, Mattamy is the exclusive builder in Southwinds, Gates of Hillcrest and all the other communities they develop. Interested parties can actually see what a completed Mattamy commu-
nity looks in sold-out Windsong, just next door to Southwinds. It is Mattamy’s first community in Alberta, and they have since expanded to Calgary and other surrounding communities that now include Cityscape, Carrington and Yorkville, its latest development in south Calgary. Some 1,150 homes are expected in Southwinds on build-out in 2020, more than half of them (660) single-family. The westward expansion does add 700 more lots to its total. Currently, three different types of single-family homes are available in Southwinds. 31-foot single car garage and double car garage homes as well as 40-foot double car garage homes. Prices for single-family homes start in the $360,000s.
»
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
9
cover feature
“The Gates of Hillcrest is in its final stretch — final opportunities remain to own in this quaint and beautiful little village style community.”
The Gates of Hillcrest, meanwhile, will have a total of 159 units, made up of 123 Manor Townhomes and 36 Village Townhomes. The Manor Townhomes are all two-storey, front drive garage (mostly single, but some two-car garage models) with a full basement, while Village Townhomes are three-storey townhomes with single-car garages. The Manor Townhomes are a new product for the builder, offering a front-drive garage, rear yard and more square footage than what Mattamy has done with townhomes in previous developments. 1 0 LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
M AY 2 0 1 8
n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
Schultz says the Manor Townhomes at Gates at Hillcrest will be the largest townhome product in Airdrie, ranging from 1,471 to 1,698 square-feet. Starting at only $304,990, and No Condo Fees they may be the most affordable in the city as well. “They also all have oversized lots in length so owners get quite a lot of room in the back, double what you usually see in townhomes,” she adds. “The lots are fully sodded both front and back and they’re great for people with pets and small children, giving them plenty of room to play in their own backyard.” The Gates at Hillcrest will also showcase its own environmental reserve with walkout lots opening onto this exquisite backdrop. n
For more information visit www.mattamyhomes.com
market overview
A box of chocolates Local housing market predictably unpredictable n By
Jim Zang
T
o borrow a line from Forrest Gump, the local new home market is a bit “like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get.” Indeed, Airdrie’s new home market is a bit of a mixed bag, with new communities growing in several areas of town and featuring a variety of types of housing. For example, last year there were 12 apartment units started in town; this year, none. Last year there were 14 townhome starts in July; this year, nada. Yet, on a year-to-date basis, it’s worth noting that those 12 apartment starts in the first seven months of 2017 were actually the total for that entire period. It’s not like starts were piling up at the rate of a dozen per month, that was it. Similarly, while this July falls short of last in terms of row housing starts, for the year-to-date 2018 is actually ahead of last year’s pace (see Chart 1). CHART 1
Housing Starts by Dwelling Type July 2018 July 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017 Single-family
40
55
283
286
Semi-detached
6
16
76
98
Row
0
14
126
109
Apartment
0
12
0
12
Total
46
97
485
505
The point is, not only do a few big projects have the ability to sway the numbers, so do normal monthly market fluctuations. Some months are just historically busier than others both for sales and for starts. February, in the heart of the winter doldrums, regularly checks in at about half the later spring and summer numbers. September is often a big month of starts and sales also. In the all-important single-family category, July 2018 starts fell a little more than 25 per cent short of July 2017, but are tracking pretty much bang-on for the year so far. So one needn’t worry that July 2018 totals are literally less than half of the same month last year, it’s the big picture that counts and, in the end, this year is only down four per cent from last as of the end of July.
