One-day getaways Cochrane is growing up! A visit to Yamnuska Sanctuary Harmony: Home on the range
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CON T EN TS
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EDITOR ’S MESSAGE
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EVENTS
FE AT U R E
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Plight of the wolfdog
CO M M U N I T Y S P O T L I G H T: H A R M O N Y
ECONOM IC OV ERV I E W
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Yamnuska Sanctuary offers new insights in understanding wolfdog behaviour
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Lake life
Chestermere growth on the horizon H I S TO R Y | C U LT U R E
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The lake and its beginnings
Life is better when it’s lived in Harmony
With historic roots, this home on the range has captured hearts CO M M U N I T Y S P O T L I G H T: S O U T H W I N D S
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Southwinds of change
A history of the City of Chestermere
Mattamy Homes’ landmark Airdrie community set for further growth
SPOTLIGHT COCH R A N E
EN T ER TA I N M EN T
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Cochrane isn’t a small town anymore
Where to go for quick getaways
Growing up
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One-day adventures
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ED I TO R ’ S M E S S AG E
Source Media Group info@sourcemediagroup.ca
PUBLISHER |
Rise and shine, its summer time Finally the coast is clear and warmer weather, longer days and outdoor activities are right around the corner, and thank goodness because I was about to be ‘Brandi’ on the rocks. Once the premier edition of Townsizing was delivered to our office, my collegues and I were tasked with a lot of running around. We wanted everyone to see the first ever issue and our dedication to getting the messages of surrounding communities, towns and cities on the radar of as many people. It was quite fun for the three of us to be out and about, doing what we do best, talking about our magazines! Jennifer Mills and I had the pleasure of visiting Canmore, Crossfield, Cochrane and Okotoks. While Andrew Best seriously hit the ground running and went to Strathmore, Chestermere, Airdrie, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Vulcan and so many more I can’t even name them all. The summer issue focuses on Cochrane, west of Calgary; and Harmony, located in Rocky View Jenn (left) and Brandi County, two-time community of the year for Calgary-region. We also dive into the decorated history of the City of Chestermere and the lake itself, which I personally learned a lot about so make sure to check out that story. We also spotlight the community of Southwinds in Airdire by Mattamy Homes. Southwinds is gearing up for big growth by extending their boundaries and partnering up to build a 40-acre recreational site. Pepper Rodriguez (editor of New Home Living and Condo Living) and I were blessed with an intern from SAIT, Kathrine Andrews, who was very eager to write and pitched us some great ideas. You can read her story on the Yamnuska Sanctuary just outside of Cochrane in the following pages. With summertime quickly approaching and kids being out of school, day trips and even weekend trips will be essential to surviving… I mean entertaining yourselves and the kids. Make sure to checkout our getaway story on some of our all-time favourite hikes, day spots, lakes and destinations to keep your summer packed full of fun activities. Get out there and enjoy the weather, and who knows, maybe you will stumble upon a new place to call home.
Brandi Holmes editor@town-sizing.ca
EDITOR |
ART DIRECTOR | Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Vivian Zhang vivian.zhang@sourcemediagroup.ca
Colleen Leier colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca
PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR |
CONTRIBUTORS
Katherine Andrews, Kirsten Bolton, Darlene Casten, Pepper Rodriguez, Mario Toneguzzi PHOTOGRAPHY
Katherine Andrews, Andrew Best, Jennifer Mills, Vivian Zhang ADVERTISING SALES | Andrew Best andrew.best@sourcemediagroup.ca ADVERTISING SALES | Brandi Holmes brandi.holmes@sourcemediagroup.ca ADVERTISING SALES | Jennifer Mills jennifer.mills@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING
accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca
©2019 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the written permission from the publishers. Source Media Group 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. Townsizing® is published four times a year and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and area. Townsizing® accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions including all personal information to: editor@town-sizing.ca. Unsolicited submissions will not be returned. Advertising information available only by request. CONTACT: Source Media Group Corp., 6109 - 6th Street S.E. Calgary, Alberta Canada T2H 1L9 Tel 403.532.3101, Fax 403.532.3109 Toll-free 1.888.932.3101 www.sourcemediagroup.ca
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E V EN T S
A I RDR I E
May
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Mother’s Day Paint Night at the Bert Church LIVE Theatre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come down and thank mom for everything she has done with an easy step-by-step paint night. All supplies and wine are included. 1 Session is $40.
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Hike for Hospice 2019 at East Lake Park from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This 1 km or 5 km run/ walk/whatever you want is an annual fundraiser put on by the Airdrie and District Hospice Society. It is a family, wheelchair, stroller, and pet friendly event with all proceeds staying in the community. Following the hike enjoy barbecue and a silent auction. Register at www.airdriehospice.ca
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Charlotte’s Web by Nose Creek Players. Enjoy Joseph Robinette’s adaptation of the beautifully crafted story about the power of friendship, empathy and resilience. From 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bert Church LIVE Theatre.
25-26
Thorburn and Meadowbrook Community Garage Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A two-day event held in the Thorburn and Meadowbrook communties. Visit the Facebook page for more information.
CH ESTE R M E RE
June
2
Sean McCann from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Airdrie Town and Country Centre. Sean McCann brings along his first guitar ‘Old Brown’ as he shares his truth and how he used music to heal.
May
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Chestermere Fine Art Guild Show & Sale at the recreation centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With free parking and admission come down to enjoy and purchase original art in all styles and mediums.
Rotary Club of Airdrie Lobster Boil at the Airdrie town and Country Centre from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit the Rotary Club of Airdrie’s Facebook page.
Airdrie Farmers Market starting in June and running every Wednesday from 3:30 to 7 p.m. until October at the Plainsmen Arena.
