Saddlebrook boasts a park, a naturalized pond and pathways that join with a system of walkways in adjoining northeast neighbourhoods.

On October 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. the stage will be set with the unveiling of two new show homes in celebration (complete with a local radio station remote, nibblies for the family, prizes and give aways) of the newest release of lots in the Saddlebrook community, but it’s also a celebration of the fine work that has gone into making this development a success.

“There have been tremendous sales in Saddlebrook. It’s been a rapid pace throughout and I’m now busier than I have been with the other phases,” says Jason Gavreau, area manager with Elite Homes—one of the four builders who have been working with McDougall at MLC from the beginning to provide single-family and attached housing to a diverse range of buyers. Along with Pacesetter Homes Inc., Elite is proud to be part of this final phase.

Gavreau attributes the buyer excitement to owners rebuying into the community from initial sales three years ago, and the referrals from residents to family members. “Large numbers of our sales are referral based,” he says, “And a lot of people who initially bought starter homes are now interested in the new properties we have.”

When complete there will be approximately 300 new homes including premium lots with walkout basements backing onto a six-acre pond, and new two-storey and bi-level designs. Pacesetter Homes also have walk-up basements opening onto the pond front.
Both builders bring solid reputations for excellent customer service in the homes they build and provide design options for homebuyers. “Just bring us your wish list and we’ll try to incorporate it for you,” says Don Kitchen of Pacesetter Homes. “We go for the details to make this your home”. For example, with the plans that include garages, buyers have a choice of nine styles of garages and 28 separate elevations or house frontages.

The variations of the Santiago II can include up to 2,336 square-feet, with four-bedrooms and a bonus room on the upper floor and two-and-a-half-bathrooms. All of Pacesetter’s Saddlebrook homes will include maple or oak cabinets, decora switches, energy efficient lighting, Moen single-lever taps in kitchens and baths, triple-hinged doors, four-inch baseboards and three-inch casings for doors and windows, and three-piece roughed in plumbing in the basements. Buyers can add upgrades for some models such as nine-foot ceilings, fireplaces, and choose between hardwood or tile flooring.

Travis Burnside, vice-president of sales and marketing with Elite Homes agrees with giving the customer what they want. “They want to be in this community and we want to offer them the flexibility and plan options,” he says, adding that Elite recently won the North American Home Gallery Centre of the Year for 2008. It’s a one stop shop, he says where customers can select finishes, paint colours, carpets, tiles, appliance packages—everything they need to customize their home after the floor plan has been selected. The builder’s homes range from 911 to 1,651 square-feet priced in the $305,000 to low $370,000 range without garages. The double front-garage models are between 1,574 and 2,070 square-feet and are being offered at $396,000 to $445,000.

The appreciation for the Saddlebrook development stems from the quality of homes, the green space surrounding the community and the proximity to amenities. “We are well situated,” says McDougall, “Surrounded by fully developed neighborhoods with recreation facilities such as Village Park Leisure Centre and Prairie Winds Park, major shopping centres like Sunridge Mall and the surrounding retail hubs, and medical services with clinics and the Peter Lougheed Centre.” Located east of 68 Street N.E. and north of 80 Avenue, just five minutes to the airport and accessible to the Trans-Canada Highway and proposed transport routes—residents in Saddleridge have the advantage of rural surroundings within a vibrant community.   NL

Follow the signs in Saddlebrook to the new show home parade. For more information check out http://www.saddlebrook-calgary.com