Frequently Asked Questions

About the HOA

  • A Homeowners’ Association (HOA) is created by the developer of a community when starting a new development. An HOA is incorporated as a not-for-profit company under the Companies Act or as a society under the Societies Act. Usually, Homeowners’ Associations are created to assume responsibility for the maintenance and control of common lands or assets that were established by the developer to enhance the development that will not be maintained by the municipality. For example, developers may build community features that are above and beyond what the municipality will care for and so the obligation to maintain and repair these assets is then left to the HOA.

  • The Fireside Homeowners’ Association (FHA) was established by Calbridge Developments, formerly La Vita Land, to assume ownership and responsibility of entrance features and feature parks within the community.

  • All properties in the community that have an encumbrance registered on the title of the property are members of the HOA. Membership is mandatory and can’t be withdrawn.

  • An encumbrance is a third party’s right to, interest in, or legal liability on property that does not prohibit the property’s owner from transferring title. An encumbrance related to the HOA is registered on each property within the community and this enables the HOA to charge an annual fee. Homeowners cannot remove the encumbrance from their title.

  • All owners and residents in the community benefit from the community assets which would not otherwise be available without an HOA. The HOA maintains its assets to a higher standard than if maintained by the municipality.
  • Living in a well-run HOA can provide a stable and well-maintained community that can contribute to the maintenance and appreciation of property values.
  • Architectural controls, rules, and regulations help preserve the community’s appeal and overall quality, making it a more desirable place to live.

  • Each property owner is required to remit an annual payment to fund the HOA’s operations.
  • Each property owner is required to adhere to the HOA Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.

  • This document allows the HOA to do business in Alberta. Articles of Incorporation outline the primary purpose and regulations of the HOA.

  • The HOA Bylaws govern how the HOA is run and operated. They cover matters such as Board of Directors elections, contribution collection, resolutions/voting, and obligations/duties.

  • The HOA is run by a volunteer Board of Directors in accordance with the HOA Bylaws. The Board of Directors has retained the services of Blackstone Property Management Inc. to assist in running the HOA.
  • Duties include executing and managing all contracts entered into by the HOA, collection of the annual resident association fee, managing inquiries into the HOA, updating the register of owners’ database, providing fee status certificates as requested in the sale of Fireside homes, maintaining insurance coverage and any subsequent claims, etc.

  • Two entrance features at Fireside Gate.
    • Includes: the wood/masonry structures, lighting and controls, and the surrounding landscaping.
  • Median maintenance along Fireside Gate.
    • Includes: seasonal flowers, planters, stone columns, wood fencing, and the median landscaping.
  • North and west sides of Bullrush Park.
    • Includes: the wood fencing and stone columns.
  • Decorative wood features and pergola in Bullrush Park.
    • Includes: the wood/masonry structures, concrete, benches, and picnic tables.
  • Outdoor hockey rink located at 135 Fireside Parkway.
    • Includes: maintenance of boards, asphalt, benches, lighting, snow removal, ice management, volunteer management, the utility shed, and associated mechanical equipment, ice cleaning equipment including blowers, sweepers, hand tools etc.
  • Community garden plots located in Cattail Park.
    • Includes: the garden plots, annual assignment, and irrigation.
  • Seasonal holiday lights: installed on various light poles and trees along Fireside Gate.
  • Fire pits located in Central Park.
  • Administrative services: community website, management/accounting, annual audit, and insurance.

Annual Fees

  • The annual fee is calculated based on the current year’s budget. Click here to view the current fee amount.

  • On an annual basis a budget is prepared, and a calculation is done to determine the contribution required from each property owner to fund the HOA’s anticipated expenses.

  • The annual fees collected are used to fund the administration and maintenance of the community features and park sites. Operation of community amenities includes the decorative lights during the holidays, a seasonal landscaping program that includes flowerpots and groundskeeping each spring/summer, maintaining the community rink, and sponsorship of the annual Stampede Breakfast. Included in the administration of the HOA are insurance, bank charges, legal, and management & accounting. For further information, please review the annual budget.

  • The Fireside Homeowners’ Association annual homeowner fee is due on January 1st of every year.

