Qualico Communities Winnipeg Blog

Naturalized wetlands have become key features in the creation of our Qualico communities. Wetland construction is a detailed and timely process; it takes multiple phases or stages that progress over a number of years in order for a wetland to reach full maturity. However, once completely established, a naturalized wetland provides many benefits to a community such as helping to clean the watershed, providing valuable habitat for local wildlife and plant species, and offering a place of relaxation and recreation for residents and visitors alike.

Take a look below to see how it all begins (and grows!)

When the bitter, cold prairie winter hits, so does the desire to pack your bags and jet-off to a warmer destination. A place where the parkas and snow boots can be swapped for shorts and sandals as a wardrobe staple. Whether you choose to escape the cold with a short weekend getaway or a week-long vacation with family and friends, it’s important to prepare your home for when you are away to ensure you stay stress-free from take-off to landing.

Here are some tips to keep in mind prior to your departure:

We are well into October and with Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to give your house the haunted treatment. Follow these tips to transform your home into the spookiest house on the block and to attract trick-or-treaters in your neighbourhood.

Knowing who maintains which boulevard can be confusing. To help clarify the procedures on boulevard maintenance, we’ve put together this guide to help you determine who is responsible for a specific area.

Having a home that backs onto a public reserve can be quite scenic. Homeowners can look out their windows to enjoy the naturalized areas that are usually incorporated along trails, parks and wetlands. Native grasses and plants provide valuable habitat and food sources to local wildlife while also helping to clean our air and watershed.

Winnipeg winters are notorious for being cold, dark and seemingly everlasting. However, one doesn’t need to look far to find a local event, attraction or activity that embraces the coldest season and all that comes with it. One such popular event is, of course, Festival du Voyageur.

As a long-standing sponsor of Festival du Voyageur, Qualico Communities annually selects a prominent location to place one of the event’s famous snow sculptures. This year, because of their popularity, we decided to collaborate with local artists to offer not only one but five snow sculptures in our communities.

Winter can seem never-ending but instead of wishing it away, it’s nice to make the most of it. During these winter months it’s important to get a daily dose of fresh air and sunshine, even on the blustery cold days. As an old saying by Alfred Wainwright goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

In the spirit of being hardy Winnipeggers, here are some activities to get you and your family outside this winter to get active, create new memories and have fun in the comfort of your own backyard.

Qualico Communities' commitment to sustainability is at the core of our culture and embedded in our communities. It’s an important part of who we are, and we demonstrate this responsibility each day by creating environments where people, plants and wildlife coexist.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at 4 Siskin Bay in Sage Creek as Sterling Homes provides us with some of the most sought-after answers pertaining to new home design.

If you live in Oak Bluff you can take comfort knowing there are additional eyes looking out for the safety of you and your neighbours. Many attempted crimes in Oak Bluff have been deterred thanks to the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP). This volunteer group has approximately 12 active patrols in the community who work in partnership with law enforcement to help keep the neighbourhood safe.

Qualico Communities is proud to introduce its newest community, Bison Run. This name pays tribute to the strong historical significance of Manitoba’s wildlife and ties to the new neighbourhood’s surroundings. Located in Waverley West, this new development is bordered between Bridgwater Forest, Bridgwater Centre, South Pointe and is near the University of Manitoba campus.

Within the last year, the lumber industry has gone through some tremendous changes. Those who are planning summer projects, should be aware and prepared before ordering materials.

A rain garden can add a beautiful display of colour to your yard and provide food and habitat to pollinators all while helping to clean our waterways.

Get the most out of this year’s Parade of Homes by viewing the finest examples of creativity and craftsmanship in Manitoba’s home building industry. This bi-annual event is hosted by the Manitoba Home Builder’s Association (MHBA) and continues to be the largest Parade of Homes in Canada.

If you’re considering building a new home, this event is the perfect opportunity to speak with a variety of builders to gather inspiration for your future dream home.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your Parade of Homes experience:

Many of us are busy getting the kids ready with new clothes, school supplies, and more, but what about your home? Here are some of our tips for each room in your home to get back to school ready!

When looking for a home, or considering building new, you may have heard of a spec home. For some, spec home may sound like a vague name, so we are here to clarify and instil a few reasons why you may actually want to purchase a spec home.

RidgeWood West is a unique community located in Charleswood. What makes it unique? It’s a new home community in an area known for having more established homes. Now, you can build a new home in the picturesque neighbourhood that backs out onto open prairie landscapes.

New communities are being designed to be walkable with the goal of encouraging active lifestyles. Qualico Communities are the same way, but are also designed to improve sustainability. Limestone trails, as opposed to paved trails, provide many benefits to each community, giving back to the natural surroundings, pets and residents alike.

Taking care of your home is an on-going task. Though new homes don’t require renovations, they do need regular maintenance. From power washing your windows and siding, to checking the furnace filter, these little things can go a long way to maintain the value of your home, and in some cases, keep your family safe.

Floorplans are the very first step in everything coming together–allowing you to visualize the layout of your home in a simplified and uncluttered way. Reading your floorplans, you’ll be able to see your new home take shape, make adjustments to the design (if needed), and get a better idea of what life will be like when it’s finished.

Working to build more sustainable communities in Winnipeg, Qualico re-introduces native plants and grasses into new developments, preserving existing natural elements, creating walkable communities and using as many locally-sourced materials as possible.

Buying a house is, in most cases, the biggest purchase a family makes. Whether it’s your first home, second, or third, saving for the down payment can take some work. 

Driving through any of Qualico’s many different communities, you’ll notice a high standard of style and design throughout the homes. Builders meet with Qualico Communities to discuss and design the overall aesthetic of each neighbourhood adhering to these guidelines during the builds.

One of the major benefits to owning a new home is energy efficiency. New and efficient homes reduce the amount of time and money you need to spend to keep it maintained and in proper shape. We often hear about how new homes are more efficient, but what makes them better performers than older homes?

With 2017 coming to a close, Qualico Communities has had an exciting year full of growth and expansion. From the grand opening of a new community, releases of new community phases and fun events residents were able to take part in, there was a lot to celebrate.

This is the first of a series of blogs to help break down the steps of building a new home so that you can start to see yourself in a home in one of our inviting communities. The series will cover tips for choosing your community, selecting the builder, designing your home, and finally, how to stay sane during the build.