Article
July 21, 2009
Calgary Cleans House
Local builders dominate provincial awards
Two southern builders were among the three to face off in the 2007 Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year Award—and when the sawdust had settled the award went to five-time nominee and three-time winner UBG Alpine Homes of Canmore. “We were amazed. We had no idea we would be in the running,” beamed Lawrence Hill, president of Alpine Homes.
In total, Calgary and area homebuilders combined to win 13 of the 28 Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing 2007 handed out in a lavish ceremony held at Jasper Park Lodge on September 21.
Alpine was nominated for five awards in the multi-family category winning in three: wood frame, overall complex, and duplex, villa or townhouse over $250,000. The award, named for Ralph Scurfield who was a leader and an Alberta pioneer in the residential industry, is given to the homebuilder who has garnered the most points through nominations and wins. It’s the first time a multi-family builder has won the award.
“We’re doing a lot of things right,” says Hill, noting that with the stiff competition this year in fellow nominees Morrison Homes, of Calgary (who won the award last year), and Avalon Central Alberta, of Red Deer, Alpine Homes will have to continue to improve. “We need to work harder and more diligently on customer sales and services and building a better product.”
Morrison Homes won two awards, a coveted Customer Choice in the single-family, large-volume category and a design nod in the single-family price range of $300,000 to $349,999. Morrison had a second floor plan, the Collett residence, also nominated in the $300,000 to $349,999 category, but its own home, the Janzen residence came out on top.
Gary Moro of Morrison Homes was particularly proud of winning the Customer Choice award. “I put a lot of stock into that award. It was voted on by our customers,” he said, adding, “We’re looking out for our customers. We’re building the homes they’re expecting.”
Two other Calgary homebuilders stacked up Customer Choice kudos, both in the multi-family categories: Cedarglen Homes in the small-volume category and Aspire Condo Living by Jayman in the large volume.
Calgary’s Albi Homes, Vintage Fine Homes and Crystal Creek Homes garnered wins in the single-family categories. Albi Homes’ Hurd residence took the prize in the $425,000 to $549,999 category. Vintage’s Hodgson residence took the prize in the next price range, $550,000 to $749,999. “It’s our first provincial award,” said Vintage’s Chris Houlind, “and I was surprised, considering the competition that was out there.”
Crystal Creek Homes’ Churchill (which readers might recognize as New Home Living’s cover home back in April 2007) took the honours in the next category of single-family homes— $750,000 and over. A surprised Justin Bobier acknowledged the proud moment at the Jasper awards. “Wow. It’s the first time we’ve entered any category.”
The opulent Churchill is 3,401-square-foot two-storey walkout with Brazilian walnut hardwood on the main floor and Italian travertine in the foyer, a heavilystudy, and unique sleeping level, including a princess-themed girl’s room and luxurious master suite. “The overall theme of the house is an Old World feeling, a unique design. It has a real ‘wow’ appeal. It’s an unusual house, not something you expect to see,” noted Bobier.
Rounding out Calgary winners were Carstairs mainstay Gold Seal Master Builder, receiving the Merit Award for the Calgary region, and Premium Renovation for renovation under $125,000.
Lesley Conway, president of Hopewell residential Communities and this year’s Awards of Excellence chair, noted that award categories had been “adjusted upward” to reflect the increasing price range. As well, categories were changed to reflect price instead of the usual square footage.
Building starts in 2007 at 47,300 made this year the third-busiest ever—behind 2006 and 1978. The 210 entries received for the awards were up 35 per cent over last year’s numbers. NL