Calgary Construction XXVI

[suburbia]

Fantastic aerial of the Beltline and Core from Twitter:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzVds7zUUAEqHVU.jpg

[suburbia]

Any thoughts regarding the cladding that is going up on Riocan REIT's 5th and Third project? I'm a little two-minded about it, but I like the project overall.

[suburbia]

CBE starts construction on three new elementaries and one high school modernization
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-new...taries-and-one-high-school-modernization

In the ongoing struggle to balance overflowing suburban schools with declining enrolment in the inner city, the Calgary Board of Education will start construction this month on three elementaries along the city’s edges and a high school modernization closer to the core.

Three K-4 schools will be built over the next year in the communities of Cranston, Evergreen and Coventry Hills, opening to as many as 600 students each by the fall of 2020.

But the larger challenge, Breton admits, is balancing the growth with declining enrolment in the inner city, where schools such as Rosscarrock in the southwest are now facing possible closure. Last week, CBE trustees voted to consider closure of the 60-year-old community school, which also houses a preschool and before- and after-school programming.

[Western Spaghetti]

One of the biggest issues with condo boards, is the slowness to get things done and the politics. I lived in a condo for 3 years, when I first moved to Calgary, and the people on the board were the biggest numbskulls I've ever had the displeasure of working with. You couldn't possibly believe some of the items people would bring up at a meeting. As a result meetings always ran late, and we had to have extra meetings to make up for agenda items that we didn't get to.

There was one lady who burned up a couple of meetings trying to iron out a way to properly standardize Christmas lights, and penalize people who didn't put them up in the way she thought they should be put up. I had another woman complain that my girlfriend's birdhouse wasn't up to condo regulation. That it should she be taupe instead of red, because it didn't match the stucco.

Maybe some people get lucky and get a good condo board, but I've never heard anyone say they have.

Originally Posted by suburbia

The above is pretty standard. People don't talk about it because it isn't something they want to share, but it happens a lot. Not unlike miscarriages.

I recall in my folks' old place the tar was going to be redone. I asked why, and the board said because the schedule says that it needs to be done. So I said it is fine that the schedule estimated life of the tar to be X number of years, but it looks excellent. If there are any specific issues, have it patched. They scoffed at this and said that engineers have made the schedule and we should trust experts. So it was a ridiculous situation. Good parking surface was dug up and replaced so it looked exactly like it used to, and money was spent. In a home, firstly I'd not have to deal with tar because I wouldn't have tar on my property, but I'd only do things when they needed to be done.

The trees dying because people were negligent is pretty standard. And the bureaucracy is so slow that the decision of the bureaucracy doesn't even matter at the end of the day.

Oh - and if you are in a tall building, you have to watch out for singletons throwing chairs off the balconies too.

Good points earlier about houses not needing elevators (and that exercise does the body good). Elevators are a massive cost, the monthly charges plus when things go south. Horrible horrible. And yeah, you have to pay for cleaning, heating and lighting all those hallways that aren't actually yours. Overhead in management and services, and overhead in building spaces.



There is no reasonable mechanism that is quick so as to respond to an issue, and that is not adversarial. Plus, people live in condos so they don't have to worry about things. Now they have to worry and "stay on top of things" so that they people managing the extra money you are paying are doing things well so that you don't have stress. Whaaat?

Wow, that is whacked!

• Video Link

[Deepstar]

You’d be surprised how many condo boards are fine. Most condo boards have one or two annoying members but are generakky good. I’m living in a single-family home right now, but we are looking at moving into a condo when the kids are moved out and the thought of condo boards or condo fees doesn’t faze me at all. It also helps if you’re in the board and can be an influencer.

Originally Posted by Western Spaghetti

One of the biggest issues with condo boards, is the slowness to get things done and the politics. I lived in a condo for 3 years, when I first moved to Calgary, and the people on the board were the biggest numbskulls I've ever had the displeasure of working with. You couldn't possibly believe some of the items people would bring up at a meeting. As a result meetings always ran late, and we had to have extra meetings to make up for agenda items that we didn't get to.

