Won It and Loved It

spring 2019 | issue no. 21

+ WON IT AND LOVED IT

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE FLUFFY FACETIME Pet Therapy at EIA LiveSouthEdmonton.com Find the perfect home for you and your lifestyle.

in Creekwood FIN D L and Creekwood UC Y. Collections F IN D

. . . 111 ST 111 ST Y DR. NDA HE . . Y . Single family | Townhomes | Paired homes | Estate homes ANTHON . Nestled in the natural 111 ST 111 ST RABBIT HILL RD RABBIT HILL RD ELLERSLIE RD. habitat surrounding . . Whitemud Creek, 141 ST 141 ST these two communities in the Chappelle CHAPPELLE DR. neighbourhood feature vast wetlands, . . park spaces and an extensive trail system. JAMES MOWATT TR. CALGARY TR. You can enjoy the outdoors, all while being 170 ST LiveSouthEdmonton.com 170 ST 41 AVE. SW minutes away from a new K-9 school and In the Chappelle neighbourhood of West Heritage Valley N other major amenities. CHAPPELLE WAY

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North Saskatchewan River

South Edmonton Common CURRENTS OF 13 minutes away Estates of Creighton Place WINDERMERE Single family homes Creekwood Food

Collections Cineplex Odeon Theatre ive Klair Homes y Dr Bla enda ckmu ny H d C Ace Lange Homes 7405 Creighton Place SW Antho reek Ambleside Eco Station 4689 Chegwin Wynd SW FUTURE Prominent Homes PARK & RIDE Food 7407 Creighton Place SW Bogey Busters Hillview Master Builder Driving Range 4691 Chegwin Wynd SW Alquinn Homes Ellerslie Road Ellerslie Road Jägare Ridge Golf 7409 Creighton Place SW and Country Club Food d a l JOHNNY BRIGHT i Ro ll a i SCHOOL r Kirkland Homes H it T b ab t R Fire Station 28 t 7411 Creighton Place SW a FUTURE Crawford Grove w HOSPITAL o

M New showhomes open! s e 127 Street SW m a J Caliber Master Builder Pizza/Convenience Food ROBERTA 6306 Crawford Link SW MACADAMS Chappelle Vista Drive SCHOOL Chappelle Crystal Creek Homes Paired homes Whitemud Creek Ravine System 6308 Crawford Link SW 141 Street SW DONALD R. GETTY Happy Planet Homes W hitem reek SCHOOL K9 Triumph Homes 6514 Chappelle Vista SW ud C 7012 Chivers Loop SW SHOWHOMES Estate Homes Klair Homes C rt u h o 7014 Chivers Loop SW e g C w g OPEN in e i h v n Wyn s i The Brooks d u r C D Kirkland Homes Paired homes e FUTURE James Mowatt Trail l 7016 Chivers Loop SW l HIGH e

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41 Avenue SW 41 Avenue SW To QE II g Edmonton International Airport (EIA) 4 CreekLife | spring 2019 12 minutesLiveSouthEdmonton.com away 5 Contents Klair Custom Homes builds stunning, high-quality homes with the utmost value that buyers love in the features beautiful community of Creekwood Chappelle. 21 delivers quality to their buyers. Whether it’s the unique and functional house plans, top-quality 21 NATURE WALK Odvod Media 10221 123 Street, Edmonton, AB Custom Home will exceed expectations! Discover the natural beauty Canada T5N 1N3 Visit our show homes at: of Creekwood and T 780.451.1379 F 780.482.5417 Creekwood Collections 7405 Creighton Place SW, 7014 Chivers Loop SW, odvod.com By Keri Sweetman 6364 Cartmell Road SW. [email protected] Contact us: P: 780-265-4300 E: [email protected] 26 Publisher CANINE CUDDLES Odvod Media TAKE FLIGHT Graphic Design Edmonton International CUSTOM HOMES (EDMONTON) LTD. Alexa Guse, Helis Podnek Airport’s pet therapy program an instant success MASTER BUILDER Production Art By Sasha Roeder Mah Odvod Media www.klaircustomhomes.ca Klair Custom Homes Edmonton LTD 10 klairhomesedm Contributors 04 AMENITIES MAP Caroline Barlott, Curtis Comeau, 30 Cooper & O’Hara, Rosalyn Lazaruk, 09 CONTRIBUTORS MORTGAGE Adrianna MacPherson, Sasha MATTERS Roeder Mah, Sheri Mitchell, 25 AREA EVENTS Don’t stress about the Keri Sweetman mortgage stress test 35 CONSTRUCTION UPDATES Accounting 32 Lana Luchianova 17 BUILDER Q&A Sales and Traffic Assistant MANGIA! Crystal Creek Homes creates Adrienne Vanderheyden Ripe Tomato Pizza is making a seamless homebuilding it fresh right in Chappelle process and provides expert Printing 10 By Adrianna MacPherson guidance to its new homebuyers Burke Group of Companies Ltd. MEET THE NEIGHBOURS They won the home, but the neighbourhood 26 No part of this publication may was the prize be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions herein do not necessarily represent those of Odvod Media, Delcon 13 Creekwood Master GP Ltd. or DESIGN DIY Delcon Creekwood X Ltd. Choosing the right window coverings for your home, and your lifestyle