CHART 2
Single-family detached Unit Absorptions April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 Absorptions
44
60
36
25
Inventory
47
47
44
47
CHART 3
Aborbed Single-family Detached Unit Prices April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 Median
$455,000
$470,000 $492,000 $470,000
Average
$498,451
$473,031 $503,661 $471,072
Other indicators of market health are absorptions (see Chart 2) and prices (see Chart 3). Absorptions, which are essentially sales, peak in spring once the weather gets nicer and then taper off somewhat in the summer months before surging again in fall (traditionally anyways). What’s nice to note is that, despite fluctuations in absorption rate, inventory levels remain steady, offering buyers the kind of choice they’ve become used to in this market. Prices are important to look at also, obviously. I like to look at both median and average, because they indicate slightly different things. The closer the two prices are to each other, the more accurately they are reflecting true market values. To review some junior high math: the median is simply that number which is in the middle when you put all the numbers in order; the average is all the numbers added together then divided by the total number of numbers you added. April showed a wide margin between the median and average, with the average much higher, usually an indicator that there were a couple of expensive homes that sold and brought the average up. May, June and July prices all showed very close median and average numbers, meaning the price of a new single detached home in Airdrie in July was indeed somewhere pretty close to $470,000. n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
11
feature
Hard act to follow Karaoke night keeps Airdrie rocking in the free world n By
Jim Zang
S
o you dream of being a rock star, but you live in Airdrie. No worries mate! If the boys from Nickleback can come out of Hanna to make the big time, somehow Airdrie doesn’t seem like a huge stretch. In fact, karaoke nights with Loretta at Bambino’s pub might be the perfect place to find out if you’ve got what it takes — or, in my case, not so much. Truth be known, I’ve done some singing in my time. A former coworker and I used to have a garage band (we called ourselves Weapons Of Mass Production, or WOMP for short) many, many years ago and I was the lead singer. Not a good one, mind you, but what I lacked in talent I more than made up for with enthusiasm. Sort of a poor man’s Gord Downie. We knew about 10 songs and played three actual gigs. After performing live for hundreds of people, I thought karaoke would be easy. Note to self: it’s not. Sure, you’ve got a teleprompter feeding you the words, but unless you know the song fairly well, you’re not going to have the right timing. And singing in key? Not exactly my strong suit. So I’m sitting at Bambino’s with my gal pal one Friday night and — to my surprise — it’s karaoke night. We watch a couple of people perform, and they’re alright. Amateurs, obviously, but give them full points for
getting up on stage giving it their all. I know people who’d rather be naked in public than sing. I’ve done karaoke before and, while it was tons of fun, I wasn’t as good at it as I thought I’d be, given my brief resumé of singing experience. I did four songs: Don’t Stop Believing (by Journey, I sang with a female partner); Hasn’t Hit Me Yet (by Blue Rodeo, my friends told me it was a downer); Rocking In the Free World (by Neil Young, with the best karaoke air guitar ever!); and Once In A Lifetime (by Tallking Heads, with my buddy Dave singing the alternating two-part male vocals). That wasn’t here at Bambino’s, but after the first few people, and a couple of cold Coors Lights, I’m starting to feel my muse coming on. First up is the older dude who always sings Joe Cocker. Then Cowboy Bob, who likes to do Johnny Cash. And Gavin, well, Gavin does his own thing. And then the Smashing Pumpkins came on stage. Okay, not the real Billy Corgan or the real Smashing Pumpkins – but this guy was GOOD! So good that people stood and cheered when he finished. So good that I had to go introduce myself, buy him a beer, and tell him how good he was. At which point he came clean, admitting that he sings in a band and this is one way he practices. “Plus,” he said, “people sometimes buy me free beers.” I mention that I used to sing in a band and he asks if I’m going to do any karaoke that night. “Maybe next time,” I reply. “You’re a hard act to follow.” n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
13
1 4 LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
feature
Gone fishing
Nose Creek home to several species of fish
I
f you’re eager to angle, you don’t have to leave Airdrie. Nose Creek, as well as the rainbow-trout stocked Nose Creek Pond off Main Street, in Nose Creek Regional Park, are legal fishing options close to home. Cheryl Lowe, natural areas technician for the City of Airdrie Parks department, says she’s seen a steady interest in the activity. “People just get out there and enjoy they’re afternoon or evening fishing,” she says. Lowe encourages fishing as long as people do their due diligence and don’t leave garbage, fishing line or hooks behind. “That would have a negative impact on wildlife or other fishers,” she says. “I think people should be aware of their surroundings and the water they’re fishing in.” She recommends consulting albertaregulations.ca for more information on ages for licenses, catch limits, what fish you’re allowed to keep and bait bans. Lowe says Nose Creek has a variety of fish according to research done several years ago, including brook stickleback, white suckers, lake chub, longnose dace, longnose suckers, white suckers, fathead minnows, brown and brook trout, trout-perch and Prussian carp. She has heard of northern pike being caught in Airdrie and moun-
tain white fish are elsewhere in the creek, but not in Airdrie. If you want to cook what you catch, Lowe suggests consulting the Fish Consumption Advisory page found on mywildalberta.ca, which states Health Canada’s fish consumption guidelines. The Government of Alberta has also released a mobile app called “Should I Eat this Fish?” The app has detailed information on six fish species according to where they were caught, but didn’t have data for Nose Creek at time of writing. n
Nine-year-old Hailey tries her luck at Nose Creek Regional Park.
