Okotoks: Opportunities abound

Okotoks has always been a jewel of a town in southern Alberta. The majestic views of the Rockies it offers, the lush nature at its doorstep with winding river walking paths and biking trails, and an undeniable small-town charm that shines through even as it continues to grow.

It’s closeness to nature is underlined by the rolling grasslands of southern Alberta stretching out in all its splendour, the white-capped peaks of the majestic Rockies that look close enough to touch, and the cool waters of the gently flowing Sheep River runs right through the heart of it all.
But Okotoks is a modern prairie town with big-city amenities easily available, which is why its nearly 29,000 inhabitants love it so. And now there’s more to love with the variety of new communities that are growing fast in town.

Anthem United has been a big player in Okotoks spurring much of the town’s growth in the last few years with their young, dynamic communities of D’ARCY and Wedderburn on the north side of town. Partners Development Group also maintains a significant presence in town with townhome developments in D’ARCY and in Drake Landing. Partners’ head office is, in fact, in Okotoks.

Apex Development is just about ready to wrap up their hugely successful Mountainview community, with just a handful of lots left.

Enviable lifestyle

Jenny Cawthorn, Marketing Coordinator with Anthem United, says Okotoks’ considerable charms makes it an irresistible community for new homebuyers to settle in.

“Lifestyle is friendly and down to earth. Being only 15 minutes from the Calgary, you’re removed from the noise, yet Okotoks still has all the benefits. Including Costco and other big box stores.”

Its small-town nature comes through in its quaint and lovely Main Street, that offers unique, boutique stores found only in town, and a host of cafes and restaurants that people from all over make the effort to drive to and enjoy.

“We have heard numerous times that people relocate from other small towns to Okotoks because it “feels like home” to them,” Cawthorn says. “Kids grow up close and you get to know your neighbours. I have heard nothing but good things from people who grew up in the town.”

Jade Mahon, Vice-President of Operations and Development at Partners Development Group says she moved to Okotoks a couple years back when the company moved its head office there. She also missed the small town living she had been used to in Cochrane where she and her husband raised their kids.

“We realized we wanted to still be within a small community, and the company I work for, Partners Development Group, was moving their offices to Okotoks (Drake Landing) so that was a significant driver to move too. Okotoks gives us so many more amenities, and way less traffic issues, than Cochrane provides, even today!” she tells New Home + Condo Guide.

“Okotoks is a beautiful community that takes pride in what it can offer – and the mountains are so close and within our view, daily (pending overcast skies) – nature is our friend! I personally find it very refreshing – the residents want to be part of the community,” she adds.

New home options

The new communities of D’ARCY and Wedderburn by Anthem United are the primary focus of growth in Okotoks. They are the land developer’s third and fourth communities in town, following the enormously successful, and completed Drake Landing.

D’ARCY sits on 280 acres of prime real estate connected by a network of pathways that makes it unique, as it will be a place that gives its residents a chance to connect and enjoy enriching experiences right outside their back door.
The neighbourhood offers all the big things like future schools and shopping, dining, playgrounds, a skating rink, and a network of connected pathways. It also embraces the smaller details. The curve of D’ARCY’s streets reflects the view line to the mountains.

Like D’ARCY, Wedderburn is named after one of Okotoks’ storied farming families.

Wedderburn is a 160-acre subdivision that will be home to over 1,200 residents, feature a school site, central park space and a future vibrant mixed-use destination known as Gateway Village.

Both offer a wide variety of home styles at attainable prices. More than that they offer convenience as the two communities – just across the road from one another in northern Okotoks – are just 15 minutes away from Calgary.
D’ARCY has fee-simple townhomes from Partners Development Group, villas, laned homes and front-drive garage homes from some of the best homebuilders in southern Alberta. While Wedderburn offers paired homes, larger move-up two-storey homes and bungalows.

Townhome emphasis

Launching in 2019 and sold out in spring this year, Arrive D’ARCY, consisting of 74 homes, was the first fee-simple townhome development by Partners Development Group, featuring a mix of towns and bungalows. These street-oriented townhomes featured exteriors with stone pillars accented by fibre cement board exteriors mixed with premium vinyl, fully landscaped, and fenced rear yards and optional double car garages.

Partners has recently launched Phase II of their street towns being built in the next phase of D’ARCY that offer affordable bungalows starting in the low $420’s and townhomes starting in the $380s. They are also continuing development in Drake Landing for stacked 2- and 3-bedroom townhomes, and these will be rentals.

“This growing community needs diversified housing, so we are working towards that need. All certified BuiltGreen ™ as well, which we are very proud to be a member for 11 years now,” Mahon says.

Tons to see and do

Okotoks may seem like a sleepy southern Alberta town to those new to it, but it offers a wide range of recreational and entertainment opportunities.

Cawthorn says there’s great places for dining near their Wedderburn and D’ARCY communities, including Jerry’s at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club. They feature casual elegant dining experience offering chef inspired dishes. They have a Patio Menu, a Breakfast Menu and a Dine-In Menu.

Big Sky BBQ just outside D’ARCY’s gates offer an authentic taste of a Texas barbecue. They smoke only the freshest meat every single day, as they claim to sell out every single day.

The British Chippy is an institution in town serving the best fish and chips this side of the UK. And Heartland Café is at the very heart of Okotoks’ historic and charming Old Towne on Main Street.

The Sheep River Provincial Park is there for quiet walks that are sure to rejuvenate the soul with its natural beauty. The Big Rock erratic glacier is of course the place to bring visitors to and is where the town gets its name. And catching a Dawgs baseball game has become one of the hottest tickets in town during the season.

A local’s tips

Mahon has a huge list of favourites in Okotoks too. “We love Heartland Café as our favourite – gorgeous presentation and very very delicious; and the family that owns/runs it are lovely people! Okotoks has all the “typical chains” as well, but the few truly “local” restaurants that are found here are quaint and special! Hub Town Brewing Company opened over the last couple of years and that is a pretty happening place!”

The Sasktoon Berry Farm is a must for its fresh food and they have U Picks too, Mahon adds. “I always come home with berry pies” Okotoks has a museum and lots of art galleries too; and there are lots of golfing options in and around town.