Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1492837
While Winnipeg winters are notorious for being long, cold and dark, one doesn't have to look far to find a local event, attraction or activity to inspire you to embrace the coldest season and all that comes with it. One such popular event is, of course, Festival du Voyageur. As a long-standing sponsor with Festival du Voyageur, Qualico Communities annually selects a prominent location in Sage Creek for one of the festival's infamous snow sculptures. David MacNair, a local artist who has worked with the Qualico team on several permanent art pieces in Sage Creek, has always been enlisted as the designer and sculptor for the snowy creations. While the designs are always beautiful and enjoyed by all, the Qualico team felt there was an opportunity to engage with the community itself on the design by enlisting the help of the local school, École Sage Creek, and their young artists. "Sage Creek is such an engaged community we thought it would be so fun and special to collaborate with some local students on the design," explains Qualico Communities marketing manager Katie Doerksen. Before putting the students to work on their creations, Qualico enlisted the help of McNair and his creative colleague Gary Tessier to provide workshops to a couple classes of Grade 3 and 4 students from École Sage Creek. From there, students were given the winter break to let their creative juices flow and return in the New Year with submissions for the art piece. When asked what the workshops consisted of, McNair explains, "We shared several videos on how to prepare a snow block, as well as the tools used that can be found in your garden shed at home and explain the custom tools that many professional snow carvers make and use. From there the students got to be creative, working out several drawings on grid paper. Following that we provided plasticine for the students to mold their creations." The featured art piece, titled "Hoot" by a Grade 3 student, will have a prime location within Sage Creek's Village Centre along Sage Creek Boulevard, and be available to come see for as long as our winter weather allows. While the land the sculpture is situated on is empty this year, Qualico is planning a permanent location for future winter artwork to be featured adjacent to two developments that will be underway soon. The first is StreetSide Developments' Sage Village Condominiums, a five- storey, 73-unit condo project, the first apartment-style condo to be offered in the community. StreetSide hopes to begin construction this spring with sales starting as early as summer 2023. Next door, along Burning Glass Road and Sage Creek Boulevard, the second parcel will be a block of commercial real estate to be leased. The architectural designs for both the StreetSide project and the commercial portion were done in collaboration to ensure an attractive streetscape. For those looking to set roots in a single-family home, there are still many opportunities to purchase a lot through one of the premium or custom builders. "Phase 9A continues to be a hub of activity from both our premium and custom builders. Show homes can be viewed on Yellow Moon Crescent and additionally there are a variety of housing styles and types currently under construction," says Tara Reid, sales and development manager with Qualico Communities. "Yellow Moon will also boast Sage Creek's first duplex buildings, which will be under construction this spring. Those interested can contact Kensington Homes, Broadview Homes or Randall Homes directly," explains Reid. "Servicing for Phase 10A and 10B is also underway with expected completion by summer 2023," she adds. "Those who live or work here already know what a great community Sage Creek is, but for those still on the fence we encourage you to come check out all that it has to offer soon and take in some local snowy artwork while you're here," encourages Doerksen. Interested home buyers should contact one of the community's premium or custom builders for up-to-date lot availability. To view all participating builders in the community or for more information visit sagecreek.ca QUALICO COMMUNITIES — SAGE CREEK POH SNOWY FUN IN SAGE CREEK 130 Parade of Homes SPRING 2023