“One of our guiding principles is to be a community minded company,” says Shane Wenzel, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Shane Homes. “And, the only way to do that is to invest back into the community.”

Take for example the unique initiative recently launched in Royal Oak. In conjunction with the City of Calgary, Shane Homes has built two homes on three lots that will function as the Royal Oak Fire Home and EMS Home respectively until a permanent Tri Services building including Fire, EMS and Police is constructed  at 85th Street and Country Hills Boulevard.

“The homes basically look like regular homes except with enormous garages,” says Wenzel. The 800-plus square-foot garages needed to be 18 feet high and over 44 feet in width to accommodate the new full size pumper fire truck.

Something else that is different about these homes is that they are full of safety features. Shane utilized all of the features that they promote for their Kids’ Safe Homes including fire retardant insulation, sprinkler systems, stucco exteriors and clay tile roofs.  The stairs also are child- friendly with a longer tread and less rise and built in motion tripped tread lights. “It makes it a little easier to walk down the stairs, especially for younger children,” says Wenzel.

The homes are open to the public and in addition to their EMS and Fire functions will be utilized as a safety measures training facility for the general public. Fire crew will also offer free blood pressure screening.

The 2388 square-foot fire house and the 2310 EMS house will be sold on the open market once the permanent Tri Services building is complete in 2012. “All of the profits will go back to Fire and EMS to covering their operating costs,” says Wenzel. “This is a real win-win for everybody.”

Some of Shane’s other charitable involvements include a nine year strong partnership with Ernest Manning High School in their drafting and design department, a commitment to community recreation facilities—most recently a $225,000 donation to  Airdrie's East Lake Recreation and Wellness Centre, and title sponsorship of the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic which takes place this year on July 18th and 19th.

Building on the safety theme, Shane homes has also expanded their company  safety program. “We were one of the first companies to have our own occupational health and safety person on staff and out of that came the first trade safety video and customer safety video,” says Wenzel. “Our customers are insistent on visiting their home while it is under construction and it is important that they are aware of and take the necessary safety precautions.” Hard hats and safety goggles are provided which Shane Homes customers are required to wear when visiting their homes while they are under construction. As a new safety initiative for 2007, upon possession, customers receive a complimentary fire extinguisher and safety kit for their new home. NL

For more information on Shane Homes visit http://www.shanehomes.com