Parade of Homes | Fall 2013

Parade of Homes FALL 2013 September 14 – October 6, 2013

All Builder Participants are Proud Members of The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association

We’re Growing Communities Manitoba’s new home builders

Presented by

Published by

Parade of Homes Spring 2013 1

Live. Naturally.

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Stonewall

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Follow the signs, development located off 12th Street West.

Call 204-663-3818 or visit us online at www.trikor.ca

Call 204-256-0863 or visit us online at www.ashomes.ca

Call 204-224-4243 or visit us online at www.kensingtonhomesltd.com

Call 204-232-2224 or visit us onine at www.hiltonhomes.ca

Call 204-667-1297 or visit us online at www.warkentinhomes.com

For more information on available lots contact the participating builders or Genstar Development Company 204-488-6537 or visit www.genstar.com

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 September 14 – October 6, 2013

Welcome to the 2013 Fall Parade of Homes

The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association is proud to present the finest variety of new homes. With 131 new homes by 37 different builders in 31 separate communi- ties, ours remains the largest Parade of Homes offered in Canada. The design and construction expertise that goes into each new home is unparal- leled. Take time when visiting to appreciate outstanding Manitoba craftsmanship. Talk to the representatives showing the homes about unique features and what makes that particular home special. With such a wide selection available, we’re confident that the perfect new home is waiting right now for you to visit. There is definitely something for everyone. In addition to variety and quality, there are numerous additional good reasons why now is the perfect time to purchase a new home. Financial institutions are still of- fering long term mortgages at rates among the lowest in decades. Housing prices continue to increase in value year after year, making them among the most sound of all investments. Manitoba new homes are the most energy efficient in the coun- try and a move to a new home may result in significant energy savings. Manitoba’s new home construction industry is strong and vibrant. MHBA member builders and suppliers keep abreast of the latest technology, trends and techniques to ensure that your new home offers professionalism, affordability and choice. Enjoy the 2013 Fall Parade of Homes and thank you for visiting. Mike Moore, President – Manitoba Home Builders’ Association

SHOW HOME HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 3PM - 8PM, Sat & Sun: Noon - 6PM, Fri: by Appointment Only

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 3

Fall 2013 Parade of Homes

Sep 14-Oct 6, 2013

Publisher Bob Cox Editor Pat St. Germain Vice President Sales Laurie Finley Manager of Niche Products Edith Bonner Design & Colour Services Corinne Ball/Coral Enterprises Sandy Pawlitsky/Pixel Genie Contributing Writers Kathryne Cardwell

Come Back Anytime Show homes leave the welcome mat out all year

Wendy King Todd Lewys Holli Moncrieff David Schmeichel Pat St. Germain Lindsey Ward Shel Zolkewich Photography Darcy Finley Marianne Helm Printing Quantum Graphics

By Holli Moncrieff – Photos by Marianne Helm

When the summer sun begins to fade, there’s another bright spot on the horizon — the Fall Parade of Homes. One of the biggest and most-anticipated events of the season, the Parade is on from Sept. 14 - Oct. 6, showcasing 131 homes from 37 builders in 31 communities in Winnipeg and the surrounding area. The timing is especially convenient this year, since the Parade won’t conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday. And fall viewing conditions are always ideal. “The Fall Parade is always exciting because you can see the yard and landscaping. Everything’s green and the walks are clean,” says Mike Moore, president of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association (MHBA). “The show homes are always perfect inside, but in the fall they’re perfect outside as well.” Moore manages to visit 100 show homes during each Parade and he looks forward to the experience every spring and fall. “I still see something different in every single home. We encourage people to see as many homes as possible,” he says. “Show homes are still the best places to see new trends.” Thousands of people visit show homes during the Parade, and attendance continues to increase with every event. Moore often fields calls from building associations that are eager to recreate Manitoba’s success in other provinces.

MHBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Daniels, Chair Qualico Grant Sakiyama, Past Chair Sakiyama Construction Glenda Sobie, 1st Vice Chair Ventura Custom Homes Jason Jaquet, 2nd Vice Chair Randall Homes John Lund, Secretary-Treasurer Steinbach Credit Union Jason Arlt, Director Arlt Homes Brian Arnold, Director Trikor Builders

‘We encourage people to see as many homes as possible. Show homes are still the best

places to see new trends.’