  • An annual invoice is sent out via email before the due date, unless opted out of email or there is no email on file, then it will be mailed.
  • To opt-in to receive the annual invoice via email, click here.

  • Payments can be made through one of the following options:
    • Online with a credit card. Visa, Visa-Debit, MasterCard or AMEX cards are accepted.
    • Mail in cheque along with the lower portion of your statement.
  • E-transfers, debit, and bitcoin payments are not accepted. Please refer to your annual invoice for details.

  • If you have made a payment online, you will receive an email receipt. You can also call 403-984-2450 (Blackstone Property Management Inc) to confirm your payment was received.

  • Annual invoices are sent approximately two weeks before the payment due date by email (if available) or mail. We recommend you add the email admin@blackstonemgmt.ca as a safe sender to ensure it doesn’t go to your junk inbox
  • You can also set up a calendar reminder for yourself as they are due on the same day annually.
  • It is the responsibility of each homeowner to ensure their contact details are up to date and fees are paid before the due date.

  • Outstanding balances incur interest at a rate of 18% as per the encumbrance.

  • The HOA has established a strict policy for collecting unpaid fees. After the annual invoice is distributed, homeowners who have not paid their fees by the due date will subsequently receive another statement listing the amount owing, including additional interest charges. If the outstanding amount is still not received after the second statement is sent, a third and final statement will be sent. If payment for the outstanding amount has still not been received, the account will then be turned over to the HOA’s lawyer for further collection. All legal costs incurred by the HOA to recover outstanding balances become the responsibility of the homeowner and are added to the homeowner’s account

Sites/Features

    • Most properties in the community were built with Architectural Guidelines implemented by the developer. These guidelines were meant to guarantee a specific look for the community and safeguard property values. Architectural Guidelines can include controls related to fencing, shingles, paint colors, sheds, swimming pools, and much more. These Architectural Guidelines are captured in restrictive covenants registered on each property’s title.
    • Homeowners must do their due diligence and determine what is allowed under the municipal bylaws, restrictive covenants, or other instruments registered on their title.
    • Property titles and the details of all registered instruments on title can be obtained from a local registry office or on the Alberta Land Titles website Spin2 https://alta.registries.gov.ab.ca/
    • Generally, these restrictive covenants require property owners to maintain the assets to the standard they were originally built. For example, if you have a 4-foot black chain link fence, you can likely only replace it with a 4-foot black chain link fence. If you have a masonry fence, you can likely only replace it with an identical masonry fence.
    • Homeowners who violate the restrictive covenants may face legal action, fines, and remediation/removal by various other stakeholders including other property owners in the community, the municipality, or the HOA. We encourage property owners to ensure they are following all the rules that apply to their property to avoid costly mistakes.
    • Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the fences that border their property, no matter what style. This includes both sides of the fence where it is not shared with a neighbour.
    • If you have a concern with one of your neighbours or suspect they have violated a restrictive covenant we urge you to discuss the matter with them and advise them of any obligations before taking any type of legal action.
    • The FHA fence specifications and paint colors are:
      • Wood – No. 2 SPF or Cedar
      • Stain – MESMERS Semi-Transparent stain, Natural Redwood

  • You can contact us here.

  • No, a community association is an organization formed by the residents of an area to manage and direct its social and recreational activities, act as an intervener in civic matters, plan, develop, and maintain community facilities and amenities. Membership to a community association is voluntary. A homeowners’ association is a compulsory organization created by a land developer to manage and maintain the amenities of a development that the municipality will not accept responsibility to maintain.

  • Please check your restrictive covenant and caveat through Alberta Land Titles as each property restriction varies.

Involvement

  • Attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM). You can nominate yourself as a candidate or be nominated by fellow homeowners.
  • As Fireside is still in a stage of active development, the developer has not turned over the HOA to the residents. We anticipate that it will be a few more years before the HOA is officially turned over from the developer. At that time, we will send communications out to all owners for the first Annual General Meeting, where we will be looking for owners interested in joining the Board of Directors.

  • A notice of the Annual General Meeting along with a comprehensive AGM package is distributed to all owners approximately 3 weeks in advance of the meeting.