We are thrilled to announce that the new Squamish Montessori school is now open at Skyridge on Horizon Drive in Squamish. This new larger location will able to accommodate more children.

Here’s the piece that appeared in the Squamish Chief on February 4, 2019:

DHD It is a day of three Ms at school —  Monday, moving and Montessori.

On Monday, Feb. 4, Squamish Montessori Elementary School students and their teachers moved from their former digs on Loggers Lane to the new school at the Skyridge development on Horizon Drive.

The private school serves kindergarten to Grade 6 through its not-for-profit charity, Squamish Montessori Society.

The brand new building has four elementary classrooms and two preschool classrooms with additional space for future expansion, according to a news release from the school.

The building’s Multi-Purpose Room is available for community use after school hours.

“The purpose-built school has been in the works for many years and we’re so grateful to be able to see our vision come to life, and to be able to share it with the community of Squamish,” reads the release.  

Some of the students received a grant from Special Education Technology British Columbia, which has allowed the kids to make a documentary about the process of getting a new school.  It will be released in the spring.

An open house is planned, but details are not yet available.

Printed originally in the Squamish Chief, February 4, 2019

Diamond Head Development Embarks on First Legacy Project

Nestled in the coastal mountains, where the glacial-silted waters of Squamish River meet the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most spectacular places in British Columbia. Squamish has earned its reputation as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada” attracting visitors from around the world with its eco-tourism offerings, while providing the backdrop for a number of media works, and drawing many notable residents.

The Squamish Nation band government controls lands in the Squamish territory and among those residing in Squamish, there is a belief in all pillars of sustainability—environmental responsibility, social equity, economic health, and cultural vitality. The District of Squamish is currently focused on sustainable development and has a renewed emphasis on education. One local business of particular note is Diamond Head Development, whose most recent project, Skyridge, aligns with the key tenants of sustainability, the strategic priority areas of the District of Squamish, and the company’s commitment to the environment.

Careful planning and deliberation went into the development plan to ensure the creation of an inclusive, environmentally responsible neighbourhood, with dedicated park space and access to amenities.

To encourage the development of an inclusive community, a broad mix of housing types is in the plan, intended to attract a range of residents and address the various housing needs of the community. The mix of single family homes like Squamish duplex for sale, Squamish townhouses and Squamish condos will be certified through Built Green Canada—a national organization that sustainably-minded residential builders work with.

The Skyridge Squamish project is the largest ever BUILT GREEN® certified multi-family development in Squamish.

Built Green’s certification takes a holistic approach to sustainability to address energy efficiency, materials and methods, indoor air quality, ventilation, waste management, water conservation, and business practices. The certification includes two vital components: an EnerGuide label and a Built Green seal. For those homebuyers purchasing a duplex or townhouse, their home will be built to a Gold level certification and an upgrade to Platinum will be available for both of these housing types.

Key benefits of a sustainably-built home include savings in operating costs, mortgage loan insurance rebates, fewer fix-its due to improved durability, and an increase in market and resale value of close to 10 per cent. These homes are also more comfortable and offer a healthier environment, all of which contribute to the homeowners’ quality of life. Even home cleaning is addressed through air quality—with improved ventilation, airborne particles are better filtered out, including dust and allergens.

“We really wanted to encourage housing diversity, while concentrating on the environmental impact from the 10,000 foot view,” says Diamond Head Development’s founder and general manager Jason Wood. “For us, this meant minimizing our environmental impact, encouraging an inclusive community, and facilitating economic benefit for everyone involved—including the homebuyers.”

The Diamond Head team took sustainability a step further by prioritizing the cultural vitality of the community. First, they ensured the allocation of dedicated park space in the community with connections to surrounding trail systems and future plans to connect to the popular Jack’s Trail. The trail systems contribute to a more walkable community and more active lifestyles. Second, the team partnered with Squamish Montessori Society to build the Squamish Montessori Elementary School and Daycare. The Montessori philosophy of providing children with a global understanding of their place in their world is fitting for a community focused on inclusivity and environmental stewardship. The announcement of this marks the beginning of a legacy project for the district and reinforces the value Diamond Head and Squamish place on education—for Diamond Head, this will be the first in a series of legacy projects. Third, they donated $500,000 to the District of Squamish for Skyridge reflecting their commitment and belief in the development of this community.

Diamond Head Development has been constructing environmentally-friendly homes in the Sea to Sky corridor for over a decade. There are many measures of sustainability, and their approach to the Skyridge community reflects an integrated, fully realized commitment.

See more on Diamond Head Development >>

Register to be part of Skyridge Squamish. Only a few duplexes and townhouses remain in Phase 1. The first 12 duplexes are targeted for completion by December 2017. Skysuites condominium floor plans are being designed and will be released shortly.

Squamish Montessori Elementary School enters agreement to build new school in the Skyridge development

Squamish, BC – The Squamish Montessori Elementary Society is pleased to announce the signing of a formal agreement with Skyridge and Diamond Head Development (DHD) to obtain a parcel of land to design and build a new school. Construction of the Skyridge Development is currently underway, and construction on the new school is expected to begin early in 2017. DHD has appointed Murdoch & Company Architecture & Planning to design the new building.

