Childhood dream now B.C. reality
Calgary couple purchases cottage at Lakestone on Lake Okanagan
Calgary couple Don Hodgson and Nicole Butler fell in love with the Okanagan when they were children.
“I’m from Ottawa originally,” says Nicole.
“We had a family vacation there when I was about 10 years old. I remember thinking at the time that the Okanagan was where I want to be.” She never lost that feeling. Don, meanwhile, was raised in Calgary and visited the Okanagan every summer on family vacations.
“I’ve loved the Okanagan since I was about five. I’ve always dreamed about getting out there again,” he says.
This summer, they fulfilled their dream. They spent two months at their new cottage at Lakestone on Lake Okanagan, filling their days with visits to different beaches with their two children, Dylan, 5, and Kayla, 2.
“We’d get up, have breakfast and decide which beach we would go to,” says Nicole.
It was a dream a few years in the making.
In 2007, Don and Nicole were looking for land for a recreation property in the Okanagan when they came across Lakestone, which is on the east side of Lake Okanagan in the municipality of Lake Country.
“The second we drove onto the property, we thought the view from this place is just spectacular. You’re not even on a lot; you’re driving through the entrance and it’s amazing,” says Don.
Not only the view is amazing, but access is, too. It’s a 10-minute drive from the Kelowna airport and about 15 to 20 minutes into the B.C. city, itself.
The couple bought a lot, but then the economy turned, so they waited a while to build.
“We started thinking about building in 2010. The other thing that affected us was the introduction of the HST out there,” says Don.
“Unfortunately the arrangement was anybody building a vacation home paid full HST, so the price went up five per cent right there. We sat on it for a little while.
“Right around 2010, the economy was getting better, so we started to work on a design.”
The extra taxes are now no longer being charged on vacation homes in B.C.
Through Okanagan home builder Heritage Construction, the family built a 1,850-squarefoot bungalow with a further 1,700 square feet in the developed walkout basement. The home features vaulted ceilings and timber elements.
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, with the secondary bedrooms designed so they can be turned into a guest room and a den when the kids are older.
“We figure eventually we will move out there and use it as our permanent home,” says Don.
The house has a stacked threecar garage, with space for two cars on the main floor — and a third below — with an entrance off the walk-out basement level. The home also has a large, partially covered deck of about 450 square feet.
“If our kids played more independently, we could sit out there and enjoy the view, and enjoy the lake and watch the boats go by,” says Don. “Even at night, I just sit there and look at the stars because the air is so clean and clear.”
Lakestone’s land slopes toward the water.
“They’ve set it out so that there are unobstructed views to the lake for most of the houses,” says Don. “That’s what you’re there for — to have a beautiful view of the lake.”
For this first phase of development, which is called Waterside, lake access is prime.
“It’s very close,” says Nicole. “It’s maybe only five minutes’ walk down to the beach.”
While they enjoy the summer lake living, the family also appreciate the year-round recreational opportunities available nearby. It’s only a 45-minute drive to either the Big White or Silver Star ski resorts, says Don.
“You can’t get to Nakiska that fast from Calgary,” he says. “They’re really nice ski hills, and the villages are cute, too,”
Nicole has probably skied most of the resorts through Alberta and B.C., and she says Silver Star and Big White “are up there with my favourites.”
Lakestone was originally started by a different developer and launched in 2007. It was later bought by Macdonald Development Corp.
Having Macdonald take over the development gave great confidence to Don and Nicole.
“They are so entrenched in the Okanagan,” says Don.
“They have done multiple projects here and have another master-planned community 10 minutes from here that’s nearly built out. They’ve done over 1,000 lots at The Lakes.”
“They love doing business here and they have an appetite for the Okanagan. When the opportunity came to purchase Lakestone, I think it was a pretty quick conversation.”
The master plan for Lakestone involves 222 hectares, with the majority overlooking Lake Okanagan. The development is approved for 1,365 properties — a mix of single-family, townhomes and condominiums.
“The first phase, Waterside, is a pretty prestigious address and there are 103 single-family home sites,” says Jason Koverchuk of Lakestone. This summer, 36 lots were released for sale and about half are spoken for.
“The lake views are stunning,” says Koverchuk.
“They’re long, long views
That’s what you’re there for — to have a beautiful view of the lake. DON HODGSON
down the lake. The fact that it’s a sloping hillside means that every home that’s built at Lakestone will have incredible lake views.”
The plan for development starts with lots near the water’s edge working back up the hillside, adding amenities along the way.
“In this first neighbourhood, called Waterside, Macdonald is building the Lake Club, a $3.5-million lakefront clubhouse,” says Koverchuk. “It will be complete before most people’s homes are built.”
The Lake Club will offer a pool, hot tubs, fitness centre, barbecue area, outdoor kitchen and catering facilities. It will also have a place to store kayaks and other water gear.
“I don’t know too many communities in the Okanagan that have paddleboard and kayak storage,” says Koverchuk. “You can walk down from your home and you don’t have to load them on your car or drag them down to the beach. You just have to go down to the Lake Club and you can get your water toys, launch them in the shallow waters and go for a paddle.”
Future amenities planned include tennis courts, upwards of 30 kilometres of bike-friendly walking trails, additional recreation facilities and plenty of small parks with benches. Summit Park, which is to be located at the top of the land, includes plans for an outdoor amphitheatre.
“Lake Country is so passionate about their art and their music,” says Koverchuk.
“That will be a great setting for outdoor music festivals and art exhibits. It’s years away, but it will be a great enhancement to what Lake Country already offers.”
Lots are pre-selling now for people who want to start construction in the spring, though buyers have two years to begin building.
“Buyers really have until spring 2016 to start if they need a little time to design their home, find a builder and really get comfortable with what their retirement or vacation home will look like in the Okanagan,” says Koverchuk.
“It’s not a rush. I’m finding people really like that right now.”
Lots average 0.089 hectares and start at $195,000. They are perfectly suited for bungalow walk-outs because of the sloping terrain.
“Most people are looking for main-floor living, roughly 1,500 to 2,000 square feet,” says Koverchuk.
“Then they want another 1,000 to 1,500 square feet on the lower level and that’s really for guests, kids and grandkids. These home sites are perfectly suited for homes 2,500 square feet and bigger. There are limitations on the maximum size, too.”
Architectural controls will preserve views, as well as the overall look of the community.
“The style of home is a little more contemporary than you might find in other communities throughout the Okanagan. It’s refreshing,” says Koverchuk.