Breathing room by Big Lake
First In: Open bungalow offers ample age-in-place space
In the duplex where she and her husband Ken lived for nine years, “you always had neighbours on your back,” says Lory Dalueg. Before that, a five-floor split-level home required daily running up and down stairs to get between main rooms.
So when this travel agent and construction company owner in their early 50s went shopping for the home they expect to carry them into retirement they had their wish list down cold: a quiet location for a bungalow.
“My husband has arthritis, so we wanted a house where you could live even if you never left the main floor,” says Lory, who says they’ve done just that in the two years since they moved in, because they’ve yet to develop the basement.
“We wanted everything — my laundry, my bedroom, my living area — all on the main floor.”
The trouble was, to get so many rooms in the size they desired, situated on one level, they were looking at purchasing a very large lot. In the city, proper, that meant $200,000 for the site, alone.
But in Trumpeter by Big Lake, the Daluegs found a massive, pie-shaped lot for considerably less than that, and were able to build the style and scale of house they’d dreamed about: a bungalow with 1,676 square feet on the main floor.
Although the community has more than doubled in size from the 100 homes that were built in 2012 when they moved in, it’s uncommonly quiet. Their lot backs on to a storm pond and a green belt, with a walkway on one side, so it’s not only exceptionally private, it’s “like living in the country,” says Lory. “You don’t hear the traffic. It’s quiet, peaceful. You hear the coyotes and the geese.”
WHERE IS IT?
Trumpeter by Big Lake is a cosy enclave located just west of 199th Street, north of where the Yellowhead meets Anthony Henday Drive, in the city’s northwest. It’s 20 minutes to downtown, 10 minutes to St. Albert and less than five minutes to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park.
THE APPEAL:
An $80,000 saving on the price of the lot was an immediate positive in the Daluegs’ eyes. But so was the slightly quirky, semi-isolated location. “It sounds funny, because with the Yellowhead to the south and the Henday to the east, there’s a lot around us that can’t be developed,” say Lory. “So it’s almost like we get to leave the city at the end of the day and just go ‘whew.’ ”
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD FEATURES
With so much natural space on its borders, the area has an array of wildlife. In addition to the coyotes there are “rabbits, deer, geese,” says Ken. Lory appreciates the wide variety of shopping nearby aside from West Edmonton Mall. “I’ve got direct access to 137th Avenue, and 184th Street in the west end. I can be at 137th Avenue and 127th Street in 10 minutes, and St. Albert in five. My dad’s in Lessard, so I just jump on the Henday.” Meanwhile, the cul-de-sac they live on has a diverse mix of families, from people their own age, “who are another 10 years to retirement, plus some older couples and younger people with families.”
FAVOURITE ELEMENT OF THE HOME
The big backyard is a huge plus. The Daluegs’ three small dogs have loads of space for romping, a gazebo and hot tub have fit in comfortably already, and there’s plenty of room still available for the couple’s plans to add to their basic landscaping with waterfalls, rivers and flower beds.
RECREATION
Between their big backyard, the ample walkways in this community and Lois Hole park, there’s a lot of great outdoors to explore in all weather.
THIS BUILDER
The bungalow’s “open, open plan” and vaulted ceilings delight the couple, but so did finding out that Montorio Homes was happy to apply modifications to its original blueprint. These included lengthening the 20-foot garage to 24 feet to accommodate their oversized truck, and moving walls in the master bedroom to give their extra-large bedroom
suite breathing space.
CHALLENGES
It’s still a developing community, but Lory is hoping that the greenbelt’s grasses get filled in soon.
Also, “I would like to see a little bit of commercial development come in, even if it’s just a convenience store, a hair salon or a gas bar area,” says Lory.
“There are areas to the west really taking off, Hawks Ridge to the west of us, and Starling to the east and north, so hopefully in time there may be a grocery store.”
But at the moment, Lory finds it easy and convenient to do her weekly grocery shopping in St. Albert.
PRICES:
Lots start at $145,000. Lots similar in size to the Daluegs’ start at $187,500. Houses start at $300,000. Several large lots remain in their development and there are more phases of development to come.