22-23
2019 MS Bike Tour from Airdrie to Olds. A two–day 180 km ride from the Airdrie TransCanada Pipeline to Olds College and back the following day. Each participant is required to raise $350. For more information or to register visit www.msbike.ca
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Airdrie Pro Rodeo taking place at the rodeo grounds. This year’s events include bull riding, bareback, saddlebronc, team roping, tie down roping, ladies barrel racing, steer wrestling, steer riding and junior rodeo events. There is also live music, beer gardens, free parking, camping, children’s activities and more.
July
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Ranch Hand Competition 2019 at the rodeo grounds from 12 to 4:30 p.m. Events include simulated branding, team sorting, team penning, simulated doctoring and trailer loading of cattle. For the kids there is also a calf scramble.
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Bikes & Bulls – Rumble on the Runway. Put on by the Airdrie Oilmen’s Association at the Airdrie Airport, this 9th annual charity event will raise funds to support local charities. For more information visit www. aoaalberta.com
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Water Festival at John Peake Park. Visit www.chestermere.ca for more information.
July
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Canada Day Celebration. Annual celebrations including Market in the Park, Taste of Chestermere and live entertainment. Visit www.chestermere.ca for the full schedule.
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E V EN T S
May
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Roller Derby. Catch a live women’s roller derby game at Spray Lakes Sawmill Arena from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. and watch the Rocky View Rollers take on the East Side Wheelers. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Big Hill Haven Women’s Shelter.
June
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Street Market every third Thursday of the month from June to September. The Cochrane Farmers Market in
partnership with Historic Downtown Businesses invite you to experience a unique shopping experience in downtown Cochrane from 5 to 9 p.m.
July
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Average Joe Rodeo at Lions Rodeo Grounds from 3 to 7:30 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 for seniors & youth and under 12 are free.
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Medieval Day from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Cochrane Public Library. This will be the final celebration of Medieval Day. All ages are welcome; costumes are encouraged but not required.
CROSSF I E LD
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COCH R A N E
Crossfield Farmers Market held from the first Thursday in June until the last Thursday in September at the Crossfield community centre starting at 3:30 p.m.
May
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To what Degree? Take part in an informative exhibition of To What Degree? Canada in a Changing Climate at the Okotoks Art Gallery. The tour begins at 6:30 p.m. and a showing of the documentary Before the Flood at 7 p.m.
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Sheep River Valley Clean–up and Tree Planting event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. at Ethel Tucker Park. In cooperation with Culture Parks & Recreation the town invites you down to help with spring clean up.
10&11,
16–18, 23–25 Dewdney Players presents Macbeth at the Performing Arts centre starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advanced or $25 at the door.
June
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Repair Café from 1 to 4 p.m. at the rec centre. If you are holding on to small items in need of repair bring them down to the rec centre and be partnered up with handy volunteers who will share their skills, tools and knowledge to fi x up your household items.
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Parade and Children’s Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This years theme is proud to be Canadian. TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
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Millarville Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 5.
OKOTOK S
Okotoks BuskersFest and Artisan Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Okotoks. Enjoy street performances, live entertainment and boutique shopping.
July
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Canada Day Celebrations. Check out www.okotoks.ca for the day’s schedule.
Teddy Bear Picnic & Family Resource Fair at the rec centre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free fun filled event for children ages 2 – 8 and their parents.
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Taste of Okotoks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Okotoks. Food and drink samples from local restaurants. Sampler tickets are $1 each.
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Toddle Down to the Art Gallery at the Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Enjoy exhibitions as you let your toddler explore up to 12 hands on activities and art stations. Recommended from ages 1 – 5 and tickets are $5 per family.
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PLIGHT OF THE WOLFDOG Yamnuska Sanctuary offers new insights in understanding wolfdog behaviour
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olves may be one of the most misunderstood animals in the world, but the wolfdog may be even more so. Cast as the bad guy in myths and movies, the wolf has mostly been portrayed as a vicious predator, the embodiment of evil. But there is also a flip side where they are romanticized as lovable, loyal companions, a representation of untamed Nature.
WRITTEN AND PHOTOS BY
Katherine Andrews
People love the idea of the Stark’s dire wolves in the popular Game of Thrones books and hit TV series, or Mowgli’s kindly wolf pack in The Jungle Book. But they are also vilified as werewolves or the Big, Bad Wolf of fairy tales. This combination of danger and endearment has led some to believe that interbreeding dogs with wolves can result in a desirable pet, both cuddly and menacing. The reality is rarely the case, as the population of wolfdogs — the result of dog breeders’ misguided attempts to please demand for such an unrealistic pet — has exploded. It has become apparent that this new breed of canine is not fit as a pet without specialized training and preparation, nor can they survive in the wild on their own as wolves will not accept them in their pack. Their booming population has given rise to the need for wolfdog sanctuaries. Wolfdogs are creatures of two worlds that can’t exist in either. At least, not without some specific arduous training for both the wolfdog and the owner
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Being a wolfdog owner can be very rewarding, but it takes a lot of skill to train and entertain them in order to build a bondable relationship.
