Diverse neighbourhood opens doors for tour
Since moving to the Crescents neighbourhood a few years ago, the Davin School home tour has been on Cory Beaujot’s radar.
On Saturday afternoon, his twostorey brick house will be open to the public for the 18th annual fundraiser event, which features eight open houses in the Cathedral and Crescents area.
Those houses, from Beaujot’s 1929 home to a new build, reflect the neighbourhood’s diversity — something Beaujot appreciates about the area.
“There are houses that are six months old all the way to 100 years old basically, and there’s very few that are alike. The diversity; it’s a little bit more of a higher population density within our community,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of interesting conversations that can be had around all of that. So if it’s drawing people in from Greens on Gardiner … or Lakeview or North Central or wherever, I think it’s just good for people to be able to experience different communities.”
“The mishmash is interesting to see, and it’s part of what makes up a neighbourhood,” said Jade LeaWilson, who is on the Davin School home tour organizing committee.
“Every house has got something. … Some of them have a little curved door or brick work or beautiful flower beds or even interesting roof lines or cedar shakes. Our neighbourhood is so rich with those character homes. They’re fun to tour.”
Beaujot’s house has old and new, after ongoing extensive renovations in the five-or-so years since he and his partner, Joey Tremblay, moved in.
They have replaced their roof, updated wiring in all but two rooms, installed new insulation and flooring, replaced the kitchen, added a bathroom, repoured and refinished the basement, and built a garage, among other fixes.
Lea-Wilson and her six fellow committee members spend many evenings door-knocking to choose the homes on the tour.
Last year’s home tour raised $11,000 to support the school. In almost two decades since the event began, funds raised have purchased new playground equipment and a new school sign.
The Davin School home tour is Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m.
The walkable tour begins at the school, 2401 Retallack St., where people pick up their maps.
Tickets are $30 and available online at davinhometour.ticketbud.com or in person at The Room Hair Design and Magpie’s Kitchen.
Infants obtain free admission, but everyone else needs a ticket.
Shoes must be left at the door and purses and backpacks should be left at home.