The school will be located on a designated site within the development. The Skyridge development, new builds Squamish, is a 20 acre master planned community that includes single family homes, duplexes, townhouses and the Skysuites Condominiums. Skyridge is beautifully situated on the mountainside only a few minutes from Garibaldi Village, backing on to green space and trails making this an ideal location for the new school and will be a valued amenity to the community. The new school space will help address crowding within the existing space, and provide opportunities for much needed expansion.

The Squamish Montessori Society recently applied for and were successful in receiving a Ministry of Children and Families Capital Funding grant for the provision of new childcare spaces. In keeping with the Montessori philosophy of a continuum of education and care, the school will include 50 spaces for children aged 30 months to 5 years.

About the Squamish Montessori Elementary School

The Squamish Montessori School (SMS) comprises Squamish Montessori Preschool which is an independent school owned and run by Michelle Graye that houses 2.5year old to 5year old children, and Squamish Montessori Elementary School (SMES), which is a Province of British Columbia Kindergarten to Grade 6 independent school. The Squamish Montessori Society along with Principal, Lindsay Graye, oversee the SMES and is a not-for-profit organization which is run by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Squamish Montessori School and Squamish Montessori Elementary School are committed to meeting the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of the child. Within the framework of Montessori principles and philosophy, the school’s goal is to provide each child the opportunity to develop to their full potential, in a safe, loving, and affirming environment.

About Skyridge Developer, Diamond Head Development

Diamond Head Development (DHD) is a Squamish-based, full-service general contracting, construction and development company. DHD specializes in designing, building and managing commercial and residential projects of distinction. The DHD team builds all of their projects with detailed passion and has been doing so in Squamish, Whistler and greater Vancouver for more than a decade. View the variety of Squamish condos for sale, Squamish townhouses for sale, and Squamish condos for sale.

Prospective Homeowners wanting a piece of Squamish – or at least a part of the Squamish sky – need look no further than skyridge

When complete, the 20-acre site will encompass townhomes, duplexes and one-, two- and three-bedroom condos. In addition, two subdivisions of 15 lots have been set aside for single-family houses.

No matter what kind of home, though, residents will experience the beauty of the supernatural part of the province.

“Skyridge is perched on a mountain,” said Jason Wood, Diamond Head Development’s founder and general manager.

“It literally has 360-degree views. You stand up on that, you turn around and pretty much see in any direction. We have gorgeous views of the [Stawamus] Chief and the Tantalus range. Our site is bordered to the north by a creek. With a creek always comes an environmental area, so we have a buffer of green space in perpetuity to the north of our project.”

So far, the developer has sold out the first subdivision and is selling lots on the second. Phase I and II, which include 20 townhomes (of approximately 2,100 square feet) and 12 duplexes (2,300 square feet) have also gone on sale. (The final phase, phase IV, includes the final eight duplexes and six townhomes.) The third phase planned is a condominium building with 44 “skysuites,” so called because of their location on the site’s highest elevation, Wood said.

“When you’re standing on the rooftop decks that we’re providing, you will have a 360-degree view. You’re literally up in the sky.” The skysuites will be one-, two- and three-bedroom units that range from 680 to 1,500 square feet.

“Basically, you’re up, you have this 180 – it’s 360 because with the skysuites it will be 360 — you get this huge open ceiling that you just can’t get in other neighbourhoods that are boxed in,” said sales manager Jennifer Sale.

The elevation from the bottom of the Dowad Drive/Tantalus Road intersection to the site’s top road is 200 feet.

“How do we get such great views? This is why. You don’t really notice it when you’re driving up. We’re out of the flood plain, which is a big deal in Squamish. You can have living space on lower levels. I think the development is going to mark a new benchmark for quality in Squamish.”

The variety of product is part of the appeal, Sale said.

“You can get someone living in a one-bedroom in the same neighbourhood as someone who’s built a million-dollar home,” she said. “It’s a real mixed demographic. We’re going from first-time buyer to empty nesters.”

The site will have green space with new trails connecting to established mountain and walking trails. And the developer has come to an agreement with the Squamish Montessori school to build an independent school on the site, with 50 daycare and 100 to 150 elementary spots.

“A lot of the schools are outgrowing their space, and independent schools that are renting out their space don’t have anywhere to go,” Sale said. “So he (Wood) basically has created that for them.”

Exteriors of the builder’s homes will be West Coast modern in design. For lot-buyers, Diamond Head has drawn up a set of design guidelines to ensure “that whatever somebody builds looks appropriate with the rest of the product we’re building,” Wood said.

Features include overheight ceilings and wide-plank, oak-engineered hardwood flooring, expansive decks and patios, open-plan kitchens, a choice of two colour palettes and two upgrade packages.

Interior design comes courtesy of Georgie Award-winning Tracey Ford, of Ford Design. As well, the homes will follow Built Green specifications, including Energy Star windows and sliding doors, LED designer lighting and solar-ready design.

