Steinbach gains momentum as Manitoba destination

There’s no time like the present to explore our province and discover communities past the Perimeter. Manitobans are sticking close to home during this pandemic period, and many folks are realizing that we have a treasure trove of hidden gems right within our reach. One such community is Steinbach, which continues to gain momentum as a popular day trip — or even as a new place to call home.As the third-largest city in Manitoba, Steinbach has plenty to offer for everyone from young families to recent retirees. Wes Unger, a broker with RE/MAX Performance Realty in Steinbach, has observed some shifting trends in the area. “We’ve noticed that more and more people are coming from Winnipeg to retire in Steinbach for lots of different reasons,” he said. “They’re finding that Steinbach really is a great place to enjoy their retirement.”Located about a 35 minute drive from Winnipeg, Steinbach offers all the amenities of vibrant city life within a cozy community setting. Brand name retail stores provide products with convenience, while franchise restaurants serve up familiar comfort foods. At the same time, local entrepreneurs operate unique businesses that add a creative flair to the thriving economic hub. “Whatever you’re looking for, chances are you can find it in Steinbach,” Unger said. “We’ve also got one of the nicest golf courses in Manitoba, which attracts a lot of people from Winnipeg and surrounding areas.”Other recreational draws include the Steinbach Aquatic Centre, complete with water slides, lazy river, hot tub, sauna and much more. The T.G. Smith Centre bustles with arena activity on its two indoor ice surfaces and one outdoor ice surface, plus its pro-shop, multi-purpose room and food concession that operate during the winter.The community also boasts an 84-bed hospital complete with CancerCare programs and a state-of-the-art birthing ward. Within the community, Steinbach seniors are well served with independent living options, as well as supportive housing and personal care homes. For those considering retirement in Steinbach, a development called Berkeley Bend Condominiums is proving to be another popular housing option for a carefree lifestyle.“Berkeley Bend is a bungalow-style condominium with detached condos and side-by-sides,” Unger said. “There are 46 units all together, and they are currently about 74 per cent sold.”Berkeley Bend, a back-to-back Parade of Homes gold award winner, offers maintenance-free living with no need to worry about lawn care or snow clearing. Each home comes with the convenience of main floor laundry, central air and attached garages. Other features include laminate floors, cedar-tone decks, insulated basements, concrete driveways and fully landscaped yards. “There truly is something for everyone here. In addition, Steinbach has a less dense population to provide a sense of safety, especially during COVID-19,” Unger said. “Many Manitobans are realizing that there’s a lot more to Steinbach than they ever imagined.”For more information about housing options at Berkeley Bend Condominiums, visit www.berkeleybend.ca, call Wes Unger at 204-371-7938 or email him at wes@wesunger.com. 

There’s no time like the present to explore our province and discover communities past the Perimeter. Manitobans are sticking close to home during this pandemic period, and many folks are realizing that we have a treasure trove of hidden gems right within our reach. 

One such community is Steinbach, which continues to gain momentum as a popular day trip — or even as a new place to call home.As the third-largest city in Manitoba, Steinbach has plenty to offer for everyone from young families to recent retirees. 

Live like you mean it

While their tagline, “Time to jump right in,” is a double entendre on an easy lifestyle set alongside a beautiful beach, currently expanding for the fifth time, Cherry Hill Living has plenty to offer on top of a place to swim, kayak or fish.

Driving into the property, just 45 minutes south east of Winnipeg, through the wrought iron gates, one is immediately met with a feeling of peace. A meticulously manicured space with large lots and an abundance of trees, it’s easy to see how one could ‘jump right in.’ In fact, between the restored barn operating as Harry’s Bar, a clubhouse facility for families and friends to gather; the groomed beach complete with two play structures and a public dock as well as the pickle ball courts and walking paths, the site itself is quite spectacular but so too is the quality of life.

When I toured the property, Joan Fehr was my guide. She and her husband Harry Fehr are the owners of Cherry Hill. They found and fell in love with the property back in the early 2000’s. A long-time area native, Joan grew up swimming in gravel pits, picnicking on shore. She is lovely and gentle in her approach as she tells me about how they dreamt of one day making Cherry Hill Living a reality. 

“When we first saw the property, we didn’t know what we would do with it, but knew we had to have it,” she said. “We absolutely love it here and have so much fun.”

Construct Your Dreams

With travel at a standstill and many Manitobans staying put this summer, cabin fever may have taken on a new twist. In recent Features, we’ve shared with you the many options for creative staycations. Our Homes section is filled with renovation ideas, and backyard planning has never been so prominent. But if the extra hours of day dreaming have led you to the decision that you’re ready to make a move, draw up plans for your forever home, and get ready.