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willing to take on the challenge of raising such an animal. Yamnuska Sanctuary on the outskirts of the town of Cochrane is one such facility. For the last eight years it has been educating the public on safe wolfdog ownership, and at the same time it became one of the greatest tourist destinations this side of the Rockies. People from all over Canada come here to spend time outdoors and learn about wolves and wolfdogs. Yamnuska is a one of a kind sanctuary that provides people with the understanding of wolfdog behaviour and the importance of wolves in our ecosystem. It is a great place for animal lovers to exceed their knowledge and to support the sanctuary. “This is an animal lover’s dream being so close to these beautiful creatures,” says Charmaine Pick, a recent visitor and sales coordinator at the Discover Banff Tours. Georgina DeCaigny was inspired to found the sanctuary after she became a wofdog owner back in 2009. Interacting with Kuna (a mid content wolfdog) made her realize how much people do not know about these animals. With the help of her mother Andi Scheibenstock, a doctor in B.C., she was able to open the sanctuary two years later. There are 23 permanent resident wolfdogs living in the Sanctuary, in seven enclosures ranging from one to two acres in size, on 160 acres of land. Since 2011, DeCaigny’s team grew to five staff members. With new dogs coming in every year, the sanctuary is running out of space for more dogs. Volunteers usually come on board to help raise funds to accommodate more animals and build more enclosures. An interactive tour at Yamnuska usually takes 45 minutes, with lots of opportunity to take photos. Located 11 kilometres away from Cochrane, since wolfdogs cannot be exposed to loud noises coming from the roads. Before planning a trip to Yamnuska make sure to visit their website for more information and new programs. Dogs or other pets are not allowed on the premises, including the parking lot. Besides a lifelong training process, wolfdogs
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require a lot of human interaction, a lot of exercise, proper enclosures and mental stimulation. Being a wolfdog owner can be very rewarding, but it takes a lot of skill to train and entertain them in order to build a bondable relationship. Many people fail to succeed in this process; this is how the dogs end up in the sanctuary. Scott Rous, the tour guide in the sanctuary was always drawn to animals. Rous worked as a teacher and an electrician but after visiting the sanctuary in 2015, he instantly fell in love with the wolfdogs. Now he spends his days educating people about the ways we can acknowledge and respect these majestic animals. “Building a relationship with a wolfdog is a task requiring much knowledge, patience, commitment and respect,” Rous says. Being the only wolfdog sanctuary in Canada, since opening in 2011, through their educational programs Yamnuska Sanctuary has developed a new strategy on re-homing these wolfdogs.
Yamnuska is a one of a kind sanctuary that provides people with understanding the wolfdog behaviour and the importance of wolves in our ecosystem. “People have a tendency to think that dog domestication is somewhat recent. When the truth is that all dog breeds are a lot more related to each other than one particular dog breed to a wolf,” says Rous. “Dogs can be impulsive, but they are not really decision makers. Wolfdogs on the other hand are constantly making decisions. They are problemsolving animals,” says Georgina De Caigny, the founder of the sanctuary, for Alberta Travel. To learn more about wolfdogs, new programs and collaborations visit www. yamnuskawolfdogsanctuary.com where you can pick a tour that most matches your interests and have an opportunity to support the sanctuary by donating, sponsoring or adopting the dog. TS TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
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Lake life
Chestermere growth on the horizon
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Chelsea by Anthem United will be launching soon and is already taking in registration with three different home styles: front drive, duplex and laned homes. Chelsea is a 320-acre master planned community that on completion will have over 7,000 residents in a variety of housing types near schools, parks, neighbourhood shopping, pathways and an eco-park. Chelsea will open to the public with show homes in summer 2019. Qualico Communities has Dawson’s Landing which launched last year and has infrastructure and servicing now under way on the 267-acre community site. Qualico’s long-term plans are for the construction of approximately 1,700 homes over 14 phases. About 310 acres will be created next year for the first phase which will hold the first showhome parade. WestCreek Developments, meanwhile, is developing Bridgeport — one of their two planned communities here. It will be developed as a recreation oasis, incorporating an Eco Park and a commercial high street that offers a small town feel with the amenities of Calgary only minutes away. Access to Bridgeport from 17th Avenue S.E. and >>
WRITTEN BY
Mario Toneguzzi
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF CHESTERMER
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hestermere describes itself as a dynamic recreational city with all the ambiance of a laid-back lakeside community. “Here you will find endless opportunities to relax and unwind,” it says on its website. “Chestermere is a sustainable lakeside recreational community that is safe and family oriented . . . Chestermere is creating an amazing place to call home through innovation and community collaboration.” Located just minutes east of Calgary, the City of Chestermere has become an attractive place to call home for people interested in living in a smaller community but within striking distance of all the amenities of the big metropolis. “Chestermere has always been an appealing place to live — we are one of the fastest growing communities in Canada and have evolved from a summer village to a city in less than 25 years. Whether you are watching the sunset from a kayak, enjoying a picnic on the beach or teaching your kids to waterski before supper, Chestermere is a community where you can relax and reconnect with family and friends,” said Mayor Marshall Chalmers. “Coming into our community feels like you’ve found a haven the way time seems to slow down here. Quiet streets and friendly neighbourhoods create a peaceful setting but when you’re ready to be active, a five-kilometre lake surrounded by pathways and family friendly events are right outside your door.” In fact, there are several new community development projects that are scheduled to launch this year or have already broken ground.
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ECO N O M I C OV ER V I E W
Rainbow Road in Chestermere. But Chestermere has not been immune to the economic challenges that have consumed the Calgary region in recent years which have put a squeeze on housing demand. When oil prices collapsed at the end of 2014, they triggered two straight years of recessions in 2015 and 2016 as the economy contracted and thousands of jobs were shed. Although the economy has rebounded into positive territory, it’s been a slow and cautious climb out of the depths of the recession and those economic challenges still weigh on the minds of business owners and consumers. That has impacted the housing market throughout the region. According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, there were 29 MLS sales in Chestermere year-todate until the end of February compared with 46 for the same period in 2018. The average MLS sale price of $479,924 was down from $515,437 last year while the median price dipped to $470,000 from $493,750.
