EDMONTON JOURNAL
Ryan Garner
Sylvan Lake has been a summer vacation destination for decades, offering sun-hungry Albertans a variety of recreational opportunities; but a new development is aimed at helping them extend their stay.
The Slopes of Sylvan Lake features a 49-acre (20-hectare) site on the lake’s northeastern shores, offering potential residents comfortable surroundings in a natural setting. Developed by Belterra Land Company, the scenic $40-million development features upscale villas and expansive home sites.
Merchant Homes and Bowood Homes, based in Calgary and Red Deer, respectively, have signed on to build at The Slopes, offering a variety of floor plans and colour palettes.
The development features three lot sizes, including 0.15-acre villa lots, 0.35-acre hillside lots, and 0.75-acre estate lots. Approved architectural styles include French country, Craftsman, ranch, and Arts & Crafts, helping to develop community cohesiveness and lasting appeal.
The first phase of the development includes 16 villas on 6,000-square-foot lots starting from $698,500 and nine hillside home sites that measure 15,000 square feet starting around $300,000. The north end of the project offers ‘Elevated Living’ estate lots that feature unobstructed views of Sylvan Lake. Merchant Homes will handle construction of the 16 villas, offering two separate floor plans named Aspen and Birch. Both are three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom plans, with the Birch encompassing 2,580 square feet, while the Aspen measures 2,590 square feet. Kitchens will feature quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, along with maple cabinets, a full-height backsplash, and undercabinet lighting. The master bedroom ensuite includes heated floors, Moen fixtures, dual vanities, and an undermount tub.
The Slopes of Sylvan Lake has embraced Lacombe County’s progressive vision for sustainable development that complements Sylvan Lake’s beauty, while allowing people to fully enjoy the local amenities. The Slopes is the first lakeside development approved under the 2010 Sylvan Lake Area Structure Plan (ASP) to protect lake water quality. The development achieves compliance through a connection to a new Sylvan Lake regional waste water line lift station. The development also contains an on-site water treatment facility that creates a potable water supply.
“As one of the first new communities under Lacombe County’s new ASP, The Slopes hopes to set a new standard for development around Sylvan Lake,” says Chris Artibello, President of Belterra Land Company. “We are also determined to honour the commitments to quality that we made during the planning and approvals process.”
The development was integrated into the natural surroundings, leaving 50 per cent of the project to shared undisturbed green space. The area will be punctuated with unobtrusive homes, leaving room for storm ponds lined by scenic pathways, a gazebo area, benches and convenient barbecue spots.
Belterra sees The Slopes as being the first of many high-quality projects in the Sylvan Lake area. Additional development opportunities are being explored, and the company is making a long-term commitment to the community. “We believe in the area. We believe a promising future is being created here, so we are making significant investments to establish ourselves as a long-term partner in the area’s sustainable development,” says Artibello.