Synonymous with freedom, as in school is back in session; fall often affords parents a little more room to breathe, less refereeing required. And although this year’s education protocols aren’t quite laid out, plans for the Fall Parade of Homes are. A staple in the Winnipeg real estate market, the ‘Parade brings together dreamers and builders. Custom carpenters and interior designers. Furniture shops and landscape architects to show case beautiful engineering and design.

Lanny McInnes, President and CEO of Manitoba Home Builders Association says, “Our Parade show homes provide you with a wide variety of home design choices as well as the finest examples of Manitoba craftsmanship and creativity. These show homes represent the best in home design and construction available anywhere in Canada.”

Festivities Without the Festivals

This summer is likely going to look different than last. With responsible distancing encouraged, Manitobans can’t gather in quite the same fashion that we’re used to. And with so many events that we look forward to all winter long now cancelled or postponed — like the many summertime festivals that showcase music, food and well… togetherness — it’s time to get creative with your summer festivities.

To start, our nation’s birthday is just around the corner, or smack dab in the middle of next week. This July 1st bring Canada home to your backyard. On the prairies, we’ve grown plenty of entrepreneurs who’ve made their mark with yummy sauces, cheeses and stouts. Barbecue up some fresh fish or cue up some Manitoba beef.

You can support local farmers and breweries in one shot. Many local restaurants are still offering catering options, which can make for an easy and likely breezy, day. Treat the big kids in your life to boozy popsicles, fill balloons with water or have a family sack race.

KING OF THE…

My dad passed when I was fresh eyed, ready to take on the world. At a time in my life when I was about to learn how to tie my own shoes and grow a plant in a Styrofoam cup. I had just entered kindergarten. To my providence, my maternal grandfather, stepped in, and filled up most of the space where a father should have been.

Next Sunday is Father’s Day, an occasion to celebrate the men in our lives who have helped to shape us. Inclined to title this piece King of the Grill, I am not too far removed to know the role of a father figure encompasses so much more than an open flame and a pair of barbeque tongs.

This Father’s Day, instead of buying yet another tie, why not honour dad with something uniquely Winnipeg. Think wooden signs, bird houses, growlers! Create an experience for dad and treat him to homemade pizza or a table for two on your favourite patio. Buy him a certificate to have his oil changed or take him on a trip to your favourite Manitoba destination. Get ice cream, chat about whatever makes him feel like a king in his own right.

This year will likely be celebrated on a smaller scale, although dads tend to be pretty low key in general, as we think about broad shouldered men who wear tool belts, dole out the wisdom and don whiskers. Think too about the ways our fathers have adapted to change. How they are no longer the sole guardians of home maintenance and yard care.

Get Growing, Griling or Grooving

Russell Conwell said, "You can journey to the ends of the earth in search of success, but if you’re lucky, you will discover happiness in your own backyard."

A backyard can express happiness in the freedom it offers both as an extension of living space and an expression of personality. A sunken swimming pool, for example, speaks to the more adventurous spirits, the fun seeking, group gathering sort; whereas a koi pond may be a more suitable backdrop for serenity – a place to gather your thoughts or set an intention for your day.

Whether it’s the warmth of a fire you’re fond of or a garden lined with rows of ripe, juicy tomatoes; whether you prefer a patio table for dining alfresco or a tree house that calls to the kiddos – if you're lucky, happiness can be found in your own backyard.

This May long-weekend, with a little can do and a lot of creativity, with a couple of skilled tradespeople and products built to last, fresh air is calling and you don’t have far to go to find it. After all, this weekend to kick off summer, is synonymous with drive-in movies and yard work. And seeing as one lives on only in our memories, you might as well pull out your work gloves and get going.

Cultivating joy

Having house plants, being in the garden, touching freshly tilled earth, eating what you’ve grown — not to mention the miracle that is witnessing a flower come full bloom — no matter how you look at it, plants are good for the human soul.

Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Reflecting upon the recent global pandemic and the request for people to stay home, I find myself looking for more ways to cultivate beauty in my abode. In fact, the presence of freshly baked goods of any kind, lounging on my granite reminds me that everything is going to be okay. And if it’s not, there’s always pie.

I have music streaming more often, and at a higher volume. I begin my day with acoustic classic, sing my way through food prep as I amble to get dinner on the table and lean into smooth jazz after a long day.

House plants and the appearance of my yard are also top of mind. I want to look out over my kitchen sink and see a retreat from the uncertainty in the world. I want to move earth around knowing there’s hope the little seed I planted will bloom into something more, something better.