Horsing around in Caledon - Countdown to Pan Am games is on!

This past weekend was an exciting one for horse enthusiasts in Ontario, as the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament took place at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave. The event was a huge success, with over 800 horses competing, $200,000 in prizes awarded, and some competitors qualifying for the upcoming finals at the prestigious Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. It was also a great taste of what’s to come in the fast approaching 2015 Pan Am Games, another exciting competition that the venue is hosting. 

Caledon Equestrian Park is a world-class facility with a well-earned reputation in the international equestrian community. The hub for all horse-lovers in Ontario, the park has hosted countless World Cup qualifiers, Pan Am and Olympic selection trials, and more than 150 National Grand Prix events. The facility will host dressage and show jumping competitions during the upcoming games of 2015 and is currently undergoing a major renovation that will upon completion include a new stadium, temporary and permanent seating, a new grand prix arena, and new training facilities.

Being referred to as the ‘People’s Games’, the 2015 Pan Am event is expected to benefit the town of Caledon for many years to come, as it will help to create jobs, support the community and keep the local economy on track for generations to come. 

One of the reasons we love living in Caledon is that we too are equine enthusiasts. For that reason, we’re always thrilled to see our community thriving as a direct result of the passion so many of us share for horses.

If you’ve never been horseback riding before, it’s never too late to learn. There are dozens of places in the Caledon area where you can enjoy lessons and trail rides no matter what your level of experience is.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the upcoming 2015 Pan Am Games, would like more information about where in the area you can learn to ride, or if you’d like to share details about an upcoming event that our readers would enjoy, we welcome you to comment below, or give us a call. Your feedback and contributions are always appreciated!


- The Stuart Sinclair Team
info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com


PS- Looking to take your love of horses to the next level? Check out this beautiful Erin property that we’re marketing. Amazing entrepreneurial investment opportunity! For details click here.

Goodbye wood panelling and low ceilings... the evolution of the finished basement

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to optimize a home’s “footprint” is to extend its living space to the lower level. Finished basements may be nothing new, but they sure have come a long way. There was a time (not THAT long ago) that having comfortable living space on the lower level of a home was uncommon. And even when the trend started growing, it was often something that families saved up for over a few years and gave a lot of thought to before actually completing. Most of us remember the “finished” basements of our youth – wood (or fake wood) panelled walls, low ceilings, not-so-great lighting, and so on. They may have served their purpose for our pool tables or messy teenage bedrooms, but we never forgot that we were in the basement.

Today's finished lower levels have come a long way, to the point where they don't even feel like 'basements' at all. They’re simply extensions of the main living areas above, with higher ceilings, plenty of natural light and the same level of comfort as the rest of the home. When done right, basement renovations can add value to a home, freshen up the whole feel of the property, yield extra space for living and storage, or can even add opportunity for rental income into the mix.

As our readers know, we always love sharing details about new properties that hit the market in Caledon. This latest one we're marketing at the Stuart Sinclair Team is a real gem... excellent part of town, huge lot, great curb appeal, modern design, and YES!!!....a beautifully renovated basement!

86 Ellwood Drive West in Bolton is an absolutely lovely 3-bedroom home makes a lasting impression from the moment you lay eyes on it. It features plenty of natural light, hardwood flooring, beautifully updated bathrooms, plus a spacious kitchen with breakfast area for mornings on the run. The backyard is large and offers incredible privacy; an excellent space for relaxing or entertaining.

The lower level of the property, however, is the real showstopper! It has been immaculately finished with a bedroom, bathroom, gas fireplace, and lots of pot lights, meaning it doesn’t feel at all like you are in a basement. Complete with separate entrance, this space could make a perfect nanny or in-law suite, or would be great for family movie nights, kids sleepovers, or just as extra space when accommodating out-of-town guests. High ceilings, pot lights galore, and a streamlined modern design that helps it to blend beautifully as an extension to the rest of the home. To find out more about 86 Ellwood Drive West, click here.

If you or someone you know might be interested in this Bolton home and would like to arrange a showing, please don't hesitate to contact us. Even if you aren't thinking of selling or buying in the immediate future, we're always here to help when it comes to your homeownership needs. Do you have a finished basement that needs some work? Thinking of taking the plunge with an overhaul of an unfinished lower level? Need information on retrofitting a finished basement into a legal rental unit? Don't hesitate to contact us. We've got plenty of advice on all these topics and more, and we're happy to answer any questions you have.

All the best!

The Stuart Sinclair Team
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

Caledon says goodbye to smoking in public spaces

Peel residents, Caledon included, can now breathe a deep breath of fresh air in light of a new by-law that came into effect just yesterday. The new Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law now makes it illegal to smoke within nine metres of any municipally-owned building or public area.

We all know that smoking is bad for our health, but the effects of second-hand smoke from tobacco products can be equally detrimental, especially for children whose lungs are immature, often leading to asthma, ear infections and bronchitis.

Now residents will be able to enjoy outdoor activities, community centres, libraries and playgrounds without having to worry about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

This is one positive step towards a healthier and environmentally friendly Caledon, and something that residents (smokers and non-smokers alike) should be proud of.

In the past 10 years, the rate of smoking has declined with advanced awareness of the negative health impact as well as several other by-laws that have eliminated smoking in restaurants, covered patios, and other public places, and the hope is that this new legislation will also help Peel residents finally butt-out! It is estimated that approximately 15% of Peel residents are smokers.

The strain smoking puts on the healthcare system in our communities is also significant, with nearly 700 deaths and over 3000 smoking-related hospitalizations annually.

In addition to the bylaw’s aim of limiting residents’ exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and relieving some of that strain, it also hopes to reduce litter and encourage smokers to kick the habit.

The by-law is being enforced in full effect with the potential for fines of up to $5000 for those who choose not to comply.

This is a fantastic step towards a healthier and more environmentally conscious Caledon. Here at the StuartSinclair Team, we are proud to be residents of this closely-knit, socially responsible and now smoke-free community!

All the best for a healthy week!

The Stuart Sinclair Team

http://www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com