Cottage club

On the shores of Ghost Lake, this cottage community offers a lot more than expected.

With five phases in planning, 60% of the lots are sold. “One can buy and build here for as low as $250,000. Phase four is now open and offers some smaller lots that start at $109,000,” adds Stengler. In addition to its recreation centre, Cottageclub also has many well-placed amenities throughout the community that includes a beach volleyball court, wildlife protected community gardens, and an observatory where residents are welcome to bring their telescope to where light pollution does not exist.

Aura Quality Homes has been building in Cottageclub from the start with many of the streetscapes influenced by Aura’s Modern Alpine flair. “We have built nine cottages since its inception and have another five ready to start this summer,” says Ken Denchuk of Aura Quality Homes. “It only takes six months to build any model from our number of exciting open floor plans, which allows the cottage owner to customize finishes and layout options with personalized flair and function,” notes Denchuk. The façade can further be customized within the same model to capture one’s own style and avoid redundant or cookie-cutter curb appeal.

With two Aura cottages now open to view, one very similar layout hosts two very different décor themes, showcasing the use of finishes to create differentiation from a stylistic point of view. “One of our show cottages depicts a Country Modern theme with shiplap ceilings, reclaimed hardwoods, and brickfaced walls. The second cottage displays a more modern décor with both hosting generous, well-placed windows throughout for natural light,” describes Denchuk. “It’s amazing how different these two cottages appear in look and feel just by being creative with finishes. I think that it’s important for people to be able to identify a style they like, and it’s easier to do so when viewing near identical layouts.”

“At Cottageclub we work within a 950-squarefoot layout because we want to address a continuity in lifestyle and therefore prevent the glaring contrasts of overbuilt properties,” explains Denchuk. A destination for professionals, families, dog walkers, and school

teachers, he adds, “There is diversity amongst those who buy here and I believe that a lot of people choose Cottageclub because it fosters this sense that everybody is equal.”

Utilizing every square-inch into useful space, Aura Quality Homes is adept at being creative with storage solutions and built-ins. “This really promotes open-concept styling as limited square footage pushes us to become very creative.”

An advocate of naturalized landscaping options, CottageClub discourages lawns, allowing only indigenous growth with seeds and seedlings supplied by the developer. “This really ties the community together with comprehensive foliage and landscape elements,” says Denchuk.

While downsizing is the solution for many, Ken believes that their cottages feel much more spacious than the square footage implies. “But ultimately, it’s our attractive facades and dynamic layouts that really draw one in. We all take pride in owning a beautiful cottage, but when it’s in Cottageclub, with all of its draws and amenities, it’s truly a destination worth exploring.”

At Aura Quality Homes, it is that focus on quality that is important to them and more importantly, to their clients. “Some may think that by buying into a cottage-style community that the standards may be lower than city living, when in fact the opposite is true. The client expects perfection and quality due to their size. We are providing 2,500 square feet of function and lifestyle in 600 – 950 square feet of layouts, and quality needs to appear at the forefront.”

Nearly 20% of Cottageclub owners call Cottageclub their primary residence, perfect for active snowbirds. This fully fenced, gated community encourages a lock-and-leave lifestyle. “Our weekend users typically live in Calgary and surrounding areas and come out in the summer, oftentimes spending holidays here with family,” shares Stengler.

With the recreation centre open year-round, the sky is the limit when opportunities for entertainment in the summer seem endless. With several events planned each year, holiday gatherings seem to spring up organically. Several community groups have also been formed that share common interests such as book club and paddle boarding. “Many Calgarians have made Cottageclub their second home, and it’s also the ideal place to retire. You’ll have easy access to hiking and skiing at Canmore, Banff, Kananaskis, Sunshine and Lake Louise,” says Stengler. So if it’s community involvement and sun-drenched fun that you are seeking, then perhaps it’s time for a short, scenic drive to see what resort living done right can do for you.