“It’s such a rare site and offering,” Sale said. “There’s no better option in Squamish. For the location, the views, the value. Our prices are great, and the quality of construction and finishings. It’s a rare elevated 20-acre site within minutes of all amenities. And it’s right next to the trails and green space. You can walk to Alice Lake in 20 minutes. It’s got everything anyone can ask for in a new product.”

A lot of the early interest in the homes has come from within Squamish itself, says Sale. Learn more about Skyridge Skysuites and the variety of new real estate that is being offered.  View Squamish condos, Squamish townhouses for sale, Squamish condos for sale, and Squamish duplex for sale.

© Copyright 2016 Vancouver Sun

Funding received for daycare spaces

On August 10, 2016, Squamish Montessori Elementary School received $429,873.00 from the Province through the Child Care Major Capital Funding Program. The provincial government is investing a total of 11.3-million into 30 BC communities to provide net new daycare spaces.

These funds will be specifically used to set up 50 daycare spaces in Squamish Montessori Elementary School’s proposed new building in the upcoming Skyridge development. A formal agreement between the Squamish Montessori Elementary School and Skyridge for the development of this school and daycare spaces is in the final stages of review and signature.

“The building will house an elementary school (K-6) and the daycare facility. It is estimated to cost 3-4 million dollars,” stated Jason Wood, General Manager of Diamond Head Development and the Skyridge developer.

“Squamish has a younger age profile than the rest of British Columbia. Almost 60% of its population is under the age of 40, compared to 49% in metropolitan Vancouver and 47% in the rest of British Columbia. Between 2006 and 2011 Squamish had one of the fastest growing youth populations (under the age of 14), growing at 8%. This means that daycare spaces are in high demand, with waitlists at most facilities in Squamish” Brenda Chelswick, SMS Director, told Jordan Sturdy, MLA, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.

In 2008, SMS had 3 students. It now has over 120 students. “We just got our first 2019 applicant! Can you believe it!?” said Lindsay Graye, Principal & Director of Education at SMS.

The new school is projected to open in September 2018 and be a cornerstone of the new mountainside community, Skyridge. The school will be set amongst a central park, bike paths, mountain biking trails and have panoramic West Coast mountain views.

Skyridge will be debuting in September 24, 2016 with single family lots, duplexes, townhouses and Skysuites.

Photo: Jason Wood, Brenda Chelswick, Michelle Graye, Jordan Sturdy, Lindsay Graye and Katherine Crowshaw with the class of 2031.

Mixed residential site will include Montessori school, green space

For Diamond Head Development founder and general manager Jason Wood, the new Skyridge development at the end of Dowad Drive is really more than a regular real estate development.

Last week, the District of Squamish approved Diamond Head’s development permit application to go ahead with the remaining phases of the mixed-used hillside residential neighbourhood. The permit will pave the way for construction and sales of the project.

“The vision for the site was about building a community,” he said. “Part of that community is we’re going to have a school on site.”

The project includes plans for a new Montessori school, as negotiations with the school are nearing completion. The site will also include a daycare.

Another feature will be retaining the environmental features of the area. There will be dedicated park space, trail and a bike path that connects to the popular “Jack’s Trail” nearby.

The site also overlooks the valley and has views of the Stawamus Chief and the Tantalus Range.

“The scenery and setting here are simply amazing and I don’t know of a better located site or range of options,” Sutton West Coast Realty sales manager Jennifer Sale said in a news release.

Single-family homes near the entrance will bridge the gap with the Rockridge homes below. This first phase of 30 lots sold out last October.

“The view up here is unbelievable,” Wood said. “One side of our site is all views and the back side is all forest and nature.”

He adds the site was one of the last pieces of property of the Dowad family and was entrusted to Diamond Head.

The other phases will include 26 townhomes, 20 half-duplexes and a condominium building with 44 Skysuites. For the latter, the initial design was to split the units into three buildings, but Wood said it ultimately made more sense to include them in one building.

However, the building will not be designed as a block but rather as two wings with a courtyard.

The Skysuites, he adds, were not originally part of the plans, but Wood and his colleagues realized there was growing demand in the community from new retirees looking to sell single-family homes and move into something smaller with less upkeep. There will be six different floor plans for the units.

The next phase will go on sale next month. This will include the townhouse and duplexes, with the condominiums to go on sale at a later date.

Wood credits the District of Squamish for making the processes, which included subdividing seven pieces of land, rezoning and the development permit application, among other things, as streamlined and quick as possible.

“They’ve been amazing to work with,” he said. “They’ve embraced the process.”

He also thinks the kind of community he and Diamond Head are planning will become a kind of template for future growth in Squamish.

“I think you’ll see this type of development as a model going forward,” he said.

PHOTO: Diamond Head Development founder and general manager Jason Wood, taking in the views from the site of his upcoming Skyridge development. Photo submitted by Mike Chouinard. See the Squamish condos for sale, Squamish duplex for sale, and townhomes for sale Squamish!

@ Copyright 2016 Squamish Chief