Calgary Herald

RANCHERS’ RISE OFFERS COUNTRY LIFE IN THE CITY

- JOSH SKAPIN

Bigger yards, sweeping views and no need to compromise on amenities. This is what Lara McCully, Arthur Jack and their kids, Austin and Brinley, found when they chose a scenic community in Okotoks for their next home.

The family is moving to Ranchers’ Rise, a community master-planned by Bordeaux Developmen­ts. They chose a version of the Berkshire 2 floor plan by Sterling Homes. The standard model is displayed as one of the builder’s show homes in the community and measures 2,461 square feet.

“We went through the show home and loved it,” says McCully. We found a lot that we loved and it was such a good price in this cute little cul-de-sac and we’re just like ‘Oh, maybe this is meant to be.’ ”

Joining Sterling in Ranchers’ Rise are Baywest Homes and Wolverine Custom Homes. The streetscap­e features eye-catching architectu­re, including Farmhouse, Craftsman, Tudor and French Country designs.

An existing show home parade is located on Ranchers Crescent. Five new show homes will open in the community May 9. Two each from Sterling and Baywest and one for Wolverine.

On a typical lot, homes in current phase of the community start in the $500,000s, including tax. This phase is comprised of 79 lots.

For McCully, what made an immediate impression was the difference in size of the lots and distance between the homes. The family lives in a more establishe­d community on Calgary’s northwest end, where the houses are much closer, says McCully.

“When you’re that close it almost feels like you’re in an attached home, when you’re not,” says McCully. Lots in the current phase of Ranchers’ Rise are 36 to 50 feet wide.

“It’s just a feeling of openness and roominess — you have your own space,” adds McCully. “Ranchers’ Rise felt like we were in the country but it still had a city feel to it because there were a lot of amenities and things like that.”

From the lot they chose, there’s a beautiful view, says McCully.

“Depending where you are, you can see the mountains,” she adds. “Lots of ponds and walkways and nature.”

When the family first looked at Okotoks as a new place to live, they wondered if leaving the city would mean waving goodbye to many of the franchise stores and restaurant­s they’ve come to love, like Costco.

That question was answered with a quick drive through town.

“Then we’d walk down the street it would be there,” says McCully, laughing. “So it was ‘OK, we’re not going to miss anything.”

Okotoks has gone through a significan­t and steady growth phase over the last decade, says Bordeaux’s vice-president of marketing and communicat­ions Ryan Hall.

“The town is busier than it once was, but offers most of the necessary amenities like schools, shopping, sports facilities and family recreation,” says Hall. “If people are willing to commute to work in Calgary, it’s quite a nice option because it offers those who want a yard, a quiet street for their kids and a more attainable price.”

Ranchers’ Rise is now 10 phases into the community, which means many of the developmen­t’s features have now taken shape.

“Ranchers’ Rise was developed from back to front so, it’s taken a while, but we are now at the point of developmen­t where visitors and residents will experience the full potential as they enter into this community,” says Hall.

“This includes a permanent road, beautiful entry monumentat­ion, tree-lined streets and pageantry. Green spaces will be created and you’ll see the sports field and school site as well.”

Okotoks Air Ranch Airport is a fully certified airport that is located centrally in the community and provides an airstrip and flight school for recreation­al pilots, says Hall. Homes that back onto the airstrip have design requiremen­ts to ensure safety.

McCully says she and her family are looking forward to seeing planes takeoff nearby.

“We’ve never seen them, every time we’ve been out there looking at the house,” adds McCully. “We’re really excited about that part.”

 ?? DON MOLYNEAUX/ CALGARY HERALD ?? Lara McCully and Arthur Jack like the “feeling of openness and roominess” that comes with their new home in Rancher’s Rise. They chose a Berkshire 2 floorplan by Sterling Homes.
DON MOLYNEAUX/ CALGARY HERALD Lara McCully and Arthur Jack like the “feeling of openness and roominess” that comes with their new home in Rancher’s Rise. They chose a Berkshire 2 floorplan by Sterling Homes.
 ?? PHOTOS: BORDEAUX DEVELOPMEN­TS ?? Ranchers’ Rise in Okotoks is the destinatio­n for home buyers who want a big yard and quiet street for their children and a more attainable price.
PHOTOS: BORDEAUX DEVELOPMEN­TS Ranchers’ Rise in Okotoks is the destinatio­n for home buyers who want a big yard and quiet street for their children and a more attainable price.
 ??  ?? Ranchers’ Rise in Okotoks features plenty of open green spaces and playground­s.
Ranchers’ Rise in Okotoks features plenty of open green spaces and playground­s.
 ??  ?? Walking paths provide residents of Ranchers’ Rise in Okotoks with an opportunit­y to keep active and get a breath of fresh air.
Walking paths provide residents of Ranchers’ Rise in Okotoks with an opportunit­y to keep active and get a breath of fresh air.

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