Laurie Finley, Director Winnipeg Free Press Alan Gray, Director VacuFlo Manitoba Brett Robinson, Director Robinson Lighting Colleen Kuruluk, Director

Manitoba Hydro Janet Milne, Director Milne Homes Ltd. Laurence Rosenberg, Director Accurate Technology Group

Cont’d on page 6

4 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

H EADINGLEY’S MOST EXCITING COMMUNITY

PRIME LAKE & GOLF COURSE LOTS BACKING ONTO BREEZY BEND GOLF COURSE

11 10

L ocated within the much desired community of Headingley directly off Roblin Blvd, this new residential community offers opportunities for you and your family to enjoy walk out basements with your choice of building onto the picturesque Breezy Bend Golf & Country Club, or an architecturally designed lake: or take advantage of the privacy a mature treed lot will offer.

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This community has been specifically designed for walk-out basements giving the home owner the opportunity to design their own views around the landscape. Whether it be the golf course, an architecturally designed lake or wooded area, Deer Pointe Park will deliver an exciting backdrop to build on.

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D EERPOINT E PARK, an exciting new community to call home.

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“People still do come, but there is a misconception that show homes aren’t open year-round.” The Parade is the best opportunity to view the greatest variety of show homes, as many are sold during the event and will no longer be open to the public. But if you want one-on-one service from sales agents, it may be a good idea to catch them when they aren’t busy answering questions from hundreds of other Parade visitors. “You’re more likely to get the full attention of the sales agents after the Parade. After the Parade is the time for followup and to close the deal or ask about possible alterations,” Moore says. Arlt Homes vice-president Jason Arlt recommends holding your own parade whenever it’s convenient. “You can get the experience of going from show home to show home at other times of the year,” Arlt says. “Builders work all year just like everyone else, and you have a good chance of getting a good turnaround and good response from builders if you go at a quieter time.” Arlt Homes has two show homes in the Fall Parade, at 162 Lake Bend Rd. in Bridgwater Lakes and at 51 Borealis Bay in Sage Creek. The company planned to enter a third show home, but it’s already been sold. Show homes are open during set hours for casual viewing year-round, and you can always arrange private tours by appointment. See www.homebuilders.mb.ca .

Come Back Cont’d from page 4

‘There’s plenty of excitement

“We are by far the biggest Parade of Homes in Canada — the closest to us has only 30 or 40 homes on display,” he says, adding many cities hold online parades, which aren’t nearly as exciting. There’s plenty of excitement surrounding the MHBA Parade of Homes. In fact, there’s so much buzz that many people don’t realize show homes are open all year. “We do such a good job promoting the Parade of Homes that people think that’s the only time show homes are open. We spend the rest of the year saying, ‘Hey, we’re still open for business!’ It’s our own fault — we’re victims of our own success,” Moore says.

surrounding the MHBA Parade of Homes. In fact, there’s so much buzz that many people don’t realize show homes are open all year.’

6 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

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Women in Construction

Feature

A woman’s place is in the home …Construction Industry

The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association board of directors will have its first female chair this fall. Women have been involved in all aspects of the construction industry for many years, but we feel this is an opportune to time to get to know some of our home builders a little better.

Starting on page 10

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 9

Women in Construction

Pull up a Chair Glenda Sobie takes her place at head of board table

By Wendy King – Photos by Marianne Helm

10 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

Women in Construction Glenda Sobie

>> There’s a first time for every- thing. After 76 years of chairmen, the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association is about to seat a woman as chair of the board. Glenda Sobie, general manager of Ven- tura Custom Homes Ltd., has already had a chance to warm up to her new role as a current MHBA vice-chair. “This coming November, I will be chair and I will be the first female chair ever, so it’s pretty amazing,” she says. “I feel quite honoured.” Sobie’s love of the construction business started early. She grew up with a dad who built the family home in Oakbank, along with the local motor hotel and plenty of other projects. “He was always building stuff like sand- boxes for us,” she says. “Then he built furni- ture for my daughter, like night tables and dressers. So I’ve always seen him building something.” She surmises her dad’s sense of fulfillment came from “the completion, seeing the finished product. There’s something satis- fying about it.” Sobie got her own start in the construc- tion business right out of high school, as a receptionist at Flair Homes. From 1986 to 2000, she owned Glenlea Homes with her former (now late) husband. These days, her responsibilities at Ventura Custom Homes are wide-ranging, from general oversight to double-checking details in all the paperwork necessary for building each and every custom home. She meets with site supervisors every Fri- day to stay up-to-date on construction schedules — and to keep on top of the inevitable challenges. “Sometimes they’re weather-related or they could be a problem with a trade not keeping up. We try to resolve any issues, so it’s a lot of problem-solving, and a lot of administration,” she says. Once homes are completed, Sobie likes to do a walk-through to see the finished product and to find out how the home- owners enjoyed the process. Cont’d on page 12

General Manager Ventura Custom Homes Ltd.

