Parade of Homes

>> With a growing family and a small, older home in charleswood, Brian and Tiffany Frost had a decision to make: Should they buy another older home and renovate or custom-build a new home that would be just right for them? randy Somerville of Somerville Design homes convinced them to custom-build in Oak Bluff West. in hindsight, Brian Frost now says, "it was definitely a better approach for us. We would have struggled to find a 'used house' and make it work for us. The floor plan of our new home is just what we wanted, with the spaces we need. We love it!" Their new home is a stylish 1,500-square-foot, three-bed, two-bath bungalow with a two-car garage. Frost's favourite feature is their large, open kitchen and living room where they spend most of their time, relaxing and entertaining. They chose affordable Oak Bluff West for many reasons: Family, location, large lots at good prices compared to the city, and the benefits of being beyond the city limits. Lo- cated just past the Perimeter, where McGillivray meets highway 2, this new residential neighbourhood on the western edge of Oak Bluff is proving very popular. The Frosts moved in about a year ago and have found Oak Bluff West to be "one big family com- munity." The kids in the neighbourhood all play together and go to the Oak Bluff School together. Friendliness seems to run deep in Oak Bluff West's DNa. "We got to know both sets of neighbours be- fore we even moved in," Frost says and adds that af- ter they moved in, things just got better. "We've al- ready had two or three block parties on our street." as for his work commute, Frost terms it "a quick shot" to his downtown office. "From my door to my parking spot is about half an hour," he says. Major shopping is just a 10-minute drive away at Kenaston common, one of the largest retail/ service centres in Winnipeg. Many services are handy right in Oak Bluff with its gas stations, Tim hortons, restaurants, a credit union and a post of- fice. There's also a recreation centre with an indoor hockey rink, a Seniors' club, baseball diamonds and a soccer pitch. in addition to the elementary school, there's a nursery school and easy access to high schools on the western edge of Winnipeg. There are six other builders at work in Oak Bluff West: Ventura, Paradigm, Sterling, artista, Parkhill and randall. all six will have show homes in the Spring Parade. "randall's building townhomes that knit very well into the neighbourhood," observes Eric Vogan of Qualico communities. he adds that all of the builders are going beyond the requirements of the architectural standards to produce homes well suited to the nature of Oak Buff West. "The community has a relaxed feel. The lots are big, generally 75 feet on average." he reports that 90 houses are underway; the start of what will be approximately 900 more, which has the potential to renew the community's heritage for active par- ticipation in local life. Further, Vogan reports that the province plans to relocate the intersection of highway 3 and the Pe- rimeter so that it no longer bisects the community. "instead of a highway as a main street, it will have a community-oriented, pedestrian-friendly town centre." as well, Qualico communities is seeking approval this year to extend Bur Oak Boulevard to the school and will then expand the trail network and wet- lands. Oak Bluff West promises to just keep growing bet- ter. according to happy resident Brian Frost, there's a real sense of community here "that you just don't get anywhere else." PRAiRiE PROMiSE OaK BLuFF WEST'S NEW hOMES haVE FaMiLy aPPEaL by lynne Mustard for Qualico communities 22 Parade of Homes Spring 2014

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