Loving East Side Living - March 2016 by Source Media Group

MARCH 2016

contents 6

NEWS

4 Mirror, mirror

Chestermere, Strathmore housing stats tell two different stories

COVER FEATURE

6 Family ties Stepper Homes emphasizes family values in their Boulder Creek Estates show home FEATURES

10 Catch the wave

Enjoy life on the water in areas east of Calgary

12 Family snapshots

Eastside communities share prairie roots DEVELOPER FEATURES

15 On dreams’ shores Find your dream home in the Shores of Chestermere Lake PUBLISHER •

Source Media Group

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • EDITOR •

Jim Zang

Pepper Rodriguez

ART DIRECTOR •

Dave Macaulay, Vivian Zhang

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR • CONTRIBUTORS •

Colleen Leier

Simon Rose, David Shepherd,

Jim Zang ADVERTISING SALES • ACCOUNTING •

points in Calgary and Airdrie. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. Copyright 2016 by Source Media Group Corp. All rights reserved. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility

Jean Faye Rodriguez

GRAPHIC DESIGNER •

Loving East Side Living® is published annually and is available free through select distribution

Heather Dougall, James Pearce

Norma Robertson

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, AB T2H 0J9.

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news

Mirror, mirror Chestermere, Strathmore housing stats tell two different stories n By Jim Zang

hestermere and Strathmore are the only east side communities actually measured by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) separately from the county. Meanwhile, the bulk of the county’s starts outside those two towns are actually occurring in smaller centres like Langdon, Conrich, Lyalta (The Homesteads), and Beiseker (The Grasslands). For 2015, final CMHC numbers have total housing starts in the Town of Chestermere down by 48 per cent, from 449 in 2014 to 232 in 2015 (see chart A). One thing that wasn’t down in Chestermere was the price of a new home, with CMHC reporting an average single-family home absorbed price in December 2015 of $753,730 compared to $659,234 in December 2014. Down the #1 Highway in Strathmore, the numbers tell a slightly different story. Single-family starts were up in both the fourth quarter and year over year, by a significant margin (see chart B). Semi-detached, townhome and apartment-style homes were up across the board from 2014 levels. The 2015 year-end total of 108 combined starts is up 52 per cent from 2014 totals. n

CHART A

CHESTERMERE

starts by dwelling type

Dec 2015

Dec 2014

2015 final

2014 final

Single

204

361

Semi-detached

Row

Apartment

Total

232

449 CHART B

STRATHMORE

starts by dwelling type

Q4 2015

Q4 2014

2015 final

2014 final

Single

Semi-detached

Row

Apartment

Total

108

71 Source: CMHC

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cover feature

Manchester by Stepper Homes

Family ties T

he pristine and picturesque beauty of the prairies is plainly evident in the neighbourhood of Boulder Creek Estates in Langdon, which holds all the promise of an active, familycentric lifestyle. The Manchester show home by Stepper Homes perfectly reflects this freedom with its size and modern style. Stepper Homes has always put the needs of families foremost in their designs but the 2,380-square-foot Manchester has something extra. For one thing, it makes terrific use of all the space provided by its extra wide lot, a characteristic of all homes in Boulder Creek Estates. “Lots in Boulder Creek Estates average about 62-feet wide and 115-feet long, so most of the homes get not only a spacious backyard, but enough space between houses where families can park their RVs,” says co-area sales manager Dennis Burnell. With the wide lots, each home in Boulder Creek Estates gets a triple car garage, but the Manchester is able to extend this to four cars. “We can extend the garage to the back and make room for a fourth car or a workshop, or extra storage for snowmobiles or golf carts,” Burnell adds. Boulder Creek Estates, after all, is a golf community so extra storage does come in handy. “The Manchester itself is designed to accommodate the needs of active families, including extra wide mudrooms with built-in lockers, where kids and parents can bring in their hockey, golf and other sports equipment without bumping into things,” he adds. The Manchester show home is a three-bedroom, twoand-a-half bath home. Burnell says there is an option to build the home with four bedrooms upstairs. “Stepper Homes is flexible when it comes to adjusting plans to fit the buyer’s needs,” he says. The Manchester has everything that a growing family needs. A huge master bedroom with luxurious ensuite; a fabulous kitchen packed with glamour and style for entertaining large gatherings yet intimate enough for 6