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 11

Pull up a Chair Cont’d from page 11

“Our mission is to create a great customer experience, so we want to know: Was it a good meeting with the interior decorator? Was she helpful? Were there any problems when they went to our window supplier, or to view their plumbing fixtures?” she says. “We make sure that they’re happy with the home, and sometimes they tell me where we could improve and that’s good feedback to hear.” The give-and-take of the business will carry over in her new capacity as MHBA chair. Advocacy is a big part of the association’s mandate, and Sobie is already familiar with the process, through frequent contact with govern- ment ministers. “They often come up with issues that in the end are going to cost the con- sumer more money, so we go there and explain, ‘Maybe you should hold off and do this, or do more research,’ ” she says. “We’re always trying to say we have to keep prices as reasonable as we can for the consumer.” A variety of construction professionals are represented on the MHBA board and its standing committees, which serve consumers and the industry by working on workplace safety and health, education and training, environ- mental and warranty issues, among other concerns. On the business front, after more than 12 years at Ventura, Sobie has never been busier. Sales are humming and the company has been hiring and training new staff. She’s proud to work in the industry, and was delighted to be a judge during last spring’s Parade of Homes.

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12 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

“This business is exciting because there’s always something new. It’s always just fun,” she says. “We’re very lucky in Winnipeg; our Parade of Homes is fantastic. I think it’s one of the best across the country.”

Ventura Custom Homes has nine show homes in the fall Parade under the company’s new banner, Welcome Home to Value. Sobie says the slogan reflects the com- pany’s original mission. “The owner of our company, when I started here, said his goal was always to build what he would call, ‘Sak’s Fifth Avenue homes at Walmart prices,’ ” she says laughing. But Ventura takes the idea seriously and staff are al- ways finding ways to improve the product. Customers will find special value in the kitchen, with details such as crown and under-cabinet molding, new choices for flooring and countertops, and thoughtful

‘This business is exciting because there’s always something new. It’s always just fun. We’re very lucky in Winnipeg; our Parade of Homes is fantastic. I think it’s one of the best across the country.’

conveniences such as two drawers for pots and pans. “We try to include lots of options in the price,” Sobie says. “We try to always focus on the kitchen.” But there are plenty of unique touches in other rooms as well — feature walls in accent paint colours, or front doors painted to pick up on a colour in the exterior stone, for example.

Cont’d on page 14

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Parade of Homes Fall 2013 13

Pull up a Chair Cont’d from page 13

Attention to detail is evident from the first plan-review meeting with customers. “Our plans are 16 to 17 pages and they get a copy of every page,” So- bie says. “Then they have time to look at it so they have time to make changes for furniture placement.” Once a house is framed, with elec- trical and plumbing roughed in, the site supervisor meets with the buyer on the site. “They go through the home to- gether and when everything is as expected, we give them a key so they can go evenings and week- ends when we don’t have trades working in the house,” she says. “A lot of people like to go and take pictures every day. Those are some of the things we do. This is how we try to focus on the customers.” See www.ventura.mb.ca .

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14 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

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Women in Construction

Doing the Right Thing From building homes to creating communities, Qualico stays true to its founders’ vision

