Now in its fourth year, Doors Open YYC now bigger than ever

Awarded to notable residents, a key to the city used to be the symbol of a welcoming metropolis. As it turns out, things haven't changed that much.

Literally a way to throw open its doors to residents both notable and ordinary, the Doors Open YYC event Sept. 26 – 27 is part of an international event that provides people free access to buildings to create enthusiasm for heritage and contemporary architecture.

"Really, the whole point is to allow people access to buildings they wouldn't normally get to see," said organizing committee member Alyssa Berry.

Largest urban pathway network in North America to be completed in 2017

Parks Foundation Calgary kicked off the final phase of its 138-kilometre Rotary/Mattamy Greenway in the northeast community of Cityscape Wednesday to fan fare from local residents, dignitaries and supporters.

"It's a gigantic deal. It will change the face of this city forever," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi, a vocal supporter of the project since taking office.

Added Parks Foundation Calgary CEO Myrna Dube: "Often it's said the Calgary has a can-do attitude. It'd like to take that a step further and say it's 'will-do.'"

Cardel Lifestyles is enjoying a busy start to 2015. The multi-family builder has shovels in the ground at its new condo development in Auburn Bay, and recently opened new show suites in Sage Hill.

CREB®Now recently sat down with Brad Logel, sales and marketing manager for Cardel Lifestyles, to discuss everything from what's new with the company to how downsizers are shaping its business. Here's what he had to say:

CREB®Now:?What's new with Cardel Lifestyles?

Logel: We recently had the grand opening of five new condo show suites in northwest Calgary at Sage Place. We have started construction on our first condo building at Auburn Walk in southeast Calgary. We are about to release our townhomes at Cranston Ridge and our second building at Auburn Walk. Our company recently won the Homeowner Mark of Excellence for Alberta. This is awarded to the builder with the highest overall customer experience rating. This rating is based on customer surveys over a 13-month period. We also won the New Homebuyer's Choice Award earlier this year. Both of the awards are based on surveys done by Customer Insight and done for all Alberta New Home Warranty Builders and their new homeowners.

Asphalt plant part of Doors Open YYC initiative

Imagine getting a chance to meet the chefs behind our roads – the cooks who concoct the cement that lie beneath our feet?

It's part of a unique behind-the-scenes opportunity for Calgarians, who will get a chance to visit the City of Calgary's asphalt plant as part of the fourth annual Doors Open YYC event later this month.

Located just off 25th Avenue S.E., the plant is one of 42 sites participating in the citywide initiative, scheduled for Sept 26 to 27.

"We felt that it was extremely important for Calgarians to showcase how the City of Calgary operates, how professional and qualified our staff are, how we spend taxpayer dollars and to show Calgarians and visitors how the City is conscientious of the environment while delivering service," said Slawa Gruszczynska, cultural diversity co-ordinator in charge of co-ordinating all of the City of Calgary sites for Doors Open YYC.

'If you build it, they will come'

Despite ongoing softness in the Calgary regional real estate market that has moderated activity in upscale communities such as Springbank and Bearspaw, industry experts believe the value proposition of upscale rural living remains unaffected.

"We have not seen construction stop," said Ian Macdonald, director of sales and marketing at Watermark at Bearspaw, a luxury estate community that recently won a Sales and Marketing (SAM) Award for Community of the Year, Calgary Region from the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) Calgary Region.

"I call it the Field of Dreams approach — if you build it, they will come."

32nd annual Home + Design Show returns Sept 17 – 20

From blah bathrooms to cluttered kitchens, homeowners are often encouraged to channel their inner designer.

The trouble is knowing where to start.

"There are a lot of shortcuts to make it easier," said Parker Barrow's Janette Ewen who, with co-owner Jef Hancock, will be among dozens of designer gurus on hand at the BMO Centre Sept. 17-20 for the 32nd annual Home + Design Show.

CREB®Now will be presenting Ewen and Hancock when they take the Trail Appliances Main Stage Sept. 18 at 4 p.m., Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m. and Sept. 20 at noon.

SAIT Polytechnic Art Smith Aero Centre joins Doors Open YYC lineup

At SAIT Polytechnic, there's a classroom that measures 21,000 square feet.

The technical institute's Art Smith Aero Centre is actually a hangar at the Calgary International Airport. Big enough for a Boeing 737, the space is used to teach three full-time programs in SAIT's School of Transportation: aircraft maintenance engineers technology, aircraft structures technician and avionics technology.

On Sept. 26, the centre will be open to public as part of the fourth annual Door Open YYC event.

ATB Financial chief economist Todd Hirsch recently spoke at CREB®  to outline some of his predictions for Alberta in 2016. During the talk, Hirsch discussed some causes for the current state of the provincial economy and factors that will need to change before Albertans see a rosier economic picture. CREB®Now examines some of the main talking points discussed during his visit.

Earnings:

Rather than simply pointing out the decline in the price of oil, Hirsch focused on the wages being earned by some Albertans as one of the factors affecting Alberta's current situation. Playing a massive role in province's employment picture, the average weekly earnings for Albertans had improved by 48 per cent over the last 10 years compared to 29 per cent nationally, with workers in the energy sector taking home 56 per cent more than a decade ago.

First breaking ground in 2008, the reviltalization of Calgary's "newest, oldest" community is now beginning to come to completion. Recently welcoming the area's first new occupant, the area is eventually expected to welcome more than 11,000 Calgarians to what was once one of the city's most notorious neighbourhoods.

CREB®Now takes a look at the rebirth of the neighbourhood, how it came to be, and what it will become.

History

The site of Calgary's first Northwest Mounted Police detachment, which would later become Fort Calgary, East Village was originally the centre of a then-fledgling Calgary. Later falling into decline, the area would be largely neglected, with the city's medical officer declaring it "skid row" in 1941. With various revitalization projects failing to take hold, the community would remain a blight on the city until the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation's (CMLC) revitalization project began in 2008.

Features holding their own in resale

At first glance, Paula McGarrigle's Marda Loop home looks rather ordinary — a beautiful craftsman-style house not unlike many others throughout the city.

In this case, looks are deceiving. Beneath its unassuming exterior, the home contains an assortment of features designed to make it as energy efficient and green as possible. On the EnerGuide 0-100 scale, which measures a home's energy performance, McGarrigle's home has a rating of 86.

"People are quite stunned that it's an energy-efficient home," McGarrigle said. "It looks like it's been here for 100 years."

Green homes like McGarrigle's are increasingly common in Calgary and across the country. Their popularity has surged as sustainable technologies – from simple energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs to complex mechanical systems and renewable energy sources – have become less expensive and homebuyers become more concerned with their environmental footprints.