Parade of Homes

>> Step into Oak Bluff West, a growing Qualico community, and you'll find broad and open streetscapes, spacious lots and beautifully crafted homes. spend some time in the neighbourhood and you'll quickly discover that beyond the seamless views of the prairie landscape with naturalized wetlands and an abundance of native grasses, there's also a real spirit of community taking root. Jennifer Houser is an enthusiastic oak Bluff West resident. When she, her husband and their four children were initially searching for a new place to call home, she found she was instantly connected to the small-town feeling that the new community and residents provided. "We drove around and noticed that neighbours were out visiting with each other and kids were running around playing," says Houser. "Then when we moved here and people came over to bring us pies and help us move, it was very welcoming." Having now lived in the community for three years, Houser says her family takes full ad- vantage of oak Bluff West's ideal landscape to enjoy more outdoor activities. she also finds comfort in the fact that living here means her kids can safely run down the street to play with their neighbours. "It does feel like a small-town country lifestyle, but at the same time you get the city feel- ing because you have the city so close," says Houser. oak Bluff West is just a quick 10-minute drive to kenaston Common and seasons of Tux- edo, 15 minutes to the MTs IcePlex, and downtown Winnipeg is only 25 minutes away. However, there is a growing list of reasons that encourage locals to stay closer to home. "oak Bluff West residents are just a short walk to the oak Bluff recreation Centre, where kids can play hockey," says Eric vogan of Qualico Communities. "It is always busy with families from the community getting together." The nearby k-8 school, with a baseball field, is also just a short walk down neatly groomed limestone paths. As the community continues to attract families, child care is key to supporting the residents of this growing community. As chair of the oak Bluff Early years' board of day care, Houser is driving the charge to secure funding and ap- proval for a new oak Bluff day-care centre. The new facility will be conveniently located near the school, and it's an initiative Qualico Communities is proud to support. "Child care is important to complete the amenities in oak Bluff West," says vogan. "The day-care program is currently using two classrooms at the school, but there is definitely a demand as the community grows." Houser believes that if residents are making the effort and investments to connect their family to the area, es- tablishing local services and conveniences such as day care is pivotal. According to vogan, the day-care initiative has proven to be vital as a means of connecting the new residents in oak Bluff West with their neighbours in established oak Bluff. now with a shared school, recreation centre and day care that require stewardship, Qualico Com- munities felt it was the ideal time for the town to estab- lish an online forum. "The new online residents' forum will allow everyone in oak Bluff to discuss issues within the community and ask questions they may have," says vogan. "residents can connect with each other, sharing upcoming events and opportunities as they happen." Houser agrees, "When you're building a community, it's important to keep your resources here. The kids play sports and go to school together and if everything we need is all here in town, they feel more comfortable and take pride in where they live." A Community with Something extrA By Kik Innovation for Qualico Communities 22 Parade of Homes FALL 2016

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