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CREB uses what it calls a benchmark price to look at the typical home in a market. And that benchmark price so far in 2019 until the end of February was $474,050 in Chestermere — down just slightly from $478,650 in 2018. James Cuddy, senior market analyst with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, said year-to-date until the end of February there have only been nine single-detached home starts in Chestermere compared with 17 for the same period in 2018. For the entire year in 2018, there were 74 starts in the single-detached market which was down from 105 in 2017 — a 30 per cent decline. “By looking at the data, we see that it’s largely singles (single-detached). The average price is comparable to Calgary. Slightly more expensive. I think the only area that’s more expensive in the region is the rural Rocky View County,” said Cuddy. “It’s an area where singles are being built and individuals are looking for properties with a larger lot size. TS
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H I S TO RY | CU LT U R E
The lake and its beginnings A history of the City of Chestermere
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family who farmed near-by, was determined to be the perfect option for irrigation. Under the North West Irrigation Act in 1894 surveys took place to determine the feasibility of general irrigation and the CPR ultimately determined that water from the Bow River would be diverted to a potential reservoir site. The diversion took place at the turn of the century and the project was given the name of the The Western Block of the CPR Irrigation Project. A canal was built, and a dam to form a balancing pool out of Kinniburgh Slough — officially, Reservoir #1. The water was diverted from the Bow River east of St. George’s Island, and flowed down the Main Canal starting close to where Nose Creek runs into the river. >>
WRITTEN BY
Brandi Holmes
Under the North West Irrigation Act in 1894 surveys took place to determine the feasibility of general irrigation and was ultimately determined that water from the Bow River would be diverted to a potential reservoir site — Chestermere Lake.
PHOTO COURTESY GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-4024-6
he City of Chestermere has a long, decorated past that dates back to the 1880’s, mainly revolving around the natural slough, which we all know today as Chestermere Lake. When the Canadian Pacific Railway came through Calgary in 1883, more people became interested in settling the West. But as a part of a natural wetlands the slough didn’t bring very much positive interest other than to the farmers and cattlemen in the area. With a handful of farmers settling around what would become the Chestermere area, it became apparent that irrigation was needed to make the farms more productive. The slough, unofficially called Kinnburgh Slough after the Kinniburgh
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“People find it desirable to live in a small community farther away from the city, because it provides a better quality of life.”
A A ] Chestermere is still growing with a current population of 20,732 with over 68 per cent of that population being working age and over 91 per cent owning their homes. B ] The first permanent building for the Summer Village office was constructed in 1979.
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The old head-works and weir can still be seen near Harvie Passage from view points at Pearce Estate Park in Calgary, but the rest of the project is barely visible from Deerfoot Trail. Once the Irrigation Project was up and running the first farmers as far away as Gleichen received water in 1907, it was not long after, that local businessmen started to take notice. It was also during this time that the lake was being used for recreation in both summer and winter. The CPR leased land to allow people to build semipermanent cabins or boathouses in order to use the lake for recreation. By 1910, maps show this new body of water being named Chestermere Lake. RC Lea on the southeast part of the lake built the first cabin in 1926, then in 1944, was a more official manner of five-year leases from the newly formed Western Irrigation District (The WID) became available. The price of the lease was determined by the price of the ‘lot’ and was anywhere from $1 to $10 per year, renewed on a yearly basis. With more and more summer residents, the Chestermere Cabin Owners Association (CCOA)
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was incorporated in 1959 with approximately 50 members. The CCOA worked together to bring natural gas and electricity to the cabins, help reduce pollution to the lake and held many community events. Soon, the population around the lake started to grow exponentially and in 1975, the CCOA bought the land around the reservoir from the WID. This land was then offered to the current leaseholders for first right of refusal, after that it would go to the public. In 1977, with 120 permanent summer residents, the area was given official status as the Summer Village of Chestermere Lake. The status of summer village in Alberta meant that part time residents TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
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F could vote for the village council. The first mayor was Bill Porter. Many of the first residents of the summer village still live in the City of Chestermere to this day. The Porter family is one of the oldest families to settle down, with Mabel and Bob Porter coming in 1955. Bill Porter, son of Bob and Mabel, still lives in Chestermere with his wife Arlene. The Peddlesden family also still lives in Chestermere, with Jennifer currently living on the same plot of land her father and uncle leased back in the ‘50s. The Porter family has had a big impact on the development of what we know now as the City of TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
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PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF CHESTERMERE
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Chestermere. They opened the first gas station in The Summer Village, a restaurant, hotel, post office, liquor store, shopping centre and storage yard. In addition to Bill being elected mayor twice; 1976 and 1996, the Porter name runs deeply through the history of Chestermere. When asked about living and raising a family in a smaller community, Arlene says “it’s easier to make more meaningful connections in a small community, in comparison to living in a big city where you might not even know your neighbours name.” “People find it desirable to live in a small community farther away from the city, because it provides a better quality of life.” Fast forward a few years to 1994, the lake has now been a staple watering hole for surrounding residents from the big city, with more people electing for permanent residence in a smaller community. Now, with more permanent residents and not as many part time cabin owners, the summer village voted to become a town — the village status was completely skipped! Then in 2014, mayor and council elected to become the City of Chestermere and on January 1st, 2015 that title was made official. Today, Chestermere is still growing with a current population of 20,732 with over 68 per cent of that population being working age and over 91 per cent owning their homes. There is a handful of new communities and developments on the horizon and even though Chestermere is now a city, the deep history surrounding the lake is still prevalent today. The Chestermere Historical Foundation was established in 2011 and operates programs and educational opportunities for citizens of all ages to learn more about local Chestermere History. Watch for “The Sunshine Café’ a family friendly play about Chestermere’s history to be performed August 25th 2019 in John Peake Park in Chestermere. Visit www. chestermerehistoricalfoundation.org for more information on the history of Chestermere. TS
C ] Water Festival. D ] With more permanent residents and not as many part time cabin owners, the summer village voted to become a town. Then in 2014, mayor and council elected to become the City of Chestermere and on January 1st, 2015 that title was official. E ] First Council for the Summer Village of Chestermere Lake (back) Counsillors Wayne Wood and Len Pallesen, (front) Mayor Bill Porter. F ] The First Village office. From left Len Pallesen, Barbara Berg, Bill Porter and Wayne Wood.