There was one lady who burned up a couple of meetings trying to iron out a way to properly standardize Christmas lights, and penalize people who didn't put them up in the way she thought they should be put up. I had another woman complain that my girlfriend's birdhouse wasn't up to condo regulation. That it should she be taupe instead of red, because it didn't match the stucco.

Maybe some people get lucky and get a good condo board, but I've never heard anyone say they have.





Wow, that is whacked!

• Video Link

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

You’d be surprised how many condo boards are fine.

Yes, we would be surprised.

And how would you know exactly? The only real data we have are the first hand experiences that have been brought up here.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Western Spaghetti

There was one lady who burned up a couple of meetings trying to iron out a way to properly standardize Christmas lights, and penalize people who didn't put them up in the way she thought they should be put up. I had another woman complain that my girlfriend's birdhouse wasn't up to condo regulation. That it should she be taupe instead of red, because it didn't match the stucco.

Maybe some people get lucky and get a good condo board, but I've never heard anyone say they have.

As ridiculous as those examples are, they are clearly more norm than outliers. This type of thing was pretty standard fair in the three years I represented my folks at their condo's AGMs.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by suburbia

As ridiculous as those examples are, they are clearly more norm than outliers. This type of thing was pretty standard fair in the three years I represented my folks at their condo's AGMs.

No, they're not the norm. If they were a lot less people would be living in condos.

[craner]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Nobody was poached, nobody is getting money to be at SRC and paid money to stay away from SSP. Myself included.

That’s my last post. Apologies for the side track.

Surreal:
Thanks for the summary you posted regarding your reasons for moving over to SRC.
It's not like your obligated to justify your reasons anyway. Deciding not to post on an internet forum doesn't make you a "quitter" - haha
And if SRC did offer you a little reimbursement for your services then more power to you. Who wouldn't do the same ?
Cheers.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

No, they're not the norm. If they were a lot less people would be living in condos.

Lot less than what? I think if they were ideal, over 90% of the population would be in condos. I suspect the reality is a lot less than 90% because of all the issues with condo boards, mismanagement, special assessments, paying for extra layers of bureaucracy, and so on.

[Deepstar]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Yes, we would be surprised.

And how would you know exactly? The only real data we have are the first hand experiences that have been brought up here.

How would I know exactly? The same as everybody else, anecdotal evidence. My parents live in a condo, my brother lives in a condo, I have relatives and friends who live in condos. Yeah, things aren’t always rosy, and nothing is ever perfect when you’re dealing with a group of people, but some of the stories posted here seem exaggerated, or they are outliers from the norm. Condos and condo fees are as bad as people are making them out to be, nobody would live in them, yet large amounts of people do. That alone is evidence enough really.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Western Spaghetti

There was one lady who burned up a couple of meetings trying to iron out a way to properly standardize Christmas lights, and penalize people who didn't put them up in the way she thought they should be put up. I had another woman complain that my girlfriend's birdhouse wasn't up to condo regulation. That it should she be taupe instead of red, because it didn't match the stucco.

Maybe some people get lucky and get a good condo board, but I've never heard anyone say they have.

Originally Posted by Deepstar

My parents live in a condo, my brother lives in a condo, I have relatives and friends who live in condos. Yeah, things aren’t always rosy, and nothing is ever perfect when you’re dealing with a group of people

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

I've been in several condos the past 15 years (with a short stint living in houses in Discovery ridge and Altadore)...I have never had issues with condo boards...or fees...ever. Those are just my experiences.
Some pretty dramatic posts on this.

Reviewing Western's experiences, Deepstar's anecdotal stories including when things aren't rosy, and Littlechilds' very positive experiences, it reminded me that it is a matter of perspective. The one lady Western shared complained about the colour of a bird house probably was very happy with the board for allowing her that opportunity, while at the same time, the owner of said bird house was likely cringing.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-new...ite-aired-at-emotional-city-hall-meeting

“We’re basically at war right now,” said Murray Shuturma, president of the Park 300 condo.

“We’ve had somebody chased with a shotgun in the building,” Shuturma said. “We have people shooting up (in) the vestibule of our building. People are afraid to come in and people are afraid to go out.”
<>
Residents told stories about finding overdose victims in the street, aggressive encounters outside their homes and repeated thefts from vehicles and storage sheds.