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Stepper Homes emphasizes family values in their Boulder Creek Estates show home n By

nights with just the family; and the magnificent great room with 11-foot tall ceilings and matching transom windows mirror the feeling of freedom that the prairies just outside offers. The kitchen is particularly stylish with its grand island and ceiling-height cabinetry; it’s easy for visitors to imagine holding dinner parties here. It is also every bit as functional as it is stylish, and includes a bright, main floor den, and a downstairs laundry off the mudroom, and a walk-through pantry with built-in shelving. Buyers are attracted by the curb appeal of the Old Country Heritage Architecture and on entering the home the excitement grows as they experience the flow, functionality, and features of the plan. The family-friendly lifestyle of Langdon is, by far, its most enduring appeal. This hamlet just east of Calgary, is a charming community providing relaxed family living at a little slower pace than in the city, yet has most of the amenities and facilities that today’s families desire. The Heritage Main Street includes an established medical clinic, hair salon, dentist, chiropractor, restaurants, post office, vet clinic, and even dance and martial arts studios. There’s also a new grocery supermarket, full service pharmacy, and a Tim Hortons. “You don’t have to drive all the way back to Chestermere if you forget milk,” Burnell says. There are two elementary schools in Langdon and kids from Boulder Creek Estates get school bus service for the five-minute ride to school. High school is 10 minutes away in Chestermere. “It’s a really serene and safe community where you can walk your dog anytime of the day or night,” he adds. Stepper Homes offers 10 models in Boulder Creek ranging from 2,065 to 2,762 square-foot two-storey models, and 1,437 to 1,681-square-foot bungalows. Starting price is from $550,000. The show home, including options, lot and GST is $689,900. Stepper Homes’ Boulder Creek models have standard

Pepper Rodriguez

Buyers are attracted by the curb appeal of the Old Country Heritage Architecture and on entering the home the excitement grows as they experience the flow, functionality, and features of the plan. nine-foot ceilings on main floors and basements. Countertops are quartz, while flooring is a combination of ceramic tile and Luxury Vinyl Plank on the main floor, and carpet and tile on the upper floor. Boulder Creek Estates has just released their latest phase and Stepper Homes plans to complete a new show home here by the summer. The Manchester is located at 220 Boulder Creek Drive in Langdon. It is open from 2 to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sundays and holidays. n

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For more information visit www.stepperhomes.com

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BUILD THE HOME YOU WANT

IN THE COMMUNITY YOU LOVE

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feature

Catch the wave Enjoy life on the water in areas east of Calgary Simon Rose

P H O T O B Y D O N M O LY N E A U X

n By

algary has a number of well-established lake communities within the city limits and new neighbourhoods featuring lakes continue to be added every few years. Living in a lakeside community is undoubtedly a wonderful experience, featuring access to the water and beaches for a wealth of summer activities with friends and family, as well as skating and other pastimes in the winter months. However, despite the many options for Calgary homebuyers that wish to settle near the water, it’s still tough to find good recreational boating in these areas, particularly for those people operating motorized craft. For those that enjoy life on or beside the water, there are so many excellent opportunities for recreation for families and individuals right on your doorstep on the east side of the city. Take advantage of the exciting possibilities found in areas east of Calgary, where you can enjoy many of the unique benefits of lakeside

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living without necessarily having your own home situated within one of the city’s lake communities. Chestermere Lake and the surrounding area is well known to most residents of Calgary. The four-kilometre-long body of water is perhaps the most familiar destination along the city’s eastern border for families and individuals interested in lakeside living and relaxation during the summer months. It is one of the few lake recreation areas around that allows motorized vessels in their waters. Residents can use the lake’s boat launch for free once they’ve officially registered their boat, but you don’t have to be a resident of Chestermere to enjoy all the splendid amenities that the lake has to offer. There are daily fees for non-residents for the use of boats, nonmotorized watercraft on trailers, and personal motorized watercraft. If you’d like to use the lake on a regular basis once you’re fully settled in to your eastside Calgary home, a series of 10 day passes for the lake’s boat launch can be purchased at a discount, offering an excellent value for money opportunity to enjoy this wonderful location. As well as motorboats, a variety of canoes, kayaks, sailboats and paddleboats are also popular on the lake during the summer. There are no fees for using these types of craft on the water at Chestermere but you’ll need to invest in your own craft and equipment as the lake has no rental items available either for residents or visitors. Fishing is also a popular