For Parade of Homes – Photos by Marianne Helm

16 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

>> When Calgary was hit by a massive flood in June, some evacuated families found ref- uge in unique emergency shelters — Qualico show homes. The company opened its doors and put out the welcome mat because, well, that’s what it does. Providing shelter for families is at the very founda- tion of Qualico. It was the vision that guided found- ers David and Katherine Friesen when they built their first houses in River Heights in 1950. It is still at the heart of the company that is now run by their daughter, Ruth Hastings, the company’s president and CEO. From starter homes to luxury housing for the up- wardly mobile and flexible home styles for down- sizing retirees, Qualico has families covered from cradle to condo. While the company has grown by leaps and bounds since 1950, Hastings is commit- ted to keeping faith with her parents’ vision. “The family dream is to have your own home,” she says. “It is what guides our business, and it’s why we offer a wide variety of options.” Before founding their company as Quality Homes, Katherine was earning $50 a month as a teacher, and David was a divorce lawyer who took a casual approach to bill-collecting, sometimes bringing home chicken or pies in lieu of cash. But the couple had more than enough gumption to go around. They built seven houses in 1950, and almost dou- bled their output to 13 houses the next year. Hast- ings says her late father — who was born in Ukraine in 1911 and immigrated to Winnipeg with his family in 1924 — used to go down to the railway station and hire immigrants fresh off the train. Katherine, who turned 95 this August, decided to sell the houses herself, which was an audacious move for a woman in the 1950s. “She was a pretty modern woman. Of all her friends, she was the first to have her driver’s licence,” Hast- ings says. Katherine was also a pioneer in the art of home staging, furnishing show homes with an eye to making them memorable. When she put a round bed in the master bedroom of a show home in the 1970s, it wasn’t just memorable; it was the talk of the town. Hastings credits her parents’ legacy and their men- torship for her own success in the industry. Growing up, the business was an ever-present part of fam- ily life. Conversation at dinner often centered on the company and the building industry. Hastings began her own career as a teenager, working part time as a receptionist during the summer months. Cont’d on page 18

Women in Construction Ruth Hastings

‘The family dream is to have your own home. It is what guides our business, and it’s why we offer a wide variety of options.’

President and CEO Qualico Homes

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 17

Later, as her children grew, she moved into a leadership role with the company’s property management arm before taking a larger role in the overall operations of the company. Today, Qualico’s head office in Sage Creek is still within easy striking distance of its roots in River Heights. Its location at 1 Dr. David Friesen Drive is a reminder to visitors and employees alike of the com- pany’s legacy. With several university de- grees under his belt, David Friesen came by his nickname, The Doctor, honestly. The couple valued education highly, as is evident by some of their philanthropic interests, including the Canadian Menno- nite University, which is home to the Kath- erine Friesen Apartments, the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg and other educational institutions across Western Canada. Doing the Right Thing Cont’d from page 17

‘Qualico has been very fortunate and we like to give back. Assiniboine Park is so important to all Winnipeggers. We have to look after it.’

The family’s long history of giving is mostly done quietly and behind the scenes. Ruth and Brian Hastings prefer to keep a low profile, but it isn’t al- ways easy. In 2011, they were thrust into the spot- light when they donated $3 million to build the $6 million Qualico Family Centre at Assiniboine Park.

Qualico’s sense of community responsi- bility is reflected in its pedestrian-friendly community of Sage Creek. A diverse range of housing, natural grasses, wetlands and walking paths have been designed to cre- ate a neighbourly community. The Village Centre has a bank, grocery store and vet- erinary clinic, among other amenities, and is also home to Qualico’s head office. Hastings’ office overlooks a terrace planted

with native prairie grasses, with views of Sage Creek and its village centre. The three-storey LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building is clad in an impressive blend of traditional Manitoba limestone and glass. Em- ployees say it’s a pleasant working atmosphere, largely thanks to the floor-to- ceiling windows that bathe the interior in natural light. There’s also a second- floor gym and staff have monthly barbecues on the rooftop garden. The Qualico Group of Companies has a long reach — with offices in Saska- toon, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and the music capital of Austin, Tex., it has land development, sales, construction and building supply arms. In Winnipeg, Qualico builders have a presence in every area of the city, from StreetSide Development Corp.’s Exchange District condominiums, to Qualico Communities’ countrified properties in Pritchard Farm. Whether you want a modest bungalow, a classic two-storey home with a wide front porch or an urban condo with unique architectural features, chances are you’ll find something in your neighbourhood and in your price range. The variety isn’t just in keeping with the founders’ vision. Hastings says it reflects Qualico’s overall philosophy: “To create communities and homes where people can put down roots, raise their families, and pursue their dreams.” See www.qualico.com .

“Qualico has been very fortunate and we like to give back,” Ruth says. “Assiniboine Park is so important to all Winnipeggers. We have to look after it.” That commitment to community is shared by the company’s employees. Following Qualico’s initial donation of $100,000 for Alberta flood relief this summer, the com- pany raised an additional $75,000 through a gift-matching program with employees. The company has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for many years. Back in 1993, it sponsored and crewed a home for the Jimmy Carter Work Project. Qualico is also a founding sponsor of the annual Ride around the Lake, a Habitat fundraiser at Lake of the Woods in which a number of Qualico staff participate. This year the event will reach the $1 million mark in funds raised.

