Tobiano Living, Author at Tobiano

New Ownership at Tobiano

Diverse Properties Ltd is excited to announce it is now a 100% owner of Kamlands Holdings Ltd, the holding company of several Tobiano utility companies, and the residential and commercial development lands at Tobiano, BC.

Tobiano is a master-planned community set above the shores of Kamloops Lake. In this peaceful landscape, you will find unsurpassed residential opportunities, an award-winning golf course and a first-rate marina.

When asked about the transaction, former owner of Kamlands, Mike Ternier was quoted: “It has been a long and exciting journey for me at Tobiano. I have worked with the Diverse group as my 50% partner for the past couple of years, and have been extremely impressed with their professionalism, and ability to take action. I’m excited to see them take Tobiano to the next level.”

“Mike has been a great asset for us in sharing his knowledge of Tobiano. As Mike is heading into a new chapter of his business career as owner of the Tobiano golf course and other business ventures, we wish him the very best.” Says Ron Funk, President of Diverse.

Diverse Properties is based out of Abbotsford, BC. Diverse is a group of companies that work together to purchase, construct, sell and manage a variety of real estate assets for their customers in Western Canada.

About Kamloops Lake

The Tobiano Development is perched on the red rock bluffs above the shores of Kamloops Lake. The lake provides a stunning backdrop and many recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Kamloops Lake is 29 km long, 1.6 km wide and up to 152 metres deep. It is really a “widening and deepening of the river”. It is fed by both the North and South Thompson River. Kamloops Lake is a warm lake, gathering its heat as the South Thompson drains from the Shuswap. 60 percent of the annual flow occurs in early summer when lake levels can rise as much as 30 feet. With 60 km of shoreline, the beach area is extensive and can expand as much as 200 feet in mid to late summer.

The water replenishes on a mean average of every 60 days. The residence time (average age of the water) is 20 to 340 days versus, for example, Okanagan Lake which is 52.8 years.

There are very few residential subdivisions on the lake making it a quiet lake for boat traffic. Tobiano is home to the only marina and gas dock on the lake.

Kamloops Lake has a reputation for great trout fishing as demonstrated by the 7 pound bull trout caught this fall by one of our residents. 12 more trout were caught and released by this fisherman on the same day. The lake is also popular for sailing, boating and watersports. Doug Smith talks about the paddling opportunities in his post on Kamloops Trails.

Enjoy this 15 second capture of the lake and marina.

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And finally, a couple of lot features to ponder. It’s a beautiful place to call home.

How to Work With an Architect When Designing Your Home

By Ronique Gibson

You have decided to start designing your own home, or you would like to make some renovations on your current home. One of the first things you need to decide is what you want done and how can hiring an architect help your dreams become reality. While you may think hiring an architect isn’t necessary, there are several factors to consider: from local building codes, green design issues, to ensuring your dreams are realistic and within your budget. Here are some essential tips to help you when working with an architect to design your home. Use them as a guide to ensure you know what to expect when working with a design professional such as an architect.

Have your own ideas before meeting with an architect

Similarly to visiting a hairdresser for the first time or having a tailor design you a custom suit, having your ideas in one place before meeting with an architect will help all parties involved with clear communication. While architects can help you formalize your ideas into reality they need direction from you as to what you envision. In this modern day age the internet, smart phones and tablets, and a multitude of design applications out there available for homeowners – collecting images, floor plans, materials and even inspiration from nature, fashion, buildings and everyday lifestyle pictures will help your architect when meeting with you.

Interviewing an architect to match your style

The process of working with an architect will be made better if you hire a design professional with a similar design philosophy as yourself. Ensure that the firm your hire as sufficient expertise in the size and scope of the home design project you are interviewing them for. Ask for references as well as an portfolio to see recent and past projects. Consider hiring an architect that has marries well with you and your family that will live in the home.

Consider your budget in advance

Home design is not a finite science. While architects would like to be able to predict how much the design of your home will be just by talking to you once, the reality is every homeowner and their ambitions are different. Before meeting with an architect have a rough estimate of a budget in mind. Vocalize your budget when interviewing architects before you start your home design. This will help your architect explain what design effort will be “in scope” and what other items may need to be put on hold for the future or carried out on a smaller scale, different materials, etc…

Entrust that your architect has the best design intentions

Architects have to wear many “hats” and perform many roles when helping you design your home. While you may only be concerned with the aesthetics and how your space will look, an architect has to coordinate many disciplines. From the structural integrity of your home to the comfortability of heating and cooling to electrical and civil engineering – property concerns, architects help pull all these disciplines together while designing. In order to do this, homeowners should have a “give and take” attitude when designing with an architect, and not be rigid in their approach. Work with your architect with an open mind to come to a design approach that will work for everyone. Architects love to hear your ideas, but they also know what will provide a comfortable and safe home for your family at the end of the day.