6 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 7 Contributors

COOPER & O’HARA @cooperandohara

Cooper & O’Hara are an award-winning photography duo formed by Bryan Cooper and Thomas O’Hara. Specializing in commercial and editorial photography, the two bring a unique combination of an easy-going nature and anything-for-a-shot work ethic. The creative duo calls Edmonton home, but have had the opportunity to travel to other parts of Canada and internationally. They pride themselves on being expert travellers and getting where they need to be to capture the moment.

Nostalgia “...pleasure and fondness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again.” KERI SWEETMAN

A home is a storyboard for our family’s lives. Keri Sweetman is a veteran journalist who spent more than 30 years at the Edmonton The home you will remember when nostalgia touches you. Journal, Ottawa Citizen and other media organizations. She is now a freelance writer 780.566.0653 and editor in Edmonton. In summertime, she enjoys discovering the flora and fauna Mill Street builds beautiful custom homes in all price ranges and sizes. millstreethomes.ca found near her cottage in eastern Ontario.

CURTIS COMEAU @curtiscomeauphoto

Curtis Comeau is an advertising and editorial photographer in Edmonton, Alberta. His home and lifestyle work has appeared in magazines like Western Living, Avenue Magazine and advertising campaigns for Kanvi Homes and Landmark Homes. Curtis has also been a judge for the Canadian Home Builders Association SAM awards.

SASHA ROEDER MAH

Sasha Roeder Mah is a freelance communications professional with a background in features journalism. As a writer and editor, she has shared her passion for human- interest storytelling with the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Today’s Parent and extensively for the University of Alberta, among others.

8 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 9 atherine Hart remembers the day that her husband called her to tell By Caroline Barlott her he’d won a DreamLife Lottery Photography Curtis Comeau Kgrand prize dream home. He called her from work, and he was so excited that he had a hard time explaining the win. “I was confused at first because Clint … called me really quick with half-formed sentences about what happened,” says Katherine. It didn’t take long for the confusion to quickly morph into excitement for the couple, who have both a two- and a three-year-old. And within about a month, the young family moved into their new home in the southwest neighbourhood of Creekwood Collections in Chappelle. Prior to winning the home, the couple really didn’t know anything about the area. They had been living in Carlton, a northwest neighbourhood and were incredibly excited to move into their new home with its high ceilings, expansive rooms and modern decor. They were thrilled with the win, and knew the home could grow with their family, but they didn’t know what the neighbourhood would have in store until they really started looking into it. The first thing they did was look on Google Earth to see where the nearest school was located. “We were pretty excited when we saw that there is a brand new school within a few blocks from the house,” says Clint.

The kids have been excited by their encounters with wildlife along the many nature paths.

They can actually see the school where MEET THE NEIGHBOURS: their young daughter attends preschool — Donald R. Getty School — from her bedroom window. The preschool filled quickly for registration, says Katherine, an indication THE HART there are plenty of other families with young children in the area — and those other families The spot where the lottery home resides currently there are more shops being have been really welcoming to the Harts. currently does not have neighbours right built right in the area with a drug store FAMILY “There’s an informal mom’s group and it’s next to it. And while the Harts say they and car wash among them. nice to have that sense of community with look forward to someday having people While luck may have given them They won the home, but the other parents,” she says. closer by, they’re presently enjoying the the location of their new home, they Meanwhile, their home is just a five- quiet in their incredible backyard with its both agree they couldn’t have done neighbourhood was the prize minute walk — “toddler speed walk,” hot tub and outdoor kitchen space. They’re a better job if they’d tried. clarifies Katherine — from the storm water excited to put up a play structure this year pond where the family has been taking in the expansive outdoor space, something daily strolls. The kids have been excited they hadn’t had in their former residence. DreamLife Lottery In support of Covenant Health’s by their encounters with wildlife along For Clint and Katherine, the move has Grey Nuns and Misericordia Hospitals the many nature paths around their home. been pretty seamless as far as being able They’ve seen plenty of rabbits and ducks, to traverse to their jobs from their new Tickets available in summer 2019. along with tracks left by deer and they location — and they’ve appreciated the dreamlifelottery.win hear the howls of coyotes in the evenings. accessibility to many amenities. Clint says