18 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

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Women in Construction

Blueprint for Success

Planning is the key to happy home-building

By Wendy King – Photos by Marianne Helm

22 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

>> Wearing more than one hat comes naturally to Domenica Vassallo. On any given day, KDR Homes’ office manager could be overseeing accounting and admin- istration, marketing and human resources — and keeping an eye on safety for the KDR Group of Companies. Vassallo already had experience in the build- ing industry — as a controller, office manager and safety officer — when her husband Diego founded KDR Homes about 12 years ago. She also had a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in marketing and general man- agement under her belt, all of which made her a natural fit to step in when the business took off. “Very quickly, KDR was surpassing the targets he had set out to meet and it was very evident that he needed assistance. This is when I came into the picture.” Vassallo likes the work, and she says it’s a re- warding industry for both women and men. “The construction market has a great opportu- nity for individuals with passion and aptitude,” she says. So what do those three letters in KDR stand for anyway? They are part of the company credo: Knowledge, design and reliability. The company gathers key information on cus- tomer needs, and once staff know what the buyer is looking for, they work closely with the designer/engineer to get it on paper. “The thing I enjoy most about building custom homes is taking the ideas that our clients com- municate to us about their tastes and lifestyles and turning these ideas into a product that is tangible and will be around for many years to come,”Vassallo says. KDR puts an emphasis on a collaborative ap- proach and streamlined communications. Staff try to anticipate and solve problems be- fore they crop up. And because the company focuses on advance planning and scheduling, it’s able to get the job done in a reasonable time frame. For KDR, that means knowing the cost when the contract is signed. And that is key to real- izing all the benefits to buying a custom home. Vassallo sees many advantages to buying a new home and technology is a big one. Cont’d on page 24

Women in Construction

Domenica Vassallo

Office Manager KDR Homes

‘The construction market has a great opportunity for individuals with passion and aptitude.’

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 23

Blueprint For SUccess Cont’d from page 23

‘A new home should be impressive, as it is a reflection of the homeowners’ tastes and lifestyle, but at the same time a new home must be functional.’

“New homes are equipped with theatre, alarm, audio and tracking systems like never before,” she says. They also come equipped with HVAC systems, gas lines to barbecues, water lines for fridges and heated floors. Combine all that with up- graded building codes, and today’s new home will surpass the performance standards of an older home. But the benefits go beyond function. Vas- sallo says contemporary design options may include features such as a wall of windows, higher ceilings, walk-out lower levels, home gyms and wine rooms. And then there are visitable homes, which are designed for accessibility. According to Visitability Canada, a visitable home includes features such as a zero-step entrance, wider doorways on all main floor doors, and a half bath on the main floor. KDR has four gorgeous show homes in the Fall Parade of Homes, including a two-storey beauty at 186 Lake Bend Rd. in Bridgwater Lakes, a southwest Winnipeg community which features visitable homes. Two bungalows will be on display in pedestri- an-friendly Sage Creek, at 78 Silver Sage Cres. and 31 Borealis Bay. The fourth show home, another two-storey house, is located at 16 Wa- terstone Dr. in South Pointe. Although each fully landscaped show home is unique in its own respect, they have com- mon features that are frequently found in KDR homes: High ceilings, clean lines and high- quality finishes that include tile, granite and hardwoods. They also boast stunning ensuite bathrooms and oversized decks and balco- nies, along with high-efficiency gas furnaces, triple-pane windows and central air.

“All four homes come complete with walk-out basements and all four homes are built with KDR Homes’ philosophy in mind: A new home should be impressive, as it is a reflection of the homeowners’ tastes and lifestyle, but at the same time a new home must be functional,”Vassallo says. “Whichever home you choose, it will offer KDR clients the latest in design yet always place the highest commitment to quality and attention to detail.” See www.kdrhomes.com .

QUALITY

By working with our members, you are ensured the highest quality in home building and renovations for your home

home builders.mb.ca

24 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

Now Preselling Lots in STONEWALL, MANITOBA

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Women in Construction

All in the Family

Maric Homes builds on 40 years of excellence

By Wendy King – Photos by Marianne Helm

26 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

>> You might say the construction business is in Tanya Maric’s blood. She grew up in it after her Croatian father, Steve Maric, and his Manitoba-born wife Cathie founded Maric Homes some 40 years ago. “There’s sawdust running through my veins, I’m sure. My father was a carpenter by trade so it was a natural fit for him when he moved to Canada, and so he started building houses. It was really him and my mom right from the start.” Now vice-president of operations, Tanya Maric is con- vinced that women contribute something essential to the construction business. “Women can bring a different angle,” she says. “The most natural fit in construction for women always tends to be on the design side, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. There is finance, there is management, there is coordination. “There are lots of women we work with that actually do construction: Drywallers, bricklayers, electricians. It’s just a matter of finding out what you like to do and just going for it,” she says.