pastime on the lake at Chestermere all year round and enthusiasts have been known to regularly catch some pretty large fish over the years. In addition to the boat launch that’s used by residents and visitors alike, the Calgary Yacht Club has been a feature of Chestermere Lake’s east shoreline since 1933. The Calgary Yacht Club is great for families, offering a wide variety of boating and sailing activities and is also a popular venue for social events. The club is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. You don’t need to be a resident of Chestermere to become a member and enjoy all the privileges that the Calgary Yacht Club has to offer. The club has a small number of sailboats that members are able to either rent or lease but paddlers are also welcome. Some Yacht Club members are very experienced on the water but the facility welcomes everyone, regardless of age or ability, when it comes to sailing at Chestermere. Activities at the Calgary Yacht Club include youth sailing camps, youth racing, adult sailing lessons, disabled sailing, weekend race regattas, training sessions, and a range of special events. While an annual membership fee is required to use the club’s facilities, this doesn’t apply to those people attending courses, lessons, and camps at the club. Beyond Chestermere, there are also many other opportunities for water-borne recreation on Southern Alberta’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that lie east of Calgary, including

P H O T O B Y D O N M O LY N E A U X

Chestermere Lake

boating, fishing, and aquatic recreation. The Bow River that flows through Calgary is a renowned tourist destination and a scenic wonder of the Rocky Mountains but the portion of the river that flows east of the city has long been a favourite location for fly fishers. Fish are abundant in this stretch of the Bow, including rainbow and brown trout. Eagle Lake located southeast of Strathmore is another great spot for pike, trout, and walleye. The lake is perhaps more popular with many fishing enthusiasts during the ice fishing season rather than in the summer. For recreational activities during the warmer months of the year Eagle Lake has a campsite, recreation area, and a boat launch. Namaka Lake and Stobart Lake are similarly located close to Strathmore and there’s also Dalemead Lake, near Langdon just east of Chestermere. If you’re interested in venturing further afield in the area, Bassano Dam is just two hours east of Calgary. The surrounding area features a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, waterskiing, swimming, and camping. For those interested in fishing Crawling Valley Reservoir is excellent location for catching northern pike, walleye, and trout. If you enjoy recreational boating, fishing, and the many different aspects of lakeside living but aren’t that sold on settling into a new home in a lake community, there’s never been a better time to check out what East Calgary has to offer, where a new day dawns first every morning. n

There are so many excellent opportunities for recreation for families and individuals right on your doorstep on the east side of the city.

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Family snapshots Eastside communities share prairie roots n By

David Shepherd

he communities east of Calgary are kind of like a big extended family. They all share a prairie heritage, were all born as service centres for the farming, ranching and oil and gas industries, and have since grown into vibrant, diverse cities and towns. But, like children, and any parent can vouch for this, each community still has its own unique character and personality. Calgary is, of course, the oldest of the bunch (founded in 1875), with middle siblings like Chestermere (1880s) and Strathmore (1883), and some younger ones, like maybe Conrich, Langdon or Lyalta. As with most families, it’s hard to get everyone together at the same time for a family photo so, instead, we contacted the mayors or county representatives of the various communities to take an individual snapshot of each. Sort of a quick state-of-the-nation summary of population, economic and new home market trends. Join us as we take a walk on the eastside for our own version of a family reunion.

