MEET THE DEVELOPERS
As the creators of and visionaries behind DreamCatcher, Keenan Development Group is passionately devoted to the creation of exceptional properties that unite residents with each other and with nature.
What follows is an exclusive interview with Bill Keenan and Dale Chynoweth, Principals of Keenan Development Group.
You live in Florida and are successful developers there, but are also grass roots Canadians spending much of your vacation time in Canada. Tell us a little about your backgrounds and about some of your previous projects.
We have never fully left Canada and the vast majority of our vacations/travel have been to Canada. The people are wonderful, the country is gorgeous and we finally decided to expand our business there. This is really a homecoming as both principals lived in Alberta as University students, which then led to the pursuit of professional business and athletic credentials. Previous projects include millions of square feet of office, industrial and retail development, in addition to a thousand residential units. Our extensive experience allows us to choose only those projects for which we have great passion and DreamCatcher encapsulates our passion with its mystique.
Bill, you are a Canadian Hall of Fame, former World Champion Mogul skier, what can you tell us about skiing in Kimberley? Why did this particular site appeal to you?
Skiing in Kimberley is a wonderful combination of great snow, sunshine, rolling groomers, great bumps and powder stashes in the glades days after a storm cycle. The site appealed to us because it is centrally located, level, forested and the history of a former campground lends itself to a “cabins in the woods” theme.
How did Keenan Development Group first learn of the site, and what is your vision and philosophy for it?
The site had attracted interest to several developers; however, it took the ultimate approval of the airport expansion to cinch the economic outlook for the area. The vision is to create a community of alpine theme homes nestled in the existing forest utilizing the lowest impact construction means.
So you are creating a legacy project that will incorporate the best of mountain living, healthy lifestyle and adventure; what can you tell us about the amenities at DreamCatcher?
The area is unique because of the proximity to so many activities: We are just below the ski area with; Trickle Creek Golf course across the street; cross country skiing with both day and night trails; snowshoeing; hiking on hundreds of kilometers of trails including the massive nature park (bring a map!); river rafting; in addition to the local culture of a true mountain community with plenty of serenity.
Where did the name, “DreamCatcher” come from?
The DreamCatcher name was selected to marry the concept of a region with a first-nations history; the idea of dreaming of owning a vacation home in such a natural setting and finally catching your dream.
DreamCatcher is an incredibly valuable 25 acre site as it is minutes from the ski hill and edging onto a bluff with a million dollar outlook to the Rocky Mountains. What have you done to protect the environmental aspects of the site and have you incorporated any “green” building practices?
In an effort to reduce the excavation impact and thereby preserve the existing trees, the homes have been designed as slab-on-grade or with an optional shallow “daylight” basement. Likewise, the roads are narrow and wind around the original campground sites, also giving the feel of a rural forested landscape. Although not initially designed as a ‘Green’ project the building materials incorporate locally harvested natural renewable materials such as timbers, framing, wood siding and trim. Homes are fitted with low-energy glazing, in floor (highly efficient) heating and premium insulation and appliances. We intend to expand this aspect as we continue.
Many adventure enthusiasts choose to make their home (or second home) in Kimberley. Why do you think the area has been such a well-kept secret?
Kimberley is located just under 4 hours drive from (our major market) Calgary, both from the south and west. It has recently been “discovered” because the vacation markets, in between, have been heavily developed leaving only their secondary/tertiary markets for first-time buyers at substantial price points. In Kimberley, the extra 30-60-minute drive rewards you with a premium product at value pricing. Since DreamCatcher is so conveniently located to the amenities, the extra commute time is offset and by the end of your visit the total travel time is the same.
Can you tell us about timber frame construction and how it differs from typical log homes construction?
A timber frame structure featured in about half of our homes, utilizes the natural compressive and tensile properties of wood beams to provide an impressive open, floor plan without interior bearing walls. We like the idea that unlike many short term uses of forest products these majestic posts and beams will provide decades of function and aesthetics instead of, say, the Sunday newspaper for a single neighborhood, or buried behind the drywall of typical framed construction.
Are there any other unique features at DreamCatcher that a purchaser just can’t get at any of the other properties in the area? Please explain.
DreamCatcher has many unique features:
- large enough to offer a full service amenity center
- level to allow for low impact roads/services
- short walking distance on resort trail to a ski area, golf course, restaurants and hiking trails
- home sites exceeding ¼ acre in a resort community
- European architecture… true alpine design
Why should someone purchase a home from you?
We are an established and stable development organization. The two principles bring almost 50 years combined real estate experience along with chartered accountant financial credentials and the extensive travels of a world champion skier. Our philosophy is one of sharing our passion for the mountain lifestyle. Our goal is to provide our customers with a home to experience this passion along with their friends and family. We want, above all, to help them catch their dream. To paraphrase the great Warren Miller… if you don’t catch your dream this year, you will be at least one year older when you do. Your Time is Now.
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Website | www.keenandev.com