On The Bay Spring 2015

Spring 2015

w w w . on t h e ba y m a g a zi n e . c om

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CELEBRATING LIFE IN SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY

Water Wonderlands The latest backyard water features

Where Do You Want to Live?

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This renovated home features 3 bdrm, custom kitchen and large yard. Back onto trail system and just minutes to Sunset Point Beach. .$329,900 MLS® 582900051

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Inthisissue features 21 Adventures in Real Estate smarter ways to buy and sell your home

by Janet Lees

37 Designed for Living

74

the needs of today’s buyers are changing, and developers are scrambling to meet them.

by Janet Lees

41 Development Q&A Food for thought about residential development – and the economic future of southern Georgian Bay.

45 New Homes On the Bay is pleased to present our annual guide to active new home developments in southern Georgian Bay.

55 Organized Chaos Award-winning Collingwood artist Lazarus ioannou creates unique, dream-like landscapes where colours, shapes and lines intertwine to reveal textural visions of the Great Lakes regions.

59 From Simple to Spectacular A major reno and addition to this country cabin transformed it from a rustic weekend getaway to a stunning full-time home.

by CeCILy ross

74 Water Wonderlands From whimsical fountains to quiet pools, water features have made

59

a comeback to become today’s hottest gardening trend.

by JuDy ross

84 Manly Retreats Every man needs a room of his own, and today’s masculine spaces range from musical dens to restaurant-inspired grottos. by marC HumInILowyCz

97 Openings southern Georgian Bay continues to offer unique shopping and culinary experiences, along with new service providers to meet every need. here’s the latest on new business openings as well as renovations. More great reasons to shop local!

by Janet Lees

Spring 2015

w w w .ontheb ay mag az ine.com

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CELEBRATING LIFE IN SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY

ON THE COVER: Moss-covered rocks and skillfully designed waterfalls look as if they’ve been there forever in this garden overlooking the Georgian Bay Club.pHoto by

Darren bosCH, tHe LanDmark Group.

Water Wonderlands The latest backyard water features

55

Departments

business transformations including new owners, moves and major

10 From our Editor 12 From our Readers 16 Fence Posts, by Dan Needles 96 Marketplace 100 Gallery of Realtors 109 Reader Buying Guide 110 Looking Back

Where Do You Want to Live?

16 pages of home and real estate insights

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On The Bay Magazine is pleased to donate this space to a deserving charity or non-profit in our community.

For more information, please contact Jeffrey Shearer, Publisher, at (705) 444-9192.

Giving is easy…

Volume 12, Issue 1 P ub l i s h er

Jeffrey Shearer jshearer@onthebaymagazine.com eD iT Or

Janet Lees janet.lees@me.com A r T D i r ecT Or

Holger Meiche ADmin isT rAT i On , ci r cul AT i On A nD P r ODucT i On

Cindy Caines A Dv er Ti s i n g Des i g n

Tara McLellan P r OOf r eA Der

Anita Hunter l i s T i n g s cOOr Di n ATOr

Sheila Johnston D i s T r i b uTi On cOOr Di n ATOr

Peter Gibson cOn T r i b uT i n g W r i Ter s

My na me is Pa mela Quirk My mom worked in the RNA program at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital for 10 years so it was a part of my life from childhood. When my father was admitted to the hospital 4 years ago with a heart attack; it was a life and death situation for him. Collingwood General and Marine Hospital provided excellent care and he was given his life back. It was my catalyst to support an organization that meant so much to me.

Giving was so easy! I consulted with an insurance specialist, took out a policy that cost me less than my typical annual donation. Over ten years, I will have this policy paid off.

It hasn’t impacted my life at all, however, the financial implications to the Hospital are tremendous and will result in a significantly higher gift .

Nancy Falconer, Marc Huminilowycz, Janet Lees, Dan Needles, Cecily Ross, Judy Ross, Emily Worts cOn T r i b uT i n g PhO T Og r A P h er s & i l l us T rA T Or s

Shelagh Armstrong-Hodgson, Jessica Crandlemire, Nancy Falconer, Lazarus Ioannou, Tara McLellan, Derek Trask, Kristie & Brenden Woods

reg i O n Al A Dv er T i s i n g s Al es

705-444-9192 s h A un A b ur k e

sburke@onthebaymagazine.com PAT T i b OW D en

pbowden@onthebaymagazine.com

in fO r mATiOn An D r A T es f Or n A T iO nA l A Dv er T i s er s

www.bigcountrymagazines.com On The Bay is published by On The Bay Magazine Inc. 4 issues per year and distributed to households and businesses, or available in the following communities; Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Nottawa, Craigleith, Glencairn, Thornbury, Clarksburg, Ravenna, Markdale, Meaford, Creemore, Duntroon, Stayner, Glen Huron, Dunedin, Kimberley, Singhampton and Flesherton.

The magazine is also distributed to hotels, resorts, developer showrooms, realtor offices, and to members of private ski and golf clubs in the area.

Since my parents as well as brother and his family still live in Collingwood and I enjoy coming up here, I wanted to keep the support in this community. I am also very confident in the Foundation’s use of my money. They are excellent stewards and custodians of my support.

On The Bay is also available for purchase at the following fine stores:

Please join me in supporting the great work at your Hospital.

Giving is easy. Call 705-444-8645 or email kerrj@cgmh.on.ca to get started. It affects us all. Your donation could make a difference in life or death.

Subscriptions outside the distribution area are $25.95 per year for 4 issues (including HST), payable by cheque or credit card.

No part of On The Bay may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent of On The Bay Magazine Inc. The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or staff of On The Bay Magazine.

Thank you

crow’s nest books & gifts Collingwood curiosity house books Creemore

Letters to the editor are welcome: readermail@onthebaymagazine.com Publications Mail Agreement No. 40943009 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: On The Bay Magazine Suite 201, 186 Hurontario St., Collingwood, Ontario, L9Y 4T4 Tel: 705-444-9192 Toll-free: 1-888-282-2014 Fax: 705-444-5658 Printed in Canada by Ironstone Media.

www.onthebaymagazine.com 8

On The Bay

Spring 2015

health& wellness Compassionate & Personalized In-Home Care

Creating beautiful smiles at Dentistry on 45th Calm Kidz and Jessica White Sleep Solutions presents: Stress & Sleep Solutions for Kids aged 5-9 April 30 from 7-8:30pm Collingwood Library To register please email leahdilleyrmt@gmail.com

Leah Dilley RMT, Brain Gym® Consultant 705.293.0866

www.calmkidz.ca www.jesswhitesleepsolutions.com

Be Healthy Naturally

Personalized comprehensive dental heath care New patients and emergencies welcome

Dr. Michaela Taskov D.D.S.

14 Ramblewood Dr, Suite 201 Wasaga Beach, 705-429-3332 dentistryon45th@rogers.com www.dentistryon45th.com

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Bathing/Toileting/Incontinence Care Mobility Assistance/Transferring/Positioning Medication Monitoring • Companionship Meal & Nutrition Management Light Housekeeping • Respite Care Surgical / Accident Recover y

For a free inhome consultation with our Director of Care

Serving the Georgian Triangle

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Good HealtH StartS Here

Your Live Well Team is Here to Help

We care to take the time to help

Welcoming New Patients Comprehensive and effective Care Under one roof

Now proudly offering • Knowledgeable product consultants • Friendly staff • Customized service • Hassle-free loyalty program

• Wide variety of quality vitamins, herbs and supplements • Valuable daily savings • FREE educational health & wellness presentations 145 Hurontario Street 705-446-303 www.goodhealthmart.com

Open Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm and Saturday, 10am - 5pm

Mary’s Pharmacy After 25 years, Mary is proud to now serve the community in her very own Pharmacy! Come in and say hi.

460 Hume Street, Unit 6, Collingwood

Dr. Laura Clemenhagen, Chiropractor, ART Alex Barton, Certified Athletic Therapist Alice Ficko, Registered Massage Therapist, Sports Massage Therapist, Certified Reflexologist Christine MacKenzie, Registered Massage Therapist, Certified Reflexologist Julie Dubé, Yoga Therapist 705-446-5828 150 First St., Unit D, Collingwood www.synergywellnesscentre.com

705-444-7997 www.maryspharmacy.ca Mon to Fri 9am - 9pm, Sat 9am - 2pm, Sun Closed

o n l i n e

B o o k i n g

a v a i l a b l e

F r o m O u r E d i t o r

the survey said …

It’s fun and exciting to have our audience more engaged in the actual content of the magazine, so we decided to take the next step and ask you what types of stories you like best and what you would like to see more of in On The Bay Magazine. We designed a brief, three-question reader survey and posted it on our Facebook page, in our e-newsletter and on our website.

We received over 160 responses from all over Southern Georgian Bay, and the results showed that On The Bay is giving readers what they want – and they want more of it. Stories about local issues such as wind turbines, gravel pits, water levels and public health are most popular among our readers, followed closely by people profiles and restaurants, food and drink.

Readers also rated the following types of stories as “very interesting” in almost equal measure: • home improvement, design and décor • arts and culture • local business • recreation Close behind, readers ranked the following types of stories “interesting”: • personal opinion • featured homes • real estate and development

We’re

Listening! since the inception of On The Bay, my goal as editor has been to create a magazine that fosters dialogue and creates connections with – and among – our readers. This has been my greatest wish over the past 10-plus years, and continues to be my goal as we move forward into the next 10 years. Thankfully, in these days of social media, On The Bay can finally engage our audience on a much broader scale.

Our Facebook page is garnering new “likes” every day as we strive to use this tool to connect with our readers in between issues of the magazine. Readers are signing up for our e-newsletter, Between The Pages, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at On The Bay. And more and more of you are reading our articles and our full “flip” version of the magazine on our website. engaging Our Audience Now we are starting to see how audience engagement can directly impact our content in the magazine. In one recent example, we put out a call for nominations on our Facebook page asking readers to nominate people who have made a difference in our community as Grassroots Heroes. The result was that we had the most nominations ever in our eight years of profiling Grassroots Heroes. All of the heroes we profiled in our Winter 2014 issue came from reader nominations – a first for us – and we have several nominations already for 2015! Thank you to those who sent in their nominations. To nominate a 2015 grassroots hero, go to www.onthebaymagazine.com.

There are several more examples of audience engagement in this issue of On The Bay. When we decided we wanted to include an article about “man caves” in our Spring Home & Garden issue, we took to Facebook and asked readers for ideas. The result is that this issue features four local manspaces ranging from home theatre rooms and billiard rooms to music-themes rooms and even an Italian restaurant grotto – all suggested by our readers!

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

None of the categories ranked as “not interesting,” according to the survey averages. When it comes to the style and length of articles, readers reported that they most like informational stories, followed closely by: • personal stories and viewpoints • photo essays • shorter articles and sidebars Longer features were slightly behind, but readers still like them, according to the survey averages. None of the article styles fell into to the “don’t like” category, according to the survey.

What the Future Holds What does all of this mean? It means we’re doing a lot of things right, and could be doing more of some things. And we listened. In this issue, you will see more brief, informational-style articles, particularly on the topics of real estate and development. We plan to continue to introduce more of these types of stories in every issue of On The Bay, along with more on arts and culture and more on recreational activities.

As a direct result of the survey, we’ve also introduced an ongoing photo essay, Artist Spotlight, featuring the work of one of our talented local artists.

We will feature a different artist in each issue of the magazine, using our larger format to showcase the artist’s work as only On The Bay can.

All I have left to say is, thank you! Thank you for reading On The Bay, thank you for liking our Facebook page, thank you for signing up for our newsletter, thank you for your ideas, comments and suggestions, and thank you for completing our survey. More than ever, On The Bay is your magazine, and I am honoured to be your editor. ❧

P.S. You may have noticed one more change in this issue of On The Bay – our cover. Since our first issue in June 2004, our cover design has included an “Oxford box” – a white box around the cover photo. To make the most of our larger size and the visual impact it affords, we’ve removed the Oxford box so that the cover photo now fills the entire cover. We hope you like the new look!

Go to www.onthebaymagazine.com to sign up for our newsletter!

YES. WE’RE MORE. You may have heard we cost more.

It’s true. But it’s not as much as you think.

NOT SURE? GIVE US A CALL TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT’S NEW.

519.599.2957 | thelandmarkgroup.ca

THINK OUTSIDE.

readerMAIL

From our

ReadeRs RE: GRassRoots HERoEs, WintER 2014 Just a short note of thanks regarding the Grassroots article. It turned out exactly as you promised and I was pleased how central it was to the Collingwood Labyrinth theme. I also couldn’t believe how fast you picked up the whole concept and related it so well.

Jack Marley, Collingwood

RE: GivinG BaCk, WintER 2014 Kudos on a great Winter 2014 issue and especially

the article highlighting all of the great volunteer opportunities in our area.

While you chose to feature 10 organizations, as a volunteer in the community I would be remiss if I didn’t bring to your attention two very important, perhaps lesser known groups that gravely need volunteers and donations.

Furry Friends is non-profit, no-kill organization dedicated to providing shelter and love to abandoned, lost or rescued animals. It is quite different from Humane Society and Animal Shelter organizations as rescue is one of its main missions. You may have seen a news story on CTV recently about them as in December, just weeks before Christmas they were robbed of cash and valuable items from their thrift shop in Collingwood.

With no paid staff or core funding, volunteers staff a bazaar to raise funds to care for abandoned and abused cats and kittens in the Collingwood area. If we are to continue helping these amazing volunteers rescue animals, they need donations. You can help by sending a cheque payable to Furry Friends Animal Shelter Collingwood and dropping it off at Clairwood Real Estate, and I will ensure that they receive the donation. You can also drop off cat food or kitty litter as well as they are always in need. Or visit their website at www.furryfriendsshelter.org.

The other organization I volunteer for is Home Horizon. Home Horizon transforms the lives of homeless women and children through support, counselling and housing from homeless to a permanent home. Through the generous support of the public over the past five years, funding has: • provided housing and counselling for 72 local families • helped 63 families establish stable homes for themselves (two clients have purchased their own homes) • assisted 18 clients in going back to school (of which three have graduated from college) • helped 15 children significantly improve their grade levels • assisted 112 children to enrol in sports programs.

For more details and how you can help Home Horizon, please visit their

WE ARE MOVING TO SERVE YOU BETTER! Thanks to our clients, business partners and dedicated team, we’ve outgrown our current space.

Moving Summer of 2015 to: 40 Huron Street Suite 100 Collingwood, ON L9Y 4R3 Our telephone, fax and email will remain unchanged: 202 − 186 Hurontario St Collingwood ON 705 445 4421 www.bdo.ca BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.

Phone: 705-445-4421 Fax: 705-445-6691 202 − 186 Hurontario St Collingwood ON 705Assurance 445 4421 | Accounting | Taxation | Advisory Services www.bdo.ca BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.

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On The Bay

202 − 186 Hurontario St Collingwood ON 705 445 4421 Spring 2015 www.bdo.ca

website at www.homehorizon.ca. Thanks for spreading the word!

Every bit helps!

Sherry Rioux, Collingwood Great edition on volunteering. Please add our organization, Ontario Track 3 Ski Association for the disabled, to your list. We teach skiing and snowboarding to children and youth with disabilities in Collingwood. You can get more info and sign up on our website www.track3.org.

Jack Sim, Operations Manager Ontario Track 3 Ski Association I enjoy your magazine and find the articles and information most useful.

However, when I read through your great comprehensive list of volunteer organizations in the area I noticed you missed the Nancy Island Lions Club of Wasaga Beach. We are a new grassroots Lions Club and only have been around for a little over two years. But we are very active in the community, doing the Wacky Boat Race, the Lions Dog Walk for Lions Foundation of Canada, supporting the local food banks and the Collingwood elementary schools just to name a few activities.

We are always looking for new members as more members mean more hands to help the community.

Mary Ratensperger, Charter President Nancy Island Lions Club, Wasaga Beach Editor’s Note: The organizations above have been added to our online guide to volunteer opportunities at onthebaymagazine.com/volunteer-listing/. To add your organization, please email: admin@onthebaymagazine.com.

RE: HEALINg THE MINd, WINTER 2014 I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Collingwood, and have just

2015_DCTaylor_03_outl.indd 1 Docket No.

File Name

finished reading the recent article written by Cecily Ross about Mental Health services in our region. While I laud On the Bay for publishing a much-needed article about mental health, there is so much more information that would have helped our population make an informed decision about all the options available locally for mental health care.

Cecily Ross quite accurately indicates that there are moderate to long wait times for the OHIP-covered short term services at the GBFHT – as a former mental health therapist there, I know this to be true. Likewise, there are usually equally moderate to long wait times with area social service providers like New Path and Kinark, or with the Simcoe County Eating Disorder Service at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie.

So what is a reader to do, if they are looking for mental health care now? First, many companies in our region have contracted out services with Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Several local therapists are subcontracted to provide short-term counselling, free of charge, through these EAP programs. Check with your HR department if you are not sure whether you have EAP coverage. EAP is not the same thing as extended health benefits coverage, and service is provided within the first week of contact.

O n T h e B3/11/2015 a y S p r10:40:22 i n g 2 0AM 15

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Second, take a look at any of the following websites for professional organizations that regulate the practices of psychotherapy, counselling and social work: Psychotherapy: www.psychotherapyontario.org Social Work: www.oasw.org Marriage and Family Counselling : www.oamft.com Counselling: www.oaccpp.ca Each site has a “Find-a-Therapist” link clearly indicated on its home page.

Every psychotherapist, social worker, or counsellor listed on these sites has formal training and is bound by the ethical parameters of their organization – so these sites are a great place to start. Readers can also check out the multitude of listings for agencies and private counsellors/therapists that is provided on the 211 Community Connection site, http://centraleastontario.cioc.ca. And of course, should you or a loved one be experiencing a mental health crisis, the best option is to go straight to the Emergency Department of any local hospital.

Bottom line – kudos to On the Bay for your attention to mental health – but for readers interested in all the options, or who are seeking more immediate help – know that there are multiple options available in our community!

Christine MacLean, M.A., M.Ed. Clinical Psychotherapist, OSP, Clear View Psychotherapy

RE: Ski TRAin, WinTER 2014 Thanks very much for the article on the Ski Train. I really enjoyed the reminder of years past when we took this train many times in the late 1940s. We usually boarded at Parkdale Station and to say that it was a FULL day would be an understatement. Every time when I see that photo I’m sure the girl carrying her skis closest to the train is my then girlfriend, now my wife of over 60 years. Not sure just where I was! Incidentally, the fellow in uniform was not the conductor but rather the CNR policeman who was assigned to keep things orderly.

Jim Marshall, Collingwood

Your article in current issue ignores over 30 years of operation as an internationally respected steak house run by Ken and Suyrea Knapman. They purchased the property from the railway after much research and effort, and saved the building from demolition (late ‘60s). They used original material from parts of the building that could not be saved, to make the interior as authentic to its former use as possible. They used many antiques to create a fantastic ambience. They served great steaks when there was no other place to have a really good restaurant meal in the area. I am seriously offended by the article. I was present for a lot of the renovations, and a frequent customer later. For that matter, George Weider was also a frequent customer, as was Roger Lockhart. Ask them for memories of The Depot.

Eleanor Anderson The information about “The Depot” in the third paragraph about “Ski Train” is totally incorrect. “The Depot” was from 1966 to 2001 a very successful and very well run restaurant. Prior to 1966 it was called a “shed.” Suyrea and Ken Knapman, who owned the “Depot,” have never been given enough credit for saving this historical structure. irene-Frances Matwijec, Collingwood

RE: BAnd OF BROThERS, FALL 2014 Thank you for publishing the photo and story “Band of Brothers” in your Fall 2014 issue regarding the Ridgway brothers who all fought in World War I and all returned home.

There was an interesting and unexpected spin-off from the publication, especially from the online issue. When I made several Ridgway cousins aware of the article and they in turn sent it on to cousins that I didn’t even know I had!

That was the start of an idea for a mini-family reunion.

The Gaslight tour and the Collingwood Museum were working together on the re-enactment of the parade sending the boys off to war for the

Fresh, seasonal fare inspired by the flavours and harvests of the Georgian Bay region.

Enjoy our newly renovated space featuring an airy, rustic, contemporary feel. The look may have changed, but you’ll experience the same exceptional service that has made The Pottery Restaurant a favourite of local diners and resort guests for years.

We invite you to come and visit us.

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

thepotteryrestaurant.ca 705-443-5509

opening reception of the Gaslight Tour 2014 season and highlighting the new exhibit “Remembering the Great War” at the museum.

Museum staff had used an almost life-size photo of Tom Ridgway, one of the brothers in the photo published in your magazine, in their display.

On October 24, 2014, 23 direct descendants plus other guests of the Ridgway family attended the parade and museum for the event.

Tom Ridgway’s son Harvey attended from St. John, New Brunswick. Many of the attendees had not been to Collingwood previously and also enjoyed a tour of All Saints’ Anglican Church, which played an important role in the Ridgway family’s lives.

So thank you On The Bay for bringing my family together. We plan to have a larger reunion in 2016.

Cathy de Ruiter

RE: Not hERE, Not Now, Not EvER! More wind power will increase hydro rates. A group of councillors from a dozen Ontario municipalities is very disturbed at the rapidly increasing cost of electricity. They are questioning the government’s energy policy that

was rushed through without adequate analysis or examination, justified by an ideology rather than a comprehensive business case. They point out that our electricity has now become the most expensive in North America, seriously threatening our prosperity. And yet we are subsidizing New York and Michigan because we have to sell much of the wind energy which is available when it cannot be used, at below market prices and less than what it costs us to produce.

In a letter to the Minister of Energy, the IESO and the Auditor General, Mark Davis, chair of the Multi-municipal Wind Turbine Working Group, has called on the Ontario government and the IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator) to drop a proposal to add even more wind energy to the grid. “The skyrocketing cost of electricity is having adverse impacts on our manufacturing industry, commercial enterprise, agricultural viability, and many families are forced to choose between paying utility bills and buying groceries,” the letter reads.

“We are calling on the Government of Ontario and the IESO to make a sober re-evaluation of the damage current energy policy is doing to our economy.

We believe spiralling electricity costs urgently need to be halted. We are requesting full objective third-party cost-benefit analysis before there is any further procurement of wind or solar capacity.”

Mark Davis, Chair, Multi-municipal wind turbine working Group

Where do you stand on the issues? Do you have any comments, suggestions or additional information in response to any of our stories?

Don’t be shy! We’d love to hear from you! To submit your letter to the Editor, go to www.onthebaymagazine.com and click on “Have Your Say.” Comments will be published in an upcoming issue of On The Bay. We reserve the right to edit for style, content and space considerations.

On The Bay

Spring 2015

15

FencePOSTS

A BlAst from the PAst true confessions from the 9th Concession

by Dan neeDles

❧

illustration by shelagh armstrong-hoDgson

Canada is a land of committees. Years ago, there was a joke making the rounds that every country had its own distinct form of social organization. If three or more Italians got together, they instantly became a political party, in France they would start a union, and the British would form a queue. Here in Canada we would organize a panel discussion.

I have served on enough committees to know that we do have a habit of jawing a thing to death before we pick up a shovel, but our history tells us we also respect a firm voice and a clear call to action.

For example, there was an old fieldstone church that once stood on the Little farm on the 7th Line of Mulmur Township, just north of Highway 89. The cemetery attached to Old St. Luke’s is still maintained today, although the church itself has been gone for nearly 90 years. The cluster of gravestones in the shade of ancient maple trees carries the names of Littles, McNabbs, Gallaughers and many other families from the first days of the township.

I gave a little talk to a neighbourhood audience a few years ago and mentioned how as a boy, I often rode horseback past the remains of the old church, which had burned to the ground in 1926. During the reception afterwards, Lucille Burley, an elderly woman who had been born on the Little farm, came over to correct me. This often happens when I make any observation about the past in Rosemont.

“Did I get the date wrong about the fire?” I asked.