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S P OT L I G H T COCH R A N E
Growing up
Cochrane isn’t a small town anymore
WRITTEN BY
Darlene Casten
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t makes perfect sense that Cochrane, Calgary’s westernmost neighbour, is not just growing up — it is shooting up. Cochrane got its start 138 years ago with ranching and later logging as a settlement on the Canadian Pacific Railway Line and ever since the town has been chugging along. Cochrane’s growth has peaked several times, first in the ‘70s, when it was incorporated as a town, and then again in the ‘90s when it grew by 59 per cent adding almost 5,000 residents. Last year Cochrane was named the top growing community in Canada, with a 5.6 per cent growth rate over the last five years. Put it this way, if Cochrane was a teenager it would have grown more than a foot in the last five years, from a 4’9” 12-year-old to a 6’2” 17-year-old.
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That’s what you call a growth spurt. And as most teenage boys know a growth spurt usually comes with some growing pains. However, Cochrane continues to grow along with its populations, adding amenities, community events and infrastructure for it’s more than 27,000 residents with as little pain as possible. So what is the appeal of this satellite community, located 15 minutes from Calgary’s northwest border? Location has a lot to do with it. Cochrane is built in and around a picturesque river valley on the doorstep of the Rockies. The town is a transition point from the prairies into the forests of the Bow Valley. Cochrane’s communities offer vistas of the Rockies to the west and are built on a combination of grassland and treed areas. Residential construction can be found on the
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B isn’t driving him out of town. The people and relationships keep him in Cochrane now that his children have grown, he explains. “As we keep growing, you somehow have to get to know people,” he says. “You have to get to know that business and who owns it.” Although Cochrane has its share of big box stores, like Walmart and Canadian Tire, it also has plenty of mom-and-pop shops, like the renowned Mackay’s Ice Cream shop and other quaint coffee >>
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A ] Men of Vision statue. B ] Although Cochrane has its share of big box stores, like Walmart and Canadian Tire, it also has plenty of mom-and-pop shops, like the renowned Mackay’s Ice Cream shop and other quaint coffee shops and restaurants. C ] Cochrane is built in and around a picturesque river valley on the doorstep of the Rockies. The town is a transition point from the prairies into the forests of the Bow Valley.
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north, east and south sides of Cochrane. In the downtown, Greystone, a commercial and industrial area will include a mixture of housing, from single family to possibly some low-rise apartment buildings. Cochrane’s planning manager, Riley Welden, says the Town is currently working through an annexation for two pieces of land, one for a school site and outdoor recreation and the other to expand the community of Sunset Ridge. Welden says providing what families need is a crucial part of Cochrane’s growth strategy and it seems to be working. Bill Popplewell, a 40-year resident and president of the Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce, says the town is a great place to raise a family. “We have arenas, we have swimming pools, we have sports and the schools are close,” he says. The Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre recently added an aquatic centre, outdoor splash park and curling facility to the existing indoor soccer centre, hockey rinks and arena, fitness facilities and gymnasium. When Popplewell first moved to Cochrane the town’s population came in at around 1,500 people. Things have changed a lot. “Everything was five minutes away,” Popplewell reminisces. “Now its 20 minutes away.” However, a slightly longer drive across town
S P OT L I G H T COCH R A N E
fast facts 25,289
POPULATION (2016)
$138,100
AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME OF HOUSEHOLDS IN 2015
$465,844
AVERAGE VALUE OF DWELLINGS
9,959
TOTAL PRIVATE DWELLINGS
2,085
TOTAL - PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS BY AGE OF PRIMARY MAINTAINERS (35-44 YEARS) Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population
shops and restaurants, he says. Popplewell says the Chamber is working at promoting shopping local and that for some businesses it is working. “The business community is growing well — the big box stores are very busy,” says Popplewell. “We’ve got about 80 restaurants in town and they’ve all got their own following.” Cochrane’s economic development manager, Mike Korman, says the Town is continuously looking to attract a diverse labour force. “We are looking for people in technology and environmental sciences,” he says. “We have a great art and music scene and we want to attract people who are going to support and grow that. We also have a prominent construction and lumber industry and oil and gas does play a part in our economy, but we are trying to diversify so we can have sustainability.” Attracting people to the town to visit and maybe plant some roots is also part of the Town’s growth strategy. “We have natural pathways for walking and biking and historic downtown for shopping,” says Korman. “We have a great restaurant scene, a brewery, a distillery. If we get people to come visit these things, they may stay here too.” For those who choose to make Cochrane home, they find themselves sandwiched between the conveniences of city life and the rugged wild to the west. Cochrane is 30 minutes from the Calgary International Airport and the downtown core. And for those who prefer to drive away from the hustle, hiking and climbing in Canmore and Bragg Creek is just under an hour from Cochrane. TS
Cochrane communities Cochrane North DEVELOPER: Canopy Lands www.canopylands.com
Fireside DEVELOPER:
La Vita Land
www.firesidecochrane.com
Heartland DEVELOPER: Apex Developments www.heartlandcochrane.com
Heritage Hills DEVELOPER: Harmony Park Development Corporation www.liveinheritagehills.com
Jumping Pound Ridge DEVELOPER: Slokker Homes www.jumpingpound.com
Rivercrest
Slokker Homes and Qualico Communities
DEVELOPERS:
www.homeisrivercrest.ca
Riversong DEVELOPER: Tamani Communities www.riversongcochrane.com
Sunset Ridge DEVELOPER: Melcor Developments www.liveinsunsetridge.ca
Willows of River Heights DEVELOPER: La Vita Land PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF COCHRANE
www.thewillowscochrane.com
The Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre recently added an aquatic centre, outdoor splash park and curling facility to the existing indoor soccer centre, hockey rinks and arena, fitness facilities and gymnasium.
