Parade of Homes

PARKING & RECREATION — Cont'd from page 137 Garage makeovers were initially slow to catch on here, but Manitoba is catching up. "It has really gone to the next level," Harrald says. Rick Bacchalo may have taken it to the highest level achieved here thus far. He transformed one side of his Winnipeg garage to create a private haven, complete with a sunroom-with-a-view and plenty of parking space for two of his three Corvettes. "The impetus was that I just love looking out back," Bacchalo says. "I just love the freedom and the views. I can look out back and see foxes and deer and all of that greenspace. "I had a chance to move elsewhere, but I wanted to stay here. I don't have a cottage, but that view is just a 10-second commute from my living room." On the so-called "messy side" of the garage, Bacchalo has room for a third Corvette, as well as a Lexus SUV. That side is heated in winter and air conditioned in summer. "I'm a car guy," he says. "So, I wanted a space that had the capability for four vehicles — two on the messy side. "I grew up with gasoline in my blood because my father owned an Esso station, where I worked growing up. He owned '57 T-Birds and vintage Corvettes until family got in the way." Bacchalo praises Maric Homes for making his vision for the garage transformation a reality. "It was kind of my own idea and they put my passion together," he says. It took about eight months to complete, including landscaping. And while it involved a major investment in what is essentially a man-cave, his partner of 14 years had no complaints. "She is highly supportive," says Bacchalo, who has two grown children. "The sunroom is for the benefit of us all." Of course, not everyone can afford such a grandiose garage transformation. But Bacchalo figures he inspired at least one other homeowner — his brother — to introduce more modest adaptations. "He has a kitchen and a pool table in his garage, so I probably was a bit of an inspiration." Garage Masters handles everything from complete demolition and new builds to loft additions for guest suites or granny flats, and the company offers a whole host of attractive storage solutions. Kevin Harrald says once a floor is professionally installed, there are many do-it-yourself types who are quite capable of transforming their own garages with slot walls, cabinetry and shelving that's specifically made for garages. However, his company completely converts at least 50 garages each year for customers who want a full- service experience — and a beautiful addition to their living space. "Garage transformations represent billions of dollars across North America," he says. "It has become a huge, huge industry." I GREW UP WITH GASOLINE IN MY BLOOD BECAUSE MY FATHER OWNED AN ESSO STATION, WHERE I WORKED GROWING UP. POH 138 Parade of Homes FALL 2021

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