“The date was probably right. But it didn’t burn down.”

“What happened to it then?”

“They blew it up.”

“Really?” I said. “Nobody ever told me anything about blowing it up.”

“I don’t think many people know what really happened. I only know from a few things my father told me. But it’s so long ago, it’s probably safe to tell the story now.”

The old church stood on a lot the family had donated in 1860, but by the 1920s it had fallen into disrepair and the elders were reluctant to pour

16

On The Bay

Spring 2015

more money into it. The congregation wrangled over the problem for 10 years while the roof leaked and wind whistled through the cracks in the stone walls. Eventually a portion of the congregation broke away and began construction of a new brick church a mile away in the village of Rosemont, proposing to christen it St. Luke’s as well.

Faced with the prospect of a permanent rift in the church family, one of the parishioners went over to the old church in broad daylight and placed a charge of dynamite in the basement. The explosion levelled the building and left the Anglicans with no choice but to gather in New St. Luke’s. This is the same church my wife and I were married in. “Do they have any idea who the guy was that placed the dynamite?” I asked.

“Oh, yes,” she said. “It was John McNabb.”

“But one of the stained glass windows above the altar is dedicated to a John McNabb. Would that be the same man?”

She nodded. “People were ever so grateful to John. Without him, the split in the church might have lasted for decades. It was a very painful subject for a lot of people for many years and families were careful not to speak about it. My father certainly never got over it. But it’s all forgotten now.”

The three stained glass windows show a scene of Jesus with a flock of sheep. The inscription below reads, “Feed My Sheep.” As a shepherd myself, I know that sheep are not easily led anywhere and they have a genius for self-destruction. This helps to explain why they turn up so often in Scripture. They are also a completely man-made animal, the work in progress of a committee that has been meeting steadily for about six thousand years now.

Canadians are certainly not sheep. We are talkers because we prefer to move forward as a group. But we are also a fractious and disputatious tribe who sometimes need a rugged individualist to bring closure to a discussion and cast a “weighted” vote. In the end, we understand the group is more important than any building. And, to draw from another corner of the barnyard, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. ❧

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Adventures in Real estate Smarter ways to buy and sell your home stories by Janet Lees ❧ illustration by tara McLeLLan

I

t’s been a long, hard road for the local resale home market since the 2008 recession burst the real estate bubble. since 2010, area realtors have repeated a common refrain: “slow and steady.” the activity finally seems to be picking up in a meaningful way, and we are firmly in a balanced market, with some areas of the

region even tipping into more of a seller’s market for the first time since 2008.

On The Bay asked local realtors to provide insights into today’s market, and to go one step further, offering concrete advice on navigating the complexities of buying and selling real estate in the post-recession, digital age.

On The Bay

Spring 2015

21

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt luxury property market segment; however, from a monetary value we consider any home or condominium priced above $750,000 in our market to be in that category.”

MLS sales in our area above $750,000 in 2014 totaled 79 properties, an increase of 44 per cent over 2013. Similarly, sales over $1 million were up 33 per cent in 2014, with a total of 32 MLS sales reported. “Properties of this value typically take longer to sell, and are often on the market two or three years before attracting a willing buyer,” notes Crouch. “Many buyers in the upper end of the market often prefer to, and have the financial ability to, custom build whatever they want versus buying a resale property that does not fully meet their tastes or needs.”

As a result, this segment of the market also has a much higher level of inventory listed for sale – Crouch estimates that the current number of homes for sale above $750,000 represents a 23-month supply.

The Cold, Hard

Facts Understanding today’s local real estate market Today’s real estate market is more complex than ever, especially given Southern Georgian Bay’s unique demographics and the impact of technology on buying and selling a home. Here’s a look at how the market is shaping up and some of the issues both buyers and sellers are facing.

1

SaleS are Strong

Area real estate sales in Southern Georgian Bay have been extremely strong, setting back-to-back records in terms of dollars sold in both 2013 and 2014. Total dollar sales of area homes exceeded $600 million in 2014 – the highest dollar figure ever, representing a 9 per cent gain over 2012, according to the Multiple Listing System (MLS) of the Southern Georgian Bay Association of Realtors (SGBAR).

“Despite a dismally slow start to 2014 due to the severe winter weather we experienced last year, the demand for area properties was not impacted,” says Rick Crouch, a broker with Royal LePage Locations North in Collingwood. “The final three-quarters of 2014 saw robust sales activity, resulting in total MLS sales for the year of $705 million – a 12 per cent increase from 2013 and a new annual MLS sales milestone for the area.”

Following a low point in sales during 2009 following the 2008 recession, area real estate activity has steadily rebounded in each of the following years. Since 2011, annual MLS unit sales have increased on average by over five per cent per year. “MLS unit sales in 2014 of 2,208 properties again marked a five per cent increase over the number of MLS sales in 2013 and 19 per cent more than what sold in the dark, postrecession days of 2008.”

2

luxury HomeS Drive tHe numberS up

“The 2014 increase in MLS dollar sales of 12 per cent compared to the unit sales increase of 5 per cent stems from the fact that we continue to see a strong demand for properties priced in the upper end of the market,” says Crouch. “Many factors help to define the upper end or

22

On The Bay

Spring 2015

3

it’S a balanceD market

With the exception of the upper end of the market, 2014 saw an ongoing reduction in the overall amount of available real estate listed for sale. “Strong sales activity combined with a reduction of new MLS listings coming to market resulted in fewer properties for buyers to choose from,” says Crouch.

During 2014, a total of 5,986 new MLS listings came to market, a five per cent reduction in the number of properties listed during the prior year. The number of expired MLS listings also dropped 11 per cent in 2014, “stemming either from old listings finally getting sold or sellers simply choose to remove their unsold properties from the market,” explains Crouch. During 2014, one out of every 2.7 properties listed for sale actually sold, compared to one out of every 3.2 properties listed for sale in 2013. “This overall improvement in the sales-to-listing ratio has resulted in balanced market conditions, levelling the playing field for buyers and sellers alike,” says Crouch.

4

conDoS are Hot

5

buyerS Don’t Have to buy

Area condominium sales posted a 19 per cent gain in 2014.

“Notwithstanding the fact that many buyers in the area are looking for the maintenance-free lifestyle that condominium living provides, condominiums can offer a more affordable alternative to single-family home ownership, especially for first-time buyers,” explains Crouch.

For example, the average condo sale price in Collingwood in 2014 was $222,450, while the average single-family home in Collingwood sold for $349,900.

To quote Dr. David Foot, author of the seminal book, Boom, Bust Echo, “real estate is affected more by demographics than it is by economics.”

This is especially true in Southern Georgian Bay, where today’s real estate buyers are often making a real estate purchase as a discretionary decision versus one of necessity.

“Few are moving here for work purposes,” notes Crouch. “Many are making a purchase here for recreational purposes with, perhaps, a longer term notion of retiring here. The bottom line is, they don’t have to buy anything. They can and often do take months if not years in making a decision to buy. Above all, they do not have to overpay, nor will they.”

Crouch advises sellers to be mindful of pricing their property to ensure it is “in the market” compared to other similar homes that have sold, versus being simply “on the market.”

6

tHe taxman cometH

Property assessments are an increasingly thorny issue in our area, as homeowners wrestle with ever-increasing tax bills. “I frequently receive calls from consumers questioning or considering an appeal of their property’s assessed value as it relates to their property taxes,” says

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RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt Crouch, who is a market value appraiser in addition to being a realtor.

“For the most part, property assessments still lag behind their market values, although the gap is narrowing.”

In large residential subdivisions where houses are very similar and there is regular turnover of properties, assessed values closely reflect what houses in those subdivisions are selling for today. However, many high-end waterfront properties and newer custom homes built on rural acreages often reflect current assessments well below their current market values. “Meanwhile, high-priced rural properties often benefit from lower property taxes due to an ongoing agricultural use of the property or in some cases owners have planted trees, thus enabling them to obtain a ‘managed forest’ designation,” explains Crouch. “Both of these factors help to reduce the overall property tax payable.”

7

HST iS Hazy

One of the most confusing aspects of resale real estate – and one often overlooked by sellers, buyers and realtors alike – is Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). HST is usually not applicable on the resale of most residential homes and condominiums, but there are cases where HST is charged.

“Properties that are in a company name or where the owner is an HST registrant may trigger HST being applicable to the sale,” says Crouch.

many are making a purchase here for recreational purposes with, perhaps, a longer term notion of retiring here. The bottom line is, they don’t have to buy anything. They can and often do take months if not years in making a decision to buy.

“In our market we have properties where income has been derived such as a farm, a chalet or condominium in a rental program, etc.” In some cases these sales will be subject to HST, which will either be included in or added onto the purchase price.

“With a current HST rate payable of 13 per cent, this can amount to a significant amount of money, so if HST is at all suspect, sellers and buyers are well advised to seek accounting and or legal advice before listing or buying a property,” says Crouch, adding buyers considering registering title of a new property in a company name should also obtain accounting and/or legal advice.

8

To RenT oR noT To RenT

Seasonal rentals have always represented a significant component of the local real estate market. In 2014 a total of 387 rental transactions were processed through the local MLS system.

“Many area property owners and those looking to buy like the notion of renting their property out when it’s not in use to help cover the carrying costs,” notes Crouch. “This is not an issue for annual rentals or for those rentals done for the duration of three or four months during the ski season.

There is a growing issue, however, with short-term rentals, those where the tenant is in place for less than 30 consecutive days at a time.”

Short-term rentals of chalets, condos and houses have come under the watchful eye of area municipalities and in some cases condominium corporations. In many cases, municipal zoning does not permit shortterm rentals (those less than 30 consecutive days). The Blue Mountains have gone one step further, adopting a Short Term Accommodation

24

On The Bay

Spring 2015

(STA) by-law. “Property owners wishing to have their chalet or condo in a rental program which caters to weekend tenants or those looking to stay for a few days or a week must now be licensed,” says Crouch.

“Buyers need to be aware of both the rules and the availability of obtaining an STA license before they commit to a purchase.”

9

BewaRe of RenT-To-own iTemS

“Rent-to-own” items and equipment are being encountered more and more frequently, says Crouch, who is a member of The Ontario Real Estate Association’s Standard Forms Committee which governs such items. “Rental water heaters and water softeners have been common for some time. In recent years, however, we are now seeing instances where furnaces, central air conditioners, air purifiers and other expensive pieces of equipment are of a rent-to-own nature,” says Crouch. He warns that in many cases the rent-to-own agreements can be quite lengthy and often entail hundreds if not thousands of dollars in total payments over the life of the agreement. “Further, many of the rent-to-own agreements do not permit an early buy-out, meaning that a buyer could be stuck with years of payments on a furnace or other item,” says Crouch. “It’s another example of buyer beware, as MLS listings will highlight what will be of a rental or rental-to-own nature in a home or condo – provided of course the listing realtor has done the required due diligence to uncover the facts.”

10

TecHnology HaS cHanged THe game

As with virtually every aspect of our daily lives, technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the way properties are marketed and sold. The MLS platforms used by most real estate boards and associations in Ontario have been modified to allow an increase in the number of photos displayed on a listing. Sellers also now have the ability to post a virtual tour of a property and other online tools.

“First-generation virtual tours were typically done with a digital camera using a ‘fish eye’ lens, which tended to distort the appearance if not the size of a room,” explains Crouch. “New technology has recently emerged that offers much more than just a roving, visually distorted view of a home or condo. Our brokerage has recently entered into an agreement with a company called Planitar to produce what are affectionately called ‘iGuides’ of the properties we list. This process involves using a special laser-enabled camera that scans each room of a house, taking multiple photos and measurements.”

The result is a true visual walk-through complete with integrated floor plans, room measurements, floor areas, and enhanced 360-degree views of the home. Not sure if your grandmother’s antique buffet will fit along a specific wall? Today’s technology will answer that without you ever setting foot in the home.

Technology is also impacting the administrative side of real estate transactions, adds Crouch. “In an area such as ours where many of the buyers and sellers we deal with are from outside the region, the prime mode of communication is often via email. Virtually all real estate documents in the Province of Ontario are now letter size versus legal size, making them perfect for emailing purposes. The final enhancement in our ability to more effectively deal with the flow of paperwork will be the legalization of electronic signatures, which is now winding its way through the provincial legislature.”

Currently, any documents relating to a real estate listing can be executed with a seller’s electronic signature. However, agreements of purchase and sale still have to be signed and initialed by hand. “Once passed into law, electronic signatures will provide for the increased use of tablet computers and other devices,” Crouch predicts, “which will serve to streamline the real estate process for buyers, sellers and realtors alike.”

Navigating today’s real estate market is more complex than ever, so buyers and sellers need to be aware, smart, savvy and informed.

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REALEstatE &DEvElopmEnt in active pursuits. There is no better area to do that in than here.” He adds the same can be said of young families moving to the area from the city, choosing the active lifestyle and finding ways to work from home or start their own businesses.

4. VALUE OPPORTUNITIES EXIST Particularly in the Meaford area, lower home prices are seeing increased interest from prospective buyers looking to relocate from other areas in Ontario. “It appears people are recognizing the better home values and benefits the Meaford community has to offer, with very similar access to the amenities of the area,” notes Loucks.

5. SALES VOLUME AND UNIT SALES ARE UP The Western Region of the Southern Georgian Bay Association of Realtors (SGBAR), which includes Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Clearview Township, The Blue Mountains, Meaford and Grey Highlands, is off to a flying start in 2015, with total dollar sales for the month of January increasing 60 per cent over January 2014 and unit sales up 39.1 per cent, to 96 units.

6. BUYER ACTIVITY IS UP Due to increased activity and low inventory at this time, realtors are encouraging prospective sellers to list ahead of the spring market. “The low inventory has left some qualified buyers still on the search,” explains Loucks. “This can create some great opportunities for sellers that we have not seen for some years.”

7. TOTAL SALES ARE UP

Real Estate

Realities 8 things buyers and sellers need to know To buy or not to buy? To sell or not to sell? Those are the questions if you’re looking to enter the local real estate market this spring or summer. Here are some of the realities you need to be aware of before you enter the fray.

1. BUYERS ARE MORE TECH SAVVY “Buyers are more tech savvy today than ever before, with 93 per cent beginning their real estate search online before even calling a realtor,” notes Dave Loucks of Royal LePage Locations North in Meaford. “As such, realtors are utilizing new online tools and resources to provide the public direct access to good content and information including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.”

2. CONTENT IS KING Given the new realities of online marketing, content – and the way realtors and sellers present it – has never been more important.

“Consumers, at a minimum, are starting to expect integrated floor plans, 3D tours and HDR photography to best display their real estate online,” says Loucks.

3. LIFSTYLE IS PARAMOUNT For those coming from outside our area to buy real estate, lifestyle is top of mind. “Retirees simply do not sit on the back deck with a newspaper anymore,” says Loucks. “They hike, bike, ski, golf and engage

26

On The Bay

Spring 2015

SGBAR (Western Region) sales for 2014 totalled almost $706 million – a 12 per cent increase over 2013. One area of particular interest is in home sales over $800,000, where the number of units sold increased 58.2 per cent, from 55 sales in 2013 to 87 in 2014, while sales under $200,000 dropped 7.4 per cent.

8. AVERAGE PRICES ARE UP The following communities also showed significant increases in average sales price in 2014: Clearview (up 9.3 per cent, to $361,000), Collingwood (up 10.4 per cent to $350,000), Meaford (up 15.6 per cent to $297,000) and Grey Highlands (up 26.2 to $410,000).

For those coming from outside our area to buy real estate, lifestyle is top of mind. “Retirees simply do not sit on the back deck with a newspaper anymore,” says Loucks.

9. HIGHER PRICED HOME SALES ARE UP The number of residential sales over $500,000, representing the top 10 per cent of our local market, surged by 64 per cent in January and February of this year, to 41 from 25 units sold. By contrast, the number of sales in the $300,000 to $500,000 category increased by 16 per cent.

10. WINTER ACTIVITY IS UP Following on the heels of a record-breaking January market, MLS sales in February, 2015 for Collingwood, Clearview Township, Wasaga Beach, Blue Mountains, Meaford and Grey Highlands increased by 27 per cent over January and were a full 40 per cent higher than February 2014.

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201

HOUSE BUILT

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SOLD

RDOWN

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SOLD

ROAD

GEORGE MCRAE ROAD

CAMPE

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HOUSE BUILT

SOLD

Doug Gillis www.douggillis.ca Direct: 705.444.3853 doug@douggillis.ca

BROPHY’S LANE $4,500,000 rivate paradise in the heart of Ontario’s premiere four-season resorts. Masterpiece of contemporary architectural design. Grand open living and dining room combination enhanced by wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows afford breathtaking views of Georgian Bay and Blue Mountain. The kitchen is a chef’s delight boasting Boffi cabinetry, black Italian granite counters, centre island with seating for four, fully complemented by a wet bar and butler’s pantry. Showcasing a 163’ waterfront, this 2 acre family compound features a tennis court, infinity pool and hot tub. Close at hand are Ontario’s best downhill ski resorts, the finest golf courses, extensive walking, cross-country skiing and mountain bike trails. Just a few minutes drive to the town of Collingwood where good shopping and superb restaurants are available for enjoyment.

Elise Kalles Vice President / Broker 416.441.2888 x 291

Broker four seasons realty limited, Brokerage 67 First Street, Collingwood

705.444.3853

Glenn Douglas, BA Sales Representative 416.629.4629

Luxury Islands & Acreage Properties

Selling Your

Home 6 steps to get to sold!

You’ve decided it’s time to sell your home. But it’s not a simple matter of sticking up a for-sale sign and waiting for the offers to flood in. Basia Regan of Royal LePage RCR Realty in Creemore offers these steps to help make selling your home a little easier.

Step 1: FARAWAY

Belle lune IslAnd

KILLARNEY Magnificent 4-season cottage plus Manager’s house. 50 acres.

3000 ft. waterfront.

COGNASHENE 3 acre whole island. 360 degree vistas. Custom designed cottage. Guest cabin.

$7,850,000

$1,690,000

PrePare Yourself emotionallY & mentallY Selling your home can be emotional. You’ve spent years in your home, made memories, perhaps raised your children there. You are aware of every penny you’ve spent on your home, as well as every nook and cranny that makes it special to you. However, when it comes time to sell, it’s important to separate yourself from your home. “This is a business transaction,” says Regan. “You have a product to sell.

Regardless of why you are selling, focus on the future.”

Step 2: Pick a realtor Selling is a process. Your realtor has resources that will help you through it. “The realtor will discuss comparable sales and listings to help you set a realistic selling price, and suggest ways in which to get the highest price in the least amount of time,” says Regan. In order to get your house “show ready,” your realtor will make suggestions as to what can be done to make it show to its best advantage. For more information on what realtors can do, and how to find the right realtor, go to www.crea.com.

600 AcRes

coRneR FARm

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS Rare opportunity to acquire vast cattle ranch. Development potential. Strong income.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS 103 acres, century barn, storage buildings. Crop and pasturelands.

$7,665,000

$525,000

Moffat Dunlap R E A L E S TAT E L I M I T E D, B r o k e r a g e Moffat Dunlap, Chairman; John Dunlap, Broker of Record, Peter Boyd*, Murray Snider*, George Webster*, Peter Bowers*, Nik Bonellos*, Peter Cooper*

W W W. M O F FAT D U N L A P. CO M *Sales Representative

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

905.841.7430

Step 3: create a Great first imPression In real estate, the expression “You only get to make a first impression once” is especially true. “If buyers won’t get out of a realtor’s car because they don’t like the exterior of your home, then you’ll never get them inside it,” warns Regan. Remember, you are selling your entire property, not merely your home. If you live in a town, that includes your front, back and side yards. If you are selling your condo, your property includes the balcony/patio, locker and parking space(s). A country property starts at the entrance from the road and includes the woods, pond, garden and any other land and building features.

So, start with curb appeal. Clean up the yard and around the outside of the house. Trim bushes so that you can see out the windows, paint the front door, plant flowers or group flower pots together at the front of the house. (Regan’s tip: Yellow evokes a buying emotion). Stage outdoor furniture on your deck, patio or balcony, replace a weathered mailbox, add a new exterior door mat, wash windows inside and out, pressure wash walkways, decks and garage doors. Be sure the house number or emergency number is clearly visible and replace exterior lightbulbs.

There will be “drive-bys” so, don’t be surprised if you see a car drive by slowly or even park in front of your house. “People will decide from the drive-by if they want to see the property,” notes Regan.

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt

Step 4: Create a WelComing interior If you’re not handy, ask your realtor for recommendations for a handyman, a business that will de-clutter, a cleaning service woman or stagers. Regan’s rule of thumb: if you don’t need it, donate it, sell it or get rid of it. Consider renting a storage unit for excess furniture, knickknacks, family heirlooms, out-of-season clothes and yes, even family photos. “You don’t want to distract buyers by having them look at your family photos,” says Regan. “You want the buyers to imagine themselves with their own things in your home: ‘We could put a Christmas tree here and the piano over there.’”

Remove any furniture that blocks walking paths or hampers movement around the house, but leave enough furniture to showcase the room’s purpose with plenty of room to move around. Place an area rug or boot tray at the front door. Thin out closets and arrange the remaining clothes to showcase the spaciousness in the closets. Clean and air out musty smells. Get rid of old DVDs, CDs, phones, printers, etc. Clear kitchen counters. Put essentials in a box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.

“Not everyone is a pet lover,” notes Regan, advising, “If possible, put bowls and pet food away during showings and be sure there are no pet smells or pet hair on the furniture.” Paint walls in neutral colours.

“You don’t want the buyer to remember your home as ‘the house with an orange bathroom,’” says Regan. “Your aim is to appeal to the broadest market.”

Discuss any potential renovations with your realtor, who may be able to offer insights. “For example, if you have three bathrooms but can afford to update only one, your realtor may suggest that you use that money elsewhere,” says Regan.

Once you have done everything you can to make your property ready for marketing photos and showings, then step back and take a second look. Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes and make a critical assessment of your property.

ANNOUNCEMENT

D

ale and Victoria Tkatch and Jane and Steve Moysey are pleased to announce that TRI-W Realty Inc., Brokerage has been acquired and merged with Royal LePage Trinity Realty, Brokerage.

TRI-W Realty, almost 30 years in operation, is the area’s largest and most successful rental services firm. They also enjoy an exceptional, high quality real estate sales practice. TRI-W Realty’s operation and team shall remain at their current location at 209820 Hwy 26 W, Craigleith, and will continue to offer their array of real estate and rental services to their existing and new clientele.

Separately, both firms have enjoyed strong track records evinced through consistent growth, market prowess and longevity. Together, they will be stronger and are committed to delivering even better real estate and rental related services to the Southern Georgian Bay area.

Dale Tkatch, Broker of Record Jane Moysey, Broker Steve Moysey, Sales Representative

Helping you is what we do.

COLLINGWOOD 705.444.1420

BLUE MOUNTAINS 705.445.7799

STAYNER 705.428.3349

WASAGA BEACH 705.429.4800

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Once your property is ready, your realtor will execute the marketing plan. However, you can do a little informal promotion of your own by simply letting your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues know that you are selling. “They may know people who want to move to the area,” says Regan.

Step 6: alWays be ready for shoWings Yes, it’s a pain having to keep your house spic and span at all times for showings. But remember, properties that don’t get shown, don’t get sold.

In addition to keeping the house generally clean and tidy (vacuuming, dusting, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, kitchen, etc.), here are a few things that often get missed when there is a showing: • empty the garbage cans – to get rid of odours and unsightly trash.

• load the dishwasher (but don’t start it if the cycle will be running during the showing).

• leave the lights on – a dark home is gloomy and can look smaller, so turn on all of the lights and open up all of the blinds or curtains to brighten your home and show it, literally, in its best light.

“Leave your home when there is a showing,” advises Regan. “Buyers feel freer to look in closets or appliances and can discuss pros and cons with their realtor.”