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CO M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T: H A R M O N Y
Life is better when it’s lived in Harmony With historic roots, this home on the range has captured hearts
WRITTEN BY
Kirsten Bolton
Harmony is an active mixed-use neighbourhood but its mantras have been to “Re-think What Community Can Be” and let people “Re-connect with What Matters Most”.
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I
n historic big sky Springbank — just minutes west of Calgary with the Rockies so close they beckon you for quick trips or simply admire their beauty as a backdrop — is the burgeoning new community of Harmony, Rocky View County. It’s more than just burgeoning. In the short time since the 1750-acre master-planned community launched in 2016, it has racked up two back-toback BILD Awards for “Community of the Year – Calgary Region” and multiple others, including for its landmark Discovery Centre. It’s a ‘must visit’ as well as the show home parade of your choice, which includes The Tamarack Collection of luxury estate homes, many of which
T O W N S I Z I N G • S U M M E R 2 019
feature main floor living and attached garages. The Aspen Collection which suits more active families featuring the clean “front porch look” and a rear detached garage / Carriage House with developable suite above for nannies, in-laws, or home offices. Or, The Willow Collection, a set of stylish attached bungalow units for a more lockand-leave lifestyle. More Collections are slated for release late 2019 including townhouse living, a new segment of single family homes and the first luxury lakefront homes. Why the buzz about Harmony? It’s an active mixed-use neighbourhood but its mantras have been to “Re-think What Community Can Be” and let people “Re-connect with What Matters Most” — be it family, close neighbourly relations, nature, creativity and art, outdoor pursuits, quality educational access, sustainability, an age-in-place mentality, or a quiet country setting. Harmony set out to not just be a place, but a philosophy. TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
As Springbank’s first and only lake community, one of the most popular amenities is of course the 40-acre lake, which will be expanded by another 100 acres of lake, wetlands, and stocked with fish. Kayakers, paddle boarders, and swimmers glide (or splash) across calm waters, as others visit or walk along the sandy shoreline. If you look closely, you’ll even see kayak training poles where Olympian hopeful Haley Daniels, whom Harmony sponsors, is known to train or give lessons. The highlyanticipated Beach Club is also in the works. The lake is Harmony’s source of clean drinking water and is carefully regulated by a state-ofthe-art water treatment centre. Local school children are often given tours of it as well discuss the meaning of building a thoughtful holistic community, based on Harmony’s guiding principles of Live, Learn, Work, Play // Create, Connect, Nourish, Sustain. Other draws are the Mickelson National Golf TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
Club, the first in Canada, for folks to hit the links. And for a little urban but quaint experience the future lakeside Village Centre envisions exciting amenities for homeowners and visitors If you visit you’ll see adults and kids peddling the pavement with their bikes, as others jog or walk their dogs along what will eventually be 25 kilometres of pathways. Moms do morning boot camps with small children scurrying around the
The lake is Harmony’s source of clean drinking water and is carefully regulated by a state-of-the-art water treatment centre.
>>
As Springbank’s first and only lake community, one of the most popular amenities is of course the 40-acre lake, which will be expanded by another 100 acres of lake, wetlands, and stocked with fish. S U M M E R 2 019 • T O W N S I Z I N G
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CO M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T: H A R M O N Y
fast facts 1,750
ACRES OF NEIGHBOURHOOD
140
ACRES OF LAKE (ON COMPLETION)
2016
A
HARMONY LAUNCHED
$900,000s
STARTING PRICE OF ESTATE HOMES - THE TAMARACK (BUILDERS: AUGUSTA FINE HOMES, BAYWEST HOMES AND CALBRIDGE HOMES)
$600,000s
STARTING PRICE OF LANED HOMES - THE ASPEN (BUILDERS: BAYWEST HOMES, BROADVIEW HOMES AND STERLING HOMES)
$700,000s
central creative playground and park. There’s a skating pond, and families snowshoe together. Some of the local men have formed a hockey team, and dozens of social groups are sprouting up with a sense of welcome and old fashioned community spirit. Neighbours helping neighbours. Fun community events and gatherings. A resident Facebook page that shares the word if anyone needs anything. This is music to the ears of the Copithorne family who owned the land upon which Harmony sits. They are descended from the youngest of the three original Copithorne brothers who immigrated to the Springbank area starting in the
STARTING PRICE OF ATTACHED VILLAS - THE WILLOW (NUVISTA HOMES)
A ] The Aspen Collection which suits more active families featuring the clean “front porch look” and a rear detached garage / Carriage House with developable suite above for nannies, inlaws, or home offices. B ] The Copithorne family.
