Bearspaw Farmers Market - A Great Escape

Wondering what to do with a lazy Sunday morning? The Bearspaw Farmer's Market has a wonderful collection of local vendors and is a great way to support your community. Held every Sunday, with the last day being October 4th, the Farmers Market has almost one hundred stalls, each offering unique, high quality products.

The market is organized and run by the Bearspaw Lions Club. They work hard all year to make the market a success and also provide a Pancake Breakfast before the market begins each Sunday so make sure to get there early!

Hours: 10 AM - 2 PM every Sunday until October 4, 2009

Parking: Grass field at the West end of Nagway Road

No pets allowed.

Mega Mall Open just 20 Minutes from Willow Creek

Cross Iron Mills, the first new mall to open in Alberta in over 20 years is finally open for business in Balzac. Located just 20 minutes from Willow Creek at Bearspaw, the mall will serve residents as an ultimate shopping destination. Major brands and boutique include: Pro Hockey Life, Gap Generation (a first anywhere in the world), Tommy Bahama, French Connection, Lacoste and many more amazing stores.

For more information on Cross Iron Mills, visit their website: http://www.crossironmills.com/

Rocky View County Approves Accessory Dwelling Units

Despite some opposition from municipality residents, Rocky View Council unanimously approved a bylaw on July 23, 2009 that will allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in the County's agricultural and country residential areas. These additional housing units will provide a range of housing options without changing the character of the area. Residents will have several building options including secondary suites (within an existing home), secondary suites over garages, or garden suites (completely detached from existing structures).

The M.D. defines an ADU as " a subordinate living unit that has separate kitchen, sleeping, and bathroom facilities, and is either attached, detached, or created within the primary residential unit on a single parcel of land. Through encouraging the development of neighbourhood compatible housing, these units also promote the efficient use of existing and future infrastructure and support infill development and sustainable land-use patterns". Source: Rocky View County Website, August 6, 2009. http://www.rockyview.ca/View.aspx?GUID=0d191fb7-885d-4bbe-b76f-658b6e6994f3

Willow Creek at Bearspaw's architectural controls allow for accessory buildings under these parameters: The same design theme and materials must be used on any accessory building. Siting of any additional buildings must be in the building footprint area. No shed, greenhouse, garage or other pre-fabricated building packages will be allowed.

When built to quality standards, accessory buildings can make lovely nanny suites, guest homes, offices and studios which enhance the character of an area and increase property values.

Photo credit: McKinley Masters Custom Homes

Astoria Show Home Breaks Ground

Astoria Custom Homes officially broke ground on their Willow Creek show home last Wednesday, July 29th. Encore Communities, Astoria, Prattco and the staff at Willow Creek celebrated the event with an early morning party to kick off construction. Click here or more information on "The Heritage". This beautiful home will be located at #107 Willow Creek Summit.

Road Paving Complete at Willow Creek

Encore Communities is happy to announce that road paving is now complete at Willow Creek. All the lots are accessible to the public and we encourage you to visit the site. Willow Creek is the first master planned community in Bearspaw since Church Ranches and we are proud of how well the community is taking shape. Willow Creek at Bearspaw offers many choice building sites, with most lots adjacent to open space (71%). Every lot has a mountain view and backs onto either green space, a water feature or an amenity. In some cases, our lots have all of these rare features. Come out and see for yourself!