Selling your home doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. With the right mindset, some preparation and a little elbow grease, you can make it through until your house is sold.

Home Features ~ 7500 sq.ft. stone/glass 3-pod home ~ 1600 sq.ft. garage with hydraulic car lift ~ Glass elevator serving 3 oors ~ Refrigerated glass wine room ~ 4 independent heating systems ~ 5 spacious bedrooms, 6 bathrooms

~ Home theater with 14’ screen ~ Ofce, games room, guest suite ~ Douglas Fir indoor/outdoor beams ~ Custom cherry doors & trim ~ Solid wood custom cabinetry ~ Tigerwood hardwood oors ~ Floor to ceiling windows throughout

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Offered at $3,995,000 ~ MLS Listing #: X3073694 On The Bay

Spring 2015

29

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt

Price Matters 10 tips for pricing your home to sell Setting a price for your home can be the most difficult and disheartening aspect of the whole selling process. Sherry Rioux of Clairwood Realty in Collingwood has some helpful guidelines to price your home to sell.

1. Think Like A Buyer Sentimental value and memories often get in the way of realistic pricing. “If you think like a buyer, those memories or the fact that your late Uncle Ed built that kitchen for you, will not come into play,” notes Rioux. “Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and picture visiting seven to 10 homes and having to make a decision. What things will impact your decision? Chances are it will be the same for your buyer.”

Choose your “big, round number price” that represents the value of your home, then price just below it. There is a psychology behind setting the right price, and if you want $500,000 for your home, list at $499,500. “This creates an image of a ‘deal’ for the buyer, who may be looking in that under-$500,000 price range.”

2. use A LocAL, Licensed reALTor “No one knows the market better than a local realtor,” says Rioux. “They are aware of the factors that will influence your price, like local market conditions, sales data, development charges, wells and septic operation and environmental regulations, for example.” Realtors also have full access for local MLS data and will be able to give you factual information about what is happening in your neighbourhood, “not just hearsay of what Fred down the street got for his home; they will know why a particular property received the price it did, and why another did not,” says Rioux.

3. know The MArkeT While it’s helpful to know what is happening nationally on the real estate front, it’s more important to know your neighbourhood. What were local houses selling for a year ago, six months ago and a few weeks ago? “Comparable sales information is vital, as buyers will ask their realtor what the other properties in the neighbour went for,” says Rioux. “If your pricing is not in line, there needs to be a reason.”

This can be tricky if your home is the first in your neighbourhood to be resold.

“I have experienced homes on the market for a very long time,” says Rioux. “The problem was not that the home wasn’t worth what they were asking; it was a problem of being the first newer home in that changing neighbourhood to go on resale. There were no comparables and buyers were wary of the price. We had to get them into the property so they could see that the value was there.” Also be aware of any foreclosures in your neighbourhood. One foreclosure probably won’t make a difference when you price your home, but if you are in a neighbourhood of several foreclosures, this can affect your list price if you want to be able to compete.

4. GeT An ApprAisAL An appraiser is an impartial professional who has an unbiased eye and uses facts and comparables to determine the value of a home. Appraisals have different purposes, depending on why it is being done. A bank appraisal for refinancing is different than an appraisal for insurance purposes. Be sure to clearly state to your appraiser the purpose of your request. “An appraiser, like a realtor, can also make suggestions to you as to what items you might want to consider improving, which may raise the value of your home before going to market,” notes Rioux.

5. price AheAd of The curve Picture this scenario: prices are dropping in your local market. Your home is priced for today’s market. But two months from now, when you’re starting to panic because your home has not sold, your house will be overpriced. You’re behind the curve. “At that point, if you drop to market value, you’ll be behind the curve again as prices are falling below your feet,” explains Rioux, “and constantly

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reducing the price may leave buyers wondering what’s wrong with the house.”

The chase to the bottom – continually lowering the price to catch up with the market – can be avoided if you look to the future and price your house accordingly.

Rioux’s advice: in a market declining by one per cent per month, take three percent off your fair price to make your price competitive three months from now.

If you are in an increasing market, however, the same rule does not apply, warns Rioux. “If you overprice your house, listing it at what you think it will be worth three months in the future, you will have missed the immediate interest that a home gets when it comes out as a new listing. By the time your price is competitive, your house will most likely have been on the market too long and will now be a stale listing.”

6. creATe A fAir price You now have the information to set a price for your home. “One way to get started is to choose an extremely low price and an extremely high price, then use the information you gathered to move up or down your scale,” suggests Rioux. “Once you have set the price, write it down. If you are honest and have done your homework, this will be your emotional baseline. Anything you get above it will be a bonus. And if you end up selling below your baseline price, it might be the market’s fault or it could be your fault. It all depends how honest you are with yourself and if you removed the sentimental ‘value’ you were placing on your property.” Remember, the “fair price” is only a starting point. There are scenarios where a buyer might be willing to overpay slightly for your house, and there are other reasons you might need to under price it.

Consider all of the factors before setting your final price.

7. MAke your price ATTrAcTive With so much competition out there, you may want to think of what you can do to “sweeten” the deal. Should you include some furniture? What about that boat in the driveway? Would a long closing or rent-to-own option be of interest? “And don’t forget, a vendor take-back mortgage can often be very enticing to someone who doesn’t want to work with a traditional lending institution,” notes Rioux.

8. sTAGe your hoMe To seLL Your home doesn’t have to look like it is on the showroom floor of a furniture store, but it does need to be clean, tidy and inviting. “Pricing a home that makes people want to move in is a lot easier than adjusting your price for all the little pitfalls,” says Rioux. “You don’t have to live in the Taj Mahal to have your home show like a palace.” Neutral colours, cleared countertops, limited family photos and lack of clutter are just a few suggestions to get you started. “When a home shows like a million bucks, it can be easier to justify the price in a competitive market,” says Rioux.

9. Be reAdy To Go To MArkeT When you set a fair price, it should take into consideration the condition of your home and how it relates to the surrounding homes. “For example, if all the homes in your neighbourhood have granite counters, then this would be an expectation when potential buyers see your price, says Rioux. “But if you have done some improvements that aren’t the norm, like back-up generators, radiant heated floors, etc., these can add value to your home.” Buyers will expect that all mechanical items, fixtures, etc. are in good working condition. If you want to get top dollar for your home, be sure your home is ready: paint and flooring in good condition, landscaping well maintained, spaces uncluttered, etc. Any damages to the home should be repaired (and disclosed). “By doing all the little touch-ups that you hadn’t gotten around to before, you can be setting yourself up to get as close to asking as possible,” says Rioux. Don’t give a buyer a reason to lower the price.

10. MArkeT your hoMe No matter what the price, you can’t be successful if you don’t market your property. This involves getting your home “out there.”

“Those clients who say they don’t want a sign on their lawn and they don’t want their neighbours to know, are tying the hands of the person they are paying to get a job done,” says Rioux. She recommends using a variety of techniques, from open houses to print advertising, social media, video tours and top-notch photography.

“Statistics have taught us that 85 per cent of all buyers start their search online, so if you don’t have professional photography done of your home, you are doing yourself an injustice,” says Rioux, adding, “I like to have floor plans included to complement my listings so that serious prospective buyers can contemplate placing their own furniture.” At any one time there are thousands of listings on the market; you need to make your home stand out above the rest.

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RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt

House-Hunting

Tips

10 ways to be a prepared buyer Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned homebuyer, the house-hunting process can be exciting and fun, but also stressful and frustrating. As we head into another spring real estate market in Southern Georgian Bay, here are some useful hints to consider to help prepare and ensure that your buying experience is both positive and rewarding.

1

Set your Priorities “Nothing can be more frustrating than arriving to view a home only to discover that a key priority is missing, not available or can’t be included in a potential renovation,” says Keith Hull of Chestnut Park Real Estate in Collingwood. “It is important to have a short, concise list of priorities that can be quickly checked off to ensure you’re making efficient use of your time.” Make sure these “must-haves” are communicated with your realtor.

Are you looking for a large two-storey home, a compact bungalow or a turnkey condo? Is a gourmet kitchen important? Do you need an attached garage? “Not only will you need to review this with your realtor, but you may uncover that you and your spouse had different ideas about what is important,” notes Christine Brennan of Windstone Real Estate. Depending on your stage in life, stairs may be a future concern so a bungalow or main floor master might be ideal. If you have young kids, yard size, rec room space and number of bedrooms will become key considerations.

Be sure to consider future needs as well as current priorities. Is it likely that an elderly parent or adult child will move in? If this is a transitional home (weekends for now with plans to live there full-time within the next few years), look at homes with your long-term plan in mind.

2

Get Pre-approved For first-time buyers this should be a top priority before setting foot in a potential new home, to avoid both personal disappointment and needless inconvenience to the current property owner. “Mortgages are not all the same and it is important that you take the time to not only shop for the best rates but know the terms,” says Hull. “You can avoid costly future financial mistakes today by understanding the contractual obligations of the lending terms.”

For those looking for a recreational property it is important to be pre-approved (or at least have a comfort level that you will be approved) in advance of your property search, since some lending institutions (including chartered banks) will not provide traditional financing for certain types of recreational properties.

“Properties including some at the base of the Escarpment or those with large acreage in the country may not qualify for traditional mortgages or terms,” notes Hull. Working with a realtor, financial institution or mortgage broker who is experienced in these markets is key.

“Meet with your banker or mortgage broker to understand how much you can afford,” advises Brennan. “They will determine the amount of mortgage you qualify for, provide scenarios for monthly or bi-weekly payments and different amortization periods. If you happen to be buying a home without the need for financing, talk to your banker about timeframes for closing and ensure that your money is placed in short-term investment options or cash so that you can access it quickly if needed.”

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A deposit will be due at the time of your offer or shortly after acceptance.

Plan your deposit in advance and set aside cash to ensure that funds are readily available when you’re ready to make an offer. “The amount of your deposit can also indicate your level of seriousness or commitment to a buyer,” says Brennan. “This is especially true in a multiple-offer scenario.”

3

Seeing is Believing Buyers can and will fall in love with a particular property or home before seeing it in person. “As a result, I have heard from buyers on several occasions who arrive at a property only to say with disappointment, ‘This doesn’t look anything like what I saw online,’” says Hull. “Often times rooms presented online through photos or a virtual tour will look larger or more spacious than they will appear in person.”

Viewing a home online often doesn’t allow you to see many of the hidden features, including closets, cold storage rooms, garage, attic or even exterior sheds.

While at the property, be sure to open closet doors, the pantry, cold storage etc.

Make sure that these features (often not part of the listing) are adequate in size and meet your requirements.

On the flipside, Hull says one of the most challenging aspects of buying a home is not to get put off by the items that can be changed. “Flooring, paint, wallpaper, lighting, window treatments are all items that for most part can be changed quite easily and at a reasonable cost,” says Hull. “Instead, focus on the physical layout of the home, the condition of both the interior and exterior, direction as it relates to natural light, etc. You want to be certain that the space, layout and natural lighting will work for you.”

Be sure to take measurements, and if you are viewing multiple properties, don’t hesitate to take additional photos (but be sure to ask for permission).

4

Know the Issues One of the many attractive qualities of the Southern Georgian Bay area is the wide variety of choice in terms of product, price points and communities.

Collingwood is very different from Thornbury in the same way that Thornbury is

“Often times rooms presented online through photos or a virtual tour will look larger or more spacious than they will appear in person.”

different from Heathcote. “Each contribute in a way that makes the region such a great place to call home,” says Hull, “however, you need to know what is happening within each of these communities and their respective neighbourhoods. What issues both positive and negative are taking place that could impact your purchase both short and long-term?” For example, Short-Term Accommodations (STAs) have been a thorny issue in the Blue Mountains for years, while the prospect of wind turbine installations have been a fear both in Clearview Township and Grey Highlands. Neither of these issues shows up on a feature sheet.

In addition to larger issues such as wind turbines, there are many other equally crucial issues to be aware of, including those related to the operation of a condominium corporation, new home warranties, well and septic systems, water and beach access, and regulations via governing bodies such as the Niagara Escarpment Commission, conservation authorities and heritage districts.

“Each of these matters can be complex and may have significant impact both short- and long-term based on your intended use of the property that you are

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looking to acquire,” warns Hull. “Local knowledge can help you navigate these issues, ensuring you are making an informed decision, and could save you from unforeseen issues that could arise in the future.”

Make sure your realtor is well versed in all of the issues that could affect your purchase, or the enjoyment or value of your new home.

Better yet, talk to your local planning department.

5

Know the Neighbourhood Your ideal area for a home is often determined by lifestyle. Do you want to live in town or in the country? Close to the ski hills or on the water? Considerations like school district, access to parks, trail systems and proximity to services such as the hospital, YMCA, shopping and dining can also help determine the most appropriate locale for you.

“Once you establish your lifestyle needs, share them with your realtor, who may have ideas for a neighbourhood you had not previously considered,” advises Brennan.

If a particular school or program is on your wish list, it is important to ensure that your new home falls within the boundaries. Don’t make

Buying a home is not easy.

It can be stressful and disappointing at times even if the final outcome is positive. Understanding the buying process is crucial, especially for first-time homebuyers.

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

assumptions; information is readily available online or through the school boards. “In the past I have worked with clients who initially assumed that Wasaga Beach had a high school or that properties at the base of Blue were in Simcoe County and therefore part of the Collingwood school system, when in fact they are in Grey County and therefore part of the Bluewater district school board,” recalls Hull.

Take the time to find out what amenities are located in prospective neighbourhoods, including local parks, trails, community centres, recreational facilities, municipal services, etc. “The more you learn about the neighbourhood, the more comfortable you will feel when comparing similar homes,” says Hull.

Once you have zeroed in on a particular home or two, don’t hesitate to spend some time in the neighbourhood. “We often perceive a particular street to be quiet only to discover after the fact that it is on a municipal or school bus route,” says Hull.

Brennan suggests driving past the home and around the neighbourhood at different times of the day and week. “This can identify traffic flows, street lights, and it will allow you to ensure you’re comfortable with the comings and goings in the community.”

6

Get Professional Advice on Renovation Projects Taking on a renovation project can often be rewarding and lucrative, but it requires a lot of time, dedication and patience. It’s best to have an idea of the cost and timeframe of any renovations before you buy the home. “Reality shows often make renovations look easy, but that’s not always the case,” says Brennan. “You can uncover unwanted surprises once you open walls.”

Before taking on a major fixer-upper, make sure you have the resources

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt to handle it. Consult with a builder or contractor first. In addition to a standard home inspection, you can also make your offer conditional on having professionals evaluate the possibilities before you buy.

7

Know the Process Buying a home is not easy. It can be stressful and disappointing at times even if the final outcome is positive. Understanding the buying process is crucial, especially for first-time homebuyers. Don’t hesitate to ask your realtor the following questions: • What is the role of a realtor?

• Why am I being asked to sign an agency agreement?

• What happens if there are multiple offers?

• What if my agent is also the listing agent of the home I want to buy?

• Who pays for commissions, solicitor fees, home inspections, land transfer tax, HST, etc.?

Asking these and other questions will help ensure that you are an educated consumer and that you feel confident in your choice of a realtor and the information they are providing you. For more information about finding a realtor and asking the right questions, go to www.crea.com.

8

Understand the Costs of Maintenance If you are considering a standard condo or common element condo purchase, the listing should clearly spell out the maintenance fees and what those fees cover. However, if you are buying a freehold single family home, it is wise to get a sense of what the monthly carrying costs are. “Don’t hesitate to ask for a one-year summary of utility costs from the seller,” suggests Brennan. “While usage will not be the same for everyone, if the sellers have a family of four and so do you, it should give you a good indication of how much it will be to run the house.” If you intend to outsource maintenance such as lawn care, snow removal or gardening, ask if the current owners have done the same and are willing to provide contacts and costs for their trusted suppliers.

9

Weigh the Importance of Green Features Green features run the gamut from increased energy efficiency to water conservation using low-flow toilets and faucets, to alternative heating and cooling systems such as geothermal. “Not only can an energy efficient home help you reduce your carbon footprint, buyers looking to lessen the impacts of allergies and asthma have lots of options these days with high-end HVAC and air exchange systems,” notes Brennan. “Plus features such as low VOC paints and hard wood floors can be beneficial.”

10

Know your Closing Costs When it’s all said and done, you have bought the perfect house and have waited with anticipation for the moment when you get handed the keys to your new home. Don’t dampen the excitement with the stress of unexpected costs. “Be prepared for closing costs that include legal fees, land transfer tax, and moving expenses,” advises Brennan. “Discuss them with your realtor in advance.”

Buying a home is likely the largest and most important purchase you will ever make. Doing your homework ahead of time will protect your investment for years to come. So enjoy the process. Stay positive.

And remember that every “wrong” house you see is one step closer to finding the perfect one.

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On The Bay

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RealEsTaTE&DEvElopmEnT

DEsignED for living ABOVE: The Shipyards in Collingwood is back onstream with a new phase of 16 bungalow townhomes with optional lofts – a departure from Shipyards’ earlier phase of two-storey townhomes and apartment condos.

The needs of today’s buyers are changing, and developers are scrambling to meet them stories by Janet Lees

G

one are the days of “build it and they will come,” when developers could make assumptions about the wants and needs of potential buyers and still sell out each phase of their developments. In today’s challenging new home market, developers and builders in southern Georgian Bay are looking to meet buyers’ needs, building homes that appeal to specific demographics and lifestyles.

Good home design begins with an understanding of how people live in their homes, and developers are offering homes that are attractive, highly functional and feel good to live in, urging buyers to think about how they live in their homes.

On The Bay asked several local developers what today’s buyers are looking for in a home. Here are some of the latest trends you can expect to find when looking for a newly built home:

Bungalows, Bunga-lofts & townhomes today’s buyers – whether retirees, soon-to-be retirees or young families – are putting a priority on style, livability and peace of mind. However, buyers are

not only looking for a home that will fit their needs today – they’re also looking towards the future, when mobility or health issues might come into play. a onefloor design offers Baby Boomers the opportunity to stay in their homes longer and enjoy their living space without having to worry about stairs.

Reid’s Heritage Homes, which has four developments currently active in the area (Lora Bay, silver Glen, Gates of Kent and Cobble Beach) is seeing a shift toward demand for bungalows and bunga-lofts. “Our new home sales consultants have noticed an increased number of clients asking for bungalows,” said Blake seeberger, senior vice president, residential for Reid’s Heritage Homes. “One of the reasons behind such requests is that stairs become more burdensome for the aging population.” Bungalows with optional lofts – which many developers are calling bunga-lofts – offer added square footage or space for guests without interfering with the one-floor livability of the bungalow layout.

“Many people prefer a bungalow simply from a design and layout perspective; however, for some, it is more of a requirement based on decreased mobility,” said Mike Parker, vice president of Consar Building Corporation, the builder behind Red Maple, a new development on the 10th line across from Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club. “Bungalows with lofts are perfect for people wanting one-floor living on a daily basis, yet they offer On The Bay

Spring 2015

37

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the extra space for family and friends in spacious loft areas when required.”

Tara Parsons of Collingwood’s Shipyards development agrees. After a fouryear hiatus, Shipyards is coming back onstream with a new phase of 16 bungalow townhomes with optional lofts. It’s a departure from Shipyards’ earlier phase and its original plan for future phases, which included two-storey townhomes and blocks of three-storey apartment condos with underground parking.

“I think with the Collingwood lifestyle, what we’ve discovered is that townhomes – whether bungalow or two-storey – seem more like a home, so people gravitate to that over a condo apartment style,” said Parsons. In addition to focusing on townhomes, there is also a thrust towards bungalow designs that offer main-floor living. “We looked at each parcel and determined that essentially west of Hurontario Street primarily should be bungalow townhomes with a loft option, because that’s what everyone wants,” said Parsons.

Smaller HomeS Today’s new home buyers are looking for less square footage and more efficient use of space, according to the developers we interviewed. Local developers are offering homes ranging from 1,100 to 4,000 square feet, but the “sweet spot” for the majority of buyers in terms of size appears to be in the 1,500to 2,000-square-foot range.

In past years, even empty nesters opted for larger homes thinking that there would be a revolving door of visiting family and friends, but the homeowners ended up rattling around in a huge house with too much to clean, too many bedrooms and too much unused space.

“Many people had a picture in their mind of what retirement looks like – for example, living in a lovely country place and everybody comes and we gallop through the fields,” said Parsons. “The reality is, everybody has busy lives and the grandchildren are into all kinds of sports activities and things on their own, so it becomes less about that idealized version and more quality time when they do visit.

Knowing that if they have a comfortable space, whenever people do visit – friends, family and so on – they’ll be accommodated in whatever space you provide.

“People will call and they’ll say, ‘I have this giant house, the kids are off to school now or have moved out, and we live in 1,200 square feet, so that’s what I want. I want to enjoy that space and have a little bit extra somewhere – loft ideally – where if they do come and visit, great, but I’m not relying on having all of that space that isn’t being used.” The days of formal living rooms and dining rooms are firmly in the past. Today’s buyers are looking for homes with less actual space but with a spacious feel and efficient use of the space.

D o u b l e D r i v e w ay S & G a r a G e S

EMMA BAKER

SHERRY RIOUX

Broker

Broker, SRES

705.444.3989 SellingBlueMountain.com

705.443.2793 SellingCollingwood.com

41 HURONTARIO STREET, COLLINGWOOD 705.445.7085

At first glance, this would appear to be counterintuitive: most developers today are targeting retirees and semi-retirees who are downsizing and looking for walkability. Yet developers have found that even the Baby Boom demographic is still looking to accommodate vehicles – and toys. Parking is a key concern for most buyers, said Seeberger. “For a mid-rise building, buyers want two parking spaces. For a townhome, buyers want room to park two cars in the driveway. With the exception of young single professionals or elderly retirees, most buyers are two-car families. They want to ensure parking will be available for visiting friends and family without fear of getting a ticket or being towed.”

For the Shipyards, the new phase will include rear lanes (to maintain the front façades) and double-car garages. “That two-car garage is because of the lifestyle,” said Parsons. “People are big kayakers and paddle boarders and skiers and cyclists even into their seventies. That second car garage is really in most cases not for a car; it’s for people’s toys that come along with the incredibly active lifestyle.

“If you picture the rear lane with the two-car garage, it enables someone to have the toys in one half, car in the other half, and room for children and grandchildren to park behind the garage.”

Red Maple also “worked hard to provide a two-car garage option” in its townhouse series, to give residents a place to “park their toys,” said Parker.

u p G r a D e D F e at u r e S a S S ta n D a r D In the past, ‘basic’ features in a new home – particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms – were indeed basic, and buyers who wanted the latest design elements had to pay for upgrades. These days, the standard features include granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, engineered hardwood floors and ceramic or porcelain tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. Upgrades are still available at an additional cost, but home buyers can now get what they want without a costly added pricetag.

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt “Absolutely a standard now in the industry are nine-foot ceilings minimum, solid surface counters, hardwood – a lot of people don’t want much carpet anymore due to allergies and other things,” said Parsons. She adds spa-type bathrooms with walk-in showers are another common trend. “A lot of people will have a home without even a bathtub, or if there is, it’s a bathtub for the grandchildren but it’s very seldom used,” she said. “Long gone is the corner tub with the Jacuzzi.” To prevent people falling in love with the model home and then finding out that there is a large pricetag to get the model’s features, Parsons says more and more developers are opting for models with close to standard features. “It’s great to have a model designed by a designer to showcase what can be done, but using standard finishes for the most part is really the better way to do a model so there are fewer surprises.”

There is no question that today’s new home buyers have more lifestyle choices – and more buying power – than ever. The best advice for those thinking of buying new: make a list.

Buyers still have options, and can upgrade or even customize to their heart’s – and wallet’s – content, but in most cases the additional cost for upgrades has gone down. “It might be $20-30,000 in choices as opposed to $80,000 in added cost,” said Parsons, adding, “It’s crucial that developers respond to that market because you need to allow buyers to make those choices and not break the bank doing it.”

