dHzmedia

Scenic Vernon abuzz with activity

By Kathy McCormick and Marty Hope

Please scroll down for the article.

Scenic Vernon abuzz with activity

In addition to Predator Ridge, several other new developments are now under construction. Some of these include:

The Rise

Six acres of Pinot Noir and Reisling grapes have been planted, half of the 18-hole mountainside golf course was opened in August for limited play by some homeowners, eight model homes are open and nearly 100 home lots have been sold at this unique golf/wine community on the outskirts of Vernon.

At a projected cost of $1 billion, The Rise is being developed by Okanagan Hills Development Corp. As it climbs from Bella Vista Road to the 18th hole of the Fred Couples Signature Golf Course some 1,500 feet above Lake Okanagan, visitors pass residential developments, the vineyard and future location of a winery on the way to the golf course.

And if you're from Calgary or Edmonton, chances are you're likely to bump into someone you know.

"About 40 per cent of our sales have come from Alberta," says Rod Cochrane, general manager of The Golf Club at The Rise, who was serving as tour guide. "Of the eight model homes we have started, six are already spoken for."

In fact, The Rise is already boasting a dozen occupancies.

Finished with a Mediterranean theme, one of the eight homes measures 1,948 square feet and carries a price tag of $795,900. Spacious and stylish, the home has been designed to bring the outside in. Doors open to decks and balconies overlooking the lake, vineyard and golf course.

"Right now, there are four phases under construction with another four to go before we're done," adds Cochrane.

Seven of the 18 golf holes will have homes on them, he adds, but they will be set well back from the fairways -- an estimated 45 meters from the centre of the fairway to the residential property line.

With another six years to go before build-out, The Rise will ultimately hold 1,210 homes of which 660 will be single-detached. There will also be hotels, a village centre, tennis centre and several neighbourhoods offering various styles of housing at several different price points.

"It's happening, we've got people living here and playing golf," Cochrane says, adding that the golf course will hold its grand opening on the May long weekend of next year.

For information visit www.therise.ca.

In Short:

Vernon Fast Facts

Population: 35,944 (2006 Census). Greater Vernon population is 55,418.

Incorporated: 1892.

Economy: Light manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, retail, tourism.

Location: 558 kilometres from Calgary along Highway 97A (south of the Trans-Canada Highway). The city is the first major stop along the Okanagan Valley, which goes on to Kelowna and Penticton, then through to Osoyoos.

It's sandwiched between three lakes -- Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake and Swan Lake and is 20 minutes from Kelowna airport, which has direct, one-hour flights from Calgary

Recreation: Nine golf courses are in the area, as is the Silver Star ski resort. With the lakes, the hiking trails and the other nearby amenities such as orchards, fruit stands, wineries and vineyards, it's a desired destination summer and winter.

Temperature: The average January temperature is - 5.1 C.; the average July temperature is 19.1 C. Average frost-free days -- 152. 

For additional information regarding the project, click on the logo:

Reprinted from The Calgary Herald
To view The Calgary Herald online click here