CRANBROOK CALLING
Wildstone fits the bill for retirees
“When it came down to narrowing our search for our ideal retirement home, there was some non-negotiable criteria,” says Alan Ronney, a recent retiree from Calgary’s volatile oil and gas industry.
“We wanted a destination where spring occurs one month earlier than Calgary and fall lasts one month longer. We wanted a place with plenty of sunshine hours and one that features excellent outdoor recreation options including golf, kayaking, and hiking. We also wanted an airport nearby and an excellent hospital and health-care system. Cranbrook ticked all the boxes. And, specifically, the Wildstone development.”
Situated three and a half hours west of Calgary in the Kootenay Rockies, Cranbrook — according to Environment Canada, the sunniest location in British Columbia — is the commercial hub in the region. Its population is approximately 20,000. Long considered a diverse, blue-collar mountain town, it’s also growing in popularity when it comes to tourism and recreation and retirement properties.
Including golf, which is particularly strong in the region (there is a handful of outstanding mountain golf courses in the area), there is a tremendous variety of outdoor recreation options in and around town. And, yes, the climate certainly helps. As do outstanding residential communities that capture the best that the region has to offer — like Wildstone.
The Wildstone development broke ground in 2007 (the Gary Player-designed golf course, his first Black Knight Design in Canada, opened in 2011) and is situated on beautiful benchlands overlooking the stunning Hughes Range, which features the iconic sight of Fisher Peak and the Steeples. Although somewhat removed from the city and sitting higher up (hence the awesome views), the development is located within minutes of Cranbrook’s historic downtown and within walking distance of big box stores.
“Wildstone’s location couldn’t be better,” says Sandra Ronney, also a retired oil and gas executive. “And we’re close enough to Calgary that we can easily return for a weekend or a few days to visit family and friends. If we need to fly anywhere, the Canadian Rockies International Airport is just a 10-minute drive from our door.
The flying time to Calgary is just 45 minutes.”
Unquestionably, the Wildstone development, which is approximately 25 per cent complete, is anchored by the impressive Player-designed championship golf course. Beautiful white-silica sand bunkers and grass-capped dunes frame many of the holes, which dip and dive down the fall lines and swerve through towering stands of lodgepole pine. The bold and contemporary layout — which also features driveable
par-4s, exquisitely shaped green complexes, a world-class practice area, and one of the best finishing runs in the province — is always in immaculate condition.
“We typically play golf three times a week,” says Sandra. “The management team at Wildstone does an amazing job with the course. When people come here and play it for the first time, they are never disappointed. It’s very walkable and the views are terrific.
“We love going for walks on the course in the morning and snowshoeing on the paths in winter. Also, the famous Rails to Trails pathway starts right next to the course and it’s one of the best family-friendly biking adventures you can have in British Columbia.
“We also spend plenty of time on our outdoor patio, which we can basically do every month of the year in Cranbrook. It’s considerably warmer here than Calgary!”
Although the Ronneys purchased a single-family home in the sold-out Whins area, Wildstone is currently offering two new real estate options — Legacy Lookout and Legacy Summit — that will appeal to both permanent homeowners and recreational property buyers. The exclusive builder and developer of these products is the award-winning New Dawn Developments.
Legacy Lookout, which is half sold, features single-family homes positioned in the heart of the community. Many lots back onto the course (they are protected by trees and are situated well back from the fairways) and are ideal for walkout basements. The current show home model — the Fisher — features a bright, open plan with an oversized L-shaped kitchen, large rear deck, and a spacious living room with pristine Rocky Mountain views.
But the showstoppers at Wildstone — certainly in terms of early sales and interest — are the luxurious condo homes at Legacy Summit. With two rooftop patios, secured underground heated parking, nine-foot ceilings, superior sound proofing, and individual air conditioning for all units, it’s easy to see why people are snapping them up.
“There really isn’t anything else like this in Cranbrook,” says Tom Nopper, sales manager at New Dawn Developments.
“The views are incredible and the units are spacious. It’s a stateof-the-art building that’s private and secure with outstanding value and very attractive price points. And those rooftop patios are definitely getting people’s attention.”
The first building (there are three planned) is currently 78 per cent sold, and the second building is slated to begin construction in late 2020. There will be a total of 69 condo units (23 per building) and 61 single-family homes when the Legacy project is complete.
“Unquestionably, it’s the active-living lifestyle, especially the golf course, and the quality of the people here that we love the most,” says Sandra.
“Oh, and the amount of sunshine we get here is the icing on the cake.”
It’s very walkable and the views are terrific. We love going for walks on the course in the morning and snowshoeing on the paths in winter. Also, the famous Rails to Trails pathway starts right next to the course. Wildstone resident Sandra Ronney