10 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 11 Treat your windows right! Choosing the right window coverings for your home, and your lifestyle

By Rosalyn Lazaruk

he days are getting longer, the mornings are getting brighter, the sun adds some spring into our steps, but … not all Edmontonians relish Tthe full 17+ hours of daylight coming our way. How do those who don’t work a standard day job block out the glorious sunshine when they just need proper rest, regardless of the time of day? For those with young children, how do they create some darkness to help the young ones fall asleep? Choosing the right window coverings is key to helping us get restful slumber. > Create your dream kitchen. 7411 Creighton Place SW 587.520.3063 pick your home. pick your finishes. move in 90 days. 7016 Chivers Loop SW kirklandhomes.ca 780.989.0260

12 CreekLife | spring 2019 DUPLEXES IN CHAPPELLE hen it comes to window Conveniently located near 41 Avenue treatments, there are endless choices and it 1 2 Wcan be difficult to know Privacy Light Control what the right choice is for your home, Privacy often comes down to your choice of How much light do you want or need in and your lifestyle. There are a number material. For instance, roller shades come your space? Choose the thickness of the of factors that go into making the right in several opacities or weaves that allow fabric accordingly — thicker fabric will allow decision, like privacy, light control, size of different levels of privacy and, in turn, less light into a room while a sheer fabric the window, function of the space and, of light control. Think of it as how much will allow the light through a soft filter. Open concept course, the style of the home and room. detail of the silhouette can you see? For spaces that need complete dark- Starting with what you need will help Room darkening or blackout shades will ness, such as bedrooms on bright spring floorplan with you narrow down the options first, then give you complete privacy while something mornings, ensure that the entire window contemporary you can look at the style that suits you. with a looser weave will blur the image. is covered by the fabric. To prevent light interior finishes from seeping past the window treatment, the fabric should exceed the window by 18'' on all sides. Doubling up on treatments, with a shade and curtains, for example, will also ensure the darkest of rooms. Sidedoor entry- way to basement, excellent for rental properties

P: 780.340.6420 | HappyPlanetHomes.com

Now that you’ve chosen Bedrooms Kitchen & Bath - fine homes - your ideal light control and privacy I recommend layers and These are two spaces that levels, you’ve also narrowed down your think they work best in the usually need an injection of options for shades and blinds. Decor-wise, bedroom. Start with a room colour and visual interest. Build a new home for an inside mount blind, I often like to darkening roller shade in Living Rooms Roman shades are my go-to with triumph homes keep a neutral fabric and layer it with a a linen-like fabric that is a Depending upon the size choice here! They add a punch pattern or colour in a curtain panel. similar shade to your window and window placement of colour and pattern, can be and get up to a trim. Add a statement curtain in your space, consider inside or outside mounted, legal basement suite credit rod — I love using matte treating the entire window depending on your window, black. And find panels wall. Full paneled sheers and create privacy and light luxurious front attached garage homes that complement the rest mounted on a ceiling track control when needed. of the decor in your room. that runs almost wall-to- Call us to view plans and possibilities Simons and IKEA have wall is a favourite choice 780.399.8500 • [email protected] nice ready-made panels of mine. And sheer fabrics if you aren’t looking to work with most decors, www.TRIUMPHHOMES.ca create something custom. from traditional to modern.