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CHESTERMERE

Mayor Patricia Matthews Despite the recession, business is booming in Chestermere, says Mayor Patricia Matthews. “Chestermere is absolutely growing right now. Even in this economy, we still have numbers coming in because it's an excellent place to live, raise kids, and do business.” The big attraction in Chestermere? “The access to our fantastic lake,” says Matthews. “There's a small town feel you get when you move here. And you also get that wonderful 'ahh' moment when you come home.” While people are still moving to Chestermere, the economy has slowed the growth. Right now, Matthews is focused on making sure the city is prepared for when that growth starts up again. New infrastructure projects include an upgrade to a major roadway on the south end that will provide easier access for residents and future business. “We also have a brand new piece of land that we're marketing for industrial and commercial purposes,” says Matthews. “We're making sure our roadway is up to snuff to handle the heavier truck traffic.” Focus is also being given to shovel-ready projects, which include additional sewer lines and water projects. As for the lake? “We're looking at doing some shoreline upgrades,” says Matthews. “We want to beautify Chestermere a bit more.” “The best part about Chestermere is the access to recreation, and the wonderful people,” says Matthews. “In the winter, we have great skating access on the lake. There's people out playing shinny. And it's beautiful to be out and walk around the lake on a brisk winter day.” “I'd encourage everyone to come out and visit. This is a phenomenal community.”

POPULATION

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

BUSINESS PERMITS

2011 – 14, 824 2014 – 17, 203

2014 – 457 2015 – 215

2014 – 490 2015 – 739

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CONRICH

Rockyview Division 5 Councillor Earl Solberg Conrich is country living within a stone’s throw of Calgary, says Rockyview Councillor Earl Solberg. “What you have in the Conrich area is a few retirees, and a number of professional people living in Cambridge Estates. There's a bit more privacy — Conrich has that country living element that many people desire. The types of homes and neighborhoods that people can live in is very difficult to duplicate inside the city limits.” However, despite the relaxed country living, Conrich does have some growing pains. “Rockyview County put together a comprehensive area structure plan to work out how development would take place,” says Solberg, “but we've met with huge resistance from the City of Chestermere in particular. That has to be dealt with.” Essentially, Chestermere has applied to annex the area along with 25,000 acres of farmland, says Solberg. The City of Calgary has also voiced concerns on how the land will be developed. “Calgary's been very technical, what they've appealed is things that can be dealt with and worked out,” says Solberg. The debate has put development on hold for the time being. “There's no point for Rockyview to expend any further money in the area,” says Solberg. “If they did, it could turn out to be a total loss because it's the decision of municipal affairs as to whether they honor Rockyview's jurisdiction or not.”

POPULATION

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

BUSINESS PERMITS

2013 – 26 in the hamlet, 1,400 (estimated) in the area

2014 – 0 2015 – 0

Unavailable – Rockyview M.D. doesn't have business licenses (or tax)

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LANGDON

Rockyview Division 4 Councillor Rolly Ashdown There's a lot to love about Langdon, says Rockyview Councillor Rolly Ashdown. “It's a more rural style of living out in Langdon. You'll find bigger lots, and prices are a little bit lower. That brings out a lot of people. A lot of people don't want to live in the city any longer. Calgary is trying to go to more higher density, and so it restricts the choices.” Not surprisingly, Langdon's growth comes with a cost. The area has grown faster than anticipated, causing both recreation and services to lag slightly behind. “Some of the services are reasonably new,” says Ashdown. “Developers are coming in and doing some things — we're getting more sidewalks and paths, which people are wanting faster.” As for upcoming infrastructure? “We have two areas that have been approved,” says Ashdown. “Boulder Creek and Henson Park. They're both in their last parts of full development. After that, we have the sewage treatment plant which is expanding.” For Ashdown, the relaxed pace of life and the friendships that grow between neighbours are the best parts about Langdon. “It's reasonably quiet. There's not that much hustle and bustle. It's a great place to live.”

