Beaumont: French culture, Prairie style

Dansereau Meadows by Anthem United

BEAUMONT:

FRENCH CULTURE, PRAIRIE STYLE

With its history as a French-Canadian colonial town, it’s easy to imagine being in the French countryside driving down to Beaumont. But don’t let its idyllic nature fool you, as this picturesque small town just west of Edmonton continues to grow as a favourite for new families to settle in.

Beaumont, which was designated a city in January 2019, is the fifth fastest growing city in Canada with annualized five-year growth rate at 4.1 per cent. Located in Leduc County within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, it sits at the vital intersection of Highway 625 and Highway 814 and is just a kilometre outside of the southern boundary of Edmonton.

It is close to a multitude of employment hubs like the Edmonton International Airport, which is just nine kilometres east, as well as the Nisku Industrial Park, one of the largest business parks in western Canada.

FRANCOPHONE HERITAGE

The city was founded in 1895 by French-Canadian colonists attracted by the region’s rich farmland. Beaumont’s downtown core still resembles a French village with unique architecture and red brick walkways. Its name is derived from the “beautiful hill” on which the historic landmark of St. Vital Church is located within the centre of the city.

Beaumont remains determined to maintaining and reviving its Francophone heritage with its efforts to preserve a few buildings from its founding. It has also implemented design guidelines to emphasize its Francophone heritage, including abundant French place names and buildings constructed with steep gable roofs, considered to be in the French style. Beaumont is also one of the only officially bilingual municipalities in Alberta.

Ruisseau by Qualico Communities

BEAUMONT TODAY

Today, new residents have fallen in love with the city because its outdoor lifestyle is as alluring as the scenery. According to the city website, the town has over 250 acres of parklands, a dozen baseball diamonds, over a dozen soccer fields, outdoor rinks, inline rinks volleyball courts outdoor basketball courts and winding paths between most of them, finding these active areas is as much fun as playing in them.

And with over 100 unique service and volunteer community organizations, clubs and groups, Beaumont’s bustling with activity. The Aqua-Fit recreational facility is a major – and indeed, vital – facility for Beaumont families.

“Beaumont allows you to enjoy the relaxed pace of country living, letting your kids walk to school and getting to know your neighbours, without giving up the conveniences of the city,” says Samantha Hust, marketing coordinator at Anthem United, which develops the community of Dansereau Meadows in northwest Beaumont.

NEW COMMUNITIES

“Dansereau Meadows not only has an excellent location, but it also has everything your family needs. There is a K-9 school steps from your door, 1.7-kilometres of walking trails with stormwater ponds to view and many playgrounds nearby. You are also two minutes from the Beaumont Aqua-Fit Centre which has both a playground and fitness centre,” she adds.

Dansereau Meadows offers four distinct product types with affordable pricing for first time home buyers to move up buyers. “For first time home buyers, Montorio Homes offers townhomes from

the $300s and Caliber Master Builder and Park Royal Homes offer laned homes from the high $300s,” Hust says.

“For those looking for a bit more space Park Royal Homes, Montorio Homes and Urban Luxury Homes offer front garage homes from the $400s. Urban Luxury Homes and Park Royal Homes also offer bungalows with lots overlooking greenspace starting at the $500s,” she adds.

Qualico Communities Edmonton also has a flourishing development in Beaumont called Ruisseau. It is the French word for “stream” and Qualico Communities marketing coordinator, Emily Stamper, says it is quite appropriate for their community.

“The LeBlanc Canal runs along the east side of the community. A storm pond, playground and multi-use trails are a few of the great features of the community,” she says. “Ruisseau is near the Four Seasons Park which features a spray park, baseball diamonds, picnic sites, sports fields and trout fishing in Don Sparrow Lake. The Beaumont Sport and Recreation Centre is also within walking distance, perfect for those with an active lifestyle.”

“New lots are coming to Ruisseau this year, providing a great opportunity to build your dream home in Beaumont,” Stamper adds. Townhomes, Single Family Front Attached and Rear Lane Homes are from UrbanAge Homes and Look Master Builder. “Rear laned homes are a new offering in the community,” Stamper says.

“Families will also be excited to hear that a new school is coming to Ruisseau. While the school is still currently in the design phase and a completion date is still to be determined, it will be a K-12 Francophone school.”

MODERN LIFE

Stamper says people love Beaumont for the smalltown feel. “But you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to sacrifice convenience in order to live that lifestyle.”

There are a number of stores nearby, including the Montalet Shopping Centre. If you’re looking for something more unique, the Southwest Edmonton area is just 10 minutes away.

One of its best-known restaurants in town is Chartier, a Quebec French style restaurant in the centre of downtown Beaumont. Check out its very own Beaumont Smoked Meat Sandwich with its smoked and slow-cooked brisket on a soft white roll (gluten-free options available) with house-made pickled cucumbers. The patio is open now, and with easing health restrictions will allow diners to enjoy its warm hospitality once again soon.

Beaumont is also home to the Beaumont Blues & Roots Festival (BBRF), one of only a few allCanadian blues festivals in Canada. BBRF 2021 will be held September 3 and 4 at Four Seasons Park in Beaumont. This two-day event will feature all those festival staples that you have been missing … beer gardens, food trucks, vendor village and of course… LIVE MUSIC!

Chartier Chartier