14 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 15 By: AdriannaBy: MacPherson hen I’ve had a long day and just don’t feel like cooking, ordering pizza is a quick, easy and tasty solution. It’s something I’ve definitely done a time or two — and my husband certainly doesn’t Wmind when it’s pizza night. However, this practice means that I sometimes forget how nice it can be to actually go out and split a pizza with some friends. So, when a new spot opened I SOMETIMES FORGET HOW right in the Chappelle NICE IT CAN BE TO ACTUALLY neighbourhood this Your dream M February, I decided to GO OUT AND SPLIT A PIZZA call up a few friends to see WITH SOME FRIENDS. if they were interested in home awaits grabbing a bite. Many only Customize one of our existing think of getting all dressed floor plans or start with the vision up and sipping cocktails you have for your home. somewhere chic, but a casual outing can be A just as enjoyable. Plus, everyone loves pizza! Ripe hillviewmasterbuilder.com Tomato is a 780.430.8547 franchise that opened in Calgary, N and now has a few spots We build: throughout • Front attached garage homes Alberta — • Rear-lane homes including • Paired homes two in Edmonton. We made plans to Showhome G go to the new location #7407 Creighton Place SW in South Edmonton, which Edmonton was just a short drive away for all of us. In fact, I realized I could easily walk or bike over in the summer months. I like to take advantage 780-235-1819 of all the walking trails in the neighbourhood sales centre ( ) whenever possible, and walking with a friend 780-761-0790 I always makes the kilometres go by a little faster! (main office) The first thing that struck me when we entered was the atmosphere — it’s definitely a modern prominenthomes.ca pizzeria, with chalkboard accents, pops of red and [email protected] stools with a bit of an industrial vibe. The forno oven itself is a show piece, with stunning tile work, Find your next home and seeing all the other pizzas being slid into the oven got our mouths watering. in Creekwood with A I admittedly had some preconceptions once I saw it was a fast-casual spot where you order at the counter, as I figured that they simply added fresh ingredients to frozen dough. However, after chatting briefly with Don Mejia, who owns the location along with his wife Alethea, I was pleased to hear that I was wrong. “The whole concept is ! fresh,” Don said. >

16 CreekLife | spring 2019 17 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 17 RECIPE: “We handmake our dough every morning, fresh batches S’MORES ‘ZA every day, it doesn’t “IT’S PRACTICALLY A RULE THAT YOU come in frozen. We actually INGREDIENTS: CRUST PREPARATION:

NEED TO TRY THE MARGHERITA AT A Courtesy of Don Mejia mix it and knead it and all that fun If using pre-made crust, cook crust in the oven 1 eight-to 10-inch pizza crust stuff, and it is very basic ingredients. We don’t use PIZZA PLACE!” according to manufacturer instructions. (pre-made crust or fresh dough) anything artificial; just water, yeast, salt and flour.” If using fresh dough, stretch dough to about an One thing that I loved about the menu was the pizza 30 ml chocolate sauce eight – 10 inch crust. Lightly pound crust size options. In addition to the standard 12-inch pie, you with chocolate, graham cracker crumbles, marshmallows, 3/4 cup miniature by hand before baking. Bake crust until fully cooked. can get a smaller 9-inch option, which meant we were able caramel sauce and icing sugar. It was the perfect way to end the meal. marshmallows to try even more flavours. Upon Don’s suggestion, we started Pizza is meant for sharing, so we had a blast sampling slices 1/2 cup graham wafers, TOPPING INSTRUCTIONS: with the Dolce Piccante pizza, one of their most popular of the different pies and catching up with one another. I’ve shared crumbled Drizzle or swirl chocolate sauce on baked crust. items, and it didn’t disappoint. The crust was topped several Saturday morning lattes with friends at Caffiend next 15 ml caramel sauce Top with marshmallows. Fill empty spaces between with tomato sauce and fior di latte, calabrese, prosciutto, door (another phenomenal addition to the neighbourhood), marshmallows with crumbled graham wafers. tomatoes, parmesan and arugula. Then, it was drizzled with but it’s great to have another spot we can meet for some treats Sprinkle of icing sugar honey and sprinkled with chili flakes, which took it to the and conversation without having to drive very far. COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: next level. It’s spicy, Set oven on broil at high setting. Bake it’s sweet, it’s savoury — s'mores pizza until marshmallows turn a very it’s an absolutely “THE WHOLE CONCEPT IS FRESH, light brown color. This may only take seconds addictive combination so watch it closely. Remove immediately of flavours. The next WE HANDMAKE OUR DOUGH EVERY to avoid burning the marshmallows. pizza that caught our MORNING, FRESH BATCHES EVERY eye was the special, DAY ... WE DON’T USE ANYTHING FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS: a Thai chicken pizza. Drizzle caramel sauce. Sprinkle icing sugar on Don mentioned that, ARTIFICIAL; JUST WATER, YEAST, all areas of the s'mores pizza, including though it was initially SALT AND FLOUR.” the ends of the crust. Use pizza knife or slicer just a feature pizza, it - Don Mejia to cut into eight pieces. Enjoyed best when was so popular with served immediately while still warm. customers that they decided to keep it on the menu permanently. It’s not hard to unde stand why! You wouldn’t normally associate Thai flavours with pizza, but it was delicious. The pizza was packed with Thai staples including hoisin sauce, peanut sauce, bean sprouts, chicken, thin julienned carrots, cilantro, sweet chili sauce, and some fior di latte to bring it all together. It had a bit of lingering heat, a ton of flavour, and I would order it again and again. We also gave the classic Margherita pizza a try because, well, it’s practically a rule that you need to try the Margherita at a pizza place. The simple pizza was a nice balance to the combination of flavours on the other two. We were feeling pretty full at that point, but when we spotted a dessert pizza on the menu, we simply couldn’t resist. The s’mores pizza is a signature pizza crust topped