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T O W N S I Z I N G • S U M M E R 2 019
late 1800s from Ireland. They would become one of the first and most prominent ranching, farming, and community-building families in the area. Springbank, per se, had yet to exist. Starting with simple kitchen table discussions in 2000, Harmony was created through intensive consultation with Bill and Harriette Copithorne’s six children who determined the timing, vision, and values Bordeaux proposed were right for a complete community on their land. The concept was approved by Rocky View in 2007, and Qualico Communities joined the project before ground was broken in 2014. In a recorded video interview, Al Copithorne explains, “We had a vision for what we wanted. We could have just sold the land to any developer and they would have chopped it up into twoacre lots, and that’s not what we wanted. It was a special piece of land, for people to live, and to have amenities for people to enjoy.” Patriarch Bill Copithorne, now in his 80s, adds, “I’d wanted people to know the value of the ‘gettogetherness’ of a district like we once had in Springbank, where everybody knew everybody else. We all got together for the different events that went on, and my hope was there’d be a place where we could do that again.” Looks like they got their wish in how Harmony is evolving. When you drive down the main boulevard (Copithorne Boulevard) Harmony’s commitment to public art shines with the unmissable entry feature. Three massive metal plow-inspired structures which light up at night to honour the legacy of the land, the Copithornes, and the new families who are now taking root. It’s appropriately entitled “Cultivate.” TS TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
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CO M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T: SO U T H W I N DS
Southwinds of change
Mattamy Homes’ landmark Airdrie community set for further growth
WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
26
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 celebrated its 40th anniversary year in 2018, Mattamy Homes announced the expansion of Southwinds, which has been enjoying exponential growth and is already approximately 65 per cent complete in its current phases.
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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
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CO M M U N T Y S P OT L I G H T: SO U T H W I N DS
to build a 40-acre recreational site here that will have a combined high school and rec area. “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. Schultz says they are offering their Urban Townhomes again in Southwinds. These townhomes, with double attached garages, sit on the
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southwest corner of the community, adjacent to Gates of Hillcrest, Mattamy’s exclusive Townhome community that is now approaching build-out. The Urban Townhomes offer no condo fees, balconies, opportunity to develop the basement and many floor plan options. There are five floor plans to choose from ranging in size from 1,312 to 1,462 square-feet with prices starting the in the low $300,000s. “In the same location as the Urban townhomes >>
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.
S U M M E R 2 019 • T O W N S I Z I N G
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CO M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T: SO U T H W I N DS
fast facts 150
ACRES OF PRIME REAL ESTATE IN SOUTH AIRDRIE
40
ACRES OF RECREATIONAL SITE THAT WILL HAVE COMBINED HIGH SCHOOL AND REC AREA
$300,000s
STARTING PRICE FOR URBAN TOWHOMES
1,150
HOMES ARE EXPECTED IN SOUTHWINDS ON BUILDOUT IN 2020
$360,000s
STARTING PRICE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
28
is an existing park and playground area,” says Schultz. “It’s great for kids to run and play, but also a great place to throw around a ball or two.” A bit further west, a new park will begin construction this year that will feature an athletic component; where residents will be able to work on their fitness with a fun and accessible outdoor gym while still enjoying the beauty of the greenspace. “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 community 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. Mattamy also builds in Edmonton, Alberta offering full product lines in Stillwater, Colonial, and an exclusive Townhome community named Crescent Trails coming this Fall. 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-
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family homes start in the $360,000s. With new show homes on the horizon, Mattamy will be featuring the Mission and Pearl single-family models. The opening is slated for June 15th, so stay tuned for a grand opening event. The Gates of Hillcrest, meanwhile, has 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. All of these homes offer no condo fees. For more information on everything Mattamy offers visit www.mattamyhomes.com TS
“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.” TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
STRATHMORE is on the move and you want to be part of it!
T
he gem in the East where the quality of life is the way of life and is considered the best you can find in the region and East of Calgary. But we are not quite done yet… more improvements are on the horizon.We know access and proximity are important considerations. Strathmore is located just off Highway 1, a short 35-minute commute to the Calgary International Airport or downtown Calgary. All the convenience but with less traffic and you always have the sun at your back. Strathmore, a town of almost 14,000 people, provides amenities that you may not expect. Downtown boutique style shopping (ladies buckle up — TWO fantastic shoe stores and even more clothing stores), amazing coffee shops and bakeries, including our famous Butter Tart Factory as well as other excellent food options around town. Did we mention our brewery? Origin Malting & Brewing Co. was voted the best beer in Alberta in 2018. Come out for a visit or consider living here and having it at your doorstep. Did somebody say OUTDOORS? Strathmore is planned around its water features, over 25 kilometres interconnected pathways and many parks and open spaces. The jewel of Strathmore is Kinsman Park and Lake, a breath-taking green space
that wraps around a tranquil lake connected by paved pathways. Complementing the park is a Pavilion, which is used for festivals and the Farmers Market which promotes fresh local produce from nearby farms and growers. In Strathmore we Kinsman Park and Lake spell “FUN” with capital letters. We host the third biggest rodeo and parade in Interested in doing business in Alberta. The Professional Pro Rodeo, Strathmore? Great opportunities Chuckwagon races, and the famous await! The potential to be big in our ‘Running with the Bulls’ has the fun small town is phenomenal. Our key meter on high during the August long to success is threefold: an intimate weekend. With grandstand seating community that cultivates business so close you’ll feel part of the action success, skilled local labour, and without having to saddle up. tremendous support by our Chamber Featuring a full range of housing of Commerce and many other local options, Strathmore caters to all organizations. All of this and more demographics including young contribute to a supportive and families and seniors. As a complete positive business environment. community, Strathmore features Our Economic Development Team amazing recreation facilities, is available to connect you to resourcincluding the soon to open field house: es and help you with your move and/ Strathmore Motor Products Sports or your business in Strathmore. Centre. Complemented by a variety Feel free to contact us via e-mail at of services, Strathmore also offers alexandra.ross@strathmore.ca or call medical, dental, aesthetic, health & (403) 361-1669 with any questions. n wellness and walk-in clinics. And YES we have a Hospital!
