After 10 months of construction and over 1,500 volunteer hours, three local families were handed the keys to their brand new Habitat for Humanity homes in Sylvan Lake on Thursday. It was the organization's first-ever build in the 'Town for all Seasons'.

By Sheldon Spackman

Happy families

Habitat for Humanity celebrates completion of first build in Sylvan Lake

Sep 26, 2019 | 4:07 PM

Three Sylvan Lake families received the keys to their brand new homes on Thursday to celebrate the completion of the first-ever Habitat for Humanity build in the town.

Located at the Vista at Ryders Ridge, the triplex is now complete after 10 months of construction and 1500 volunteer hours, including at least 500 hours each from the families themselves.

Proud new homeowner Deanna Redford says the move means the world to her and her 17-year-old son.

“We’ve had a rough couple of year with moving a lot and not having a stable home,” admits Redford. “This gives us the means to be able to have a stable home and still be able to afford the things that we need in life. My son was out here two days a week all summer helping to build on the house as well, so having the feeling that we actually built our forever home means the world to us.”

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Fellow Habitat homeowner Tracey Dodd says moving into the new triplex will be a huge opportunity for her and her two daughters, aged six and three.

“Without Habitat, we wouldn’t be able to have this house at all,” declares Dodd. “Now I can give my girls more opportunities than I could before having a house. It’s an awesome organization, I would recommend Habitat for anyone.”

Stephanie Schatz and her five-year-old son will also be living in the new triplex. Schatz says they wouldn’t be where they are today if it weren’t for Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s been a little bit of a struggle, so this means the world to me,” says Schatz. “It was hard working, a full-time job, also being a single mom, but it was so much fun. I met so many amazing people and I learned so many things about what goes into building a house.”

According to Habitat officials, the first-ever build in Sylvan Lake also marks the charity’s 25^th anniversary in central Alberta, with the triplex the organization’s 36^th. 37^th and 38^th home build during that time.

Habitat for Humanity CEO Karen Vavrek says the project included the work of over 200 volunteers, and the support of dozens of businesses, donors and sponsors.

“If you need a hand-up and home ownership is a dream of yours, then think of Habitat as a potential partner,” exclaims Vavrek. “These are the kind of families we look forward to helping. They’re no different than you and I, they just need that extra helping hand to be able to get to the place of homeownership.”