18 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 19 DISCOVER THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF CREEKWOOD AND CREEKWOOD COLLECTIONS BY KERI SWEETMAN

a sunny spring weekday there are plenty of plants and animals to be morning in Creekwood discovered in the neighbourhood. The nearby It’s Collections in Chappelle. Whitemud Creek system is one of the most Two young moms jog along a community trail, important tributaries of the North Saskatchewan pushing strollers, with a golden retriever lagging River in Edmonton and boasts a rich diversity of behind. A brightly dressed toddler, grandmother native plants and wildlife. hovering nearby, waddles near a pond, where According to the Edmonton Nature Club, more several ducks have just returned after the winter. than 150 species of birds can be found in the The meandering walkways, extensive green Whitemud Creek Ravine, including common spaces and purpose-built wetlands of this new mergansers, common goldeneyes, Canada geese southwest community are only a few kilometres and mallards, woodpeckers, nuthatches, hawks away from Alberta’s main highway and not far and owls. The ravine also has weasels, coyotes, from the hustle-and-bustle of retail meccas in white-tailed deer, ground squirrels, garter snakes, Windermere and along Ellerslie Road. But here an boreal and wood frogs. in this quiet suburban neighbourhood, nature An environmental assessment done on the is on the doorstep or just Chappelle area found a down the walking trail. MORE THAN 150 SPECIES wealth of wildlife and Residents often see OF BIRDS CAN BE FOUND plants thriving among the ducks, geese, even deer, IN THE WHITEMUD CREEK aspen, poplar, spruce trees along the trails and in RAVINE, INCLUDING and prairie vegetation in and around the neigh- COMMON MERGANSERS, what is officially known bourhood ponds. Given as a central parkland the rural history of this COMMON GOLDENEYE, sub-region of Alberta. area of Heritage Valley, CANADA GEESE AND That assessment report and its proximity to the MALLARDS, WOOD- offers a “who’s who” of From spec homes to custom homes, Whitemud Creek Ravine, PECKERS, NUTHATCHES, the flora and fauna you we approach every project with the it’s not surprising that HAWKS AND OWLS might encounter. highest standard of quality, a passion for craftsmanship and design, and a commitment to transparency and client satisfaction.

Let us bring your vision to life 780-452-5626 [email protected] northpointehomes.ca

20 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 21 BIRDS The report lists more than 50 bird species you might come across in the area, from the tiny ruby-throated humming- bird (Archilochus colubris) to the majestic great blue heron (Ardea herodias). Among the most likely to be seen are: • Canada goose (Branta canadensis), especially near the ponds and in neighbouring farmland • Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), in ponds and constructed wetlands (look for their nests in the tall vegetation or under a bush near the water) • Blue-winged teal (Anas discors), along the edges of ponds and wetlands • Northern pintail (Anas acuta), whose nest can be found in a small depression in the vegetation near wetlands and ponds • Gadwell (Anas Strepera), which builds its nests in tall vegetation, sometimes far from water VEGETATION If you’re walking by Creekwood Chappelle’s many stormwater facilities, you’ll certainly notice cattails, bulrushes and marsh reed grass. But look closely and you might see other kinds of vegetation — OTHER including wild herbs, wildflowers and edible plants along the walkways and wetlands. Some of the more common plants and trees are: • White spruce (Picea glauca), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) ANIMALS and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) Sightings of mammals and other animals are rarer, • Prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) of course, but you might be lucky, especially if you are out walking in the evenings or early mornings. • Wild raspberry (Rubus idaeus) Keep your eyes open for these animals: • Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora) • White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) • Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) • Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) • Wild lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense) • Beaver (Castor canadensis) • Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) • Wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) • Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) • Boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculate) • Red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) • Western tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium)

