Unlike ancient Rome, which in its heyday was the hub for all traffic, only one road leads to Westridge. And Ari Drelich believes most of the neighbourhood’s residents would like to keep it that way.
“I don’t think we need more than one,” says Drelich, who has lived in Westridge for some 25 years. “There’s not a lot of heavy traffic and there are no businesses other than a small shopping centre, so I don’t think the demand for it is there.”
Accessible only via 170th Street onto Wolf Willow Road heading east, Westridge was designed to fit the landscape. From a bird’s-eye view, the narrow neighbourhood is bordered by Patricia Ravine in the north and Wolf Willow Ravine in the south, which converge at the North Saskatchewan River valley.
The natural surroundings are spectacular on the thoroughfare, which loops the perimeter of Westridge back to 170th Street. That scenery has made Westridge one of the city’s higher end neighbourhoods, where housing prices average around $730,000.
“Make sure you’ve got enough money for a good down payment and have your payment plan in order,” advises Drelich. “It’s a little bit tougher for younger families to get in because of the higher prices. It’s more for people who are already in their second home and are better established.”
More than 1,400 people live in Westridge, with residents in the 50-to-69 age bracket dominating the demographics. Of the 495 residential units in the area, most of them are single-detached bungalows built during the 1970s, although a few row-housing complexes also exist. All the homes are on crescents and cul-de-sacs surrounding the Westridge Wolf Willow Country Club Community League, located in the centre of the neighbourhood. Shoppers get access to services at the Wolf Willow Shopping Centre located in Oleskiw, right on Westridge’s southern border.
“It’s a very nice and pleasant area of the city,” adds Drelich. “It has a lot of park space, it’s nestled in a relatively quiet area and it’s a great place to raise a family.”
Westridge Wolf Willow Country Club Community League
This complex is the hub for the neighbourhood. It’s also the centre of all the community action, from hockey and soccer to tennis and basketball. Additional services include a daycare, meeting rooms and hall space.
505 Wolf Willow Rd., 780-481-3524,wwwcccl.com
Patricia Ravine Park
Stretching from the Yellowhead Freeway all the way to the river valley, this greenspace is very popular as an off-leash area for dog owners. Bordering Westridge, Patricia Heights and Rio Terrace, the space has a path that’s also a favourite for hikers.
rivervalley.ab.ca/resources/offleash-dog-parks/
Cakes By Candace
While this establishment takes pride in its creation of cakes, cupcakes and cookies, it really thrives on creating unique, custom designed pastries for occasions from weddings to birthdays.
6861 170 St., 780-486-2253,cakesbycandace.net
Urban RetreatBody & Skincare Centre
Since 2003, Urban Retreat has been pampering clients with a vast array of services that include shiatsu massage, laser hair removal, manicures, pedicures and other skin treatments.
6841 170 St., 780-481-2414,myurbanretreat.com
Charisma Hair Fashion
Charisma offers a wide array of hair services including colour, highlights, extensions and styling. And, if you still feel incomplete, check out the selection of clothes and jewellery.
6871 170 St., 780-484-5646,charismahair.ca
This article appears in the June 2016 issue of Avenue Edmonton. Subscribe here.