Women in Construction

Tanya Maric

Vice-President of Operations Maric Homes

“Because with some experi- ence and hard work, really, there should be no boundaries.” Maric says women bring partic- ular strengths that benefit cli- ents, especially listening skills. “We do have a natural ability to be understanding and sym-

‘We have this glass ceiling — this barrier we have to overcome — so we do work a little bit harder and we do have to overcome some obstacles.’

pathetic,” she says. “And in custom-home building espe- cially, we need to offer that very personal, confident and friendly relationship, because every single detail of your home is yours. And it’s very personal.” She also recognizes that women have had to work hard to claim their place in the industry, and she appreciates that the women who work in her office are a great asset to the company. “We have this glass ceiling — this barrier we have to overcome — so we do work a little bit harder and we do have to overcome some obstacles, and I think our clients see that.” Maric went to work for her parents around age 19 — an- swering phones, sending out service requests and look- ing after office administration. She worked on and off while attending university, but when her mother needed time off to recover from an illness, she stepped up. “I took the role as more of an executive assistant to my fa- ther. He was really teaching me the estimations side. Then my role became his key assistant, getting the packages ready for the customers, getting budget pricing ready and tracking all of our job costs,” she says. Cont’d on page 28

Women in Construction Caroline Maric

Show Home & Marketing Director, Maric Homes

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 27

ALl in the Family Cont’d from page 27

“This was a mom-and-pop shop that all of a sud- den was no longer mom and pop.” By age 26, however, Maric was ready to leave the nest, so she headed to B.C. and found work in construction there. “I worked with two amazing women and two great men who really mentored me,” she says.

“We are a large company because of the number of homes and the scale of homes, but we still think of ourselves as that mom-and-pop. We’re all family — lit- erally — and we try to treat our customers that way too,” she says. Tanya says that 40 years after Cathie Maric got into the construction business, women certainly aren’t new to the industry, but they are more visible. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked both in the field and in the office with some extraordinary women — the first being, of course, my mother,” she says. Caroline Maric is the show home and marketing direc- tor and a member of the design team. She says joining the company was an easy decision to make when her aunt Cathie decided to semi-retire. “Learning from Cathie has been a very educational and inspirational experience. Trying to fill her shoes has not always been an easy task ... they were big shoes to fill!” Caroline says the company’s latest show home at 28 Waterstone Dr. in South Pointe is in keeping with ide- als Steve and Cathie Maric established. It has incredible finishing and “efficient layouts that achieve a perfect balance of practical and spectacular,” she says. “We don’t need a random showpiece to im- press — the impressive part is the design as a whole.” See www.marichomes.com .

“I just basically went along and went from be- ing an administrative as- sistant to being a devel- opment manager for one of the largest multi-fami- ly contractors in Western Canada, which was a big accomplishment for me,” she says.

‘I've been extremely fortunate to have worked both in the field and in the office with some extraordinary women — the first being, of course, my mother.’

“And then it was time to leave and come home.” That was four years ago and Maric is once again fully entrenched in the family business. Her par- ents have passed it on to the next generation, which includes Maric, her brother and her cousin Caroline Maric. Her husband Dan Rolfe has taken over the role as president of the company.

28 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

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Vibrant and Friendly SAGE CREEK EXPERIENCING EXCITING GROWTH