In the end, each buyer’s ability to weigh out wants versus needs has a significant impact on the type of home they select and the features they choose to add, said Seeberger, adding, “What we have done is taken the needs and made them affordable so the wants can still be acquired.”

Access to Lifest yLe Amenities Every developer we spoke to lists lifestyle as the number one consideration for today’s home purchasers. Some buyers are looking for a waterfront lifestyle; others want to be near the ski hill or trails; some want country living while others want to be ‘in town.’ No matter what the lifestyle choice, buyers want a home that reflects their lifestyle and is located within easy reach of their favourite activities.

“Active lifestyle living is here to stay and access to recreational activities such as public parks, and hiking and biking trails is definitely a consideration for most,” said Parker, noting that Red Maple offers lots backing onto parkland and the Black Ash trail, with views of the Niagara Escarpment.

For the Shipyards, it’s all about downtown living – its buyers want to be right in the thick of things. “Probably the number one thing people are looking for these days is walkability,” said Parsons. “They want something that’s located close to whatever amenities they deem as most important. If it’s downtown shops and groceries and restaurants, then they choose that for a very specific reason. The majority of the clients I have coming through the doors are choosing that lifestyle because they want to walk and bike and be in that walkability lifestyle.”

There is no question that today’s new home buyers have more lifestyle choices – and more buying power – than ever. The best advice for those thinking of buying new: make a list.

“Have a list of what’s really important for you,” advised Parsons. “Think about how you live in your space – where you spend your time, what you do, what space is important – and how you live, whether it’s walkability that’s important, or trails or waterfront, and less about the family and friends who are going to visit.

Accommodate your needs first and foremost, and friends and family will make themselves comfortable when they visit, but don’t design or pick a home or the features based on that.”

Look for a home that ticks all the boxes that are most important to you, and make sure to include lifestyle as a top priority. “You want to get the most enjoyment possible from your home and your lifestyle, especially as you move into retirement, because you want to take advantage of all the things you worked so hard to earn.” ❧

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

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ew home development in Southern Georgian Bay is facing challenging times, partly due to higher development costs and longer wait times for municipal approvals, and partly due to the lack of a coordinated effort to promote economic development throughout the region.

On The Bay interviewed Andrew Hill, president of the Georgian Triangle Development Institute (GTDI), a private sector, non-profit organization that represents the development sector within the Southern Georgian Bay region. Members include planners, developers, engineers, construction companies, real estate firms, and related businesses and interested parties throughout the area.

Hill offered fascinating insights into the challenges facing not only developers, but our entire region. Following is an excerpt of our interview.

OTB: Developments in the area were hit hard by the 2008 recession. What is the current state of the market?

AH: Certainly the recession put a grinding halt to things because demand had fallen off and lenders had stopped lending. Those conditions have improved, there’s no question, so development is returning. We’re optimistic. The economy is stronger now and I think it will continue to be healthy, but development has slowed, especially in the Town of Blue Mountains. It’s forcing out smaller developers, the

ABOVE: Lora Bay is offering a choice of home styles and locations in its new phase, some aimed at people looking for a permanent home, others targeted at weekenders and parttimers.

time to get approvals has been too long, and the cost of development has risen, so new development is slower than it should be.

Statistics in terms of the number of new homes being built show that the numbers have fallen over the last few years, and they should be rising. The resale market is strong, but the new development market is weaker, and that is because of the cost of new development and the lack of an effective economic development strategy raising the profile of the region.

OTB: What are some of the trends you’re seeing in new home development in the area?

AH: Certainly there has been a recent trend to new community developments like Creekside and like Georgian Meadows, which are more neighbourhood residential communities, and I think that’s serving an entry price point and a family price point, which is good to see in the Southern Georgian Bay region.

I think there’s a continued focus on recreational lifestyle development like we’ve seen in the Town of Blue Mountains and along the waterfront, and that continues because people are looking for a recreational lifestyle, so there are golf communities, there are communities near the ski hills, there are developments near the water, there are retirement-focused communities, there’s lock-and-go. Lockand-go condominium developments are very strong because people are looking for that kind of lifestyle. There is also a trend towards smaller lots, smaller homes, bungalows, townhomes and the like, and there are a number of reasons for that type of development. One is certainly price point; another is size – downsizing – and another is people wanting to have more living space on the main floor or ground floor.

Another reason that drives it, which you might not be aware of, is the higher cost of new development – higher development fees, higher development levies, higher costs of servicing, and quite a long time to get approvals. All of those things are driving the cost of new development up, so that also increases the requirement for higher density.

The main challenge that faces developers in this region is the high cost of implementing municipal standards, development charges, and all of those things go into the cost of the home for the end user, so instead of being able to build estate lot subdivisions that we used to see in developments like Monterra, now we’re seeing smaller lot development like Windstone, because the numbers don’t work for the larger lots.

On The Bay

Spring 2015

41

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OTB: Is that why we’re seeing higher-density residential developments?

AH: Yes. The province of Ontario has been pushing for higher density and more effective use of infrastructure. The cost of infrastructure – water, sewer, roads – is going up, and higher density pays for that more effectively. So higher denstity is being put into development planning guidelines from the province, which trickles down to the county level and then to the municipal level.

That again is a challenge in this region because, is that what the buyer wants? Yes, I think there’s a demand for that, but I don’t think it meets all of the customers’ wants and needs. That’s a challenge in this community because not everyone is looking for a home in a small-lot subdivision.

You can do townhouses, small lot residential, stacked condominiums, large lot residential – essentially a mixed-use residential development plan. You get mixed density, and I think that’s probably a good solution. This is the knowledge we have so far, but we’re looking to update that knowledge with the help of the real estate association.

OTB: How is GTDI working with the real estate association?

AH: The Southern Georgian Bay Association of Realtors is conducting some surveys right now to ask their membership about what is missing in the market and what are the new trends in the market, so we’re going to be getting that data in the next few weeks. They will be making a presentation to our membership about that, and the GTDI is also holding a real estate forum in May where we’ll be discussing what the future holds.

It’s interesting that a lot of the realtor community is not typically involved in the sales of new development – sometimes they are, but often the developer has their own sales and marketing team – but it’s the realtor community that looks after resales of that product, so they quickly become familiar with new development product, and the pluses and minuses – the good things and bad things about it. So it’s that type of feedback that the Georgian Triangle Development Institute is looking to get. The realtors see the entire marketplace, so that’s why we want to work with them.

OTB: What kinds of lobbying and advocacy work is the GTDI involved in?

AH: In our discussions with developers in our region, the high cost of development and the length of time to obtain approvals – particularly in the Town of Blue Mountains – is pushing the smaller developers out of this market because they don’t have the deeper pockets that can pay for this high cost of development, they don’t have the strength to wait out the long time for approvals. So our organization has been working with the Town of Blue Mountains, and the Town of Blue Mountains has undertaken an initiative to improve their development approval process, which obviously we support. It’s a good thing they’re doing because they recognize that it’s a challenge for them.

Our organization has also been very active in advocating for stronger economic development strategies in the Southern Georgian Bay region, and those strategies need to be directly tied to development planning policies as well.

OTB: What are the economic development issues the GTDI is trying to address?

AH: This area has so many great assets and strengths and people want to live

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt here, but we feel that the area municipalities are not doing enough to leverage the assets of the region and to increase the economic profile of our region.

We have been lobbying for a number of years to push the area municipalities for a stronger regional economic development strategy working together.

We’ve held economic development forums in the past and we’re holding another one in October. Small business is really the backbone of the economy here. Most employers are 50 employees and under. We have a number of professional firms in the area – in the engineering and planning, legal and banking professions, for example – and they’re having trouble getting qualified employees.

The qualified employees down in the Greater Toronto Area don’t understand the lifestyle this area offers – many people still think of this region as a ski area, and they don’t understand that this is really Ontario’s only four-season destination recreational area. It’s that type of ‘profile’ marketing and messaging that needs to get out in a more effective way through the municipal economic development efforts. If you’re an engineer working in the Greater Toronto region, you’re not thinking of Collingwood as an option for you to live and work in because you’ve already got a $100,000 a year down there, but they don’t realize that they could come up here and have a vastly improved lifestyle and still get good work.

OTB: What would you say to people who argue they don’t want to see more development, and would like to see our area continue to be a well-kept secret?

AH: All the more reason for a well-thought-out economic development strategy that is tied to development policies. If you work these details out and it’s tied to public input, then the result is future development that is tied to the desires of the public rather than just the municipalities coming up with an official plan. That’s why our organization has been advocating for a well-thought-out plan – and a strategy to implement it – that’s developed from public input and in conjunction with the other municipalities in the region, focusing on South Georgian Bay. In the past, Collingwood has had its own economic development office, Town of Blue Mountains has its own, Wasaga has its own, with very little success and effort – “oh, we don’t have the budget for that.” But thankfully in the last election, economic development became a major platform for all of the area municipalities, and they’re focusing on it again. We were arguing that they were missing opportunities. It’s a great area, so let’s seize opportunities, but let’s seize the right opportunities.

OTB: So the GTDI is advocating taking a regional approach to economic development as opposed to more narrowly focused efforts by each municipality?

AH: It’s the only way. We’re competing now on a much larger scale. Everyone is. We’re no longer just a bunch of local communities. We’re competing provincially, we’re competing nationally, we’re competing globally. People can go anywhere now.

The first step is communication. That wasn’t happening, and now it’s starting to happen. We’re learning that we have to take it in baby steps. In our last economic development forum that we had a year and a half ago, we brought in other regional economic development corporations and organizations from around Ontario to show Collingwood, Blue Mountains and Wasaga how they do it. They’re listening, but I’m not expecting instant results.

OTB: For a reader who is interested in buying a new home, how does all of this impact or trickle down to what they’re going to be looking at, what the options are going to be for them, what the pricing is going to be, etc.?

AH: Hopefully what it means is that they’re going to get the product that they want rather than having to settle for something that isn’t what they want. If the development community can produce products that are in demand, they’re going to get a better price for it, it’s going to sell faster, and there will be less risk of having empty, undeveloped sites. Developers do not do things unless there’s a profit involved. Nobody does. This is a business.

There’s no question in our mind that a strong economic development strategy is going to help the prosperity of the region and thus allow new developments to be more successful because people will want to be here, and it will be more targeted at the type of development we want to have in the region. We are not Barrie, so we shouldn’t be developing that product.

OTB: Have you been involved with our region’s new think tank, the Institute of Southern Georgian Bay? AH: Yes, we’ve been involved with Don May (president of the ISGB). We talked to them about economic development and they said that’s an area they would just allow the Georgian Triangle Development Institute to lead the advocacy on, because that’s been our area of focus for probably the last 10 years.

I’m pleased to say that finally the area municipalities have taken notice and have started to focus on it. ❧

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outhern Georgian Bay’s most popular magazine has teamed up with our region’s most visited community portal to bring you a comprehensive destination site for local events.

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

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NewHomes On The Bay is pleased to present our annual guide to active new home developments in Southern Georgian Bay B l u e M o u n ta i n s The Arrowhead Collection www.solcorpdevelopments.com

Eleven Bay Street www.elevenbaystreet.com

Far Hills Developer: location: offering: # of units:

iljon Far Hills S 30 Beaver Street, Thornbury Completed 87 units in total comprising 39 townhomes (33 sold) and 48 condos (all sold) with indoor parking. amenities: Pool, tennis courts, clubhouse, walking distance to downtown and trails.

Price Range: Phase 1 & 2 townhomes range from $290,136 – $434,900, condos range from $259,000 – $299,900. Phase 2 townhomes priced at $157 per sq. ft. targeting: A mix, from the weekend crowd and young families to retirees; 75 per cent full time or about to be. telephone: 705-445-5454 email: anita@themoviegals.com, barb@themoviegals.com Website: www.themoviegals.com See ad on page 87.

Lora Bay Developer: location: offering:

Reid’s Heritage Homes 22 Anchor’s Way Thornbury 1 Masters Collection, Cottage Collection and Clubhouse Collection offer a choice of home styles and home site locations – some are ideal for people looking to create a permanent home, others work for weekenders who use it for their winter chalet and summer cottage. amenities: Sailing, mountain biking, fly fishing and golf in the summer; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Edging a magnificent Golf Club close to Collingwood, Thornbury and Meaford, Lora Bay offers a private beach club, a 10,000-square-foot recreational centre and hundreds of acres to explore. Lora Bay is bisected by two miles of the Georgian Trail, acting as a transportation corridor for cyclists and walkers making their way into Thornbury or Meaford. The full Georgian Trail extends all the way from Collingwood to Meaford. Lora Bay has designated trails instead of sidewalks throughout the community.

The beachfront is perfect for picnics, swimming, volleyball, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. The golf course cart path becomes a crosscountry ski path in the winter and is groomed providing a great path for snowshoeing or skiing.

Price Range: Cottage Collection priced from $375,100 at time of printing, subject to change (1,380 to 2,163 sq. ft). Masters Collection priced from $599,900 at time of printing, subject to change (2,208 to 2,625 sq. ft). Clubhouse

ABOVE: Mountaincroft, at the corner of Poplar and High streets in Collingwood, is under construction with the third of six phases, consisting of bungalows, raised bungalows and two-storey plans.

On The Bay

Spring 2015

45

TOP TO BOTTOM: The Private Residences at The Georgian Bay Club has two models available for viewing; The Residences of Peaks Bay is offering 24 registered and fully serviced lots with building permits available; Windfall at Blue, across from Blue Mountain Resort, includes 74 detached and semi-detached homes.

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt Collection priced from $497,900 at time of printing, subject to change (1,639 to 2,798 sq. ft).

Targeting: Active, retired Boomers (‘Zoomers’) and families Telephone: 226-665-0180 or 877-696-8984 Email: lking@heritagehomes.com Website: www.lorabay.com See ad on page 6.

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Millpond In The Village www.bradwilliamsrealtor.com

Nipissing Ridge III www.nipissingridge.ca

Peaks Ridge Developer: Location: Offering: # of Units:

Solcorp Developments (Peaks Ridge) Inc. Camperdown Road, west side above Georgian Bay Club property Permit ready 36 including 6 lots sold (3 have homes built on them); 30 lots available consisting of homes, townhomes, etc. on single residential lots.

Price Range: $125,000 to $449,000 per lot plus HST Targeting: Retirees, second homes and young professionals.

Telephone: 705-444-3853 Email: doug@douggillis.ca Website: www.douggillis.ca See ad on page 27.

The Private Residences at The Georgian Bay Club Developer: Location:

Georgian Bay Estates Limited Along the 10th Fairway at The Georgian Bay Club in the Town of Blue Mountains (see website for map).

Offering: Building underway and two models for viewing # of Units: 56 with several already sold and consisting of luxury semi townhomes.

Amenities: Golf, pool, clubhouse, dining, practice facilities, fitness, steam, sauna, hot tub, spa and wellness programs.

Price Range: From $1.1 to $1.7 million, four models from 1,900, 2,400, 2,800 to 3,400 sq. ft. A level of Townhome luxury never seen before in the region. Featuring floor to ceiling 18’ great room windows facing the bay, main floor masters, double attached garages, luxury kitchens

by Downsview, luxurious bathrooms by Gingers, Crestron home automation, luxurious landscaping, custom lighting, Sub-zero & Wolf appliances, custom built to meet owners needs.

Targeting: For those that are seeking the finest quality maintenance free home & facilities in a world class location. We are ideal for year-round weekend residents (skiers, bikers, golfers, hikers) and residents that winter in Florida.

Telephone: 705-444-3597 Email: relliott@georgianbayclub.com Website: www.privateresatgbc.com See ad on page 23.

The Residences of Peaks Bay Developer: Location:

PB Holdings Limited Hwy. 26 across from the Georgian Peaks Ski Club, between Collingwood and Thornbury Offering: Building permits available # of Units: 24 registered and fully serviced lots in Phase 1. Total of 13 lots available for single-family dwellings (7 residences built to date). One lot scheduled to start construction and one house under construction.

Road construction and streetscaping complete.

Amenities: Beachfront access Price Range: From $195,000 to $375,000 per lot Targeting: Retirees, second homes and young professionals.

Telephone: Doug Gillis 705-444-3853 Email: doug@douggillis.ca Website: www.peaksbay.com See ad on page 99.

Ridge Estates www.theridgeestates.com On The Bay

Spring 2015

47

Looking Forward!

July 3 to 5, 2015

Over thirty free and ticketed shows from world–class artists Blue Mountain Village, Ontario

Nikki Yanofsky

FEATURED HEADLINERS: • NIKKI YANOFSKY • NATURALLY 7 • BRASS TRANSIT

ELAINE DICKINSON’S FASHIONS

311 Hurontario Street, Collingwood

(705) 445-4093

bluemountainjazzfest.com

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

ABOVE: Blue Fairway’s next phase includes nine bungalow loft townhomes with single and double garages backing onto the golf course, plus 68 two-storey townhomes with garages and full, unfinished basements.

Schoolhouse Ridge www.schoolhouseridge.com

Summit Shores Developer: Location:

New Patient

PROMOTION

FULL EXAM WITH ORAL CANCER SCREENING, PANOREX XRAY, CLEANING & 4 BITEWINGS.

48

On The Bay

Spring 2015

149

$

Regular Fee $341

Dr. Noreen Khan, DMD dentist

(705) 445-2470

Collingwood Health Centre 186 Erie Street, Suite 202 Collingwood, ON L9Y 4t3

drkhandentistry@gmail.com

Losani Homes & Mountainview Homes elphi Lane, North side of Hwy. 26, directly across the street from D Georgian Peaks Ski Club Offering: 13 of 22 Phase 1 freehold townhome units to drywall. Three model homes available for viewing. First 13 move-in ready in 90 days thanks to Losani Pronto Homes On Demand.

Amenities: Walk to the Champlain chairlift from a chalet-inspired new Summit Shores townhome directly across the street from Georgian Peaks.

In summer, you can stroll down the path through the community to the water’s edge on beautiful Georgian Bay. Both Thornbury and Collingwood’s shops, restaurants and amenities are a short drive away. Stroll, hike and bike the Georgian Trail just across the road.

Tee up a game at one of 18 golf courses in the area. Go boating and sailing. Explore Scenic caves and Scenic drives.

Price Range: 2-3 Bedroom Chalet inspired townhomes starting from $417,900 (1,630 to 2,065 sq. ft.)

Targeting: Adventure seekers, skiers, snowboarders, vacation home buyers, families, Georgian Peaks members or future members.

Telephone: Andres Paara, broker or Karen Willison, sales representative 705-445-5520 Email: AndresandKaren@gmail.com Website: www.summitshores.com / andresandkaren.com See ad on page 34.

Trailwoods www.trailwoods.com

RealEstatE &DEvElopmEnt Windfall At Blue Developer: Location:

eorgian International G A cross the road from Blue Mountain Resort and adjacent to Scandinave Spa, The Blue Mountains Offering: Currently constructing Phase 1 and taking reservations for Phase 2 # of Units: Initial collection of 37 detached homes in Phase 1 with the addition of 37 detached and semi-detached homes being offered in Phase 2.

Amenities: Distinctive architecture; 35+ acres of trails, parks and preserved green space; a barn-inspired year-round clubhouse with swimming pool called ‘The Shed.’

Price Range: Semi-detached homes starting from the upper $300,000s. Detached bungalows from the mid $400,000s. Two-storeys from the mid $500,000s.

Targeting: Families, retirees and secondary homeowners, aged 35 to 60+, looking for a primary residence, weekend retreat, recreational home or real estate investment.

Telephone: 705-445-0440 Email: info@WindfallAtBlue.com Website: www.windfallatblue.com See ad on page 17.

Stay and Play packages starting at $128 per night* *Per person, based on double occupancy, subject to availability.

Prices and packages subject to change without notice.

COLLingWOOD Balmoral Adult Lifestyle Village www.balmoralvillagecollingwood.com

Blue Fairway Developer: Location: Offering:

MacPherson Builders Limited Hwy. 26 and Cranberry Trail East, Collingwood There is 1 unsold unit in phase 1 priced at $519,900. Phase 2 will open in April 2015; refundable reservations available now to secure a lot. # of Units: 68 two-storey townhomes and 9 bungalow loft townhomes.

Amenities: Two-storey townhomes have garages and full unfinished basements with 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms. Bungalow loft townhomes back onto golf course with single and double garages; full unfinished basements with 3 or 4 bedrooms.

Price Range: High $200,000s for two-storey townhomes (1,219 to 1,453 sq. ft.) and starting at $400,000 for bungalow loft townhomes (1,727 to 2,200 sq.ft.)

Targeting: Retirees and families Telephone: 705-293-2201 or 705-446-7601 Email: Jennifer@macphersonbuilders.com Website: www.bluefairway.ca See ad on page 44.

• Golf memberships • Multi-game passes • Stay & Play packages • Tournaments • Lessons • Men’s & Women’s leagues • Club rentals • Private functions

Dwell at Creekside www.devonleighhomes.com

Mountaincroft Developer: Location: Offering: # of Units:

Grandview Homes 67 Clark Street, corner of Poplar and High streets, Collingwood Phase 3 of 6 is under construction Approximately 55 of 83 crescent lots/homes sold, mix of bungalows, raised bungalows and two-storey plans ranging from 1,270 to 3,650 sq ft. on 35- to 50-foot-wide lots Amenities: C ommunity park, Georgian Trail system, walking distance to downtown, mountain views Price Range: $271,500 to $508,500 Targeting: Ranging from young families, seasonal & retirees Telephone: 705-444-0333 Email: mountaincroftcollingwood@gmail.com Website: www.grandviewhomescollingwood.com See ad on page 2.

A Perfect Venue For Your Dream Wedding

weddings@livingwaterresort.com

Pretty River Estates www.sunvalehomes.com

Pretty River www.frantonhomes.com On The Bay

Spring 2015

49

R e a l E S T A T E &DEvELOPMENT Red Maple

SUMMER D

O

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S

M

I

S

S

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Developer: Location:

E

$5.95 3 Summer 201

www. onthe baym

agazi ne.co m

Summer 201 4

www.o ntheba ymaga

zine.co m $5.95

Raising The Bay!

How do we get our water back?

The Joy of Running Summerlicious!

Beer, hops and bur gers

Game Changer?

The future of golf in Southern Georgian Bay

Summer’s Cool!

thern Georgian Bay, “high season” in Sou oor Summer is the new h food, entertaining ideas and outd fres ever. best and we’ve got the your this activities to make

Ad Reservation Deadline May 29th Distribution End of June

onsar Development Inc. C 725 10th Line Collingwood (across from the Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club) Offering: Open for sales as of March 21, 2015 # of Units: 278 units consisting of homes, townhomes, etc. with 31- to 50-foot lots, 100 36-foot lots, 56 freehold townhouses, and 91 condo townhomes Amenities: Red Maple offers a range of lots including ones that back onto parkland and the Black Ash Trail. Conveniently located with a view of the Niagara Escarpment, the development is minutes away from the downtown core, shopping, restaurants, and theatres.

Price Range: Townhouses (bungalow, bungalow with loft, two storey) 1,085 to 1,800 sq. ft. from $275,000 to $325,000; 36-foot lot detached (bungalow, bungalow with loft, two storey)1,200 to 2,050 sq. ft. from $300,000 to $399,000; 50-foot lot detached (bungalow, bungalow with loft, two storey) 1,450 to 3,650 sq. ft. from $365,000 to $550,000.

Targeting: Red Maple offers housing designs that will cater to people looking to downsize, first time home buyers, growing families, and recreational / second home use.

Telephone: 705-293-1374 Email: sales@myredmaple.ca Website: www.myredmaple.ca See ad on page 5.