22 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 23 Event Calendar

Edmonton is festival city — we encourage you to be a proud Edmontonian and enjoy events in and around our city in the coming months. Here is just a small sampling of wonderful happenings you should attend:

Showhome Showhomes Grand & Street Eats

Opening! June 20 | July 11 June 15 August 1 | August 22 6306 and 6308 Various showhome parades Crawford Link SW It’s the perfect time to visit Two brand new beautiful the showhomes of Creekwood showhomes are now open in and Creekwood Collections. Crawford Grove. Visit these Leisurely view the home showhomes for the grand of your dreams and enjoy opening and celebrate with us. some street eats on us.

Vikings: Beyond BeYEG Challenge Opera al Fresco Taste of Edmonton the Legend June 15 Edmonton Opera July 18– July 28 April 18 – October 20 Various Edmonton locations July 5 Capital Plaza Royal Alberta Museum ______University of Alberta 99 Avenue & 108 Street We 9810 103A Avenue Botanic Garden ______Freewill Shakespeare 51227 AB-60, Spruce Grove Festival ______K-Days Mythbusters June 18 – July 14 July 19– July 28 need at TELUS World William Hawrelak Park The Whyte Avenue Edmonton EXPO Centre of Science 9330 Groat Road Art Walk 7515 118 Avenue April 27 – September 2 ______July 5 –7 ______TELUS World of Science Whyte Avenue 11211 142 Street NW The Works ______Edmonton you. Art & Design Festival Heritage Festival ______June 20 – July 2 Edmonton August 3–5 Nextfest Capital Plaza International William Hawrelak Park Accepting Donations The Donald R. Getty Fundraising Society must May 30–June 9 99 Avenue & 108 Street Street Performers 9330 Groat Road raise over $100,000 in 2019 for the development of the playground at the Various Edmonton locations ______Festival ______Donald R. Getty School. The society has received conceptual drawings ______July 5 – July 14 from the City of Edmonton and construction is scheduled to occur in 2020. Edmonton Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park Edmonton Zoofest International (Gazebo Park) International We need volunteers. We need donations. June 15 Jazz Festival 8303 104 Street Fringe Festival If you can help in any way, please leave your name and contact info Edmonton Valley Zoo June 21– June 30 ______August 15–25 at the school office and a board member will be in touch! 13315 Buena Vista Road Various Edmonton locations Various sites around ______Old Strathcona 8102 Chappelle Way SW, Edmonton Alberta | Ph: 587.489.4708

24 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 25 morgan & boss Canine GOOD BOYS cuddles take flight Edmonton International Airport’s By SASHA ROEDER MAH pet therapy program an instant success Photography COOPER & O’HARA

