Buying a condo often means more deliberating than simply deciding what colour to paint the walls – style, location, and often what amenities are in place to keep residents active all figure in to the move.
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Carla Hackman both owns a suite and sells in a Sandlewood Developments condominium in the southwest, a choice she made in part because her complex also sports a fitness facility.
“Having the gym here makes it all the more attractive. I’ve had gym memberships in the past but it was the motivation to get there – so again it’s easier to just walk out your door just steps away to use the facilities,” says the Copperwood condo owner and salesperson. |
While would-be condo buyers often equate condo living with limited space, a convenient location can mean an extension of suite area through proximity to public parks and pathways. Hackman says a nearby public golf course and access to city pathways was a huge factor in her decision to adopt a condo lifestyle.
“We’ve got the dog and what attracted me to the site in particular was the fact the city bike path borders our property – so it is literally a two-minute walk out the door to get to the bike path system, and also a two-minute drive down the road to the off-leash dog areas,” says Hackman.
According to the Calgary Health Region, living in a neighbourhood such as Hackman’s, geared at keeping its residents in motion, can figure into a person’s own level of health.
“There was a study that just recently reported on that and those neighbourhoods that had convenient walkways, parks and so on, they surveyed the people and they were more active,” says Dr. Richard Musto, CHR deputy medical officer of health.
Musto advises people work physical activity into normal routine rather than committing to an exercise which may prove futile when they put off participating because of the inconvenience factor. “We need to make it so that everybody can find their way to exercise that’s fun for them and fits for them. We can de-mystify it – it’s really not a big deal – it’s just getting active, whether using your brain or your body, the benefits will accrue you.”
Bob Carmichael of Medican, a Medicine Hat-based developer that’s made its mark on the Calgary landscape with 40- and 55-plus condominium projects such as the Sierras of Tuscany and Evergreen, says amenities that keep residents moving are practically a must in the current condo marketplace among buyers – of any age group.
“It’s a needed thing. Emphasis is really being put on health and wellness by so many people,” says Carmichael, adding having in-house perks such as pools and games rooms in place has spawned a bit of a butterfly effect among Medican buyers. “Where we come from is we promote residents to get involved and be part of the larger entity … such as volunteering for social gatherings. Then people take real ownership, which is a big thing.”
He says he’s seen groups naturally form out of common interests, when the tools are in place, citing examples of resident men coming together to use the wood shop, a group of ladies taking the plunge to weekly aquacize classes, or a mixed group of residents brushing up on their artistic side under a guest painting instructor’s tutelage in the party room.
And having facilities onsite to promote activity also wins points with visitors of the over-40 crowd – especially hot spots like swimming pools and Jacuzzis, he says. “You see this especially on the weekends, when there is some family event planned for the pool. You get grandma in the pool with the kids, and you can just see how proud they are. It keeps everyone active.”
For more hints and tips about buying and owning a condominium in Calgary, watch Shaw TVís Condo Living with Barb Mitchell, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
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