The Shipyards www.thenewshipyards.com

Silver Glen Preserve Developer: Location: Currently: Amenities:

Sherwood Homes Ltd. 6 Conservation Way (Silver Glen Boulevard, Off Hwy 26) Collingwood 8 Bungalow and two-storey townhomes Recently opened Community Recreation Centre with well-equipped fitness centre, games/party room and infrared saunas. With walking trails, on the doorstep of Blue Mountain and Georgian Bay, and just a quick drive to Toronto, Silver Glen Preserve is at the heart of Ontario’s four-season recreational hub.

Price Range: Bungalow townhomes from $389,900 at time of printing, subject to change (from 1,284 to 2,260 sq. ft.). Two-storey townhomes from $278,400 at time of printing, subject to change (from 1,359 sq. ft.)

Targeting: F irst-time home buyers, empty nesters, investors, seasonal/ recreation homes Telephone: 705-446-2685 Email: gdickson@heritagehomes.com Website: www.sherwoodhomesltd.com See ad on page 20.

Windrose Estates Developer: Location:

Osler Bluff Estates Inc./MacPherson Builders Limited outheast corner of Osler Bluff Road/Grey Road 19 & Sixth Street, S Collingwood Offering: 36 lots available # of Units: 36 one- to two-plus acre, single family detached estate home lots remaining Price Range: $979,990 to $1,172,990 Targeting: Recreational and/or principal residence in an exclusive enclave of estate lots Telephone: 705-293-2201 or 705-446-7601 Email: jennifer@macphersonbuilders.com Website: www.windroseestates.ca See ad on page 58.

Wyldewood Cove www.wyldewoodcondos.ca

MEAfORD Gates of Kent www.reidsheritagehomes.com

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Memberships on sale now Monterra Golf is re-launching Memberships for the 2015 season. Get yours while quantities last!

To purchase please call 705-445-0231.

Limited Membership

$

899*

Valid for three rounds per week

50 available

Regular Membership

$

Valid for unlimited number of rounds

25 available

1,499*

*HST extra. Memberships include cart rental and are valid for rounds Monday to Friday and after 12pm on Sunday, excluding holiday long weekends where rounds can be played from 12pm on Monday. Tee time reservation is based on availability and can be made up to 7 days in advance. Complete details at bluemountain.ca/golf

TOP TO BOTTOM: The Residences of Cobble Beach in Owen Sound, Silver Glen Preserve in Collingwood and TerraceWood in Meaford are offering a variety of home styles, features and amenities to suit a range of potential buyers.

705-445-0231 BlueMountain.ca On The Bay BMR_MonterraGolf_OTB_Spring-Memberships_halfpage.indd 1

Spring 2015

51

2/25/2015 11:10:48 AM

R e a l E S T A T E &DEvELOpMENT TerraceWood Developer: Location: Offering: # of Units:

Third Line Homes Gordon Crescent, Meaford Construction is underway 25 with two sold (first house sold to Mike Holmes). Detached homes designed by blackLAB Architects, all with master bedrooms on the main floor.

Amenities: Bordering a ravine, extra wide treed lots. Walking distance to town, harbour and Meaford Hall. Close to four major trails, beaches, skiing and great restaurants. TerraceWood homes are healthy homes – mould and fire resistant, toxic and sound proof, super energy efficient and will withstand extreme weather conditions.

Price Range: (Introductory prices from $395,000) Design 1: 1525 sq. ft. 2-bedroom single story - $395,000. Design 2: 1777 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms plus loft - $425,000. Design 3: 2388 sq. ft. 3 bedroom plus loft - $525,000.

Design 4: 2175 sq. ft. 3 bedroom - $475,000 Targeting: TerraceWood is ideal for active retirees, young families; really anyone who wants to live in a healthy home.

Telephone: 519-538-0777 Email: info@thirdlinehomes.ca Website: www.terracewood.ca See ad on page 25.

OWEn SOUnD The Residences of Cobble Beach Developer: Location: Amenities:

Reid’s Heritage Homes Owen Sound This golf community is built on 574 acres of pristine land on the panoramic shores of Georgian Bay. These beautiful new homes in Owen Sound are surrounded by the world-class Cobble Beach Golf Links Club, a golf course that lines the gorgeous lakeside and winds through an open meadow edged with mature woodlands. The master plan envisions detached homes, villas, townhomes and luxury estates, all crafted into pedestrian-friendly streetscapes.

A charming Nantucket style Clubhouse sits at the heart of the community, offering boutique accommodations as well as year-round hospitality and 5-star dining. As a homeowner you will enjoy full access to The Spa’s sauna, whirlpool and tennis courts, as well as the future fitness centre and swimming pool. It is more than an eminently impressive destination – it is a lifestyle that is in every way unique.

Price Range: The Grove Collection priced from $349,900 at time of printing, subject to change (1,672 to 1,706 sq. ft.); 55-foot Lake House Collection priced from $379,900 at time of printing, subject to change (1,380 to 2,163 sq. ft.); 59’ Lake House Collection priced from $399,900 at time of printing, subject to change (1,380 to 2,163 sq. ft.)

Targeting: First-time home buyers, empty nesters, seasonal homes and growing families Telephone: 226-664-0064 or 877-781-0149 Email: sales@cobblebeach.com Website: www.livecobblebeach.com See ad on page 95.

Register Online Today CINDERELLA DANCE CAMP • JULY 6-10 FROZEN FEVER DANCE CAMP • JULY 13-17 Ages 3-6, 10am-12pm, $115 +hst BROADWAY ZUMBA CAMP • JULY 6-10 Ages 5-12, 12:30-3pm, $150 +hst DANCE CAMP INTENSIVE • JULY 13-17 Ages 7-17, 12:30-3pm, $150 +hst

Visit our Website for Details www.collingwoodschoolofdance.ca

collingwoodschoolofdance@rogers.com • 705-321-0175

• Precision Haircutting • Professional Ombré Hair Colouring • Wig Fitting & Sales • Foils • Waxing • Manicures • Pedicures • International Makeup Artist on Site Gift Certificates Available New Clients & Walk-Ins Always Welcome 64 Ontario Street, Collingwood

(Beside Meridian Credit Union)

7 0 5 . 4 4 4 . 1 5 9 3

The Sydenham www.sydenhamcondos.com

WA S AgA BE Ac h Blue Water www.berkleyhomes.ca

Country Meadows www.parkbridge.ca

Park Place www.parkbridge.ca

Stonebridge by the Bay www.mystonebridge.ca

Wasaga Meadows & Wasaga Meadows East www.parkbridge.ca

52

On The Bay

Spring 2015

e

the

BY JEONGAE

BROWS Enhancing your natural beauty with permanent make-up.

705-446-4132 jeongae@eyethebrows.com www.eyethebrows.com

FeaturedHome

discovercollingwood shop • indulge • explore

Christie’s

Est. 1976

Quality clothing for men, women & children

Marlin Travel - Collingwood 153 Hurontario St, Collingwood

S

704-444-1161

93 Hu r o n t a r i o S t . | 7 0 5 - 4 4 5 - 2 7 6 1

www.marlintravel.ca/1207 Kathryn.easson@marlintravel.ca

www.christiesclothing.com

Marlin Travel is a division of Transat Distribution Canada Inc. ON Reg. #50015084, BC Reg. #23567.

Head Office: 191 The West Mall, Suite 700, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5K8.

Urban Hair Spa

In the heart of Downtown Collingwood

An abundance of wood is one of the COWORK - COLLABORATE - CONNECT Prom and Wedding key warming factors. The ceiling is amenities of an office seasoninisrough uponsawn us! cedar, which Allatthea fraction of the cost planked A collaborative workspace for gives offyour a golden glow at night from professionals and entrepreneurs Book formal style Visit Us In Person, or Learn More Online low-voltage uplights placed Short Term – Temporary or updo halogen today!

Professional Offices & Meeting Room strategically around the room. Our job is to make your job easier.

Contact Us Today!

(705) 293-1518 urbanhairspa@hotmail.ca ABOVE: In the open kitchen the butcher block countertop houses a sleek stainless 1-844-4-COWORK (426-9675) / 705-532-1144 steel version of the old-fashioned St., farmer’s sink. 2 Info@thecleveroffice.ca 207 Hurontario Unit www.facebook.com/thecleveroffice LEFT: Sliding doors at the back of the house open to a cedar deck overlooking the woods. In the kitchen a long rectangular slit of window provides an unconventional backsplash. Engineered hemlock flooring contains radiant heat and adds visual warmth to the minimalist space.

the StrongeSt, quieteSt, cleaneSt

LOWER LEFT: At ground level, oversized sliding doors keep the family room airy and bright. Every room in the house opens to the outside.

Appeal Boutique

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Specialist Kathryn Easson

central Vacuum SYStem on the market

are 12 feet tall at the peak and have thin aluminum mullions that almost disappear and allow for unimpeded views, one side facing east to the rising sun, the other to the setting sun.

Downstairs, at grade level, there’s a family room and two guest World Full • Others Follow na bedrooms with large sliding doors that maximize the light as well. In • White Crow Choose the second building, across the glass breezeway, is another wing of the • Peppercorn Nilfisk 2,435-square-foot house. The upper level master suite has the same view the ce • Z Supply Safe Choi to the woods and opens to the cedar deck. At the front is a combined • Foxy Jeans laundry and powder room. Below this is a two-car garage and storage Superior European Quality • Sleevey Wonders room. Unique garage doors made of plexiglass panels with tubular • C’est Moi channels for insulation were chosen for their transparent quality. During the day, light filters202 intoHurontario the garage interior light Blue Mountain VacuuM centre St. and, at night, the indoor Y o ur one Stop Vac Shop shines through to the outside.

705-302-1391 or 705-607-0495 Hurontario St., Collingwood 705.444.1022 Ortved andwww.appealboutique.com O’Shaughnessy both credit their builder, Tony176 LaChance www.BlueMountainVacuuM.coM of Blue Bay Homes in Thornbury, with much of the success of their project and with bringing innovative solutions to some of the structural challenges. LaChance found that working with two such visionary

Computer Sales and Service (PC & Mac) Ink and Toner Sales Cabling and Accessories iPhone and iPad Repair Home and Office Service Calls Computer and iPad Training

www.mycomputerpeople.ca

Your Live Well Team is Here to Help

Risk of

I

We also offer

Mak

e

10 Year Warranty

Mary’s Pharmacy After 25 years, Mary is proud to now serve the community in her very own Pharmacy! Come in and say hi.

460 Hume Street, Unit 6, Collingwood

705-444-7997 www.maryspharmacy.ca Mon to Fri 9am - 9pm, Sat 9am - 2pm, Sun Closed

On The Bay

WinTer 2014

53

Local Arts Scene Tour the

M at i l da Swanson G a l l e ry Funk It with colour

Sue Tupy

@

SANDY B. McINNES Historical Sketches and Images Home Sketches

Funk It Up

416.827.5324 sandym555284@gmail.com sandymcinnes.blogspot.com

An intimate black box theatre in the creative heart of Collingwood.

Available for booking

simcoestreettheatre@gmail.com whatsonsimcoestreet.com

Santa Fe Gallery

705 718 7737 | 705 441 4109 WWW.BONNIEDORGELO.COM 48 PINE STREET, COLLINGWOOD

Studio, Store, Gift Shop, Demos

Original Paintings & Sculpture

519-416-1007 or 519-793-4758 828 Third Ave East, Owen Sound www.dragonflyridge.ca linsouliere@gmail.com

Garlan

Stained & Textural Glass Inc.

519-986-3814

503617 Grey Rd. 12, Markdale

www.garlanglass.ca

ARTISTSpotLIGht

Organized

Chaos Award-winning Collingwood artist Lazarus Ioannou creates unique, dream-like landscapes where colours, shapes and lines intertwine to reveal textural visions of the Great Lakes regions

CLoCKWIsE FRoM ToP LEFT: Good Night Great Lake (4x4 feet); Night Wheat (16x36 inches); Winter Feast (18x12 inches).

ARTISTSpotlight

U

Lazarus Ioannou

prooting his life in Toronto, Lazarus Ioannou replanted himself in rural Bruce Peninsula back in 2007. It was there amongst the marshy forests and ancient, rocky shores that his creative spirit bloomed, inspired by the drama of nature. Moved to live by the majesty of the mountains and stormy waters of Southern Georgian Bay, Ioannou has called Collingwood his home and studio since 2012. Painting with acrylic on wood and canvas, his expressions reveal our landscape’s moods and movement, often experienced but seldom seen. Relying on memories and impressions rather than photo references, Ioannou creates scenes that seem familiar because of their emotive quality and iconic visual clues. His work has been acquired by the County of Bruce, displayed at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, honoured with the Blue Mountain Foundation For The Arts’ Murray Clerkson Arts Award, and earned him a spot representing Collingwood at the 2014 Art Battle National Championship. To view his portfolio, or for inquiries or commissions, go to www.lazarusi.me. Ioannou is also represented by Matilda Swanson Gallery in Clarksburg. ❧

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Field and Stream (12x18 inches); Boat by Bay (16x20 inches); November Bay (36x20 inches); Barnstorm (36x16 inches).

VISIT OUR SPECTACULAR MODEL HOME!

THE BRITANNIA | Elevation B, Lot 11 - 4200 sq. ft.

CO LL I NGWOO D’S ONLY COL L EC TIO N OF ESTATE HO MES ON 1 TO 2 AC RE LOTS. We are now under construction at Windrose Estates with purchasers moving in this fall! Visit our Model Home located on Osler Bluff Road next to Ontario’s premier ski hills. From 2,600 to over 4,000 square feet with three and four car garages, Windrose Estates offers the finest in four season living.

FINELY CRAFTED ESTATE HOMES STARTING FROM $1 MILLION

The builder that brought you The Orchard at Craigleith.

Model Home

y berr Cran Trail

Mountain Road

.

ff Rd

Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. All images are artist’s concept only. Broker’s protected. E. & O. E.

21 19

26

r Blu

w i n d r o s e e s t a t e s . ca | 7 0 5 - 2 93 - 2 2 0 1

Lakeshor e Road

Osle

Sales Office: 5 Cranberry Trail East (Hwy 26 & Cranberry Trail) Open Wednesday to Sunday - Noon to 5pm | Monday & Tuesday - Closed

To Collingwood Georgian Bay

Greyd 21 Roa

Model Home: 4 Meadowlark Way (Just South of Sixth Street) Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 5pm | Weekdays by appointment only

To Craigleith

Sales Office

Sixth St. Meadowlark Way

FeaturedHOME

By adding a large great room and open kitchen, Roy and Julie Suarez turned their weekend getaway into a spacious permanent home. Painted wooden beams add drama and light to the high-ceilinged room.

Fro m

o t e l p Sim

r a l u c a t c e Sp

A major reno and addition transformed this country cabin from a rustic weekend getaway to a stunning full-time home

J

story by CeCily Ross ❧ photography by DeRek TRask

ulie and Roy suarez’s singhampton country house isn’t what it used to be. Not that you’d notice as you drive up their winding laneway. Because from the outside, little about the modest cedar-clad house the couple purchased 15 years ago appears to have changed.

Nestled on five wooded acres, its dimensions look as unassuming as ever. But step inside and instead of a comfortable cabin in the woods, you enter a spacious family home, much grander than you would ever have imagined.

On The Bay

Spring 2015

59

FeaturedHOME

ABOVE: The focus of the addition is a limestone-clad fireplace wall that also features an oversized television set. A custom-built pantry opposite contains plenty of storage space as well as a temperaturecontrolled wine fridge. RIGHT: A “before� view from the dining room into the adjoining living room, which is now a den.

Large criss-crossed beams suspended like medieval sculptures above the seating and cooking areas reduce the scale of the room without compromising its expansiveness.

The illusion is deliberate. The Suarezes knew when they bought the house that someday they would make it their permanent home. And that day has come. With their son and daughter away at school in the United States, Julie and Roy recently downsized to a small condominium in Toronto where Roy still has his dental practice. But for all intents and purposes, what was once a weekend getaway is now their primary residence.

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On The Bay

Spring 2015

Before that change could take place, however, the couple needed to make some changes. They asked architectural designer Jim Campbell of Rockside Campbell Design in Duntroon to turn their house into a home without compromising its scale or character.

The Suarezes wanted to significantly increase their living space by adding a sunroom, a new kitchen and great room to the existing

®

®

69 First St., Collingwood • 705-444-0008 www.comlyeyecare.ca

Thomas P. merrifield

Tel: 705 446 2000

Jason s. Cowan

fax: 705 446 1044

niCole m. VaillanCourT sean m.h. ainley

47 hurontario street Collingwood, on l9y 2l7

www.bmclawoffices.com

BETTER… by design Call Douglas Crews for an appointment 705-446-2195 or email douglas@townandcountrykitchens.ca

BEFORE

On The Bay

Spring 2015

61

FeaturedHOME

Christie’s

Est. 1976

THE DENIM

Quality clothing for men, women & children 93 Hurontari o St . | 7 05-445-2761

www.christiesclothing.com

In the heart of Downtown Collingwood www.alberto-pants.com

New and Exciting!

Kitchen & Bath Renovations

Ceramic Tiles • Hardwood • Laminate • Carpet • Area Rugs Luxury Vinyl Tiles • Blinds • Shutters • Drapery

meafordcarpets.com

519.538.4303 • 877.738.9556

278 Cook St., Unit 18, Meaford (Beside Meaford Factory Outlet)

ABOVE: A gas fireplace keeps the addition’s all-season sunroom toasty and warm no matter what the weather. Expansive windows on three sides overlook a panorama of forests and fields.

2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom (plus one), storey-and-a-half structure.

The challenges were significant, says Campbell. For one thing, the land the house sits on is very wet, which limited where an addition could be built.

Then there was the problem of how to blend the new with the old.

“With a house like this,” says Campbell, “you can’t really have a starkly contrasting addition the way you might with a Victorian farmhouse. A blatantly modernist addition would not have worked; there’s not enough contrast. We decided it would be best to carry on with a version of the existing house.”

To that end, Campbell and the builder, Richard Talbot of Creemore, covered the 1,000-square-foot addition with the same cedar shakes as the rest of the house. And because the new wing has been added at the rear of the building, it is nearly invisible from the front.

“From the outside you would have no idea of the expansive interior that has made a huge difference in terms of liveability,” says Campbell.

He also had to figure out how to make a visually seamless interior transition from the cosy eight-foot ceilings of the existing living room and dining room to the vaulted barn-like openness of the new space.

The beating heart of the house is now the airy great room and open kitchen with cathedral-like ceilings. Large criss-crossed beams suspended like medieval sculptures above the seating and cooking areas reduce the scale of the room without compromising its expansiveness. Julie saw something similar in a design magazine, and Campbell had Talbot, who is an accomplished carpenter, build them from scratch. The structures, which double as giant light fixtures with halogen lights nestled at the intersection of each cross piece, have the substantial appearance of iron eyebeams. In fact, Richard made them from MDF painted black.

62

On The Bay

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“We don’t have a Muskoka cottage,” says Julie, “so this has been our year-round recreational property.”

The beams also echo the steel-plated channels embedded in the fireplace wall. This massive wall clad in limestone tiles contains a large wood-burning hearth on one side, with a “guillotine door” – a chain link screen that pulls down or, alternatively, a sliding glass cover for a more energy-efficient burn.

On the left side, almost mirroring the hearth, is an oversized television set.

South-facing windows let lots of light into the cave-like space.

The wall gives a sense of organization to the interior of the house, balancing the view from the dining room and anchoring the living areas.

It acts as a foil for the large sunroom on the other side. Moving from the womb-like protected atmosphere of the great room into the bright, glassed-in sunroom behind it, with its panoramic views of the surrounding farmer’s field, is a “like a revelation,” says Campbell. The sunroom, with its banks of windows on three sides and its limestone tile gas fireplace, is an all-season space that both protects and exposes by breaking down the boundaries between indoors and out.

The sunroom’s interior walls feature the same cedar shakes as the home’s exterior. The ceiling and beams are rough-sawn pine. Radiant heating keeps the sunroom floors, which are concrete dyed black, nice and warm.

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For the floors in the rest of the house, Julie chose a wood-grained porcelain floor tile from Tunisia instead of traditional hardwood.

She opted for the tile because it is indestructible, impervious to dogs and bicycle cleats and ski boots. “We just thought it would be more practical than hardwood.”

“I was skeptical at first,” says Campbell, “but then I saw them. They are exceptionally realistic.”

The kitchen, too, with its straightforward island design, is as functional as it is handsome. The cupboards, custom-made by Talbot, are Douglas fir

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The beating heart of the house is now the airy great room and open kitchen with cathedral-like ceilings. stained a rich dark brown. The counters are a contrasting taupe Caesarstone.

Julie claims not to be a cook. “Roy is the chef in the family,” she says of her husband, who is aided no doubt by the six-burner Wolf stove, an oversized Sub-Zero fridge and dual electric ovens. Flanking the kitchen and linking it to the great room is a large pantry wall with ample storage space and an impressive 400-bottle, temperature-controlled wine refrigerator.

In order to maintain a sense of unity between the original rooms and the new space, Julie has carried the same neutral colour palette throughout. She

BELOW: Caesarstone counters, custom-made Douglas fir cabinets and cathedral ceilings give the open kitchen an airy yet intimate feel. Top-of-the line appliances make it a home cook’s paradise. TOP RIGHT: The existing dining room at the centre of the house anchors the layout. LOWER RIGHT: The old kitchen before it was repurposed as a wet bar.

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ABOVE & LEFT: The master bedroom’s soothing colour scheme and custom-built furnishings, plus a walk-in steam shower in the ensuite bath, have transformed the couple’s private quarters from a cramped space (lower left) into a well-appointed sanctuary. Guests are housed in a separate wing.

In order to maintain a sense of unity between the original rooms and the new space, Julie has carried the same neutral colour palette throughout. calls the subtly contrasting shades of taupes, grey/browns and beiges “earth tone,” explaining, “It’s very calming. I love bold colours, but I don’t want them everywhere.”

To provide hits of colour, she has injected an occasional bright red punch in her choices of artwork, rugs and throw pillows scattered around the house. The furniture, lamps and other decorative touches are almost all from Restoration Hardware, adding once again to the overall cohesion of the interior.

The new dining room is now located in the centre of the house. It boasts a rustic trestle table, comfy chairs and chunky iron lanterns that tie in with the great room’s black accents. Off the dining room, what used to be a small galley kitchen now serves as a wet bar with a walkout to the swimming pool area. Beyond that Julie added a powder room and a laundry room.

One thing that always bothered Julie about the old configuration was the

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Carpentry (kitchen cupboards, pantry, master bedroom closets, bed and dressers, master bath vanity, entry closets) – Richard Talbot, R. Talbot Carpentry and Renovations, Creemore Furniture, Fixtures, etC. Furniture, lamps – Restoration Hardware End tables in great room, Dovetail Interiors, Collingwood Toss cushions – Indigo Rugs – Elte Bedding – Au Lit

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TOP: Bold colour hits like the rug and painting in the main entryway add interest to the neutral palette. There’s lots of space for weekend clutter behind a wall of rolling closet doors.

ABOVE: Homeowner Julie Suarez in her new kitchen and architectural designer Jim Campbell by the fire. “Julie likes to collaborate,” says Campbell. “We were very much on the same wavelength.”

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                   



 

“A blatantly modernist addition would not have worked; there’s not enough contrast,” says Campbell. “We decided it would be best to carry on with a version of the existing house.”

                  



















 

 









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LEFT: A floor plan showing the added rooms, 9, 11 and 12.

RIGHT: A view from the redecorated dining room into the wet bar, which was formerly a small galley kitchen. Most of the furnishings and accessories are from Restoration Hardware.



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FeaturedHOME location of the master bedroom directly off the dining room.

“You’d be sitting at the table looking right into our personal space,” she says. Campbell solved the problem by creating a small foyer entrance into the completely redecorated bedroom, which boasts more of Richard Talbot’s handiwork: customcrafted Douglas fir closets, headboard and dressers. The adjoining master bathroom features marble counters and a walk-in steam shower. A separate water closet houses the toilet.

