Golf just one of the perks at Predator Ridge

Big draws are lifestyle, stunning vistas and access to hiking/biking trails

By Steve MacNaull, Freelance August 21, 2010

You'd assume the No. 1 reason people buy a home at a golf resort is the golf.

"No, it's the lifestyle," says property specialist Claire Radford of Predator Ridge Golf Resort near Vernon, B.C.

"Golf, of course, is a big part of that lifestyle, but so is this stunning mountain and lakes scenery, long summers, fitness centre, hiking and biking trails and sense of community."

Predator Ridge is the 1,200-acre (480-hectare) swath perched fittingly on the ridge of mountains between Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes just south of Vernon.

Currently, 415 homes surround two 18-hole championship golf courses there, with amenities including outdoor and indoor pools with hot tubs, fitness centre, clubhouse, restaurant, cafe, market, hiking and biking trails.

"The plan is for 2,100 homes," says Rob Davidson of Vancouver-based Wesbild, the contractor developing Predator Ridge.

"And that's homes of all kinds, from affordable condominiums and cottages to bigger and custom homes. We want to appeal to all kinds of buyers."

That means studio condos in the Lodge starting at $169,000, all the way up to $1-million-plus mansions on big lots with killer views.

"We're the consummate Predator Ridge buyers," says Edmonton's Lesley Daly of herself and husband Don.

"We first bought here years ago -- a time share in the Falcon Point neighbourhood. But then we wanted to be able to come here whenever we wanted, so we bought a bungalow. And then that was too small for all the company we were getting, so we moved into the four-bedroom rancher we're in now."

The next step for the Dalys is the purchase of a prime lot at Predator Ridge to build their dream custom home.

"It will still be four bedrooms for all the company we get," stresses Lesley. "But it will have the ultimate kitchen I've been after."

The Dalys -- who own and operate electrical contracting firm Territorial Electric in Edmonton -- plan to spend even more time at Predator Ridge when they retire in the not-too-distant future.

"Don's a fanatic golfer; I'm a social golfer," explains Lesley.

"So Don wants to be here for the golf. But we both also love being in the Okanagan and having the mountains and better weather. The fact that our homes have all been maintenance-free is a bonus."

So far at Predator Ridge, about half of the 415 owners are from Alberta -- split evenly between Edmonton and Calgary.
Vancouver has been a good market as has the close-in Okanagan market.

About a third of the homes built so far are occupied by full-time residents; the rest are used as second and vacation homes, with many of the owners planning to move in full time when they retire.

Predator Ridge prides itself on providing homes that are ready to move into right now as well as custom-built options.

For instance, the most inexpensive homes at the resort are the studio condos in the three Lodge buildings right beside the clubhouse, restaurant, cafe and market.

Resales of such units start at $169,000.

The 80 condos in the Lodge buildings also act as Predator Ridge's hotel, with overnight rates starting at $159.

For the fifty-eight cottages within the same area, sales start at $359,000 for a 1,320-square-foot, two-bedroom, 2-1/2-bath model, with overnight rates starting at $199.

All rentals of the condos and cottages are managed by Predator Ridge in-house.

Predator Ridge currently has four other types of housing available and under development.

The Osprey Green townhouses overlooking the golf course are the most affordable, starting at $349,000 for a 1,320-square-foot, two-bedroom, 2-1/2-bath model.

Two-bedroom-with-den homes in the Longspoon Ridge neighbourhood start at $420,000.

Big, luxurious villas start at $629,000.

There are also some prime lots with views in the Falcon Point neighbourhood priced from $311,000, where it's expected large custom homes will be constructed.

None of the prices includes golf membership at the two 18-hole courses --the 5,965 yard par 71 Predator course and the 6,208 yard par 72 Ridge course

Membership in these premier Okanagan courses is $25,000, with annual dues of $2,400.

For more information, check out www.predatorridge.com or call 1-866-578-2233.
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