Strathmore Golf Course
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EN T ER TA I N M EN T
One-day adventures
Where to go for quick getaways
WRITTEN BY
Brandi Holmes PHOTOS BY
Andrew Best Jennifer Mills Vivian Zhang
W
e are incredibly fortunate to live in the environment that we do with all of our surroundings we are close to all sorts of all-season activities. A short drive in any direction out of Calgary will lead you to some sort of watering hole, hiking trail or serene forest, and living outside of Calgary makes the travel time that much shorter.
C ] Jasper Park Lodge. D ] Badlands in Drumheller. E ] Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller. F ] Lac Beauvert, Jasper.
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F
PHOTO BY JENNIFER MILLS
A and B ] Kananaskis River offers great white water rafting, surfing, paddling and even swimming if you are brave enough to test the glacial waters.
There are tons of hidden gems all over the place, some well known and some not so much, all it takes is a little research and a sense of adventure! Some great spots are even located right in surrounding cities and towns already. Take for instance Chestermere Lake, a 20-minute drive east from Calgary lands you at one of the closest recreational lakes there is. Located in the City of Chestermere, there is everything you could need to have a quick day trip to the lake. If you need a day to recharge with crisp mountain air or want a fun-filled family day by the lake there are plenty of options for one-day getaways or week long vacations. For some one stop lake activities there are tons of lakes and watering holes within close distance to Calgary; Ghost Lake (50 minutes west), McGregor Lake (two hours south) and even Nature’s Hideaway which is about 20 minutes southeast of Calgary that boasts a campground and easy access to the Highwood River. These three are great options for they offer the serene wilderness of a lake, but also are close enough to the city for a day trip. There are also campgrounds and picnic areas all around that can give you some off-water locations to have a snack. TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
EN T ER TA I N M EN T
PHOTO BY JENNIFER MILLS
A D
If you prefer more of a vertical adventure, we cannot forget the plethora of hiking trails in our backyard of Kananaskis country and the Rocky Mountains. There are so many trails to choose from but here are some of Townsizing’s favourites. Upper Grassi Lakes Trail and Grassi Lakes Trail in Canmore are both family-friendly trails. At only 3.2-kilometres and good for all skill levels, the trails feature a lake and stunning picturesque views. Buller Pass is consistently named one of the top hikes in Kananaskis, rated as difficult, but with the views at the top and the waterfall the challenge is certainly worth it. Glenbow Ranch Trails is accessible year round and is a 9.3-kilometre moderate loop. The trail is located in the Provincial Park between Calgary and Cochrane and offers tons of stopping points for great views. >>
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ZHANG
E
There are tons of hidden gems all over the place, some well known and some not so much, all it takes is a little research and a sense of adventure! D TOW N - SIZI N G.C A
PHOTO BY VIVIAN ZHANG
B
P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y C H I N O O K R A F T I N G , B A N F F, A B
C
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PHOTOS BY ANDREW BEST
EN T ER TA I N M EN T
The Crypt Lake hike in Waterton, Alberta, is moderately difficult and involves a 20-minute boat ride to get to the trailhead.
Legacy Trail that connects Canmore to Banff is a 22-kilometre multi-use trail that was built to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the National Park. The trail follows the Trans Canada Highway and is most popular with cyclists and hikers. The Valley View Day Use area marks the half way point and is a great resting and picnic stop. Lastly, the Crypt Lake hike in Waterton, Alberta. The hike is moderately difficult and involves a 20-minute boat ride to get to the trailhead. Come well prepared for there is creek crossing, cable assist, very light climbing and scrambling. The views are more than worth the adventure though.
There are so many lakes, trails, campgrounds, day-use spots, there are simply just too many to name. But rest assured, any adventure into the National Parks is well worth the ride. We also can’t forget the amazing attractions of Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. There are so many lakes, trails, campgrounds, dayuse spots, there are simply just too many to name. But rest assured, any adventure into the National Parks is well worth the ride. A very well-known attraction of our National Parks is the Icefields Parkway. The parkway is a 232-kilometre drive down a double-lane highway that winds along the Continental Divide. You can expect to see more than 100 ancient glaciers, waterfalls, emerald lakes and sweeping valleys,
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there is a lot to see, so make sure to take it slow. If you don’t want to miss out on anything while driving yourself, don’t worry — there are driving tour options to ensure you don’t miss a thing. We are also fortunate enough to have many, many rivers running through our region that allow for white water rafting, for the more adventurous humans out there. This is usually an all day activity that requires quite a bit of physical aptitude, but is always a great time nonetheless. Kananaskis River offers great white water rafting, surfing, paddling and even swimming if you are brave enough to test the glacial waters. The river is also dam controlled which lends to the waters consistency. Speaking of more extreme adventures, Canmore Cave Tours offers year-round excursions into one of Canada’s longest caves! They offer three types of tours: adventure, inspiration and growth experiences and allow every individual person to enjoy the cave in their own way. Another one of our absolute favourite day trips is of course Drumheller. As the Dinosaur capital of the world, there is so much to see and do in the Badlands. Horseshoe Canyon and Midland Provincial Park offer great hiking trails and stunning sights you can’t see anywhere else. The Atlas Coal Mine lets you walk through old mines to really get a feel for what the town used to do. And we just can’t forget to mention the Royal Tyrell Museum, where you can travel back in time to see real dinosaur fossils and you may even get lucky to see some palaeontologists working on a long lost species. Alberta has so much to offer it is simply just too much to talk about everything, so visit www.travelalberta.com to find your perfect day trip match. TS TOW N - SIZI N G.C A