The former living room is now a den with a wood-burning fieldstone fireplace and wide windows overlooking the tennis court. It has two adjoining bedrooms and a shared bathroom.

Because the area can be closed off with glass-panelled pocket doors, it affords privacy for guests or the Suarez’s son and daughter when they come home for the weekends.

“We don’t have a Muskoka cottage,” says Julie, “so this has been our year-round recreational property.” But with the help of Jim Campbell and his crew, the Suarezes have transformed it into much more than that.

“When we bought this house, we knew one day it would be our permanent home,” says Julie. And as the Suarezes settle into full-time country living, their one-time home-away-fromhome is now simply home sweet home. ❧

ACROSS & LEFT: The new sunroom opens onto an outdoor eating area and flagstone patio overlooking rail fences and farm fields. A stone path meanders by a hot tub before passing under a wooden trellis on its way to the pool area.

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Water

Wonderlands From whimsical fountains to quiet pools, water features have made a comeback to become today’s hottest gardening trend story by Judy Ross 74

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Spring 2015

This pond and waterfall, installed by The Landmark Group, add life, serenity and the soothing sound of water to the garden.

Photo By Darren Bosch, the LanDmark GrouP

On The Bay

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75

Home&Garden

Photos By Derek trask

T

he relaxing patter of a waterfall, the calming trickle of stream water flowing over river rock, the gentle splash of a fountain … these are among the soothing sounds of water coming to gardens everywhere. Water in some form is the most requested feature when property owners hire a landscape architect.

“It changes the ambiance of a garden more than anything else you can do with your landscaping,” says Darren Bosch of The Landmark Group. “Water features create both sound and visual interest. We think of them as the art sculpture of a landscape project.”

Although water has been a staple of landscaping forever, this new approach of using water as an art feature has its roots in the contemporary gardens of California. It was there that landscape firms first began creating these wonderlands of water and light, from curtains of water descending down stone walls and ponds with fire dancing on the surface, to sculptural fountains with skyward-pointing beams of coloured light. At first it would seem that these extravagant creations might suit only a southern climate, but advances in technology and

materials mean that water in many guises can be fitted into our four-season landscapes here in Southern Georgian Bay. The first and most important consideration when adding a decorative water feature is the ‘style’ of your property.

Ideally, your landscaping will match and complement the architecture of your home and the lay of the land. Do you want a natural, rustic-looking garden with streams and ponds that appear to have been there forever? Or is your property more

ABOVE: With new technology, both fire and water can be incorporated into the landscape. Here, the fire comes from a gas line beneath the water’s surface, creating a warming glow on summer evenings.

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Photo By Darren Bosch, the LanDmark GrouP

Photo By Derek trask

Photo By Darren Bosch, the LanDmark GrouP

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ABOVE: Sheets of water tumble from stacked boulders into the swimming pool while stone slabs create an attractive walkway.

LEFT: Water pours over a limestone slab into a small pond in a garden designed by Gordon J. Leece Landscapes. At night, creative lighting adds a dramatic element.

BOTTOM LEFT: Multilevel waterfalls create a natural effect around this free-form swimming pool.

“Water features create both sound and visual interest. We think of them as the art sculpture of a landscape project.”

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formal and better suited to a man-made, more stylized water feature?

“Nothing looks more ridiculous than a natural rock waterfall in a flat, fenced subdivision lot,” according to Dustin Denis of Hayward Pool Products Canada, a company that sells the mechanical aspects of water features. “You can do many other things that will suit a garden like this, but so many people request something natural and it ends up looking like the waterfall comes out of a fence.”

Denis suggests that an alternative would be a lagoon-shaped pool with some laminar jets for drama. Laminars, the latest innovation in pool deck jets, look like clear unbroken arcs of water during the day. They can shoot as high as seven feet and create a dappling sound as they hit

Discover natural landscaping ideas at naturalstonescapes.ca 705.441.2174 On The Bay

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TOP: A wooded lot provides the perfect backdrop for a water feature in this garden designed by Natural Stonescapes.

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ABOVE: A front yard can also be the setting for a water feature – in this case to mask the noise of street traffic.

the water. At night, these same translucent water streams can be infused with coloured LED lights.

Some of the most intriguing advances in water features involve technology for controlling both sound and light throughout the garden.

All systems can be fully automated and controlled from a tablet or smart phone. Water pumps can be speeded up to increase the water flow and therefore the sound of falling water. This is helpful when you want to drown out traffic noise.

Lighting can be similarly controlled and now comes in a wide array of options – from Disney-like extravaganzas to subtle mood changers. “Every water feature I sell includes seven fixed

colours and five colour-changing shows,” says Denis, who sees more innovation in lighting than any other landscape feature.

With all this new technology, it follows that installation is becoming increasingly complex. As Mark Higginson of Natural Stonescapes in Meaford points out, “Timing is important because a water feature – whether it’s a pond, pool, fountain or waterfall – requires not only advance planning, but some pretty big equipment. If the house is in a new development it’s better to put in water features when there’s still access to bring big machines in. Once neighbouring houses are built on all sides, the access gets lost and it becomes more difficult. This is especially important with waterfront properties.”

A pond, or a small pool are the first thoughts that come to mind when considering adding water to a garden. Basically, there are two kinds: the natural-looking ones, often called koi ponds because of the fish that live in them. These give a wonderful sense of life to a garden, but they can be a lot of work. And in order for the fish to survive the winter, the pond must be deep enough not to freeze solid, at least 60 centimeters.

The other pond style can be more shallow, doesn’t have fish, and is kept clear with chlorine so there’s no algae, no water plants and little maintenance. You can also get some wonderful reflective qualities with this kind of pond.

“All pond kits are standard; it’s what you put around it that makes the difference,” explains Higginson. “When we do a pond up on the

“Timing is important because a water feature – whether it’s a pond, pool, fountain or waterfall – requires not only advance planning, but some pretty big equipment.”

Escarpment we line it with limestone because that’s what is naturally there. On the other hand, a pond by the water looks better with granite to match the natural environment of the shoreline. It’s all about keeping it indigenous.”

Even a postage-stamp-size property can benefit from a water feature.

In one small garden a big hunk of limestone was core drilled and set in a bed of smooth river rock. A pump (set in a sort of underground bathtub) circulates water, which comes out the top and trickles down the sides of the rock. This gives both the sound and the look of a piece of sculpture without the deep water of a pond, which can be a consideration with small children. The happy owners found that birds also love this bubbling rock and come to drink from it.

When Darren Bosch of The Landmark Group was approached by the owners of a grand home on a wooded lot overlooking the Georgian Bay Club, he was asked to create a meandering stream and waterfalls in the backyard. “The owner wanted to hear the soothing sound of a babbling brook when lying in bed,” says Bosch, “and wanted the landscape to look as if it had been there for decades.”

The result, which took a team of three people three weeks to build, is a lush oasis with a series of waterfalls that tumble over rocks and flow into a stream, recycling constantly without a pond. To find the natural materials, the landscape team went on a scavenger hunt to get real mosscovered rocks and then kept them in the shade and watered them daily while the project was underway. Everything in this garden may look like it was created by nature, but it is far from it. The whole thing is set in an engineered concrete foundation, structured to be low-maintenance with all the lighting and water-flow systems remote-controlled.

As these gardens indicate, landscaping has come a long way from laying sod and putting some plant material in a backyard. “Design underpins everything we do now, and people are investing a lot of money in landscaping their properties,” says Bosch, “and now with water features like these they’re definitely taking it up a notch … or three!” ❧

Jessica Crandlemire | Photographer withlightandshadow.ca

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“All pond kits are standard; it’s what you put around it that makes the difference.”

ABOVE: Moss-covered rocks and skillfully designed waterfalls look as if they’ve been there forever in this garden overlooking The Georgian Bay Club.

LEFT: Beneath this natural-looking water feature is a well-concealed concrete foundation.

Photo By DArren Bosch, the LAnDmArk GrouP

BELOW: Even a small space can enjoy a sculpture-like feature. Here, water bubbles from the top of the rocks and flows down the sides into a river-rock base.

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Home&Garden

Manly

Retreats every man needs a room of his own, and today’s masculine spaces range from musical dens to restaurant-inspired grottos stories by Marc HuMinilowycz photography by Derek Trask

“Why can’t a woman take after a man?

Men are so pleasant, so easy to please. Whenever you’re with them, you’re always at ease.”

s

o rhymed the arrogant and chauvinistic professor Henry Higgins in the 1964 musical film “My Fair lady.” living in edwardian england, Higgins’ entire residence – and the exclusive club where he would go to retreat and socialize with like-minded males – were the epitome of what today we call “man caves”: spaces designed by men for the enjoyment of men.

Thankfully, western society has come a long way since edwardian times. while today’s man cave can still be a place where a male goes to get away from the world, it is no longer the exclusive bastion of maleness that it used to be. although the modern man space is usually designed and used primarily by the man of the house, it is often shared with family and friends of both genders. according to katherine arcaro of Farrow arcaro Design (FaD) in collingwood, who has designed numerous man spaces in southern Georgian Bay, the term “man cave” is a buzzword these days. “whether it’s a wine cellar, a hunting lodge over a garage or a shrine to exotic cars, everybody wants one,” says arcaro. “The traditional man cave, usually in a garage, was a place for a guy to bring his buddies. now it’s typically a basement project, separate from the rest of the house.”

Here in southern Georgian Bay, men are creating spaces they can call their own, but not exclusive of spouses, children and friends. in fact, the man caves featured in this article are rooms where men like to retreat, but they also serve double duty as casual entertainment spaces where family and friends gather and have fun together.

On The Bay

Spring 2015

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“We did some renovations on the space, replacing windows, doors and flooring, and added a few features I really wanted: a pool table, a large flat screen TV and a steam room,” says Paara.

The Spa & GameS ReTReaT

TOP & ABOVE: Andres Paara shoots a poolside game of pool in his man space, while a giant yellowfin tuna overlooks the water (above).

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A spa man cave, you ask? If male readers can imagine floating in an indoor pool, favourite beverage in hand, watching a sporting event on a giant screen TV, they will appreciate the appeal of Thornbury real estate agent Andres Paara’s relaxing space.

When Paara and his family decided to move to Southern Georgian Bay from Oakville in 2001, they found an older home just south of Clarksburg that offered all the space they needed plus an added feature that they just couldn’t resist: an 1,800-squarefoot addition containing a swimming pool and sauna.

“We did some renovations on the space, replacing windows, doors and flooring, and added a few features I really wanted: a pool table, a large flat screen TV and a steam room,” says Paara, adding with a laugh, “blame Scandinave Spa.” As to décor, a six-foot yellowfin tuna, caught in Hawaii and bequeathed to him in a will by a friend, is prominently displayed on a wall. In the summer, a three-section sliding door, left open for most of the season, leads to a large cedar deck and the great outdoors.

Paara says the space is primarily his own. He spends a great deal of his limited free time there unwinding and relaxing – in the pool and steam room almost every day and in the sauna twice per week, immediately followed by a romp in the snow in the winter months.

Occasionally, when family comes to visit or when friends come over, Paara’s man space becomes a place of fun and entertainment. “In January, we had our annual Super Bowl party,” he says. “About 20 people showed up. The kids were in the pool for almost the whole day. Everybody really got a kick out of swimming in the pool or sweating in the sauna while watching the game – they think it’s very decadent!”

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“Everything in this room is either recycled or repurposed,” says Prosser, pointing to a harvest table he made from a door. “I’m always tweaking and adding something different.”

Musical Man cave Painting contractor Steve Prosser created a one-of-a-kind man cave in his garage in Wasaga Beach. His inspiration originated from a camping trip to Algonquin Park with a group of male friends several years ago where, at the age of 40, he learned to play the guitar. That event motivated Prosser to devote half of his garage to his primary passions in life – music, family and fishing (the other half remains a workshop for his painting business, Paintworks).

Inside Prosser’s man cave is an eclectic collection of music and fishing memorabilia collected over 10 years: old guitars donated by friends adorn the walls and ceiling along with concert posters, framed concert tickets and mounted fish, while a repurposed cabinet with unique slide-out doors showcases a massive collection of classic vinyl records and CDs. “Everything in this room is either recycled or repurposed,” says Prosser, pointing to a harvest table he made from a door. “I’m always tweaking and adding something different.”

While he cherishes his man cave as a space where he can relax and unwind, Prosser often opens it up to gatherings of family and friends. “In this room, I can do whatever I want to do,” he says, “but when we have people over at our house, everybody ends up in here.” Occasionally, Prosser hosts impromptu jam nights where “some great musicians show up.” So as not to exclude his wife from this activity, he bought her a set of drums, which she eagerly learned how to play.

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TOP & ABOVE: Steve Prosser is in his element surrounded by music memorabilia, fishing trophies and a refurbished turntable.

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“I like to go down to my room in the evenings,” says Johnston. “It’s nice and quiet there, and I have a good pile of Blu-rays to watch.”

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Home&Garden

LEFT & ABOVE: Doug Johnston shares a cinematic experience with his son in his media man cave, while exercise equipment stands ready.

Check out our website and facebook page for a full listing of all our great shows & events!

Media Manland When Doug Johnston helped a friend design his home theatre system, he decided that he wanted an ultimate “media man space” for himself. After all, as the owner of The Red Brick Group, a home automation and security business, this is what he did for a living.

Having purchased a century home in Thornbury, Johnston and his wife opted to completely renovate the basement, creating the perfect opportunity to indulge his passion for watching movies and sporting events on TV while doing a physical workout (no couch potatoes allowed here).

The focus of Johnston’s media room is a giant 116-inch projector TV with a sophisticated 7.1 surround sound system. A large sectional sofa with a giant ottoman provides comfortable seating for enjoying the home theatre experience. Behind the sectional is a sofa table with bar stools for additional guests that come over occasionally to watch a big game or ski race. Video, audio, lighting and window shades are all controlled with a tablet.

At the back of Johnston’s 16-foot by 30-foot man space is a row of exercise equipment – a bicycle, a treadmill and an elliptical – all strategically positioned for optimal TV viewing. “I like to go down to my room in the evenings,” he says. “It’s nice and quiet there, and I have a good pile of Blurays to watch. Every so often, friends come over for sporting events like hockey, football and World Cup skiing. It’s a great space for sports.”

A shrine to music and the outdoors, a spa retreat, a state-of-the-art media/ exercise room, an authentic Italian grotto – the man caves featured in this article were all conceived by men wishing to indulge a passion, a hobby or a pastime. Serving as personal retreats from the responsibilities of everyday life, these diverse and unusual spaces are also open for the enjoyment of family and friends who appreciate their relaxed and informal vibe, conducive to relaxing and having fun.

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meafordhall.ca On The Bay

Spring 2015

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ABOVE: The homeowner, inspired by a trip to Abruzzo, made sure his man cave was authentic in every detail to give him and select guests a true taste of Italy.

“The main focus of the grotto area is my pizza oven and prep area,” says the homeowner.

“It’s a great place for guys to hang out, make their own pizzas and drink wine.”

The CraigleiTh groTTo Your own Italian restaurant in the basement? “Why not?” pronounced one seasonal homeowner in Craigleith. Several years ago, on a trip to his native Abruzzo region of Italy, he was smitten by the ambience of a casual restaurant situated in the basement of an ancient castle.

After enjoying a delicious dinner there, he took pictures of this beloved restaurant and, with the blessing of his spouse, decided to convert the entire 2,600-square-foot basement of his weekend bungalow into an authentic Italian grotto-style restaurant.

Photos in hand and passion in his heart, the homeowner approached Collingwood interior designer Marina Farrow of Farrow Arcaro Design to help turn his vision into reality. “I wanted to create a space to relax, hang out, eat good food and drink wine, just like that amazing restaurant in Italy,” he says. “My wife and I gave Marina the freedom to capture the space we were looking for.”

With Marina’s design guidance and the project management expertise of contractor Blake Farrow, sketches and plans were drawn and re-drawn, finishes were chosen, and construction began in August of 2008. The remarkable space was completed in time for Christmas of that year.

The results of the project were impressive in every detail. Stone posts, barrel vaulted ceilings, a fully-stocked “cantina” wine display, a bar tucked under

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the stairs, an elegant dining table and a Carrara marble food preparation table captured the look and feel of the homeowner’s vision of his beloved grotto restaurant in Abruzzo.

With such a large space available, other rooms and features were added for the enjoyment of the homeowner, his family and his guests: a dance floor; a large screen TV with surround sound; an exercise room with a cushioned floor and mirrored walls; a pool table; a steam room and sauna; and, for guests who overindulge in food and drink, a bedroom with adult bunk beds.

“The main focus of the grotto area is my pizza oven and prep area,” says the homeowner. “It’s a great place for guys to hang out, make their own pizzas and drink wine. We often have family and friends over for pizza bake-offs, where everyone creates their own unique recipe. It’s fun and it’s easy because we have a small fridge right there, containing pizza dough and all the ingredients.”

About once a month in the summer, a group of his male friends comes up to play golf, relax and bake pizzas. When his son was getting married, his ushers stayed over for a few days enjoying the space before the wedding. “Whether it’s a group of guys hanging out, or a get-together with family and friends, it’s a great place for everyone to come together, enjoy good food and fine wine – exactly like that experience I had in Italy,” he says. ❧

diningout On the Bay

Southern Georgian Bay has a varied selection of fabulous restaurants to meet every taste and budget. From Collingwood to Blue Mountain to Thornbury and Eugenia, there is a unique dining experience around every corner. Discover your new favourite restaurant, or rediscover an old favourite!

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ABOVE: The Italian grotto’s pizza kitchen is “a great place for guys to hang out, make their own pizzas and drink wine,” says the homeowner. “We often have family and friends over for pizza bake-offs, where everyone creates their own unique recipe.”

Man Cave Must-Haves Christine Pritchard of Habitat Interiors in Thornbury believes that man cave designs, while inspired by men, are often influenced by spouses who like to occasionally join their husbands in their domains. (Her husband Andy Pritchard, owner of Piper’s Sports Bar & Grill in Thornbury, built his own “sports bar” in his basement, which Christine helped to design.)

BEFORE

AFTER

Here are some of Pritchard’s observations on the latest man cave trends: • Colours: manly greys and browns.

Painting & Decorating Additions • Kitchens Bathrooms • Basements Decks/Fences Windows & Doors Roofing - fascia, soffits, etc.

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• Décor: masculine art pieces, golf bags, ski photos, industrial items (iron), cowhide, barn board (with exposed nails) – “definitely NO pillows, blankets or fuzzy items,” laughs Pritchard.

• Furniture: large oversized chairs with ottomans (because men like to put their feet up), rustic wooden side tables.

• Toys & Accessories: the bigger, the better – large screen TV, billiard table, hot tub, coolers and fridges, ice containers.

Pritchard notes that men are gravitating to Restoration Hardware-style items, such as mounting a TV on an easel in the corner of a room.

• During the past three years, there has been a trend to create man spaces in the backyard, with items such as an outdoor kitchen, a bar, a TV sheltered from the elements, and a fire pit.

The biggest trend, however, is to personalize the space to reflect the man of the house’s personality, interests and passions. Far from being an eyesore hidden away from the rest of the home, these unique spaces can be a man’s pride and joy as well as his refuge.

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Collingwood

Southern Georgian Bay continues to offer unique shopping and culinary experiences, along with new service providers to meet every need. Here’s the latest on new business openings as well as business transformations including new owners, moves and major renovations. More great reasons to shop local!

by Janet Lees photography by Kristie & Brenden Woods

LocaLBuSineSS

The Clever Office

Laura Clemenhagen has opened Synergy Health and Wellness Centre in Collingwood, offering chiropractic care, active release techniques, registered massage therapy, athletic therapy and yoga therapy.

this new Collingwood business is a co-working space that caters to entrepreneurs and professionals looking for affordable, professional and collaborative work space with all the amenities of a large office. “the workplace landscape is changing as a growing number of people are now entrepreneurs, freelancers, contractors and the self-employed who are re-defining the concept of the workplace,” says rhea Burns, who owns the business along with stefanie shaw. “the Clever office provides the space to work for both local and out-of-town professionals in a space customized to meet their working styles and needs, without incurring the costs associated with opening a space on their own.” the Clever office provides a flexible space customized to fit client needs, with amenities that include access to a meeting room, administrative support, virtual office services, a smartboard for collaboration or presentations, and networking events. “We offer a variety of packages and office space options to fit any business and any budget,” says Burns.

1 First St. (Admiral Building), Unit 220, Collingwood 705-532-1144 / 1-844-426-9675 www.thecleveroffice.ca Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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My Computer People Pat White and Sandra Trentini have been operating their business in Wasaga Beach since 2007, and have now opened a second computer centre in downtown Collingwood. In addition to computer service, sales and training, My Computer People also offers copying services as well as smartphone and tablet repair.

“My Computer People is unique in its concept,” notes White. “It’s less of a techy-type store and more like a computer spa and community drop-in zone.

I wanted to create an environment where people would immediately feel comfortable upon entering the store.” The hub of the operation is customer service combined with behind-the-scenes technical expertise. “I haven’t met a computer problem yet that I can’t overcome to the satisfaction of the customer,” says White, a Microsoft certified systems engineer and a Microsoft certified trainer with over 25 years’ experience in information technology. This technical know-how and commitment to customer service are also applied to the sales side of the business, he adds. “We don’t just hand things over the counter in exchange for payment. We are bridging the gap between people and their technology.”

243 Hurontario St., Collingwood (next to Scotia Bank) 705-293-5444 www.mycomputerpeople.ca Hours: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pharmasave Mary’s Pharmacy Pharmacist Mary Noseworthy has opened a new Pharmasave Pharmacy across from Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. “Pharmasave Mary’s Pharmacy is a family-owned, health centre pharmacy, which means that our focus is on filling prescriptions and providing over-the-counter medications such as cough and cold products, vitamins, stomach remedies, nutritional supplements, feminine products, skin care, first aid, pain relievers, and other health care products,” says Noseworthy. “We also have snacks, soft drinks, greeting cards and giftware.”

Since obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto in 1990, Noseworthy has spent her entire career in Collingwood. “I take pride in providing everybody with personalized care when helping them with their health and medical concerns,” she says, adding, “I provide medication reviews, which is an eligible benefit for all Ontario residents who take three or more prescription medications.”

460 Hume Street, Unit 6, Collingwood 705-444-7997 www.pharmasave.com Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Simcoe Street Theatre

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www.6hrsofgibraltar.com 98

On The Bay

Spring 2015

A new theatre has come to town. Simcoe Street Theatre is a black box theatre with seating for up to 100 people and available to rent for theatre, dance and music productions, as well as lectures and events. “The space will be as flexible as possible,” says owner Anke Lex. “The black box theatre will be a distinctive, organic and authentic space in Collingwood for the growing creative community here.” The Press Room, adjacent to the theatre, will serve as a reception area and will also be available for gallery space, art openings, classes, exhibits and meetings. The theatre and the Press Room can be used separately or together.

The new theatre is just the latest project for Anke and Richard Lex, who have been restoring and developing Simcoe Street as a creative hub for Collingwood. “We believe that grassroots projects and small creative spaces are a critical aspect of fostering creativity,” explains Anke. “A community that is creative is also vibrant, interesting and good for business. Our hope for Collingwood is that it will be known as a leading destination for the visual arts, performing arts and design.”

65 Simcoe Street, Collingwood 705-445-5764 www.whatsonsimcoestreet.com Hours: By chance or appointment

Synergy Health and Wellness Centre Collingwood has a new, multidisciplinary health and wellness centre offering chiropractic care, active release techniques, registered massage therapy, athletic therapy and yoga therapy. Owner Laura Clemenhagen says Synergy offers clients the convenience and peace of mind of an integrated care centre. “You can come to one clinic and have a team of health professionals manage all your wellness needs,” she explains, adding, “our yoga classes are only open to four to five people at a time, so you get a high level of feedback and our yoga therapist can work with your health professional to tailor the class to specific regions of the body that you need to work on.” Clemenhagen holds both Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees. She is also an Active Release Techniques Certified Provider, and spent six years working with multidisciplinary teams in British Columbia. Prevention and active rehabilitation are key to her health and wellness philosophy. “Getting people back to doing what they love is my first priority, and offering evidence-based health care is the pathway to an active and healthy community,” she maintains.