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
M AY 2 0 1 8
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
15
feature
Thrifty business Great bargains are out there waiting to be found
T
hrifting is big business with a large local impact. Kijiji reports Canadians spent $28.5 billion on the second-hand economy in 2017. With that much money being exchanged, local thrift shops are thriving. These store owners and managers are passionate about serving Airdrie consumers while giving back to the community they call home. After talking with reps from Airdrie Community Thrift (ACT), Goodwill, My MSHS Co-owner, Local Goodwill supervisor, Second Hand Store (MSHS) and the Dallas Morrison Salvation Army team Darla Geauvreau Salvation Army Thrift Store (SATS), it was obvious it wasn’t all about the coin. “We all help each other, and it’s just so that we can Business has grown to employ seven full and part help our customers,” says ACT manager Rebecca time employees. Powers. The company’s website, mysecondhandstore.com, is There’s lots of overlap between the stores, but each relaunching this fall, and they continue to post items has its own niche. on Facebook to MySecondhandStore.com’s Online Powers and other managers love the word boutique, Auction and their regular page. selling items like Coach and Lululemon for people to Higher-end clothing will be available online for buy on steep discounts. shipment or for shopping and pick up in person. All carry clothing for all ages, shoes, accessories, Funds are divided up generously. Consignors are home decor and a laundry list of other treasures, with given 40 per cent of their item’s sale value, while plenty of room for differentiation. There’s no shortage donated items see 40 per cent of revenue go to local of supply. charities like Community Links, the Boys & Girls Club of Airdrie and the Salvation Army.
MY SECOND HAND STORE
MSHS is the new kid on the block, blurring the lines between consignment, thrift, brick-and-mortar and online. Co-owned and operated by Dallas Morrison the store’s website launched late June 2017. Business boomed, so they opened a storefront along Gateway Drive months later. “It’s crazy how fast we’ve been evolving to it,” says Morrison. “We try to be receptive to what people say.” The warehouse-style store houses clothing, dining and living room furniture, home decor, accessories and antiques.
SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE The Salvation Army Thrift Store benefits from being part of one of the largest national charities in Canada. As Krista Henry, national communications specialist for SATS points out, proceeds raised in store go back into local communities to support The Salvation Army’s programs, services and emergency disaster relief efforts. “Last fiscal year, The Salvation Army supported over 1.7 million Canadians in need, so shopping and donating to our stores is assisting people who really need your support,” says Henry.
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
»
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
17
feature In the same period, over $900,000 worth of items were given to those in need nationally, and over $7,300 to support local services such as sending kids to summer camps. The Donor Welcome Centre in the back of the store is a beehive of activity seven days a week, and donors get a $10 off coupon to shop themselves. They carry items for the whole family similar to the other thrift stores, plus their own line of brandnew mattresses. Clothing is their most popular category according to manager Kathy Strauss. “It’s pretty busy with the economy,” she says.
Community Links helps expecting parents with things they need, and Powers proactively donates items when her shelves are full.
AIRDRIE COMMUNITY THRIFT
GOODWILL
Manager Rebecca Powers helped open ACT six years ago, and business is steady. ACT has insurance to sell donated baby equipment like strollers and car seats. Powers said hers is one of the only stores in Alberta to take baby items, which leads to other thrift stores sending business her way. As for getting the right deal, she said it takes persistence. “You have to put in the effort and you can find some pretty fantastic deals,” says Powers, whose store also carries items from jewelry to kids toys. She says brand-name clothing and athletic wear goes the fastest. ACT also carries new items, with brand names like Adidas and Puma purchased from other stores where they were overstock or returned with no defects. Powers says ACT has given $10,000 to the Airdrie Food Bank’s Breakfast Program, and also supports Airdrie RCMP programs giving people essentials they need in tough times. A partnership with
Goodwill’s mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment. The non-profit backs this up by directing almost 90 per cent of its sales, which were over $22 million provincially in 2017, to this cause. Brenda Hawryluk, Goodwill Industries of Alberta director of brand integrity and business relations, says of their 800 staff, 30 per cent have self-disclosed they have a disability. Local store supervisor Darla Geauvreau says she enjoys retail and the cause. “With the economy, thrift shopping has really come a long way,” says Geauvreau. Goodwill considers donated items in good, saleable condition of a wide variety of descriptions from kids toys to designer items for their boutique racks. Geauvreau says footwear and ladies clothes are popular, and seniors are honoured with 15 per cent discounts every Wednesday. n
1 8 LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
developer feature BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL
The best of times Brookfield has another hit with Chinook Gate n By
