“It’s like a community within a community,” offered Ryan Keown, the new owner of the 18 unit condominium building at 45 Lawrence Road in Kamsack. Earlier this year, Keown purchased Assiniboine Valley Estates, built in 2013, from previous owner Rob Ritchie at the start of the global pandemic.
“Rob Ritchie is a friend of mine. He showed me the place, and I just fell in love with it,” Keown gushed. “What I love most about Assiniboine Valley Estates is the fact that it provides many comforts of the city, yet it’s in a rural setting. Oh, and the view of the valley – it’s spectacular.”
Keown says it is his goal to encourage neighbours in the building to connect and look out for each other. A common room on the ground floor is designed to host residents in socializing with one another and help prevent feelings of isolation.
“People don’t do as well when they are cut off from others,” said Keown. “We want the building to feel like a community. Many of the residents enjoy baking, for example, and they love to share their treats with neighbours. It’s nice to have connection like that.”
Keown is a born-and-raised prairie boy who has lived in Roblin since he was three years old.
“I used to come to Kamsack often as kid - for hockey,” Keown recalled. “My family loves the area. We like to come to Madge Lake every year to snowmobile and enjoy all kinds of winter activities – but we really like it in the summer too.”
A Manitoba realtor, Keown met his wife, Zoe, while they were both attending university in Brandon. The couple decided to make Roblin their home. Zoe is a teacher for a grade 1-2 split class, and together, they are raising three boys. Keown hinted to the Kamsack Times that he is ready to make a significant career move, and he will be making an announcement in the near future. In the meantime, Keown is keeping busy as a family man and country music recording artist. Keown’s own hit song, Best Thing, reached number 44 on the national charts.
Keown says he is grateful to be able to rely on Kamsack local, Milena Hollett, who serves as the building manager, showcasing her artistic talents on the seasonally changing décor in the lobby, common room, and hallways. She also offers friendly assistance to residents and guests in the way of organizing COVID-friendly coffee chats in the ground floor common area. In the past, Hollett would co-ordinate potluck meals, small parties, and events, but those activities have been suspended by the pandemic.
“It’s important that residents feel safe,” said Keown. “The building is highly secure. No one can just walk in. Residents can order groceries to be delivered to the lobby and come down the elevator to pick them up with zero contact.”
Guy Morosoff, who lives near Kamsack, is another employee Keown relies on. With a reputation as the “fix-it guy” – pun intended, Morosoff takes care of snow removal, landscaping needs, and any type of maintenance residents might require.
The building includes 15 two-bedroom suites and 3 one-bedroom suites ranging in size from 1,038 sq. ft. to 1,344 sq. ft. Each unit has an open concept design, built-in pantry, and a balcony that overlooks the sprawling view of the Assiniboine Valley. Residents are invited to use the heated underground garage for parking a vehicle or storing items like mountain bikes, golf clubs, or kayaks. There is a furnished guest suite left vacant, which allows residents to host friends and family visiting from out of town. There are no condo fees, and the monthly payment for residents includes: property taxes, utilities, building and grounds maintenance, security, and all appliances, with the exception of laundry machines, which residents must bring themselves.
The building is currently near full capacity with just one unit available.
“We will be starting a waiting list,” said Keown. Anyone looking for more information on the suites can call (306) 542-1444 or email info@avestates.ca
