Many a homeowner has lamented the lack of space in his or her garage.
A new Blackfalds development offers a solution.
Garage World is developing a series of concrete bays that can be purchased for use as off-site garages, storage space or virtually anything else their owners desire.
“There is so many things they can do,” said Jim Armitage, who looks after sales and marketing for Garage World.
Among the possibilities are parking recreational vehicles or boats, or setting up a shop for a craft or hobby, he suggested.
“You could even have an artist in there if they needed a bigger studio and a place to market their wares.”
Garage World is currently finishing 19 bays on its 5217 Duncan Ave. property, with these 24 feet wide by 48 feet deep. Future phases could bring the total to 80, said Armitage, with these including some 24-foot by 96-foot layouts.
Each bay will be built with precast insulated concrete panels and a metal roof, and have walk-in and overhead doors. They’ll also boast water, gas and power, as well as roughed-in toilets, phone and cable.
The entire development will be enclosed within a security fence, with a paved yard and common washrooms.
The concept is not a new one, with off-site garages popular in the United States. A similar project called My Space Garage was launched in Sylvan Lake about three years ago.
Blackfalds-based Eagle Builders LP, which fabricates insulated concrete panels, is behind My Space Garage. In the case of Garage World, Eagle Builders has partnered with Drive Capital Corp., a Red Deer private equity firm.
Armitage said Garage World has already tied up land in Vernon, B.C. for its next development, and is considering other potential sites.
“We’ve looked at land at various locations all over the Prairies.
“For the most part, we’re following the energy sector,” he said, explaining that the high incomes earned by many in that industry tend to drive the needs for storage space.
Although many owners of off-site garages use them for basic storage only, others go to great lengths to customize them for personal use, said Armitage.
“It’s up to the individual owners to do with them whatever they want.
“I’ve never seen two units finished the same yet.”
Armitage said the banner on Garage World’s Blackfalds building is already attracting a lot of interest. The site will host an open house on Feb. 1, with a model unit being developed there to showcase how the bays can be developed.
Additional information about Garage World can be found online at mygarageworld.ca.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com