SOUTH COMMUNITIES LEAD AIRDRIE GROWTH
Southwinds sets the pace as city’s population rises nearly 5 per cent
Three new communities on the south end of Airdrie shouldered much of the small city’s population growth last year.
Airdrie’s municipal census now puts the city’s head count at 64,922. This marks 4.98 per growth, adding 3,080 new residents between April 2016 and April 2017.
The previous census posted a population uptick of 5.37 per cent.
“Our growth rate remains steady as we continue to welcome new residents to our community,” says Mayor Peter Brown. “New residents add to the richness of our community and we invite them to enjoy the amenities we have here in Airdrie.”
Including single-family homes and multi-family development, 1,261 new homes were added to the Airdrie landscape, lifting 5.48 per cent from the previous year, says the census.
For both population and new home growth, a master-planned community by Mattamy Homes recorded the highest tally. Southwinds led all ends of the city in new residents with 550 people, and new dwellings with 180.
Mattamy is the land developer and home builder of the community.
“I think the big thing is that it’s been consistent, now that it’s a mature community,” says Warren Saunders, Mattamy’s vice-president of sales and marketing.
“It has a lot of amenities in place, so I think it’s been desirable for a lot of people because of that.”
This includes a new school for students from kindergarten to Grade 8, set to open this autumn.
“It’s a good family location,” adds Saunders.
Southwinds devotes nine hectares to green space, including a four- hectare environmental reserve and integrated pond. There’s also a 2.5-kilometre pathway system and five playgrounds distributed throughout the community. One of the playgrounds is in Osborne Park, which is centrally located in Southwinds.
Following Southwinds, the communities with the highest number of new residents were Ravenswood on the southeast end of the city, and Hillcrest near Southwinds in the southwest.
Ravenswood by Qualico Communities had 357 new residents.
The builders are Broadview Homes, NuVista Homes, McKee Homes, Pacesetter by Sterling Homes, and Avalon Master Builder.
“The quiet, quaint and smalltown charm of Ravenswood allows families to come home to a relaxing setting full of many parks and green corridors in a welcoming safe environment,” says Daisy Lieu, Qualico’s marketing specialist.
“The two schools conveniently located in and near Ravenswood are a great draw for growing families with young children,” she says. “We find that access to schools are a big indicator with our ( generation) X buyer population when it comes down to choosing their community and Ravenswood serves that amenity.”
Meanwhile, Hillcrest added 348 residents last year. The Hillcrest community by Apex Land has a builder group that includes Excel Homes, McKee Homes, and Shane Homes.
Hillcrest also includes a separate townhouse development exclusive to Mattamy.
The Gates at Hillcrest offers both front- drive garage town- homes called manors and singlecar village homes.
In both cases, there are no condo fees.
For new dwellings in Airdrie, Southwinds was followed by Willowbrook and Baysprings, with 130 and 124 additions, respectively, says the census.