Pepper Rodriguez
T
here’s excitement in the air in Chinook Gate, as the first residential community development in Airdrie by Brookfield Residential readies to welcome its first residents this August. That’s quite a ringing endorsement for a community that just held their grand opening to the public in spring. Brookfield Residential will have their first few buyers move into their new homes in Chinook Gate, and that is quite the testament to the vision and promise that the community holds. “We’ve had such an overwhelmingly positive response to the community,” says Dejan Savic, Brookfield’s Community Manager at Chinook Gate. But its warm reception isn’t really a surprise for the multi-awarded land developer and home builder, as Brookfield Residential had poured a considerable amount of its resources and renowned expertise in
2 0 LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
making their first Airdrie community a success. Chinook Gate backs onto Airdrie’s Chinook Winds Park, and offers the kind of enviable fourseason parkside living that families’ dream of. The community also offers a wide selection of townhomes, duplexes, laned homes and front-drive homes that can accommodate a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. “There are a number of things that make Chinook Gate attractive to potential new home owners,” says Justin Castelino, Brookfield Residential’s marketing manager. “First off, the proximity to Chinook Winds Park — one the of nicest outdoor facilities in Alberta is right there, just a moments’ walk away. Imagine living that close to a splash park, skatepark, baseball diamonds, hockey rink and so much more. You can’t get a better backyard!”
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
“We are all bringing fresh new designs to the community, really geared towards active families who are always on the go. Distinct architecture and community vision will help bring a complete look to the community and help preserve the investment people are making in their new home.” Its location in southwest Airdrie is also key. “It’s very easy to get around Airdrie and to Calgary. Within minutes, you can reach all your local amenities or the north end of Calgary. It’s very convenient,” he says. “We also have a dedicated school site right inside the community (Calgary Separate School District), which means walking or biking to school, just like the communities so many of us grew up in.” “Chinook Gate will be also a very quiet, exclusive community. It won’t have any (high-density) condos in the area and only 800 residences,” adds Savic. But the homes from their builder group that includes Brookfield Residential, Excel Homes and McKee Homes are new and exciting. “We are all bringing fresh new designs to the community, really geared towards active
families who are always on the go,” Castelino says. “Distinct architecture and community vision will help bring a complete look to the community and help preserve the investment people are making in their new home,” he adds. Brookfield will have duplexes starting from $318,400 and laned single-family homes from $368,000. Excel will offer duplexes with attached garages, frontattached and laned single-family homes; McKee Homes will have move up homes. Selling best for Brookfield are the 1,820-square-footy Carlisle II laned single-family home, as well as the 1,596-square-foot Wicklow laned duplex. “The single family is a little more popular because they are on conventional lots (unlike zero lot lines) which gives eight feet of space between neighbours,” Savic says. “Both products have great price points with the Wicklow starting from $332,000 and the Carlisle is from $381,000.” Comparatively low land costs in Airdrie have allowed Brookfield to offer bigger lots here. Savic estimates that a single-family home in Chinook Gate can cost around $18,000 less than a similar home in the big city to the south. But it is Brookfield’s expertise in designing desirable,
»
developer feature BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL
family-friendly communities that comes through once again in Chinook Gate. Here, residents will have access to over 55 acres of developed parkland space, three playgrounds, a kid-friendly water park, and over two kilometres of paved pathways. Chinook Gate will also have a Homeowner’s Association. “This ‘HOA’ will help maintain the look of the community for years to come, along with organizing neighbourly events like Movie in the Park and barbecues. All the little things that allow neighbours to come together and create a real sense of community,” Castelino points out. Airdrie has grown to be a vibrant, thriving city that has truly become an ideal community for families to set roots in. “Airdrie offers all the key amenities of Calgary, but it still holds a small town charm that is really appealing to young families,” Castelino says. “There are good schools, lots of activities and easy access to everything, and most of those are within easy reach from Chinook Gate.” Chinook Gate and Airdrie itself reflect Brookfield’s mission in building healthy communities and homes. “Brookfield is all about creating the best places 2 2 LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
to call home — in both the homes we build and the communities we develop. The park fits so well with our commitments to active living and bringing people together. It is a very fitting location for our first development in the city of Airdrie,” Castelino says. n
For more information, visit www.chinookgate.com
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
city of airdrie map
NEW HOME LIVING SPECIAL SECTION
n
SEPTEMBER 2018
n
LOVING AIRDRIE LIVING
23