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Naramata Benchland Properties Media Coverage Penticton Western News, September 10, 2006 Benchlands project opens sales
Developers of a major residential project near Naramata say interest has been high as the first phase goes on sale this month. "The Naramata area is in high demand and there is limited availability of product," said Randy Kowalchuk of Locations West Investment Group. He and his business partner Robin Agur joined Boston Pizza founders Jim Treliving and George Melville in forming Naramata Benchland Properties (NBP) developing Benchlands, Naramata. It is a multi-phased, planned community near Naramata, with the first 44 estate home sites up for sale Oct. 21. This offering, according to NBP, represents the first time in 30 years that more than 25 home sites in a new subdivision will be available for purchase. Home sites range in size from half an acre to two acres, with prices ranging from $290,000 to the $700,000s, said Kowalchuk. Most of the interest has come from local buyers, he said. Others potential buyers currently call Vancouver and Calgary home. Those prices do not include the actual residence. Once buyers have chosen a lot, they can choose between three different styles for their actual residences, said Kowalchuk. "They have worked hard for a long time and this is an opportunity to build their dream home," he said, adding that the project includes design guidelines to ensure the homes will blend into the natural environment. Locations West chose Naramata for this project because of its natural beauty. "Naramata has very much a romance to it," said Kowalchuk. "It's magical." Melville agrees. "The magic of Naramata is its pristine natural beauty," he said, adding that the project was inspired by it. Each home site offers a spacious retreat surrounded by vineyards, wild life reserves and natural terraces, he said. While the project may be new, the relationship between the partners involved is not. T and M Management - the company whose investments include Boston Pizza - and Locations West have been doing business for over 30 years. Kowalchuk said that relationship - which includes significant financial assets - will ensure the project's success. "It brings certainty to the project," he said. Kowalchuk expects construction to get underway in the summer of 2007 with the first new residents moving in the fall of 2007. That would be almost two years to the date when the public first heard of the project which calls for multiple phases. Kowalchuk said NBP has approval for the first two phases. The second phase calls for 30 units. He added that company will review plans for additional phases in the future. The project created opposition from area residents who objected to the size of the development. Concerns focused on its size and other infrastructure issues. Reprinted from Penticton Western News
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