Despite surging interest from affluent Alberta Baby Boomers, developers say they don't want to pave paradise to put up recreational property lots. Instead, their goal is to have their projects become a valued part of the community.
Known for breathtaking scenery and a quieter pace of life, tourism destinations such as Radium or Fernie are seeing a growth spurt in the number of recreational property projects.
And while both areas are no stranger to tourists, it's the pace of change that is shaking things up.
"Since the year 2000, (the village of) Radium has seen a 304-per-cent increase in the number of housing units. We certainly haven't had a 304-per- cent increase in population," says Greg Deck, the mayor of Radium Hot Springs. "It's more like a 33-per-cent increase in population, which is still substantial."
The difference, says Deck, is a large number of recreational property units, which in turn creates a shadow population - people who only live in the town on a part-time basis such as weekends in the summer.
Housing prices have also risen in Radium, the mayor notes. But Deck says his comments are not meant to be taken as negatives.
"These people are buying second homes. They have a wide range of communities to choose from - they're looking for a community that touches their eye. It's an endorsement of what we as a community have been doing," says Deck.
"We're appreciative of the interest people are showing and the adaptation required is much easier than many other situations - the challenges of growth are much easier than its opposite, from a municipal perspective."
Deck agrees the developers are keen on emphasizing projects that fit into the neighbourhood. "We've been very fortunate to have extremely professional developers. They say (to us) 'What would you like to see there?' " Calgary-based Instautor Group (2002) Ltd. is one of those developers and has been building in Radium for years. Its first development, The Peaks, has 144 units. Its latest offering, The Pinewood, will comprise two buildings, each with 40 units and prices starting in the low $200,000 level. Unit sales are scheduled to start this month.
"Radium has welcomed us with open arms," says Kevin Blackwell, Instautor's sales manager, who says open lines of communication with the village are important.
"We've met with council and the village administration half a dozen times, to get their input on what they like about our development and what we could do to improve upon it."
Blackwell expects The Pinewood to have about 25- to 30-per-cent full-time residents, with the rest using the units as their vacation home.
"What we're trying to build and trying to offer is something affordable to live in for a first-time homebuyer in Radium," says Blackwell.
This, he adds, also makes it cost effective for recreation property owners to live the double lifestyle they're seeking - where they can afford to live in one home in the summer and another in the winter - while not putting property prices out of reach for local residents.
In Fernie, another Calgary developer is just about ready to bring forward a four- to six-year project. Still in its permitting stages, The Tamarack townhouse development is aimed at both local and out-of-town residents with a starting price estimated to be in the low $300,000 range.
"We're working with the City of Fernie addressing their concerns and it has been a good experience," says Jacob Kuiken, general manager of Trico Freedom Fernie, which hopes to start construction in September pending permit approval. Trico Freedom Fernie is a division of Calgary-based Trico Homes.
"The local residents that I've talked to have been generally favourable (about our project). We're building a product within a price range that is not available at this point in time. Most of the new homes or developments in Fernie are in the $600,000-plus range ... we are offering something unique."
As for fitting the development to match the community, Kuiken says that is what Trico is all about. "Our corporate mission statement is to enhance our customers' lives while enriching the community that we build in," he says.
"One of the many things that we looked at is the alpine style of the homes; in our development they will have high pitched roofs, stone façades and siding in traditional alpine heritage colours," says Kuiken, an Ontario native who has become a Fernie booster.
Fernie's recreational properties are attracting a lot of Albertans, as well as American and British buyers, says Butch Coultry, a realtor with Re/Max Elk Valley Realty in Fernie.
Fernie is still reasonably priced when it comes to property, adds Coultry, who specializes in recreation property. "Fernie is just starting to be discovered. We're one of the Rockies' best-kept secrets."
In Radium, a good portion of the recreational property units are probably below Canmore prices, says Andy Smyth, a sales representative with Re/Max Invermere, whose territory includes Radium. "This is helping to drive interest in this area."
(Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca)