I'm sure there are some in Park 300 that would say those incidents are okay also. There is always at least two views of the same story.

[Western Spaghetti]

And the crazy part is I only mentioned a couple of instances, as examples I could spend all day go bringing crazy stories involving the condo board lol. My experiences may have been worse than the average, but from everyone who I’ve ever known or everything I’ve ever read about condo boards there is mostly only negative experiences.
On top of that you have the financial money side of it, and that is mostly negative also. ‘Hey my condo fees are great, and I enjoy paying them’ said nobody ever. I get that some people pay them, and they’ve reconciled with the idea of paying them, but they are still really a necessary evil.

Originally Posted by suburbia

Reviewing Western's experiences, Deepstar's anecdotal stories including when things aren't rosy, and Littlechilds' very positive experiences, it reminded me that it is a matter of perspective. The one lady Western shared complained about the colour of a bird house probably was very happy with the board for allowing her that opportunity, while at the same time, the owner of said bird house was likely cringing.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-new...ite-aired-at-emotional-city-hall-meeting


I'm sure there are some in Park 300 that would say those incidents are okay also. There is always at least two views of the same story.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Western Spaghetti

And the crazy part is I only mentioned a couple of instances, as examples I could spend all day go bringing crazy stories involving the condo board lol. My experiences may have been worse than the average, but from everyone who I’ve ever known or everything I’ve ever read about condo boards there is mostly only negative experiences.
On top of that you have the financial money side of it, and that is mostly negative also. ‘Hey my condo fees are great, and I enjoy paying them’ said nobody ever. I get that some people pay them, and they’ve reconciled with the idea of paying them, but they are still really a necessary evil.

I recall at my folks' old place maybe ten years ago, at one meeting, the board said they were proud to share that they've discovered $300K-$400K was discovered to have just been sitting in a chequing account, and now that they've made this discovery, they'll see that it gets moved to something making some interest. Everyone cheered and clapped, while I though, seriously?

[dg66]

Originally Posted by suburbia

I recall at my folks' old place maybe ten years ago, at one meeting, the board said they were proud to share that they've discovered $300K-$400K was discovered to have just been sitting in a chequing account, and now that they've made this discovery, they'll see that it gets moved to something making some interest. Everyone cheered and clapped, while I though, seriously?

Hey everyone, we’re happy to announce that we screwed up when handling your money, but let’s all clap because we discovered the screwup. Lol.

That’s one of the issues I have with condo fees. I’m not fond of a group of people handling my money, when I can do it myself. I understand the need for it and that there’s no way around it, which is why I like having a SFH. I’m a one man condo board

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by dg66

Hey everyone, we’re happy to announce that we screwed up when handling your money, but let’s all clap because we discovered the screwup. Lol.

That’s one of the issues I have with condo fees. I’m not fond of a group of people handling my money, when I can do it myself. I understand the need for it and that there’s no way around it, which is why I like having a SFH. I’m a one man condo board

Suburbia's full of shit with his stories. Alberta law requires that condo corps have their financial statements audited every year and that the statements be provided to all unit holders. There's no way everyone in a complex is not going to notice $300K to $400K missing. If you can't take a bit of time to look over the financials you're likely not going to do any better managing your own finances. Probably worse because you'll have no one to point out what you're missing and/or doing wrong.

[Deepstar]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

Suburbia's full of shit with his stories. Alberta law requires that condo corps have their financial statements audited every year and that the statements be provided to all unit holders. There's no way everyone in a complex is not going to notice $300K to $400K missing. If you can't take a bit of time to look over the financials you're likely not going to do any better managing your own finances. Probably worse because you'll have no one to point out what you're missing and/or doing wrong.

I was going to say.... I mean really $400,000 was just sitting around and was forgotten about, when it could have been in a higher interest account? I should check all my low interest accounts, maybe there's a million bucks kicking around.

Joking aside, that's a large amount of money for nobody to have paid attention to. Maybe Suburbia got his facts wrong?

[Daemon]

Some updates of construction

Mansions updates

[Daemon]

Telus Sky




Telus Sky behind clouds

[Daemon]

Concorde