Invermere
Striving to be a part of the community
Big plans have been made for one of Invermere’s newest resort developments
by TAMMY SCHUILING
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GRAND PLANS: This artist’s rendering shows the resort’s hotel and conference centre.
—Stoneset Equities Ltd. image |
As many Columbia Valley residents may already be aware, Vista Del Lago is a resort development that will be situated on the shores of Lake Windermere on more than 12 acres of land behind the Eddie Mountain Arena in Invermere. The proposed development includes a four-star 144-room hotel and conference centre, along with approximately 570 condominiums and 45,000 square feet of retail space—all to be built over 10 phases in a span of six to eight years.
The condominiums will range from 1,000 to 1,200 square feet, with mid-level pricing and high-quality construction and finishings. The interior design packages will be “craftsman meets alpine” and are inspired by the area’s natural surroundings. Tony Argento, Stoneset chairman and CEO, describes the project as “a study of lifestyle, architecture and design blended to emulate the mountain resort village and accommodate the four-season activities of the region.”
Situated on beautiful Lake Windermere, Vista Del Lago offers residents the chance to indulge in popular summer activities such as boating, fishing, swimming or relaxing on the shores. Land lovers can take advantage of more than a dozen nearby golf courses, miles of nature trails or the opportunity to stroll downtown for a coffee. There is something for everyone and plenty of ways to spend quality time with friends and family.
The recent designation of the Cranbrook airport as an international gateway to the Columbia Valley will only increase the demand for hotel and convention facilities in the area. The growth in tourist and convention traffic directly translates to increased revenue for downtown Invermere businesses.
Invermere’s town council supports the economic benefits of the project.
“It’s great from our point of view because it is a huge project for the downtown and it will be important for the long-term financial viability of the community,” stated Mayor Shmigelsky.
The developer, Stoneset Equities Ltd., is a Calgary-based real estate investment company and property developer with a vision to create a balance of consistent growth for investors, minimal environmental impact and value for the community. Vista Del Lago is a perfect example of how Stoneset is able to blend economically and ecologically viable practices.
Stoneset Equities consists of experienced individuals in property acquisition, design and project management, marketing, investments and securities law. Besides having more than 300 years of combined real estate development experience, the Stoneset team also has over 80 years of experience in environmental projects.
The Stoneset team has been involved in many innovative projects utilizing smart architecture for energy conservation, including the 1994 award-winning Alberta Eco-Home in Scenic Acres, Calgary. Sustainable features are incorporated into every project—from the materials used for interior design options to the larger scale components such as grey-water management, co-generation power and alternative building materials.
“Our focus is developing real estate that has a positive impact on the environment and the community as a whole,” said Argento. “Each project is different and we carefully evaluate the sustainable features on a case-by-case basis. Invermere is such a spectacular location, so we want to ensure we minimize our impact on the environment and enhance the area.”
The company recognizes that a project of this magnitude must incorporate environmentally responsible design principles to protect the lake and water supply. Pursuant to the Development Services Agreement (pending approval at press time), Vista Del Lago will incorporate several initiatives to ensure Invermere’s water supply is respected and in some ways, enhanced. This includes upgraded sanitary lines, a new water service line, grey- and black-water management and improved fire flows and storm-water management.
Water management is only a piece of the overall eco-puzzle. Vista Del Lago is proposing to use co-generation and potentially tri-generation systems for power, heating and cooling. This type of power generation system is highly efficient by capturing and reusing generated heat from the mechanical components.
As with every project, Stoneset Equities Ltd. is working closely with district planners and council to ensure that Vista Del Lago will benefit the community. One important aspect of the development is how Vista Del Lago will connect the downtown to the lakeshore, where people can see the improvements to the lakeside boardwalk. Stoneset is committed to expanding and enhancing the boardwalk to enable residents and tourists to enjoy a stroll by Lake Windermere.
Stoneset Equities recognizes that every community deserves a gathering place. Vista Del Lago’s plaza has been dedicated to the community for use as a public gathering place. The design will encourage outdoor art exhibits or music performances for everyone to enjoy.
Several of the Stoneset staff have truly enjoyed becoming a part of the community. Residents may have met a few of them during numerous events that were supported by the company: Light up the Night and Valley Appreciation Days come to mind as two of the favourites.
“As a company, we want to participate in and become part of the community,” stated Doug Haines, project management director for Vista Del Lago. “We are members of the chamber of commerce and we frequently work with the Kinsmen and other organizations because we truly care about Invermere. In fact, some of our staff intend to call Invermere their home.”
For more information on Stoneset Equities Ltd. or Vista Del Lago, visit www.stonesetequities.com.
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