Amenities include a free form pool, two hot tubs, a steam room, exercise room, coffee shop, library, forty seat state of the art theatre, pool tables, shuffle board, two lane bowling alley, craft room, two social rooms and John’s pride and joy:  the woodworking shop. The underground parking even has two car wash bays -- just about anything one could think of!  John explains, “Mr. Reinheller, owner of Medican, wanted to create a development where everything his parents would ever need or require once they retired” was at hand, and thus Medican has built complexes with many things residents most desire.

Country Estates on the Cove is a forty plus and up adult only complex, with the majority of residents being active seniors.  John describes the people who live in the elegantly designed and decorated condos as:  “A real collection. We’ve been blessed with great neighbours.  The residents are such a friendly bunch.”

“Volunteers make the place”, he adds, which, in his opinion, helps keeps the condo fees down. Fees include heat, water, gas, and the numerous amenities.  John says, “All we pay for is our telephone and television.” The “big jobs”, such as mowing the grass, snow removal, and carpet cleaning are taken care of by contracted companies, but things such as cleaning the pool, security, the recycling programme, helping with maintenance, including some yard work, as well as the Social Committee, are done by a core group of “dedicated” volunteers.  The people who make up the Social Committee “are really good”, continues John. Well attended events include Irish Night, New Year’s Eve, Stampede Barbeque, and Octoberfest. Several nights a week, different card games are played, which “have brought out people who never really socialized before.”

John, 73, retired twelve years ago after owning an auto wrecking yard in the Victoria, B.C. area.  With some time spent working at Woodward’s, Marlyne, 72, mainly held down the home front, enjoying their five children.  “We had a busy life before we moved here. We are so busy with family, that we miss out on some social events. It’s been a great place to make new friends, especially for people who moved into the city or from elsewhere,” states Marlyne.

Marlyne and John are originally from Saskatchewan, but John, when a child, moved and was raised in British Columbia.  Marlyne hadn’t traveled much until she married John.  They lived in Victoria for twenty one years, but once their family grew up and moved away from home, John and Marlyne traveled more, including Japan and the United States.  They chose to retire to Calgary because three of their children and their families lived in Calgary.  John clarifies: “We were coming here every two months to see them, so we decided to sell out and retire to Calgary,” choosing a two storey home with fully developed walk-out basement in Hidden Valley in 1994.

Marlyne laughs. “People said, ‘Don’t you have that wrong?  You’ve got that backwards!  People are supposed to retire to Victoria, not Calgary.’”

Very much a “spur of the moment purchase” in January 2003, they bought their 1100 square foot two bedroom, two bathroom condo unit, says Marlyne, “because of the design:  it is a corner unit and I liked its squareness.”  But there was a small glitch:  with no siding on the building and no shingles on the roof when the gregarious couple had planned to move in March of that year, there was no occupancy permit; only their furniture could be moved in, so “it was payback time”, Marlyne chuckles, and the couple stayed with one of their daughters until May.

John loved seeing the construction of the complex since they purchased while the units were still in the 2x4 stage.  “We are some of the first fifteen people that originally moved in.  We really got to know the first group that lived here. There’s just something about that first bunch.  We connected.”  All 252 units are now occupied.  When one does come on the market, it sells very quickly, according to John.

When not busy in the woodworking shop, John enjoys sitting in his chair in the living room looking out a east facing window and checking out the activity outside.  (In Victoria, they had a view from their home of the ships going to Port Angeles, Washington, which John still misses.) Their home here has the view of the community of Country Hills and the complex’s courtyard, including gazebos, pond and waterfall.  Different views from the other units and the spacious common areas include the large lake, the airport control tower in the distance, as well as Downtown Calgary.

The living room may be John’s favourite space in the unit, but the second bedroom/office/sewing room is Marlyne’s!  Found here is the centre for Marlyne’s creativity.  She is an talented seamstress with projects including ballet costumes, graduation dresses and wedding gowns for their large and expanding family.  Two large windows grace the room, providing a great deal of natural light.  John is quick to mention his favourite place in the complex is the woodworking shop – the place he creates heirloom quality pieces for their family, as well as practical items for fellow residents.  His latest project is a rocking horse for his great-grandchildren.

Keeping Marlyne and John company is their Bichon Shih Tzu, Oliver.  A path around the lake is an excellent area to walk their dog.  “He’s been good for our health.”  The path also leads them to many stores, services and restaurants in the area.  “It’s the perfect location for older people.  You don’t even need a car,” states John.

There is such a wonderful sense of community for The Ewart’s at Country Estates on the Cove.  They live close to family, have made new friends and have almost limitless amenities just out their door.  “It’s like living in a five star hotel,” says Marlyne proudly.  Summer camp in luxurious accommodations…..life is grand!  CL