26 CreekLife | spring 2019 Join the team If you and your pup would like to be part of the EIA team, get in touch with the Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta at [email protected] program, she watched as a middle-aged woman on her way to a funeral curl up with a pitbull, shedding tears over the mother she had lost the night before. Learn More There is a dog at the airport every day of the week, usually in shifts of about three to Visit PetTherapySociety.com five hours — these hard-working pups need their rest, after all. When on the job, they The society offers information evenings for dog owners can usually be found in the boarding lounges. interested in becoming volunteers, not just at the Because all the dog teams are volunteers, airport but in a variety of other settings. the program costs next to nothing. The airport needs only cover parking costs for the handlers and supply them with T-shirts, says Cox. It takes a special kind of dog with a special kind of training to be a therapy animal, says Pet Therapy Society volunteer coordinator Barb Olmstead. The dog must be naturally calm, good with people of all ages and backgrounds and impervious to sudden noises or overstimulation. “Studies have shown that animals help calm people and lower their blood pressure,” says Olmstead, but sometimes it takes a little coaxing to bring out those calming traits. “We prescreen dogs for obedience,” says Olmstead. “If they pass the pre-screen, we temperament-test them.” Dogs and their handlers do a weekend of training and a test, then practicums in six different facilities. The airport is one of the most demanding settings, says Olmstead. EIA was the first Canadian airport to introduce pet therapy, and Cox has since today’s airport procedures can be a stressful was recruited for a trial run, wandering the made it her mission to spread the word. and exhausting experience. boarding lounges to offer up free snuggles. Her 2015 presentation at a conference in That’s where the dogs of the pet therapy “As soon as that dog put on his pet-therapy Kelowna encouraged airports across the team at EIA come in. vest, we only managed to walk about 15 feet country to implement similar programs. Back in the spring of 2014, manager in 20 minutes,” recalls Cox. “I knew immedi- “Hook your wagon to a society that’s doing of passenger experience Sarah Cox was at ately this would be a hit.” this and it will change your airport,” she told home watching TV, when a story about pet With Cotton blazing the trail, in just a conference attendees. therapy at Los Angeles International Airport few weeks there were 10 dog-handler teams, Airports in Fort McMurray, Vancouver, caught her eye. Watching frazzled passengers with statuesque Doberman pinschers, golden Kelowna and Montreal have since started year 2018 was the busiest ever at the laugh and smile as they hugged and petted retrievers and a fluffy little Havanese all their own pet therapy programs, with more Edmonton International Airport (EIA). the animals, she wondered, “Why don’t we bringing joy to stressed-out travellers. on the way. More than 8.2 million passengers flew in do that here?” Those numbers remain the same today, All that’s missing at EIA now, says Cox, and out of the bustling hub, and it’s safe Not one to waste time, she reached out except during busy holiday periods when are the tools to bring even more joy to to say not all of them were on their way to to Lori Goodwin, then director of the Pet the airport brings in reinforcements to passengers. “We’re always looking for more sunny family vacations or blissful romantic Therapy Society of Northern Alberta, meet demand. (therapy-dog) teams. If we had constant getaways. Harried executives use air transport which brings dogs and their handlers “You think it’s going to be all kids that teams all day and all evening, that would to get to crucial meetings. Mourning family into a variety of organizations. Goodwin want to pet the dog, but it appeals to every- be wonderful.” hope members fly to faraway funerals or to visit was immediately interested. Within days, one,” says Cox. She’s seen men in business “Airports can be such a stressful environ- GOOD GIRL loved ones who are ill. And even in the sweet-natured husky malamute Cotton— suits drop everything to kneel down for ment. It’s such a nice grounding experience happiest of circumstances, getting through under the watchful eye of owner Janice— a canine cuddle. In the first week of the to meet a dog. They give unconditional love.”

28 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 29 STRESSEDSTRESSED ABOUTABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THE STRESS TEST MAKES:

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$450,000 $22,500 $17,100 $444,600 $2,672.54 $2,219.76

$500,000 $25,000 $19,000 $494,000 $2,969.49 $2,466.40

$550,000 $27,500 $20,900 $543,400 $3,266.40 $2,713.04 THE STRESS TEST IS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH THIS TEST WAS INTRODUCED TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. THAT YOU CAN STILL MAKE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS IF INTEREST RATES WERE TO RISE IN THE FUTURE. THE 2019 FEDERAL BUDGET HAS IF YOU HAVE A DOWN A FEW PROPOSED CHANGES: PAYMENT OF … • Increasing the limit on current RRSP withdrawal for first-time homebuyers under the Home Buyers Plan (HBP) LESS THAN 20% to $30,000 for an individual or $70,000 between a couple purchasing a home together. (DEFAULT INSURED) • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) can participate in a Shared Equity program. This would be a loan of up to The qualifying rate is based on the 10% for new builds and 5% for existing homes. I.e., Based on a 10% equity share from CMHC, this incentive would reduce monthly Bank of Canada’s 5-year posted rate or the payments by approximately $225 on a $400,000 home. CMHC would retain the equity percentage in the home until the loan is lender rate, whichever is higher. I.e., If the paid back, either when the home is sold or when the mortgage matures. More details to follow as this comes into effect. lender rate is 3.5% and the posted 5-year rate is 5.34%, you need to qualify at 5.34%. PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS: 20% OR MORE Minimum down payments must still be met and the Must be first-time homebuyers. The qualifying rate is based on the 1. mortgage value cannot exceed four times the household Bank of Canada’s 5-year posted rate or the income (mortgage value capped at $480,000). lender rate plus 2%, whichever is higher. 3. I.e., If the lender rate is 3.5% + 2% = 5.5%, Combined household income cannot exceed $120,000 per year. you need to qualify at this rate (higher 2. than the posted rate of 5.34%).