150 First St., Unit D, Collingwood 705-446-5828 www.synergywellnesscentre.com Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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Theatre Collingwood Theatre Collingwood has moved its box office and administrative offices to the Arlington Building on Collingwood’s main street from its previous location on Simcoe Street. The move is designed to meet the growing needs of the community, says executive director Erica Angus. “Due to the amazing success of our new direction for Theatre Collingwood over the past two years, we need larger and more suitable administration and box office space to accommodate our growth,” says Angus. Theatre Collingwood will offer five plays from May to September as part of its summer theatre festival. There will also be four one-night shows in the off season, beginning April 11 and continuing in the fall. The Gayety Theatre is the main venue, and there will be a box office at the theatre one hour prior to each show. Those looking for advance tickets can purchase them at the new box office or online at www.theatrecollingwood.ca.

115 Hurontario St., Unit 104, Collingwood (Arlington Building) 705-445-2200 www.theatrecollingwood.ca Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or buy tickets online ❧

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Royal LePage Trinity Realty has acquired Tri-W Realty and merged its operations with Trinity’s. “The Tri-W team you know and trust will remain in the same location and continue to provide real estate and rental services to all of our existing clients,” says Jane Moysey, former owner of Tri-W and now a broker with Trinity Realty, adding all existing contracts will be honoured. “This merger will put at your disposal the brand power and additional marketing and networking opportunities afforded by Royal LePage.” Dale Tkatch, owner of Trinty Realty, says the acquisition expands Trinity’s rental business. “Tri-W has been for 30 years predominantly a rental firm, and they do it well,” says Tkatch. “They’ve got their own team and their own book of rental business. For customers, it will be business as usual; we’re going to do exactly what Tri-W has been doing, with the same great team, and in fact we’re going to be even better now.”

209820 Hwy 26 W., The Blue Mountains 705-445-7799 www.tri-wrealestate.com www.trinity-realty.com Hours: 7 days a week

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GEORGIAN BAY

PH

Cats need grooming and boarding, too. So Kelly Hunt-Doherty, owner of Tipto-Tail Grooming & Boarding for dogs, has opened a second business catering specifically to felines. “Violet’s Haven is a luxury feline grooming and boarding company, dedicated to spoiling and pampering your feline,” says Hunt-Doherty.

“We provide short- and long-term accommodations on a 30-acre, wooded country retreat. We also provide professional grooming for your feline.” Hunt-Doherty has 35 years’ experience caring for dogs and cats. She is both American and Canadian certified for complete feline grooming, and has extensive experience operating boarding facilities. “Cats do prefer a quiet, secure non-doggy environment for their grooming and stay, so we have created a special luxury building and environment to cover this need,” she notes. “Suites” are three levels and are 6x4x10 feet in size, including suites with windows. “I take the cat’s wellbeing, care, and the responsibility very seriously,” says Hunt-Doherty. “All guests at Violet’s Haven are looked after very carefully during their stay with us, whether for short- or long-term boarding, or for a grooming visit.” Violet’s Haven also offers pickup and return to and from your home for your pet.

637254 St. Vincent – Sydenham Townline Road, RR 1, Meaford 519-379-5862 or 519-538-2196 www.violetshaven.ca Hours: As required

ELLIS

DRIVE

LOTS FROM $195,000 TO $375,000

PARKLANDS

DELPHI LANE

HIGHWAY 26 MORE INFO VISIT WWW.DOUGGILLIS.CA

Doug Gillis Broker

*Top 100 RE/MAX Agents in Canada.

*1999, 2000, 2002, 2011, 2013 and Jan-Nov 2014

www.douggillis.ca 705.444.3853 doug@douggillis.ca

Direct:

four seasons realty limited, Brokerage 67 First Street, Collingwood On The Bay

Spring 2015

99

Doug Gillis Broker A track record of excellence

www.douggillis.ca

Direct: 705.444.3853 | doug@douggillis.ca

ST LI EW

$1,049,000

$1,295,000

Total sqft

169 Settlers Way Blue Mountains 4 Bed | 4 Bath| 4517

$1,995,000 Total sqft

138 Blueski George Crescent Blue Mountains 6 Bed | 4/1 Bath| 4318 Total sqft

$292,000

10 Silver Glen Blvd.

Collingwood 3 Bed | 2/1 Bath| 1535

Total sqft

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8677 91 County Road Clearview 5 Bed | 4/1 Bath| 4420

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Top 100 RE/MAX Agents in Canada. 1999, 2000, 2002, 2011, 2013, Jan-Nov 2014

$349,000

Lot 53 Alta Road Blue Mountains Building Lot w/ Mnt View

$2,495,000

$229,900 Total sqft

$469,000

788113 13 Grey Road Blue Mountains 3 Bed | 1/1 Bath| 1676

Total sqft

BD AL IV TA IS IO N

$349,000 Total sqft

105 Hemlock Court Blue Mountains Building Lot on cul-de-sac

Don’t see your dream home?

4 ES9 A TA CR TE E

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Total sqft

146 Blueski George Crescent Blue Mountains 5 Bed | 3/1 Bath| 5000 Total sqft

$1,799,000

184 Alta Road Blue Mountains 6 Bed | 4 Bath| 4700

107 Crossan Court Blue Mountains 4 Bed | 2/1 Bath| 2400

$1,495,000

Lot 20 Indian Circle Blue Mountains ¾+ acre Building Lot

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Lot 51 Sunset Blvd.

Blue Mountains ½+ acre Building Lot w/ Creek

Total sqft

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$114,900

$579,000

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Total sqft

147 Stone Zack Lane Blue Mountains 7 Bed | 4/1 Bath| 6462 ON 4 .

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415075 10th Line Blue Mountains 4 Bed | 1/1 Bath| 2000

15 Lindsay Lane Collingwood 3 Bed | 2/1 Bath| 3126

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$374,900

$799,000

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K 25OL A CA P O RE R S E

627492 119 Grey Road Blue Mountains 4 Bed | 4/1 Bath| 6483

VI G E WE O R ES GI TA AN TE S

$1,449,000

$789,000

796551 19 Grey Road Blue Mountains 6 Bed | 3/1 Bath| 3866

$239,000 Total sqft

Lot 25 Blueski George Crescent Blue Mountains Building Lot Includes HST.

four seasons realty limited, Brokerage 67 First Street, Collingwood

705.444.3853

$1,649,000

3672 124 County Road Clearview 5 Bed | 4/1 Bath| 4542

Total sqft

Scan to view all my mobile-ready listings.

For additional photos and details of all my listings visit

www.douggillis.ca

STUnninG MOUnTAin MODern WiTh vieWS TO OSler

4700 SF nippiSSinG riDGe GeM 124 ASpen WAy

Set on 1.2 acres, this prestigious Windrose estates address is sure to impress! revel in impeccable craftsmanship: massive gourmet kitchen, 20’ ceilings, two-storey stone fireplace, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and high-end finishes throughout. An entertainer’s dream.

The quintessential mountain home awaits! Steps to craigleith and Alpine with incredible views. perfect for a large family with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, hot tub, sauna, private office and ample storage for gear in every season.

$1,460,000 MlS 58230313

$875,000 MlS 1530326

3 Acre eSTATe lOT

cOllinGWOOD – heriTAGe DeSiGnATiOn

Build your dream home on this stunning 3 acre lot near the craigleith Depot. Mature trees, creek, lots of privacy, walking distance to the Bay and minutes to the slopes.

$479,000 MlS 20143454

Move in and start your business today! c1 zoning allows many uses. Two levels of finished space wired for data and phones, parking lot at rear. large attic space ready for your imagination to extend commercial or create residential flat.

$369,900 MlS 582890022

FeATUreD liSTinGS

priMe cOMMerciAl BUilDinG in ThOrnBUry ideal opportunity for owner occupier or investor with 3 levels of retail space and excellent visbility.

Street level access on two floors allows for different tenants, and possible residential use on 3rd floor.

neW price - $820,000

chriSTine BrennAn

10-Acre DevelOpMenT SiTe – hWy 26 cOllinGWOOD

19 FreehOlD TOWnS - lAUnchinG SprinG 2015

Builder opportunity! Zoned medium density for up to 200 units. Several development studies already complete.

phase i sold out in record time! reserve now for phase ii of the Towns at landscape ridge nestled on the horseshoe highlands golf course in the heart of horseshoe valley. Main floor masters, 2-car garage.

$1,700,000 MlS 582550015

priceD FrOM $289,900

let’s Get Started. contact Us Today!

JeFF DAviS, SreS®

Owner | Salesperson

Broker of record

Direct 416-569-3568 Office 705-444-9527

Direct 705-441 - 6001 Office 705-444-9527

nATAliA DiAMOnD

1-888 -990 -9120 | 705-444 - 9527 524 First Street, collingwood chriS ASSAFF

Salesperson

Salesperson

416-799-5050

705-446-6440

windstonerealestate.com

rick WileS

Michelle exner

Broker F.r.i.

Sales Operations coordinator

647-839-9582 Windstone real estate, Brokerage. independently owned and operated.

705-444-9527

EXPAND FLOURISH THRIVE GROW… SPRING! EXPERIENCE OUR SERVICE

* BOUTIQUE Brokerage * STELLAR Reputation * PROGRESSIVE Marketing * ADVANCED Technology * PRIME Locations

Welcome to Clairwood “I was looking for an intimate, upscale brokerage where my colleagues would be professional and team players.

That’s what I found when I joined Clairwood Real Estate.”

JOIN OUR TEAM

• Attractive, Flexible Commission Plans • Affordable Advertising Package • Dedicated Mentoring and Support

Contact

maureengowans@clairwoodrealestate.com

LISA GREEN* 705-606-9446

IT’S ABOUT VALUE……

CAN YOU REALLY AFFORD NOT TO CHOOSE CLAIRWOOD REAL ESTATE??

COLLINGWOOD

TORONTO

BEAVER VALLEY

705.445.7085

416.642.1429

519.599.1195

T TOOL LL L FFRREEEE 887777 .. 44 44 55 .. 7 5 70 08 85 C L A I R W O O D R E A L E S TAT E . C O M

477 Mariner’s Way

2 bdrm., 2 bath., 1,212 sq. ft. $479,000 Sherry Rioux** 705-443-2793

74 Connor Ave.

4+2 bdrm., 3.5 bath, 3,600 sq. ft. fin. $510,000 Emma Baker** 705-444-3989

1428 10 Nottawasaga Conc. N. 5 bdrm., 4.5 bath, 6,475 sq. ft. fin. $2,999,000 Sherry Rioux** 705-443-2793

634120 Artemesia-Glenelg TL 3+2 bdrm., 1.5 bath, 1,100 sq. ft. $319,900 Christine Rice* 226-668-4797

MAUREEN GOWANS***

KAREN POSHTAR*

SHERRY RIOUX**

120 East Street

120 Bartlett Blvd.

101 Beaver Trail

3+1 bdrm., 3 bath, 1,436 sq. ft. $325,000 Emma Baker** 705-444-3989

6 bdrm., 3.5 bath., 3,868 sq. ft. $1,200,000 Maureen Gowans*** 416-473-5360

5 bdrm., 3 bath., 3,253 sq. ft. fin. $499,500 Michael Maish* 705-606-5814

940 Cedar Pointe Crt.

103 Georgian Manor Dr.

156 Jozo Weider Blvd. Unit 243

4 bdrm., 3 bath, 1,686 sq. ft. $325,000 Sherry Rioux** 705-443-2793

3 bdrm., 1 bath, 1,200 sq. ft. $449,900 Aggie Davidson* 705-441-4711

149 Lakeshore Rd. S.

Sideroad 10B Beaver Valley

3 bdrm., 1.5 bath, 1,276 sq. ft. $550,000 Emma Baker** 705-444-3989

66 Highland Cres.

3+1 bdrm., 3.5 bath, 2,824 sq. ft. fin. $429,000 Emma Baker** 705-444-3989

MICHAEL MAISH*

EMMA BAKER**

bach., 1 bath, 534 sq. ft. $139,900 Melanie McBride* 519-670-6357

134 Snowbridge Way

3 bdrm., 2 bath, 2,200 sq. ft. $879,000 Helen Lightbody* 519-477-1144

7+1 bdrm., 4.5 bath, 8,060 sq. ft. fin. $2,450,000 Gerry McIntyre* 705-888-5033

839 Suncrest Cl.

28 Ramblings Way Unit 42

3 bdrm., 2 bath, 1,548 sq. ft. $449,900 Sherry Rioux** 705-443-2793

GERRY MCINTYRE*

3 bdrm., 2.5 bath, 1,475 sq. ft. $219,000 Karen Poshtar* 705-443-0351

HELEN LIGHTBODY*

CHERYL WEATHERALL*

T O L L F R E E 877. 4 45. 7085 C L A I R W O O D R E A L E S TAT E . C O M

ROSE MARIE FEAVER**

ANNE YOUNG*

AGGIE DAVIDSON*

HEATHER GARNER*

MELANIE MCBRIDE*

CHRISTINE RICE*

LISA GREEN*

* Salesperson ** Broker *** Broker of Record

MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® AND THE TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD

Visit us at ClairwoodRealEstate.com

Helping you is what we do.

705.444.1420

Trinity Realty

1.800.610.4868

www.trinity-realty.com

Brokerage, Independently Owned & Operated

MODERN & SLEEK

•

WALK DOWNTOWN

BEAUTIFUL LORA BAY

PERFECT LOCATION

CRANBERRY RESORT

3 bdrm 2 bath condo with large balcony overlooking marina. tours.photolink.ca/281454

2 storey condo with 3 bdrms, 3 baths & private backyard. myvisuallistings.com/pfs/162374

Immaculate 3 bdrm 2 bath condo with impressive upgrades.

Close to downtown/Blue Mtn.

Bright, upper level end unit with 2 bdrms, 2 baths, cozy living room w/ wood f/p & private deck.

$369,900 705.443.2351

$449,000 Shelly Paul** 705.888.0225

$339,900 Greg Syrota** 705.446.8082

$124,900 Melissa Cairns* 705.888.0860

EXPANSIVE VIEWS

tour.thevirtualtourcompany.ca/236738

Loft apt in the historic Shipyards with 1 bdrm + den, walk-out terrace, dark hardwood & more!

$699,000 Tara Parsons* 705.888.8272

Jennifer Ridsdale** 705.888.4636

WATERFRONT VIEWS

ACROSS FROM THE BAY!

BUNGALOW LOFT

WONDERFUL HOME

AUTHENTIC CHARM

ESPECIALLY SPACIOUS

Fantastic home with 4 bdrms, 3½ baths, 2 storey stone f/place and views from rear windows.

In town with a country feel!

6 bdrms & walkout to deck. tours.photolink.ca/168254

Dream home, 5 bdrms, lovely décor, upgraded kitchen. tours.photolink.ca/224898

Beautifully restored century home close to downtown! myvisuallistings.com/fsvt/155075

Built in 1866 with 6 bdrms, sep.

2 bdrm apt & original charm. tours.photolink.ca/133478

Ready to accommodate family & friends! 4 bdrms, 3 baths & a great location at the top of Blue.

Brenda Armstrong** 705.828.4571

$749,990

$580,000 Debbie Bunston* 705.444.2925

Rebecca Cormier* 705.888.5100

$599,000

$649,000 Dana Calder* 705.441.3607

$1,050,000 John Kirby* 705.441.0117

$798,900 Connie O’Shell** 705.444.3154

BLUE SHORES

PRETTY RIVER ESTATES

FULLY RENOVATED

WELCOME HOME

VIEWS OF GEORGIAN BAY

A MUST SEE

Lovely views of the Bay from this 4 bdrm, 3 bath home. tour.thevirtualtourcompany.ca/209214

Attractive, upscale home offering 4 bdrms, 3 baths. Great location. tours.photolink.ca/149057

On one of Collingwood’s most beautiful streets. Offers 4 bdrms. tour.thevirtualtourcompany.ca/249900

Beautifully updated 3 bdrm, open concept home with dream kitchen & numerous upgrades.

Newly built home offers 3 bdrms, 3 baths, huge kitchen, upstairs loft with sitting area & tons more!

Beautifully renovated home with original charm, huge kitchen & great deck for entertaining.

$439,900 Jane Moysey** 705.888.1982

Graig King*

$449,000 705.293.0898

$448,000 Jenna Davis* 705.888.6365

$376,900 Dana Calder* 705.441.3607

Candace Armstrong* 705.817.1007

Rebecca Cormier* 705.888.5100

THE HAMILTON HOUSE

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

LOVELY PROPERTY

PERFECT SETTING

SPECTACULAR VIEWS

HERITAGE STOREFRONT

Built in 1912 with much original charm, 6 bdrms, 2½ baths, sunroom, 2 kitchens & more!

Lovely 1660 sqft 3 bdrm 1 bath bungalow set on 84x162’ lot in Glen Huron. Don’t miss it!

Build your dream home or weekend retreat on this large 115x295’ lot. Walk to the beach!

1.38 acres of flat land available to build your own business in the Village of Creemore.

Unique 26.64 acre parcel on the Niagara Escarpment ready for you to build your dream home!

Downtown Collingwood! Main floor commercial space and 2nd floor 2 bdrm apartment.

$439,900 Sandy Shannon** 705.445.7833

$169,000 Fran Webster* 705.444.9081

Sara White*

$99,000 705.828.6202

$140,000 Valerie Scott* 705.606.0955

Barbara McCowan** 705.443.9784

95 ACRES

BEAUTFUL LANDSCAPE

THINK OF THE FUTURE

NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE

GREAT VIEWS!

PRIVATE COUNTRY HOME

Just east of Stayner, custom bungalow with 3 bdrms.

150 acres of breathtaking countryside. Main house with 4 bdrms. Many opportunities.

Great opportunity to own 249 acres! Farmhouse with 5 bdrms.

Let your imagination run wild.

Lovely century home with 5 bdrms set on 13.5 acres. tour.thevirtualtourcompany.ca/201976

On 2 acres of property, this home offers 5 bdrms, large pond & views of Blue Mountain.

Situated on a rare 9.5 acres just outside of town. Beautiful home with 3 bdrms, 2 baths & more.

$1,299,000

$1,200,000 Melissa Cairns* 705.888.0860

$2,595,000 Melanie Moss* 705.888.1578

$699,900 Linda Murphy* 705.351.1420

Jill Does*

$479,900 705.331.3341

$724,900 Debbie Bunston* 705.444.2925

Feel the warmth & luxury of this 3 bdrm loaded with upgrades.

tour.thevirtualtourcompany.ca/206880

Cheryl J. Morrison** 705.444.1420

Brenda Armstrong**

Jane Moysey**

Candace Armstrong*

Steve Moysey*

Linda Murphy*

$299,900

Debbie Bunston*

Connie O’Shell**

Melissa Cairns*

Larry Reid*

Brenda Caswell*

Dana Calder*

Tara Parsons*

Shelly Paul**

Jenna Davis*

Rebecca Cormier*

Larry Reid*

Jennifer Ridsdale**

* Sales Representative

** Broker

Jill Does*

Deb Saunders-Chatwin* *** Broker of Record

$1,400,000

Graig King*

Valerie Scott*

$299,900

$474,900

Sandy Shannon**

John Kirby*

$575,000 705.443.2191

Deb Saunders-Chatwin*

Barbara McCowan**

Greg Syrota**

Cheryl J. Morrison**

S. Dale Tkatch***

Fran Webster*

Melanie Moss*

Sara White*

Tee Up Your Property Hunt Here The Southern Georgian Bay area will offer you an incredible range of year round lifestyle activities.

Southern Georgian Bay Market Reports - find them at chestnutpark.com/blog

705 445 5454 | www.ChestnutPark.com COUNTRY ESTATE

DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

$2,999,000

$2,750,000

THEMOVIEGALS.COM

$2,595,000

SCOTCH MOUNTAIN

$1,999,000

Georgian style manor house privately set on 58 acres close to Collingwood. Elegant living combines grand & intimate spaces in perfect harmony. 10,000 + sq.ft MLS® 20143078

34 Building Lots minutes to Georgian Bay Golf Club, Georgian Peaks Ski Club, Thornbury and a short drive to Blue Mountain Village.

MLS® 371420001

Newly built 5 bdrm., 7400 sq.ft. home in prestigious Nipissing Ridge backing onto ravine. Mins to Craigleith/Alpine ski clubs. Exquisite design elements & luxury details. MLS® 371450216

This stunning circa 1860 stone farm house was awarded a 2010 Heritage Award. Radiating charm with 21st Century amenities. 100 acres, pond and 360 degree views. 4 bedrooms, 4+1 baths.

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

Barb Thompson* 705.441.4777 Anita Lauer* 705.446.6446

Dave Armstrong* dave@chestnutpark.com or call 905.713.9414

MAJESTIC NIPISSING RIDGE

VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM

RIVERSIDE FARM

CREEMORE HILLS

NEW PRICE

$1,785,000

GEORGIAN BAY VIEWS

PASTORAL VIEWS

$1,999,000

$1,949,000

Custom with 5 bdrm & 5 ensuites. Spectacular great room open to a gourmet kitchen. Lower level family room w/walkout to pool. Covered deck offers a view to the hills. MLS® 371450243

Custom Home perched high on a hill & set amid 90+ acres of apple orchards. Beech wood flrs & beams, gourmet kitchen. Unrivalled views from 6 decks. MLS®1532358

Sandee Roberts** 705.446.7775

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT

$1,495,000

Nestled in Big Head River Valley 27 acres riverfront.

Award winning restoration. Barn (50x70). Westerly views of pond, river & rolling hills. Easterly apple orchards. Gourmet kitchen /triple garage.

Handcrafted Scandinavian style log home.

Panoramic views over Creemore ,Georgian Bay & beyond. 50 acres, 3 km south Creemore inc. barn & handcrafted log cabin at spring fed swimming pond. MLS®20142577 Dave Armstrong* dave@chestnutpark.com Cheryl MacLaurin* or call 905.713.9414 705.446.8005

$1,394,000

$1,189,000

Soak up breathtaking views across Georgian Bay from an immaculately landscaped backyard w/ waterside deck. Sumptuously appointed throughout. 2 storey Great Room w/stone faced floor to ceiling gas fireplace, gourmet kitchen & sun room dining area. Spacious master suite with walkout to private hot tub.

This idyllic retreat features 3700 sq.ft.of finished living space, 5 bdrms, 3 baths on landscaped tranquil grounds w/panoramic Escarpment views MLS® 371490059

Private retreat set on 8 acres. Custom built/ unique design resembling a barn with covered silo feature. Spacious open concept with plenty of upgrades. MLS® 582480012

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

www.chestnutpark.com OUR INTERNATIONAL NETWORK INCLUDES 950 OFFICES IN 47 COUNTRIES.

TRUST • INTEGRITY • KNOWLEDGE • DISCRETION

PRIME WATERFRONT LOCATION

$1,049,000

Stunning location w/views across Georgian Bay. Hardwood flrs, 5 Beds, custom cabinetry, upgrades++ Expansive deck leads to private 40’ dock. MLS® 591140009

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

PANORAMIC VIEWS

$799,900

WWW.READHILTON.COM

$659,000

Pure in tradition this Authentic Timber Frame is attractive, energy efficient, spacious and classic in design. 4+2 bdrm., 4000 sq.ft, Kitchen w/ built-in dbl ovens. Gleaming red pine floors and solid cherry and oak staircases. MLS® 1530372

COLLINGWOOD CENTURY HOME

$949,000

Read Hilton* 705.351.8100

Immaculate waterfront condo loaded w/ upgrades. Heated marble/hardwood flrs, granite counters, custom cabinetry, top end kitchen appliances. Stylish, sophisticated, contemporary design. MLS®593140088

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

MONTERRA LOCATION

TOP OF THE ESCARPMENT

SUMMIT VIEW ESTATES

$794,000

$779,000

Private landscaped backyard w/stone patio/ view to fairway & pond. Over 3000 sq ft. Chefs Kitchen/upgraded appliances. Close to Blue Mountain. MLS® 371470214

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

Views to Bay & Escarpment! Custom bungalow.