Ask architects to explain what you don’t understand

Architecture can be very complicated or it can be extremely simplistic in nature, depending on how it is explained. The same is true for you when working with your architect. While your home is being designed in the schematic or beginning stages, don’t’ be afraid to ask questions that are second and third level if necessary. An architect wants to ensure that your home becomes second nature to you. Therefore don’t be afraid to ask questions and even challenge your architect to another design theory if you feel fit.

When working with an architect, remember “one size doesn’t fit all”. Communication early on in the discussions will help your home design project materialize as you had envisioned. Ask about a timetable, budgetary expectations, and “unforeseen circumstances” early in the process. You will appreciate an architect who will take your ideas, concerns, and home lifestyle and meld them into a home that is designed and customized especially for you and your family. Working with an architect can be a rewarding experience when following a few of these helpful tips.

Winter Recreation

With winter still in full swing in the mountains, it’s a good time to highlight a few of the seasonal recreational opportunities that are accessible when you live at Tobiano.

You will find two downhill ski resorts within an hour’s drive.

Harper Mountain offers lessons, night skiing, a terrain park, tube park, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. It is family owned and operated and has reasonable rates. Just 20 minutes from Kamloops.

Sun Peaks Resort is the second largest ski area in Canada. With its beautiful European village, light dry powder, and a host of winter activities and events, Sun Peaks attracts travelers from around the world and it is right in our back yard!

For Nordic skiing, Stake Lake offers rentals, 60 km of groomed trails and access to a beautiful day lodge.

Snowshoeing is a great way to get to know the area. Here is a list of “Where to Snowshoe” from one of the many local hiking blogs. You can also use the underpass at the corner of Rue Cheval Noir and Holloway Drive in Tobiano, and wander until your heart is content through 17,000 acres of back country.

And if you prefer motorized access to nature’s playground, Kamloops has eight great sledding areas to choose from as seen in this Tourism Kamloops Snowmobile Map. Greenstone Mountain is very close to Tobiano.

More great reasons to “Live, Rest and Play” at Tobiano.

Fishing at Tobiano

You can’t talk about things to do in Kamloops without talking fishing. Kamloops is well known for it’s fishing lakes… and famous for the Kamloops Trout. Revered for its physical strength and inherent fighting character, the Kamloops Trout draws anglers from all over the world.

Kamloops Lake is acclaimed for its large Kamloops Trout and is home to Rainbow, Kokanee and Dolly Varden (http://www.tnrd.com). Kamloops Lake is easily accessible from Bruker Marina within the Tobiano housing development.

We are fortunate at Tobiano to have immediate access to not only Kamloops Lake, but two smaller trout fishing lakes within a few short kilometers.

Pat Lake, also known as Six Mile Lake is 3 km from the entrance to the resort. The lake is stocked with 4500, Rainbow Trout (yearlings) annually according to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s Stocking Report http://www.gofishbc.com. The daily quota is 2 fish. Morgan Lake, just beyond Pat Lake, is a long and narrow, catch-and-release only lake. Shoreline fishing is possible on both sides. Morgan Lake is also stocked. It is not unusual to find 10 pound Rainbows! Ice fishing is not permitted on either lake.

GofishBC writes a great article on the different techniques for fishing at the various times of year, from ice-off until late fall.

http://www.gofishbc.com/how-to-fish/fishing-articles/kamloops-fishing.aspx

Flyguys.net provide an excellent account of the trout fishing opportunities in the Kamloops region. The following article suggests that both Morgan Lake and Pat (Six Mile) Lake can produce well at ice-off.

http://flyguys.net/fishing-information/still-water-fly-fishing/early-spring-fishing-kamloops-style

Here is a story published by Big Fish Small Hook documenting his observations, method and success with some early season fishing on Six Mile Lake.

http://www.best-in-british-columbia.com/apr-4-2015-six-mile-lake-matching-the-hatch.html

If you are a newcomer to the area, or to fishing, you can borrow a rod and/or tackle set from Tourism Kamloops… for free!

http://www.tourismkamloops.com/fly-fishing-in-kamloops-british-Columbia

For guided tours, contact Pat Porada of Journeys Fly Fishing at 1.250.459.2435 or email journeysff@gmail.com. Pat is an experienced guide with a lifetime of fishing the South Caribou / Kamloops region. His day trips include transportation, gear, boats, instruction, snacks, and lunch on full day trips.

Happy fishing! Come by the Tobiano Presentation Centre for a visit and a hot chocolate after bringing in your catch.