FOR ADVICE ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR FINANCES, CONTACT: SHERI MITCHELL MOBILE MORTGAGE SPECIALIST WITH RBC ROYAL BANK | Royal Bank of Canada C: 780-887-1185 E: [email protected]

30 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 31 Why did you choose to build in Creekwood Collections? BUILDER Q & A It’s a great southwest community and it’s close to a lot of amenities, from natural ones like the ravine and walking trails, to shopping amenities. There’s every Crystal Creek Homes type of shop available within a matter of minutes and the natural amenities really appealed to us. Plus, our lots are across the street from the ravine and within walking distance of the Donald R. Getty family-run business, Crystal Creek Homes creates a school. Perfect for the growing family. seamless homebuilding process and provides expert What range of home designs do guidance to new homebuyers. A Crystal Creek you offer clients that are buying home isn’t just bricks and mortar or lumber and nails — in Creekwood Collections? it’s about comfort, style and making a house your home. We have a wide range of options — from 1,974 sq. ft. to over 2,400 sq. ft. — and nine or 10 different sizes in between. And, these plans can be modified based on the needs of the homebuyer. We have plans that include three bedrooms, four bedrooms with a bonus room and ones that have a den on the main floor that can be made into a bedroom. We also have options with separate entrances which can be added to most of our plans. Who are your homes built for? Most of our homes in Creekwood Collections are for the growing family, often looking for their next home to accommodate their expanding needs and wants. The close proximity to the K–9 school down the street fits perfectly with this family-oriented neighbourhood. What should someone who purchases one of your homes expect? Homebuyers receive very personalized care at Crystal Creek. Their main point of contact until date of possession is Sales Manager Christine Pilling who has 20 years of experience. She knows the ins and outs of homebuilding and effectively advises clients, guiding them through the entire process, including extra walk-throughs to see their home build in progress. Having one point of contact helps streamline the service for our clients, and reduces the risk of any errors being made. Clients receive walk-throughs with our construction manager, who can easily answer any construction question, and our outstanding warranty manager, who scores a six out of six in satisfaction ratings every time. Our clients also receive personalized care after they move in — we’re happy to answer questions even after the homeowner has taken possession.

32 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 33 CONSTRUCTION

MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS! Enter the communities from: • 41 Avenue SW via Chappelle Way, Chappelle 41 Avenue Heritage Valley Trail Road, Chappelle Vista and Heritage Valley Trail • 141 Street SW via Chappelle Drive DETOURS and Heritage Valley Trail Watch for detours in spring on Heritage Valley Trail Visit the City of Edmonton website at Edmonton.ca for updates on city road closures and trac disruptions

DETOUR

SCHOOL IS IN Donald R. Getty K-9 School

NEW PARK New park coming soon in Creekwood Collections

STAY TUNED!

OPEN OPEN

What can you tell readers about this past December, we donated all surrounded ourselves with an entire team, your company’s history? of the proceeds from our showhome not just within the company, but outside of Crystal Creek began in 2004. It’s a furniture warehouse sale. it through our partnerships—people with family-run business, originally building whom we have a longstanding relationship STORE homes in Calgary and then expanding What sets Crystal Creek and we know can help the client. into the Edmonton market. The company apart from other builders? We get a lot of referrals from existing STORE AMENITIES has continued to grow in Edmonton It’s our collective experience. Our team clients saying they really enjoyed working New shopping and commercial and we’re a pretty tight-knit team. has decades and decades of experience with us and that we made the process easy OPEN amenities coming soon at and the owner of Crystal Creek knows for them. It’s great to have people who Chappelle Crossing Do you have any the industry extremely well. This level are so happy with the entire process from announcements you would of experience counts for quite a lot when beginning to end that they tell their friends, like readers to know about? you’re building a home because, as a new “Yes, I would definitely build with them.” OPEN We’ve introduced eight new floor homebuyer, you need people who know plans, designed and created just for what they’re doing, have experience Creekwood Collections. For every and can guide you through the entire TRAIL ADDITIONS plan, we’ve customized three exterior process. There’s a lot to think about, a options for homebuyers from “prairie” to & WALKING PATHS lot to do and a lot of different upgrades More walking trails and paths “contemporary” to “modern farmhouse”. available, like electrical and plumbing. are coming soon to Creekwood It’s important to have a team who can and Creekwood Collections What charities or local make that experience as easy as possible. SHOWHOME organizations do you We also have mortgage specialists Now Open! support in Edmonton? that know our process very well and OPEN We support a variety of charities that are we pay the legal fees for our clients, so 6308 Crawford Link affiliated with the trades that we work our lawyers also make the experience with. We also support the Food Bank — at closing as seamless as possible. We’ve CrystalCreekHomes.ca

34 CreekLife | spring 2019 LiveSouthEdmonton.com 35