Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1492837
Manitoba's home builders have had to be nimble to keep pace with rapid advances in technology, construction techniques and energy efficiencies — not to mention the ever- evolving needs of their customers. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at the mid-point of the 2020 Spring Parade of Homes was a test of just how nimble they can be. Manitoba Home Builders' Association (MHBA) president and CEO Lanny McInnes is happy to say they passed with flying colours. "I think I can say with great pride, as an industry we weathered that quite well," McInnes says. "Having the COVID pandemic hit Manitoba during that Parade brought home the immediate impact that the pandemic was going to have for our members and our industry." The first priority was to focus on safety for guests, builders and staff. Sales representatives set up information areas in show-home garages to allow for more physical distancing, and Parade hours were reduced on weekdays to allow for more one-on-one viewing appointments with sales agents. "Members adapted and adjusted to make it a welcoming and safe event," McInnes says. In the fall of 2020, the MHBA marked the 40th anniversary of the Parade as we know it today – as a showcase of new homes in multiple communities. Until that time, showcases were confined to a single neighbourhood. By 1998, the Fall Parade was well established, and since the MHBA had introduced a spring Showcase of New Homes a few years earlier, a trio of builders — Qualico's Brian Hastings, Randall Homes founder Randy Jaquet and the late Guy Hobman — pitched the idea of launching a magazine to publicize both events. CELEBRATING OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY — Cont'd from page 4 I THINK I CAN SAY WITH GREAT PRIDE, AS AN INDUSTRY WE WEATHERED THAT QUITE WELL. Cont'd on page 19 RANDALL HOMES — 21 Prairie Sage Street — Meadowlands Former Free Press vice-president of sales Laurie Finley came up with a plan that was mutually beneficial to the newspaper and the MHBA, and late Free Press editor Dave Lee oversaw the editorial content. Second-generation builder Jason Jaquet — who is celebrating Randall Homes' 40th anniversary year — is also an active member of the MHBA and currently serves as its board chair. 6 Parade of Homes SPRING 2023