26 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer
August 28, 2009
Approved: Mike Vernon’s Painted Ridge subdivision in Canal Flats By Sally Waddington Pioneer Staff Former NHL goalie Mike Vernon will make headlines on both sides of the Rockies this week, after selling his sprawling Calgary estate for a record-setting $10.3 million. On this side of the mountains, his lakeside development in Canal Flats is moving forward with gusto. Last week, court-appointed approving officer Gary Mott signed the subdivision servicing agreement for Painted Ridge, a 31-lot subdivision on the eastern banks of Columbia Lake. “Our subdivision approval has gone through,” said Karl Sterzer, the development’s project manager. “Painted Ridge is alive and well.” The agreement was finalized within days of the sale of Mike Vernon’s 12,700-square-foot Elbow Park estate for $10.3 million, making it the most expensive home in Calgary. In Canal Flats, the Stanley Cup-winning former goaltender for the Calgary Flames spends each summer in a more modest home.
“Since we started down this road of development, Mike has spent two months here full-time each year,” Mr. Sterzer said. Mr. Vernon currently lives in a 4,000-square-foot log home that was already on the Painted Ridge property when he purchased it in December 2004. Now that the development is moving ahead, he plans to build a new home for himself and his family on one of the 31 lots. “Mike will be an integral part of Painted Ridge,” Mr. Sterzer said. “His plan is absolutely to have Painted Ridge a continued part of his lifestyle. It is a permanent fixture in the long-term plans of Mike Vernon.” Canal Flats council approved Painted Ridge’s subdivision servicing agreement on August 10th. That paved the way for approving officer Gary Mott to sign the servicing agreement last week. The other 30 lots are now being marketed, Karl Sterzer said. “We are starting off by revisiting all the people who have expressed interest until now and have been waiting for five years,” Mr. Sterzer said. “We will talk to them first, then advertise locally and in Calgary, then any remaining lots will be listed.”
The signed agreement points to the end of a prolonged court case between Painted Ridge and the Village of Canal Flats. In February 2008, when the subdivision agreement stalled, Painted Ridge started legal action. In August 2008, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in favour of Painted Ridge and ordered the two parties to agree on an external approving officer. When that wasn’t possible, the court appointed Cranbrook’s deputy city engineer Gary Mott to act on behalf of Canal Flats last October. Both parties are hopeful that this agreement will conclude the legal action and signal an economic change for Canal Flats. “I am absolutely pleased. It has been a long time coming,” said mayor Bruce Woodbury. “It will mean more property tax revenue for the Village of Canal Flats and if houses start being built, it triggers employment opportunities in Canal Flats.” Karl Sterzer said the development will have multiple benefits for the community. “The goal of Painted Ridge is to create a responsible development. It will create employment for the people of Canal Flats and bring in new faces and new neighbours,” he said.
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