3000 sq. ft on 2 levels w/ walk out from lower level.

Set on 2+ acres. Vaulted ceiling, majestic post / beam features of great room. English gardens designed for easy care & beauty. MLS®1532532 Stefanie Kilby* 705.606.0320

FABULOUS COUNTRY RETREAT

EVERGREEN ESTATES

STUNNING BAY VIEWS

$744,000

Post & beam, 3 bdrm bungalow w/ main floor master.

Gorgeous views, gardens & landscaping. Private drive, paddocks 50 x 46, detached heated shop w 3 box stalls for horses. Hardwood floors, finished basement, main floor office, attached dbl garage.

Meredith Cudney* 705.446.8436

Exceptionally well maintained home on mature, treed lot. Great rm w/vaulted ceiling, maple floors, gourmet kitchen. Oversized deck with sunken hottub. Pre-inspected home.

MLS®1530694 Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

WASAGA SANDS FAMILY HOME

LORA BAY CONDO TOWNHOME

$649,000

Spacious home surrounded by mature trees on large estate lot backing on greenspace. Open conceptliving/dining/kitchen w/walkout to deck.

Close to skiing, golf and walking trails MLS® 589570078

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

$925,000

Family Home/Development potential a short walk from downtown Collingwood. Renovated w/ original features, open floor plan. Approx 2.3 acres Call for details. MLS® 582610261

Quaint farmhouse to enjoy/build dream home with 50 acres+. Far reaching views of rolling countryside. Minutes to Creemore.

MLS® 20141971

$749,000

WATERFRONT LUXURY

$550,000

Upgraded 3 bdrm 4 1/2 baths w/ground floor & 2nd level master suites. A short walk to the clubhouse, restaurant & bike ride to shops, beaches & sailing. Savour the lifestyle.

MLS®378730010 Sue Mallett* 705.444.7181

$779,000

Close to all Georgian Triangle amenities. Large main floor master with ensuite. Extra large double garage. Gear room for the sports enthusiast. Bright, open concept. Perfect in all ways. MLS® 373080156

Paige Young* 705.214.2433 Judy Crompton** 705.444.9312

WATERFRONT

$739,000 $650,000 Custom 3 bdrm. 3 bath. 3100 sq.ft. finished home. Own a waterfronthome & live the lifestyle every Mins to Meaford with very quiet setting. The wraparound porch adds to the country charm.

Next to 300 acres of crown land. Full unfinished bsmt w/ 2 walkouts.

Dave Armstrong* dave@chestnutpark.com or call 905.713.9414

day! On Lake Eugenia w/ 140 ft of frontage, sunrise views, gazebo & “L” shaped dock to tie up the boat, 3 bdrms, 2 bath, 2 fireplaces & bright fully fin. bsmnt w/walk out to lake. MLS® 1531776 Gail Crawford* 705.445.3751

GREAT LAKES TIMBER FRAME

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

$539,000

Fabulous chalet. Ski/ golf clubs & Bay in close proximity. Soaring ceilings & wall of windows overlooks expansive exterior deck. Solid hemlock flooring on main level, in floor heating for flagstone flooring on lower. MLS®582510032 Ilse Ayers** ilseayers@chestnutpark.com

$529,000

Luxury upgraded 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo featuring gas fireplace, garage, elevator, indoor/ outdoor pools, tennis and minutes from shops, skiing and golf. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY! MLS® 592540016 Ellen Jarman* 705.441.2630

Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

Dave Armstrong*

Ilse Ayers**

Diana Berdini**

Michael Biggins**

Gail Crawford*

Judy Crompton**

Meredith Cudney*

Helen Dixon*

Read Hilton*

Keith Hull**

Office Manager

Sales Representative **Broker

*

Ellen Jarman*

John Kacmar**

Martin Kilby**

Stefanie Kilby*

OUR INTERNATIONAL NETWORK INCLUDES 950 OFFICES IN 47 COUNTRIES.

SPECTACULAR ALL SEASON CHALET!

$519,000

Close to all ski areas, on the Craigleith Ski Club route w/ quick access to Georgian Trail & short stroll to Northwinds beach. 3 bdrms, 3 baths, forced air gas heat, wood burning fireplace, oversized single garage & 16` x 20` party deck!

Martin Kilby** 705.444.4483

TURNKEY CONDO

MEAFORD CIRCA 1878 ON 1+AC

$459,000

Premium end unit townhome. Open concept, cathedral ceilings, solid oak floors and upgraded Kitchen appliances. Walkout to deck with views of Cranberry golf course. MLS®1532184

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

$449,000

3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1.5 story Log Home offers deeded access to beautiful sandy beach on Georgian Bay. Fairy tale cabin close to Georgian Peaks Ski Club, Georgian Bay Golf Club, steps to Georgian Trail, beach areas &between Collingwood & Thornbury. Rustic & romantic décor, pine flooring & carpet, fabulous brick wood burning fireplace, lovely sunroom, family room, games room all on a generous treed lot 80 ft x 193 ft. F/A gas furnace, 6 appliances. MLS® 371420293 John M. Kacmar/Diana Lea Berdini** 705.444.4968

$389,000

$450,000

Country living 4500 sq.ft. with central air, natural gas, large principal rooms, 4 bdrm . 3 1/2 baths , ground floor family rm , mins. to big box shops, 2 hospitals, skiing, golf, harbours & beaches. MLS® 371240183 Sue Mallett* 705.444.7181

$434,900

On the outskirts of Hornings Mills. 1.8 acres 2+2 bedroom w/ attached inside entry single garage & a detached dbl garage. Beautiful views & 9 minutes from Shelburne. Propane forced air, central air septic & drilled well. Survey available.

Meredith Cudney* 705.446.8436

RENOWNED NIPISSING RIDGE PRESTIGIOUS RAVINE/MOUNTAIN VIEW LOTS - VARIOUS PRICES.

CHARMING AND WHIMSICAL

A VIEW FOR ALL SEASONS ON 2+ AC

“METZ” BUILT HOME

$199,000 - $539,000

IT`S YOUR TIME` to DESIGN & CUSTOM BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME. Prime location on the edge of the Escarpment, close to private ski clubs. Minutes to Blue Mountain w/select shops & fine dining. Everything for the active lifestyle is right here for you to enjoy. 7 Lots Sold Conditionally already.

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

VICTORIAN HOME

CREEMORE

$319,900

WALK TO COLLINGWOOD

$299,000

$289,000

Georgian Bay views from this 2000 sq ft brick bungalow. Gleaming hardwood, 3 bdrms 2 1/2 bths, hot tub sauna, bunkie & workshop w/ hydro. Mins. to shops, golf, skiing & harbour.

MLS®371210143 Sue Mallett * 705.444.7181

One of Meaford’s classic red brick homes, offering 2372 sq.ft. plus 25’x40’ Carriage house on on large (132x165) corner lot!. Full town services. Beautifully landscaped and maintained.

MLS® 20143612 Michael Biggins** 519.538.3817

Spacious double lot, newer siding/windows/ remodeled kitchen. Large bdrm on lower level w/ ensuite bath. In-law capability. Newer furnace. Clean & fresh & move-in ready! Walk to shops & restaurants - very central to the Creemore main street.

Meredith Cudney* 705.446.8436

Set on large mature lot. 3 bedrooms on main floor with loft area above garage. Walk to local schools and downtown Collingwood shops and restaurants. MLS® 582610260

LOT IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

LIGHTHOUSE POINT LOCATION

LOT IN PRIME LOCATION

LOT CLOSE TO THORNBURY

$249,00

$219,900

$124,000

Ron Picot* 705-446-8580

$109,000

Build your 4 Season retreat on this level lot surrounded by mature trees. Close to Alpine & Craigleith ski clubs & short drive to Blue Mountain MLS®20142829

2 bed, 2 bath, open flr plan condo w/boat slip in sought after location. Freshly decorated /new carpets. Abundance of recreational amenities.

MLS® 592610027

Newly created lot in fast growing area of Collingwood. Build your dream home w/views toward Osler ski hills. Landscaped lot w/mature trees MLS® 20141679

Treed lot in sought after neighbourhood. Walk to shops and restaurants in Thornbury. Close to ski clubs, golf courses and Thornbury marina.

Great Value! MLS®371400502

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

Barb Picot* 705.444.3452

Ron Picot* 705.446.8580

Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

Anita Lauer*

Cheryl MacLaurin*

Sue Mallett*

Rob McAleer*

Maggi Olson*

Barbara Picot*

Ron Picot*

Holly Richardson*

Sandee Roberts**

David Rowlands**

*

Brendan Thomson*

Barbara Thompson*

Sales Representative **Broker

Carol Whyne*

Paige Young*

Steve Brennan Sales Representative

Lorraine Bull Sales Representative

$949,900

Wayne Cornfield Broker

Drew Douglas Broker

$569,900

A MUST SEE! Stunning in all four seasons & just minutes to the areas ski clubs. TWO cozy & renovated cottages (2465 sq.ft) on 60 ft of sandy beachfront in Craigleith.

Kevin Woolham & Josee Rivard 705-888-1219

$879,900

$489,900

5 MINUTES TO THORNBURY Built in 2007, 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths, 2,371 s/f w/ main flr master, custom Pinetiques kit, radiant in-flr heating, hrdwd flrs, 4.23 acre lot just 5 km from Georgian Peaks. MLS® 1530111 Lorraine Bull 705-446-5034

$179,900

TIMBER FRAME BEAUTY Awesome kitchen, granite stone island open to great rm w/ Palladium window, gas f/p, maple flrs, private master bdrm loft, finished walkout lwr lvl, rec rm, gym. 4 acres.

Connie & Bill Thompson 705-888-0808

$534,900

BE YOUR OWN BOSS Turn key restaurant in Collingwood. Profitable, fully equipped and ready for you to take over.

Owner wants to retire. MLS®1500105 Wayne Cornfield 705-444-7669

8 MINUTES TO TOP OF BLUE - PARK & SKI! Renovated school house w/ post & beam additon. Beautiful kitchen w/ soaring Cathedral ceiling in Great rm. 1 acre lot w/ mature trees, expansive decking & walk-out from master. www.maureenlight.com

THE COTTAGES IN LORA BAY On prime lot, gorgeous home has water view of Georgian Bay. Main flr living, bright, open concept design w/ vaulted ceilings, custom gourmet kitchen, 4-season sun rm. Upgrades thruout. www.132DoryRow.com Helen Kimble 705-446-7146

2 ACRE One of a kind property w/ panoramic view of Georgian Bay. Located between Georgian Peaks & Georgian Bay Club. Build your dream home in an area of fine homes & estates.

Pat MacLeod 705-444-7471 & Maureen Light 705-896-1027

SPECTACULAR SUNSETS & SUNRISES Unique 2 family living area. Mins from quaint village of Thornbury. 3 bdrm, 2 bath waterfront chalet. Come and be seduced by the active lifestyle of the area...you will love it!

Drew Douglas 705-441-5152

$124,900

COVETED GEORGIAN MEADOWS Gorgeous corner gas f/p in spacious living rm. Huge family rm. Breakfast bar in very functional kitchen. View to Mtn from front & back. 4 bdrms, 3 baths.

Nina Margesson 705-994-2444

PROPERTY Details at www.StevenBrennan.ca Open House Schedule available at www.StevenBrennan.ca No Internet, No Problem Give us a call at 705-795-0953

COLLINGWOOD 705 w w w. 4 4 5 5 6 4 THORNBURY 519 w w w. 5 9 9 3

MILLENNIUM

SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER. facebook.com/ CenTury21

twitter.com/ CenTury21

C o l l i n g w o o d

Maureen Light Sales Representative

Pat MacLeod Sales Representative

™

Nina Margesson Sales Representative

T h o r n b u r y

Josée Rivard Sales Representative

0.COM

300.COM

WASAGA BEACH 705 w w w. 4 2 9 2 1 2 1

youtube.com/ CenTury21

•

Jen Scholte Broker

Helen Kimble Sales Representative

$689,000

$439,500

WALK TO BEACH 6 Custom built 3 bdrm, ensuite bath, open concept, gas f/p, vaulted ceilings, covered back deck. Income Potential with separate entrance. Shows Well!

Jen & Mike Scholte 705-444-4949

Monika Gibson Sales Representative

$674,000

$999,000

$419,900

“COUNTRY SETTING CLOSE TO COLLINGWOOD” EXCEPTIONAL ATTENTION TO DETAIL In This 2,800+ sq ft, 4 bed home located on a quiet street on a large 90’ x 200’ lot.

Monika Gibson & Doug Fraser 705-441-6810

Doug Fraser Broker

•

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w a s a g a

Bill Thompson Broker

Connie Thompson Broker

b e a C h

Kevin Woolham Sales Representative

ReadeR Buying guide For more information, link directly to Our Advertisers at www.onthebaymagazine.com ANIMAL/PET SERVICES

FLOORING

HOME SERVICES

Stayner Pet Centre Page 96

Dean’s Carpet One Page 71 Meaford Carpets & Interiors Page 62 PR Antique Products Page 69

Blue Mountain Vacuum Page 53 Comfort Keepers In-Home Care Page 9 Hands for Hire Page 68 Junk Butlers Page 96 Mountain Moving & Storage Page 40 My Computer People Page 53 Storage Zone Page 96

Sunnidale Boarding Kennels Page 96 Tip to Tail Grooming & Boarding Page 42 Violet’s Haven Page 42

ART/PHOTOGRAPHY/GALLERIES Bonnie Dorgello Jewellery & Paintings Page 54 Curio Page 54 Garlan Stained & Textural Glass Page 54 Jessica Crandlemire Photography Page 81 Matilda Swanson Gallery Page 55 Meaford Hall Page 91 Sandy B. McInnes Page 54 Santa Fe Gallery Page 54 The Blue Mountains Art Tour Page 54 Tied Photography Page 83

AUTO/SMALL ENGINE/ HEAVY EQUIPMENT Kubota Page 111 McKee Muffler Page 96 Walkers Small Motors Page 79

BUILDERS/CUSTOM HOME DESIGN MacPherson Builders Page 44 & 58 Triberg Construction Page 69 Valley Home Improvements Page 65 Van Strien Developments Page 31

CHILDREN’S SERVICES Calm Kidz Page 9 Collingwood School of Dance Page 52

COMMUNITY/BUSINESS SERVICES

FOOD/DRINK/CATERING Free Spirit Gardens Page 77 Kilannan Brewing Co. Page 69 The Lively Olive Page 66 Side Launch Brewing Company Page 91 Springlicious Page 79

FURNITURE/APPLIANCES Home Furniture and Appliances Page 63 Orangeville Furniture Page 112

GOLF Cobble Beach Page 95 Cranberry Golf Resort Page 49 Mad River Golf Club Page 90 Monterra Golf Page 51 Oslerbrook Golf & Country Club Page 4

HEALTH/BEAUTY/FITNESS Camelot Salon & Day Spa Page 52 Eye the Brows Page 52 Georgian Bay Cosmetic Clinic Page 66 Glow Hair Studio & Gallery Page 31 Good Health Mart Collingwood Page 9 & 43 Mary’s Pharmacy Page 9 & 53 Scandinave Spa, Blue Mountain Page 50 The Curling Iron Page 31 Thornbury Laser Clinic Page 90 Urban Hair Spa Page 53

HOME DÉCOR/DESIGN

The Clever Office Page 53

Barebirch Page 67 FAD Farrow Arcaro Design Page 65 Habitat Interiors Page 31 Kitchen Painters Page 67 Paintworks Page 96 Salnek’s Window Fashions & Accessories Page 15

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION

HOME IMPROVEMENT/REPAIR

Gibraltar 6 Hour Relay Page 98

ADS Advance Door Systems Page 89 Bill Brown Woodworking & Builders Supply Page 96 CRS Contractors Rental Supply Page 96 Gliding Shelf Solutions Page 36 Hands for Hire Page 68 Kitchen Painters Page 67 Meaford Carpets & Interiors Page 62 PR Antique Products Page 69 Premier Kitchens Custom Cabinetry & Design Page 64 R. Talbot Carpentry & Renovations Page 80 Service One Restoration & Remediation Specialists Page 96 South Gate Cabinets Page 69 TDI Construction Page 63 Town & Country Kitchens Page 61 Valley Home Improvements Page 65 Wise Cracks Page 96 Wrightway Renovations Page 94

Bayshore Broadcasting Page 40 Beaver Valley Outreach Page 31 Collingwood G&M Hospital Page 8 mycollingwood.ca Page 46 My Computer People Page 53

Jazz on the Mountain at Blue Page 48 Meaford Hall Page 91 mycollingwood.ca Page 46 Simcoe Street Theatre Page 54 The Blue Mountains Art Tour Page 54 Theatre Collingwood Page 54

FASHION/JEWELRY Appeal Boutique Page 53 Blink Eyewear Page 89 Bonnie Dorgello Jewellery & Paintings Page 54 Christie’s Clothing Page 53 & 62 D.C. Taylor Jewellers Page 13 Echo Trends Page 47 Elaine Dickinson’s Fashions Page 48 Nantucket & Co. Page 31 Shoe Kat Shoo Page 47

LANDSCAPE/GARDEN Bencor Custom Landscapes Page 80 Betz Pools Page 73 Bloom ‘n Nursery & Tree Farm Page 77 Clearview Nursery Page 77 Eagles Weed Control & Lawn Service Page 77 Garden Holistics Page 77 Georgian Sprinklers Page 77 Green Leaf Landscaping, Design & Build Page 81 Maple Leaves Forever Page 78 Maxwell Garden Center Page 81 Maxwell Stone Page 77 Natural Stonescapes Page 79 Owen Sound Ledgerock Page 83 Rock Solid Landscapes Page 70 Shouldice Designer Stone Page 72 Shrubs and More Page 77 Springscapes Landscaping Page 77 & 80 The Landmark Group Page 11

Moffat Dunlap Real Estate Limited, Brokerage Page 28 Re/Max Four Seasons Realty Ltd. Doug Gillis Page 100 Royal LePage Locations North Realty Inc. Chris Keleher Page 3 Royal LePage Locations North Realty Inc., Brokerage Page 18, 19, 33 Royal LePage Locations North Realty Inc. Andres Paara & Karen Willison Page 35 Royal LePage RCR Realty, Brokerage Basia Regan Page 27 Royal LePage Trinity Realty Inc., Brokerage Page 29 & 104 Royal LePage Trinity Realty Inc., Brokerage Brenda Armstrong, John Armstrong, Candace Armstrong Page 25 Royal LePage Trinity Realty Inc., Brokerage Tara Parsons Page 25 Windstone Real Estate, Brokerage Page 101 Your Own Private Resort Page 29

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS Blue Fairway (MacPherson Builders) Page 44 Cobble Beach (Reid’s Heritage Homes) Page 95 Far Hills Thornbury Page 87 Mountaincroft (Grandview Homes) Page 2 Lora Bay (Reid’s Heritage Homes) Page 6 Peaks Ridge (Solcorp Developments) Page 27 Red Maple Collingwood Page 5 Silver Glen Preserve (Sherwood Homes) Page 20

MEDICAL/DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

Summit Shores (Losani Homes) Page 34

Comly Eye Care Page 61 Dentistry on 45th Page 9 Drs. Hammond, Raymond & Cation Optometrists Page 90 Dr. Noreen Khan Family Dentistry Page 48 Dr. Robert McCoppen Family Dentistry Page 64 Orthopaedic Sport Institute Page 43 Synergy Health & Wellness Centre Page 9

TerraceWood (Third Line Homes) Page 25 The Private Residences at the Georgian Bay Club Page 23 The Residences of Peaks Bay Page 99 Windfall (Georgian International) Page 17 Windrose (MacPherson Builders) Page 58

RESTAURANTS Bruce Wine Bar Page 93 Mylar & Loreta’s Page 93

PROFESSIONAL/FINANCIAL/LEGAL BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Accountants Page 12 Besse Merrifield & Cowan LLP, Law Office Page 61 Brian MacDonald, Financial Advisor Page 63 Collins Barrow LLP, Chartered Accountants Page 68 Daniel White, Financial Advisor Page 96 Relative Matters, Family Estate Conferencing Page 96

REAL ESTATE Century 21 Millennium Inc. Brokerage Page 108 Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage Page 105, 106 & 107 Clairwood Real Estate Corporation Brokerage Page 102 & 103 Clairwood Real Estate Corporation Brokerage Emma Baker Page 27 Clairwood Real Estate Corporation Brokerage Karen Poshtar Page 25 Clairwood Real Estate Corporation Brokerage Sherry Rioux & Emma Baker Page 38, 39 Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage Elise Kalles & Glenn Douglas Page 27

Tesoro Traditional Italian Foods Page 93 The Flying Chestnut Page 93 The Huron Club Page 93 The Iron Skillet Page 93 The Pottery Page 14

SECURITY Red Brick Property Solutions Page 65

TRAVEL Expedia Cruise Ship Centers Page 64 Marlin Travel Page 53 Secondary Ownership Group Page 53

UPHOLSTERY/FABRIC Wayne Dziedzic Custom Upholstery Page 96

WINDOW FASHIONS Ashton’s Blinds, Draperies & Shutters Page 68 Salnek’s Window Fashions & Accessories Page 15 Shades & Shutters Page 62 On The Bay

Spring 2015

109

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BLUE MOUNTAIN PROPERTY TEAM

L o o k i n g B a c k

W

The Wild West

est of Collingwood at the turn of the last century, Thornbury was literally being carved out of the wilderness. This photo, circa 1899-1900, shows an unidentified man walking through what is now the intersection of Arthur Street (Hwy. 26) and Bruce Street in Thornbury. The view behind him looks east along Hwy. 26 across the Beaver River bridge. The building on the right housed Long Bros. store (now Wong’s Chinese restaurant).

The building on the left was Merchant Bank (today a Century 21 real estate office). Behind the bank was the original mill owned by the Andrews brothers and adjoined by the first permanent fire hall (the peaked roof house across the road later became the site of the town’s second mill, now the Mill Café).

The Township of Thornbury was most likely named after one of four Thornburys in England. In the spring of 1833, Charles Rankin, a provincial land surveyor, had arrived to survey the “wild land beyond the Simcoe District on the shore of the Georgian Bay.” The land at that time was virgin forest, inhabited by wild animals and aboriginals from the Petun, Huron and other tribes. Rankin was instructed to set aside 900 acres of land at

110

On The Bay

Spring 2015

the mouth of the Beaver River to serve as a future town site. He built a shanty and later a log cabin on the bay and later farmed potatoes on 200 acres further west. Around 1848, Solomon Olmstead arrived from Burritts Rapids and built a small mill, a primitive dam and a home on the east bank of the Beaver River south of what is now Hwy. 26. Development quickly followed and by 1857, the population had reached the 100-person mark.

Over the next 30 years, Thornbury continued to grow at a steady pace.

In 1887, feeling unfairly burdened with high taxes, the businessmen of Thornbury petitioned for independence from the Town of Collingwood.

After much negotiating they were granted autonomy, and the Township of Thornbury became of the Town of Thornbury. By this time the population had blossomed to over 1,200 people and the town had clearly evolved from a backwoods wilderness to a thriving, “modern” town with its own businesses, churches, manufacturing facilities and banking institutions. ❧ Sources: Meaford Museum, Thornbury Remembered 1887-1987; A New History of Grey County; The End of An Era – Collingwood Township 1977-1997.

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