REC & INVESTMENT PROPERTIES:
Calgarians enjoy Valley’s Edge Resort within B.C.’S scenic Columbia Valley
Like many Calgarians who have a place at Valley’s Edge Resort, the Hutleys love the fact their B.C. getaway only takes a trip of three hours by car from their front door. They spend about 70 nights per year at the resort, along the way enjoying “a beautiful drive.”
Like the many Calgary residents who have a place at Valley’s Edge Resort, the Hutleys love the fact their weekend getaway is only three hours away.
That quick drive from their front door to the scenic Columbia Valley in B.C. allows them to get away almost every weekend from May long weekend to September long weekend.
“We love it. We absolutely love it,” says Karen Hutley, who works in the oil and gas industry.
She and husband Rob have two daughters, ages 15 and 18. Karen is in her late 40s and Rob is in his early 50s.
The family bought an RV lot in 2008 in the development, which opened in 2006.
They spend about 70 nights per year at the resort, depending on family commitments.
Karen calls the trip from Calgary “a beautiful drive,” adding it isn’t unusual to see wildlife, such as bears, on the side of the road.
While Valley’s Edge is a fourseason resort, the area’s summer weather was a particular draw for the Hutleys.
“It’s almost guaranteed it’s better weather there than here,” says Karen about the resort, which is near the town of Radium.
“It’s different on the other side of the rocks. It’s so hot. In the summer, it’s very common to see 35 C and higher.”
Located about a seven-minute drive from Radium Hot Springs, the project has about 20 RV sites, five park model sites and 50 cottage sites remaining. Upon completion, it will have 201 lots.
Lots come with a strata (condominium) title and all buyers are entitled to vote on strata matters.
For the RV and park model sites, lots range from $69,900 to $94,900, including GST. People who want a cottage can buy one with land starting at $269,900.
Cottages start at 1,050 square feet above ground and a finished or unfinished 700-squarefoot basement.
Since they first bought at the resort, the Hutleys have had no problem connecting with the other owners.
“It’s like family — lots of good friends,” says Karen, adding many of the friendships she and her family have made with fellow Calgarians at the resort continue when they return to the city.
“Lasting relationships, that’s for sure,” she says.
At the resort, there’s no shortage of ways for owners to spend their days.
They can take advantage of the surrounding natural beauty, such as Lake Windermere, or make use of the many manmade amenities — both at the resort and in the surrounding area.
“My husband taught me how to golf and has taught my youngest daughter how to golf, so we really enjoy golfing,” says Karen.
There are about 14 golf courses within a 40-minute drive of the resort.
“It’s great golf — beautiful golf,” says Glen Ortt, president of developer Valley’s Edge Park Ltd.
For everyone from “beginners right up to scratch golfers, there’s something for everybody,” he says.
But golfing is just one of many things to do in the valley.
It seems like you can split it three ways, says Ortt. “They are either a boater, a quadder or a golfer.”
Many of the buyers at the resort own a boat, he says, adding other popular activities include hiking, skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and lazing on the beach.
“The valley offers whatever your mind can really dream up,” says Ortt.
The resort, itself, features a heated outdoor pool, along with tennis, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts.
It also has a clubhouse with a hall, kitchen, fitness centre, library and playground, along with two washroom facilities, and a laundry area.