Invermere
Location, location, location
Lake Windermere Pointe offers scenery plus to purchasers
by TANYA LAING
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A VIEW FROM THE TOP: Stellar views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding wetlands are part of the appeal of Lake Windermere Pointe.
—photo by Tanya Laing |
For Doug McIntosh, one of the partners in the Lake Windermere Pointe development in Invermere, the prime advantage of the recreational homesite is “location, location, location.” And the location is working well for them; according to McIntosh, 60 per cent of the units have already been sold, even with slowed sales this spring due to cooler-than-usual temperatures.
Natural selection
“We’re beside the provincial park, half a block to the beach and central to everything,” said McIntosh, “whether it’s skiing in Panorama—25 minutes up to the ski hill—all the golf courses—you can see two of them from here—or uptown with all of the stores, shops and restaurants.”
Beautiful by design
Besides the location, the warm-water lake, the nearby hot springs and the abundance of recreational and cultural opportunities in the Lake Windermere region, McIntosh thinks the development is special because of the choices it offers. There are a variety of suites available for purchase or as part of the rental program, and each one affords a glorious view. An on-site heated pool and hot tub, along with private exercise facilities , will appeal to active residents. And each suite is beautifully finished, with ceramic and wood details throughout that reflect the mountainous scenery surrounding the development. The show suite highlights exciting design possibilities, including a breezy nautical theme that is reminiscent of the lake visible from the balcony.
Construction has gone smoothly during the project, said McIntosh, including the hiring of tradespeople. Although there has been a construction boom in the Kootenay region, many labourers were hired locally, and others were brought in from Calgary. In a few cases, this also resulted in more clients for McIntosh—many labourers brought in for the project liked the area so much that they chose to move to Invermere.
A focus on the environment
McIntosh is proud of the development’s attention to the environment, particularly the Columbia River Wetlands that are a vital part of the health of the Columbia River’s headwaters.
“We’re working with the Columbia River Greenways Alliance and we have (with them) a proposal before BC Parks to do a restoration on the James Chabot wetlands,” said McIntosh. “(We will) assist with the boardwalk on all the Greenways trails locally and we definitely work with the local groups to make that happen. We definitely believe this restoration will happen. It’s been an exciting challenge—lots of detail and biology involved—and respect for the environment is necessary.”
The restoration is an innovative project in that it will correct the damaging effects of CPR work done during the early 1900s. At that time, the natural flow of water through the wetlands was disrupted when the railbeds were laid. The course of the stream is still visible, however, and the restoration would focus on restoring the natural flow and enhancing the area.
McIntosh, who has lived in Invermere and the surrounding district since he was a child, firmly believes that the natural setting is the biggest appeal of the area, and that protection of that setting is paramount to the development.
“It has been a pleasure to be beside Lake Windermere, James Chabot Park and the wetlands,” he said. “Anything we can do to add to the protection of that environment and the enhancement of that environment, we’re very much committed to.”
Outside interest
Most of the interest in the development is coming from Alberta, said McIntosh, and primarily Calgarians. However, the market is growing, with investors from the U.S. and Europe showing interest in the region—and like the Albertan tradespeople, many are making the valley their primary residence. And the increasing focus on year-round tourism is enhancing the region’s profile. McIntosh cited the world-class helicopter skiing opportunities and events—such as the World Cup races at Panor- ama—and nearby amenities as irresistible attractions for investors and recreational homeowners. As well, the expanded services of the Canadian Rockies International Airport have made the area more attractive to foreign buyers. And for hard-core golf fiends, the opportunities are unparalleled.
“(We’re known) for our phenomenal golf courses,” said McIntosh. “Within 20 minutes’ drive, we’ve got nine of the most beautiful golf courses in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest—from Greywolf to the golf courses at Fairmont, Radium, Copper Point and Eagle Ranch.”
There’s no place like home
Although McIntosh very ably describes the merits of the development itself, it is his enthusiasm for the Columbia Valley that is most compelling. After all, the area is home to him, and he can’t envision living anywhere else on earth. In the end, it practically sells itself.
“The Windermere Valley is very special,” he said.
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