Parade of Homes

coming oF Sage Cont'd from page 117 The southeast location, eco-friendly planned wetlands with native grasses and people-friendly walking paths are also attractive to residents. "There's a real community feel here, a real neighbour- ly atmosphere," Milne says. "I think that's because it's more of a destination neighbourhood, being posi- tioned where it is. When people come home, they can walk around the community on all the paths, and they can also walk to all the services at the community's entrances (Sobeys, RBC Royal Bank, Tim Hortons and more). I think people see each other a bit more than normal, which creates a more neighbourly feel." Qualico's Derek MacDonald says Saltel and Milne are bang-on in their assessments. "The community is coming into its own, and is expand- ing quickly," MacDonald says. "As of March 2014, we have a total of 1,285 possessions between single and multi-family homes. That takes us about one-third of the way through the community's development." Reaching that one-third mark has had a huge impact on how people per- ceive the community, MacDonald adds. "The area now has a mature neighbour- hood feel to it. There are lots of homes to look at, a good num- ber of the walking paths are in, and the water features and sur- rounding grasses are blossoming. Just as importantly, the services at the en- trance of the community are starting to come on-line. Sobeys, with its new first store of its kind (with a new layout and enhanced deli), and Tim Hortons are very popular. There's also another section of commercial de- velopment coming in the near future." Another key amenity on the horizon is a new 6,800-square-foot kindergarten - Grade 8 school. "It's going to be a top-of-the-line, contemporary school that will have space for 600 students," MacDonald says. "Having the school positioned right in the community is going to be a great feature. Saltel agrees the school will be a "very positive" addi- tion. "I believe it's due to be ready for 2016. Once it's in place, it's going to make the community that much more at- tractive. Right now, students have to be bussed out to Windsor Park to go to school. Once the new school's in place, kids will be able to walk to school, making things that much more convenient for them and their parents." MacDonald says it's been a real treat working with Qualico Com- munities in such a well-planned development. "From the services nearby to the varied size and styles of the homes and lots to all the natural beauty that's been built in to it, it has so much to offer," he says. "Best of all, it's just starting to touch on its potential. It's only go- ing to get better as time goes on." "It's actually been hard to keep walk- out lots in stock, which is a great problem to have" 118 Parade of Homes Fall 2014

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