Still Oakbank's Sage Place continues to quietly roll along, steadily gaining more residents with each passing year. That's the way it should be, says the man who has overseen the community for more than three decades, Springfield Lot Developers' Bob Handler.
"I would call us a jewel that has yet to be fully discovered," he says. "At the same time, we've prided ourselves on growing the community gradually to preserve an atmosphere that makes for real country living. The atmosphere here is akin to a country getaway. That's why people recommend Sage Place to friends and relatives. When they come out and see what we're offering, they're sold, more often than not."
Tucked away on Highway 206 off Dugald Road just outside the city's northeast quadrant, Sage Place's growth has mirrored the quiet, steady growth of Oakbank. Now, with more services and amenities coming on line on an almost weekly basis, Sage Place is poised to accommodate Oakbank's steady-to-rapid growth.
"Phase 2 of the development is 100 per cent completed and we're now into Phase 3A. Of 50 lots in that phase, 32 have already been spoken for. We expect the remaining 18 to be taken in short order, so we'll have another 50 lots coming available in the fall to meet increasing demand," Handler says. "It seems our secret is starting to get out."
There are several factors that make up that recipe for success. First among them, he says, is the fact that the lot sizes are significantly larger than in the city.
"The smallest lots are 80 feet by 140 feet. In Sage Place, there are only two-and-a-half units per acre, compared to four units per acre in Winnipeg. Not only that, but the side yards are no less than 10 feet on both sides, so homes are a minimum of 20 feet apart," he explains. "That means you often end up with 50 per cent more space for the same dollar amount. That's hard to beat; the amount of space is amazing."
A second factor -- the fact that Springfield Lot Developers isn't tied contractually to builders -- means that those wanting to build their dream home in Oakbank are free to choose their own builder.
This hasn't been lost on customers, not by a long shot, says Handler.
"We're land developers; we let the builders do their own thing," he says. "Of course, we have builders we use -- Foster Built (who's built in Sage Place since 1975), R & B Properties and Tricor Builders -- but whoever buys a lot from us has the freedom of choice to bring in their own builder. It's your home, so we're not going to dictate who has to build it. Our customers are in control, and they appreciate that."
A pair of other factors have also attracted more people to Oakbank, which is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Winnipeg: lower property taxes, and services that rival those found in the city.
"On the whole, I would say property taxes here come to about 30 per cent less than you would pay in Winnipeg -- that's a big savings. All the conveniences of the city are here too -- sewer, curbs and even the town's own municipal water supply (with fire hydrants)," he says. "Those are important features; they give you city conveniences in a rural atmosphere. I believe features like those -- plus great schools and a new shopping centre -- are making us a true suburb of Winnipeg."
Likewise, the easy commute into the city makes Sage Place a viable alternative to city living -- even in the face of rising gas prices.
"The travel back and forth is pretty much all highway," Handler says. "There's very little stop-and-go driving, so the gas costs of driving in the city are probably higher. I speak from experience; I live in Oakbank, and have talked to many of the residents. The consensus is that the drive isn't as stressful, and you get better mileage. You're also driving north-south, so the sun is never in your eyes, which is a plus."
He adds that above all, the biggest selling feature of Sage Place is the sense of space -- and community.
"You want to be able to relax when you get home from a long day at work, and all the space and quiet really allows you to do that," he says. "People also love the fact that this is a small community where you can get to know people. Here, all the neighbours are friendly and work together to make the community better. It's taken awhile for everything to come together, but we've tried to do things right. We're happy with how things have turned out so far, but the best is yet to come."
For more information on Sage Place, call Springfield Lot Developers at 956-2063 or 941-3222.