POPULATION

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

BUSINESS PERMITS

2011 – 3403 2013 (most recent) – 4897

2014 – 31 2015 – 30

Unavailable – Rockyview M.D. doesn't have business licenses (or tax)

STRATHMORE

Mayor Michael Ell In Strathmore, you'll find a different event for every season. From the Celebration of Lights during the holiday season, to the Easter egg hunt in the park, to the famous Strathmore Stampede on August long weekend — there's always something to do. These events are part of the Strathmore lifestyle, says Mayor Michael Ell. “People come to Strathmore because their friends who live here tell them what it's like. We have a hospital. Good quality education. Lots of outdoor facilities. An aquatic center. A library. And our specialty locally owned stores. Those are just some of the reasons people choose Strathmore.” But even with all that the town has to offer, there are some challenges — particularly with the slumping economy. “We've got all this media hype with the downturn in the economy, and there are definitely some concerns. People have been impacted and there's some hurt there.” While growth has slowed for the commuter community, Strathmore's agricultural background has helped it stay afloat, says Ell. Despite the downturn, the town is still preparing for a few major infrastructure projects, including a Dodge dealership that's expecting to open in 2016. “Calgary Co Op recently opened a new grocery shopping center,” says Ell. “And there's a possibility of a Mark's Work Warehouse.” In addition, the hospital has been promised 2.8 million for upgrades. “We've got a lot to offer,” says Ell. “Strathmore has all of the amenities that anyone could need. For the people here, it's nice to be close to Calgary and the airport, and to have easy access off Highway 1. We have a friendly, caring, helpful community. And more than one person has said this to me — we do care, and we want to help and assist each other. We're big enough to be a city, but friendly enough to be a town.” n

POPULATION

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

BUSINESS PERMITS

2011 – 12, 305 2015 – 13, 327

2014 – 271 2015 – 284

2014 – 731 2015 – 749

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Shores of Westmere n

developer feature

On dreams’ shores Find your dream home in the Shores of Chestermere Lake n By

Pepper Rodriguez

“The total value of what Westmere and Shores at Chestermere Lake offers is really what sets us apart, you can get the full benefits of a lakeside lifestyle at a fraction of the price compared to what is offered in Calgary.”

here’s more to love in The Shores at Chestermere Lake, where the idyllic beauty of lakeside living and small town charm are yours to enjoy year-round. You can swim, sail or paddle around in the lake’s calm waters in the warmer months, or skate, and play pond hockey when the weather gets cooler, and do this all right in your backyard. It’s a heavenly, resort-like existence with tremendous recreational opportunities that today’s families dream of. The Shores at Chestermere Lake by Melcor Developments may be the last opportunity to make this dream a reality in Chestermere, as it is the only community left where you can still build a new home just steps from the town’s eponymous 2.65-acre lake. Melcor’s Catharina Mendonça says the easy charm of lakeside living is the greatest draw to The Shores, but it’s the small town lifestyle and breezy convenience that Chestermere, as a whole, offers that makes life here an enviable one. There are very few opportunities left for building a lakeview home anywhere in land-locked Alberta, and the few available are very much out of the price range of most. But at the Shores, luxury estate homes from Homes by Avi and Albi Homes start at just the $650,000s.

Adding to the allure is that you there are no annual community fees, unlike most of Calgary’s premium lake communities. Homes in The Shores range in size from 1,600 square-foot bungalows to estate homes at over 3,500 square-feet. The Shores will have 163 homes, all single-family, when completed. The lots they sit on are some of the widest residential lots still available in the Calgary area, going up to an amazing 66feet wide, easy enough to fit triple-car front attached garages. The Shores is part of Melcor’s Westmere community, which also includes the Estates of Westmere. The latter features homes from Lifestyle Homes and ReidBuilt Homes. Offered are bungalows starting from 1,500 square-feet, and two-storey homes up to 2,300 square-feet. Prices of homes here start in the $500,000s. “Homeowners in the Estates are offered lots up to 48-feet wide with five feet of side yards,” says Mendonça, sizes you’ll be lucky to see in Calgary, not to mention anywhere near the prices offered here. It’s not just the lure of the lake that makes people want to live in these two east side communities. “Chestermere is becoming one of the centres of growth in the Calgary area, and it will continue to do so in the coming years,” Mendonça says. This enviable, resort lifestyle that Westmere offers remains just 20 minutes away from Calgary. “The total value of what Westmere offers is really what sets us apart, you can get the full benefits of a lakeside lifestyle at a fraction of the price compared to what is offered in Calgary,” she says. “While still enjoying the big city amenities just down the road.” n

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For more information visit www.westmere.ca n

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