But in a quiet corner on the outskirts of Kananaskis sits a quiet, unassuming little town that has very much retained its small-town charm.

The town of Turner Valley with its population hovering around the 2,000 mark has remained true to its small town roots, even as similar towns surrounding Calgary continue to grow at a blistering pace. It is this natural charm and quiet way of life that Turner Valley has to offer that has attracted the biggest residential development project that the town has seen in years.

Arcadia Commons of Everwoods Estates is the first new multifamily project in Turner Valley in years. It was launched in late September and is turning heads and opening eyes to the tremendous potential the area has in exploring and enjoying the wide open prairie land and close by mountains.

Turner Valley Mayor Dona Fluter says the town welcomes the development, which she tells Condo Living goes a long way in promoting the lifestyle balance that the town is aiming for.

“Our small town community spirit is still very much in evidence, and we offer the best possible opportunities in raising young families, and even as a retirement community and (Arcadia Commons) encourages this balanced way of life,” Fluter says.

Nowhere else can a lifestyle offering such an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities match the affordability and ease of life this town just south of Calgary offers, says Alicia Lucyszyn of Kimcorp Turner Valley Development Ltd., which is undertaking the ambitious project.

“There is plenty of potential in Turner Valley for young families, first-time buyers, empty nesters and professionals who want to get away from the busy city life,” Lucyszyn notes. “It has a tonne of recreational amenities and remains an easy drive to the city.”

The Turner Valley and Black Diamond corridor is just 20 minutes to the southern limits of Calgary and is known as a gateway to the Rockies. There are exciting opportunities for hiking, fishing, and backpacking, while day trips to the mountains are an everyday possibility. Of course, the presence of a golf course in town also helps to give the area its reputation as an area that offers a very active lifestyle.

The Arcadia Commons project aims to bring all this exciting potential to the fore; bringing with it of course the top-notch quality and design that Kimcorp has established a name for with its various high-end condo redevelopment projects in the Calgary core.

Arcadia Commons will be a fourplex and townhome community within the Everwoods Estates area of Turner Valley. There will be 36 units in total—five buildings of fourplexes (20 units) and four buildings of townhomes (16 units). The rows of fourplexes and townhomes will face each other from across a street in the well-landscaped complex.

There are two standard floor plans for fourplexes, sized at approximately 1,416 square-feet plus an unfinished basement. There are also two standard floor plans for townhomes, which are about 1,291 square-feet, not including the basement. Starting at the mid-$250,000s, Arcadia Commons does present a terrific value, Lucyszyn says.

The fourplex and townhome units all feature three bedrooms with options in the townhome units for larger two-bedroom layouts instead. Full bathrooms, in-suite laundry and linen closets are upstairs, while master bedrooms also feature walk-in closets.

Arcadia Commons will boast a more modern design vibe than what its quaint surroundings may suggest, says Lucyszyn. “Nine-foot ceilings in the main room and a very open floor plan will appeal to a wide range of lifestyles, plus the potential for additional living spaces that the basement offers gives terrific value to our homes,” she adds.

But she adds that its location is still its biggest plus.

“The community of Turner Valley is beautiful and quiet, still very undeveloped. Residents in Arcadia Commons can commute to Okotoks or Calgary but have the quiet country living that Arcadia Commons in Turner Valley has to offer. It is a great little community to raise a family,” says Lucyszyn. “(The location is) close to Kananaskis country and the Chain Lakes for the avid outdoor enthusiast. We are the first multi-family community going in, So this will appeal to a lot of current residents as well as those moving back to the area,” she adds. CL