School Coming, Townhomes Underway In 2014, construction will begin on a kindergarten to Grade 8 school that will house 450 - 600 students. It will also offer 114 child care spaces. There are two townhome condominium projects already under construction near the Village Centre. Randall Homes is building Stonewood Courts, comprised of 24 two-storey townhomes 1,293 square feet or larger. Each unit has a rear deck and fully landscaped yard as well as a full base- ment for future development, says Jason Jaquet of Randall Homes. “Each home is well designed and has different architectural features, details and door style. The front elevations are also set back or staggered, to provide separation and a sense of entry for each one,” he enthuses. Jaquet describes flexible floor plans with great rooms large enough to be utilized as dining rooms and living rooms, and upstairs lofts that could become third bedrooms or offices. Prices start at $275,900 including taxes. Bluestem Condominiums will consist of 75 stylish townhomes in nine buildings with a beauti- ful, fully landscaped centre courtyard, says Jessica Karpyza of StreetSide Development. They’re graced with front patios, private front and rear entries and a second-floor, back balcony for barbecuing or entertaining. “These townhomes are three storeys and the majority of units come with garages,” she adds. Karpyza notes that square footage ranges from 1,026 to 1,552, with six diverse floor plans available. “The exteriors are unique and distinctive. They’re finished with either Hardie Board, limestone, brick or stucco and are quite visually appealing,” she says. They also feature large windows and many offer an optional flex room on the entry level. The location for both projects is convenient, less than a 10-minute walk from Sage Creek’s Village Centre; walking trails and a picturesque dry pond are adjacent to the buildings. Jaquet and Karpyza agree that first-time home buyers, single people and young families will find these townhomes, their affordability and the neigh- bourhood a great lifestyle option. Resident Frank Capasso says, “We looked all over the City before deciding to build in Sage Creek. We thought it would be a good community to live in and it is.”

By Lynne Mustard for Qualico Communities

He notes that Qualico Communities has been very supportive of the association and adds, “Qualico has done a good job with Sage Creek. The community is great already but the residents want to develop it even more.” Capasso describes Sage Creek as a friendly place where neighbours all know each other. He says it reminds him of when he was a kid and lived in a small town in Italy. “Sage Creek has block parties; we enjoy each other’s company. I’ve got wonderful neighbours!” he exclaims. The trail network that Frank and Angie en- joy converges on the Sage Creek Village Centre, where a Tim Hortons, RBC Bank, a dental clinic and a veterinary clinic are already operating. This fall will see the opening of Sobeys, TD Bank, a Shell Gas Bar and Wyatt Insurance.

Frank and Angie Capasso have been resi- dents of Sage Creek for over a year. “It’s a new community, a vibrant commu- nity. I love the area because it’s quiet, with trails you can walk and bike. It’s a great area for us; very convenient,” he says. Sage Creek is located near the Royal Canadian Mint but south of Bishop Grandin and east of Lagimodière. Capasso recently became president of the newly formed Sage Creek Residents’ As- sociation. “There are 12 people on the board of directors,” he states. “They’re so passionate about making things happen. It’s a joy for me to be working with them. “There are several projects that different committees are working on. One is a commu- nity centre for kids and adults,” Capasso says.

•

Bluestem Condominiums by StreetSide Development

Stonewood Courts by Randall Homes

30 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

A new home in a warm, inviting community is a dream-come-true experience. You can have that experience in Sage Creek, where nature is never far from your door. There’s a tremendous variety of beautiful new homes here, for people of all ages and in all stages of life, whether you’re on your own, starting a family or planning your retirement. It’s a place where dreams of all sizes and shapes can come true.

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Naturally Appealing call 204 254-9225 or visit sagecreek.ca

For more information on Qualico Communities, visit qualicocommunities.com

Women in Construction

A Few Good Deeds This builder and realtor is sold on neighbourhood renewal

By Wendy King – Photos by Marianne Helm

32 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

>> Lori Thorsteinson brings a special exper- tise to her role as sales and marketing manager of Lo- ren Realty and Parkhill Homes. As a real estate broker, she’s always up to speed on new developments in the housing market. Thorsteinson had already built a successful career in fi- nance when her husband, Derek, became part owner of a building business and suggested she try selling homes. “I’m an ex-banker, and on my portfolio at the bank, I had real estate agents and brokers, so it seemed to be kind of a natural progression,” she says. “Although going straight commission was a little scary, I’ve never looked back.” That was 24 years ago, and she is still happy to be part- nered with her husband at Parkhill Homes. “It’s been really exciting. We’re building homes, and it’s got to be one of the most exciting things to do.” Thorsteinson says men and women bring different per- spectives to the planning process — as builders and as buyers. She has observed that often, men come in build- ing a house, whereas women come in building a home. “Men seem be more into the material end. Women are deeper into the whole big picture.” He might think the garage is important. She might want a particular type of range. But at the end of the day, they’re working toward the same goal. “That kind of thing happens back and forth. So I think women in the business bring a bit more understanding and a bit more empathy in that respect, just in under- standing function and relating better to some of the items. “We take our clients and walk through the whole thing with them, and that’s what I enjoy.” Parkhill Homes is presenting three show homes in the Fall Parade of Homes, including a stunning 2,200-square- foot bungalow walk-out in Headingley’s Deer Pointe Park. The Craftsman-look house at 146 Deer Pointe Dr. has many of the features typically found in Parkhill homes, along with a few enticing extras. There’s an ensuite off the master bedroom at the back of the house, which faces the golf course, and Thorsteinson says everybody likes the heated ceramic tile for winter and the spa-like features. “In this one, there is a soaker tub with a big custom- made shower with tile because there is a hot tub going outside. The water closet is separate.” An all-season sunroom with heated ceramic floors is ac- cessible from the kitchen nook and the master bedroom, and there’s a two-sided fireplace between the sunroom and master bedroom. Cont’d on page 34

