A new housing development that will drastically expand and change the face of the village of Wellington is expected to be phased in over the next two decades and offer various price points for home buyers.

Cork & Vine, a 360 acre plot of farm and woodlands north of the Wellington and District Community Centre/Field of Dreams straddling both sides of County Road 2 will feature a mix of housing options that will equate to 178 homes in Kaitlin Corporation’s first phase of building.

Last week, Kaitlin president Bill Daniell offered his group’s vision for a community build promising quality of living combined with competitive price points.

“With Cork & Vine we’re building on the momentum we’ve achieved over three decades, from Blue Shores, one of the first new subdivisions in Collingwood, to our Port of Newcastle site situated right on Lake Ontario, and the Loyalist Country Club Community in Bath,” said Daniell. “And as with our other projects, we’re starting with a desirable location close to an abundance of local attractions then we’re complementing these with terrific onsite amenities.”

A nine-hole golf course and a clubhouse which includes a bevy of additional activity-related options, ranging from pickle ball courts to lawn bowling greens is being considered. Kaitlin is expected to host a number of open forum meetings later this summer with subsequent public meetings to follow to ensure local input will help guide future phases. Subject to that input and direction, future phases might include commercial and retail space, a hotel and assisted living residences all in keeping with the prevailing urban development trend of creating 15-minute neighbourhoods where most essentials are close by.

Daniell is quick to emphasize Kaitlin wants to actively engage current residents of Wellington and Prince Edward County for their feedback as well.

“We believe it’s really important to get local input, because the amenities and programming will be for anyone living in the area to enjoy, and not just the residents of Cork & Vine. So whether it’s a golf course or another attraction… we want to do our best to meet the interests and need of both the existing and future residents of Wellington.”

The initial phase of Cork & Vine will consist of a mix single homes (with frontages ranging from 36’ to 50’) and town homes. The singles will include bungalows, bungalow lofts and two story models, ranging from two- bedroom 1,167 to five-bedroom 3,420 sq. ft. elevations. Towns will vary from bungalows to two and three storey models, ranging in size from two-room 1,214 sq. ft. to four-bedroom 2,546 sq. ft. homes. Daniell said the 178 homes for sale in the first phase will help provide the necessary kickstart for the community infrastructure expansion, while helping to meet the huge demand for homes in the area in response to the compelling lifestyle that awaits.

“I want to emphasize that we’re building a community that serves the interests and needs of varying income levels, lifestyles and housing needs. With the broad range of options we’re bringing to the table, our hope is that people already living in the area will be drawn to Cork and Vine as well.”

Plans call for the initial phase to be followed later this year or early next with the release of multi-residential buildings. Homes that will be a mix of condos for sale as well as rentals (to help address the current shortage of rental properties in the area). Pricing for the second phase condos will start at $499,000 or about half that of the current average priced home in Ontario of $985,354 as of April (source: Canadian Real Estate Association) and less than half of the current average home price in Prince Edward County of over $1 million (source: Zolo.ca).

With 1,150 homes already approved, the overall economic impact of Cork & Vine is considerable. Between development charges and municipal taxes alone, tens of millions of dollars will be generated, in support of the County’s needs.

“One of the things that excites us the most about Cork & Vine is the fact we’re not only providing homes for everyone from young families to empty nesters… we’re also creating jobs and complimentary business opportunities that will benefit everyone… and not just in Wellington but the entire county. When you get right down to it, that’s what community building is all about.”

-Staff