Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/110865
Oak Bluff West, the Smart Alternative co u n t r y, w i t h t h e c i t y c lo s e at h a n d By Lynne Mustard for Qualico Communities Oak Bluff West is a quickly growing neighbourhood in Oak Bluff, which is just south and west of Winnipeg. Show Home, Ventura, 32 Benson Boulevard ���This village is well-positioned for the future,��� states Eric Vogan, Land Development Manager, Qualico Communities, citing its proximity to Winnipeg, the village services and a more relaxed lifestyle as all part of its appeal. In total, Oak Bluff West will be comprised of close to 900 new homes with wetlands and a network of walking trails. The trails will weave through the new neighbourhood and connect it to village services. There are many handy conveniences in town, such as a coffee shop, service stations, restaurants and a credit union, which also houses the local post office. Another reason Vogan is enthusiastic about Oak Bluff is its lower tax rate, which is very attractive to many home buyers. He says it���s a great place to raise a family. ���The local school goes from Kindergarten to Grade 8 and there���s easy access to high schools on the western edge of the city. There���s a governmentlicensed nursery school for young children and a before-and-after school program for older kids.��� The community already has a recreation centre with an indoor hockey rink, as well as a Seniors��� Club, baseball diamonds and a soccer pitch. Oak Bluff is part of the Rural Municipality of Macdonald and so is included in the Macdonald-Headingley Recreation District, with its wide variety of sports, recreation, fitness, arts and crafts, and special interest classes. Located at the intersection of McGillivray Boulevard and the Perimeter Highway, Oak Bluff is about a 10-minute drive from one of the largest retail/service centres in Winnipeg, at the intersection of Kenaston and McGillivray. This area is home to the recently opened Ikea, as well as Costco, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and many boutiques, restaurants, a movie theatre and food stores. ���Oak Bluff West is a really attractive alternative to the suburban expansion that���s happening in the south west of the City,��� states Tara Reid, Land Development Officer, Qualico Communities. ���It���s a short drive and a very peaceful place to end the day.��� Reid reports that Qualico Communities has been ���hearing a lot of good things��� about Oak Bluff West from potential purchasers and the builders. There are seven custom builders working in Oak Bluff West: Artista, Parkhill, Somerville, Ventura, Paradigm, Randall and Sterling. Almost all have show homes open for the Spring Parade of Homes. ���They���re providing a good mix of beautiful homes, both bungalows and two-storeys,��� says Reid. Lots in Oak Bluff West average 75 feet wide and 140 feet deep, which is considerably larger than the average city lot. ���This gives the builders room to play and we���re very pleased with the variety in their home designs, as well as the quality of materials, finishes and architectural details. They���re doing some of their best work on these large lots,��� Reid contends. With such large lots, many home buyers are choosing to add triple-car garages for work areas or the storage of snowmobiles or recreational vehicles. Show Home, Artista, 28 Benson Boulevard Reid says that nearly 100 lots have sold in Oak Bluff West to date. New lots will be released in 2013 and she anticipates seeing house starts in the upcoming Phase 2, this fall. ���It���s a great location for all stages of life,��� Reid states. ���There���s a real mix of people building in Oak Bluff West. We���re seeing big homes going up for growing families but retirees are choosing to live there as well.��� It appears there are many reasons why people view Oak Bluff West as the smart alternative to city suburbs. Parade of Homes Spring 2013 83