Women in Construction Lori Thorsteinson

Sales & Marketing Manager Loren Realty & Parkhill Homes

‘It’s been really exciting. We’re building homes, and it’s got to be one of the most exciting things to do.’

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 33

A few Good Deeds Cont’d from page 33

‘We both believe in giving back to our industry. It is so nice though when it all comes together.’ “We’re getting a lot of comments that while it is quite spectacular, it still feels homey. And that’s the general consensus of people walking through it — it’s a very functional home,” she says. “One person told me it’s a very intelligent home. It’s got everything. It works really well.” “We’re finding that very few people want definition of the rooms, so it’s all open,”Thorsteinson says. “We also find that people are wanting good function and that’s what we concentrate on too. Sometimes plans look nice, but if you have to walk across too far to put your groceries away for example, it might not function as well as it should.” The house has plenty of storage, with walk-in closets. And it’s bathed in cheery natural light. In addition to building and selling dream homes, the Thorsteinsons are active in the community and indus- try organizations. For example, Derek has twice served as president of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association, and Lori is president of Housing Opportunity Partnership (HOP), which brings stability to stressed neighbourhoods by helping families purchase affordable housing. The not-for-profit initiative revitalizes and reclaims houses in need of repair, completely upgrading them before they’re sold to qualified buyers. And it uses proceeds from sales to buy more houses to repeat the process. Streets — even entire neighbourhoods — can be re- newed when families take up permanent residence. HOP seeks neighbourhoods with existing homeown- ers to help build shared goals of proud ownership and a stable community. Lori says she and Derek are passionate about their jobs and volunteer work is a great way to express their gratitude. “We both believe in giving back to our industry. It is so nice though when it all comes together. It’s really

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lots of fun and it’s very exciting.” See www.parkhillhomes.ca .

34 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

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Women in Construction

Like Father, Like Daughter Snow plows ahead with next generation of custom homes

By Wendy King – Photos by Marianne Helm

36 Parade of Homes Fall 2013

Women in Construction Melanie Snow

>> Not so long ago, it was typical for fam- ily construction businesses to pass from father to son. Well, Warkentin Homes owner Melanie Snow can tell you times have changed. Her father, Walter Warkentin, founded the company in 1980, and Snow joined the family firm about 12 years ago after earning a bachelor of com- merce degree from the University of Manitoba. “It wasn’t my initial intention to be involved in this business and it wasn’t the expectation of my family that I would be involved either,” she says. “As my education came to an end, I realized I would be able to help out with the business, which in turn gave us additional resources to help us grow the business.” The construction industry is in transition, and Snow says many people would be surprised by the number of women who are taking advan- tage of the opportunities it offers. “The business has evolved and it really doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman in this industry, you’re ac- cepted. But you have to stick to your vision and go for it, and you do have to have tenacity and courage because it is a very challenging industry.” Putting your best professional foot forward is important, and that means being confident and well-informed. Snow says clients are well-educated, largely thanks to the plethora of TV shows devoted to home construction and renovation. “You have to really know your material. You have to really know construction and every- thing that’s surrounding it because the cus- tomer is very knowledgeable, and they’re do- ing their research,” she says. “It’s changing rapidly and that’s good. We al- ways have new technologies and new innova- tions that help to build a better house and help us offer our clients better products.” Snow runs the business with help from her mother, Carol Warkentin, and her sister, Amy Warkentin, and with her husband Ed Snow, in a consultative role. Cont’d on page 38

Owner Warkentin Homes

‘You have to stick to your vision and go for it, and you do have to have tenacity and courage because it is a very challenging industry.’

Parade of Homes Fall 2013 37

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