Kanata

Situated in Ottawa’s west end and home to numerous high-tech companies, the popular community of Kanata is often referred to as “Silicone Valley North”. With just over 91,000 residents, it boasts a diverse population and a great selection of smaller subdivisions.  Known for its abundance of green space, recreational facilities and its wide array of housing options, this appealing area is steadily growing. In the north end you’ll find Morgan’s Grant, which is proud to be one of the most family oriented neighbourhoods in Ottawa’s west end; it is located just north of the Kanata North Business Park, where you’ll find the major high-tech hub. In the north, you’ll also find Kanata Lakes – one of the most prestigious subdivisions in the area.

There, you’ll find the Kanata Lakes Golf & Country Club, Scotiabank Place, home of the Ottawa Senators; the Bell Sensplex, which boasts of four ice rinks and an indoor soccer field; AMC 24 Kanata movie theatre, proud to be the largest of its kind in Ottawa; and so much more. The third subdivision in the north is Beaverbrook – this quiet, much sought after area is the oldest part of Kanata and is known for its charming hedge-lined homes, its community facilities and its beautiful, park-like setting.

In the south end, you’ll find four other fantastic subdivisions; Katimavik-Hazeldean, Glen Cairn, Bridlewood and Emerald Meadows are all attractive areas with much to offer. Katimavik-Hazeldean is home to the Kanata Recreation Complex, the Kanata Leisure Centre & Wave Pool, a branch of the Ottawa Public Library, and the Ron Maslin Playhouse, which houses the Kanata Theatre. Boasting beautiful parks and trails, affordable homes and close proximity to all sorts of great spots for shopping, dining, and entertainment, these communities are wonderful places in which to live.
Accessible to those in the area are excellent public transit services; within the area, you’ll find a wide variety of OC Transpo bus stops, including a number of major hubs like the Park & Rides on Hazeldean Rd and Terry Fox Dr, and the transit station in the Kanata Centrum.

The History

The friendly city of Kanata is a suburban area located in the western part of the city of Ottawa. This important tech center has a population of 90,000 residents and has experienced rapid growth since its incorporation in 1978. The planned city was formed from portions of the townships of March, Goulbourn, and Nepean. Kanata remained a city until 2001 when the province created a newly unified city of Ottawa that included it as a part of the bigger city. Kanata is located just to the west of the Greenbelt and it is one of the largest of several communities that surround greater central Ottawa.

Real Estate Development

Mainly an agricultural-based area until the 1960s, commercial development kicked into high gear when the commercial developer and planner Bill Teron purchased over 3,000 acres of rural land and set about building a model planned community. Unlike other Ottawa suburbs, Kanata was designed to integrate a mix of commercial and residential developments. Protecting large amounts of open space, the area was subdivided into a series of unique planned communities. The goal was for each of the communities to have their own distinct commercial centres enhanced by cultural diversity. These communities include Beaverbrook, Bridlewood, Katimavik, Glen Cairn, Hazeldean, Morgan’s Grant, and Kanata Lakes.

Life is Easier for Home Owners Here

The city of Kanata and the greater Ottawa area are consistently ranked year in and year out among the nation’s leaders for:

• Quality of life
• Affordable living
• Outstanding local festivals
• Robust local economy
• Stellar recreational options
• Distinguished educational centers for all ages
• Overall livability

A Key Component of the Silicon Valley of the North

One of the primary reasons the greater Ottawa area is called so is because of the many tech-centric corporations that call the region home. Among the elite players in the digital arena in Kanata include Alcatel-Lucent, Breconridge, Cisco Systems, Inc., Dell Canada, Digital Equipment Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, March Networks, MDS Nordion, Mitel, Norpak, Nortel, Smart Technologies, and Ubiquity Software. These major hi-tech industry players are clustered along March Road, in the Kanata North Business Park as well as the Kanata Research Park, and along Eagleson Road, in the Kanata South Business Park. If you are relocating here as a result of an employment opportunity with any of these corporations, we have vast experience helping many families just like yours relocate.

Things To Do Here When You Call it Home

If an active lifestyle is your goal, you will be right at home in Kanata. And your choices are almost limitless. In the winter months, be sure you and your family visit the Kanata Recreation Complex for winter activities like ice skating and a toboggan hill. Another wintertime destination is the Bell Sensplex, located on 1565 Maple Grove Road. Here you will find four ice rinks, one Olympic-sized, an indoor soccer pitch, a licensed restaurant upstairs and the new location of iPlay. In the summer months, you can hit the waves at the Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool on 70 Aird Place. For the NHL professional sports fan, don’t miss the action on the ice at Scotiabank Place which is the home of the Ottawa Senators.

Home of the Performing Arts

For those seeking a cultural experience, the area has something for you too. From outstanding concerts at Scotiabank Place, to live theatre at the 350-seat Ron Maslin Playhouse theatre, the performing arts are alive and well. Other equally important local arts groups include the Kanata Symphony, the Kanata Civic Art Gallery and the Kanata Theatre.

Real Estate

Now that you are more familiar with the region why not take a moment to search for homes for sale in Ottawa, and if you’re thinking about investing in Ottawa real estate, contact Geoff and Bobbie McGowan and let them find the home that’s right for you. With the help of their free relocation packages, market evaluations and more, you’ll be sure to benefit from what Geoff and Bobbie McGowan have to offer you.