A new community is coming to Okotoks, and preparations for the construction of D'Arcy have started.

The D'Arcy community is being built on 280 acres on the North side of Okotoks by the D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club.

Anthem United, the community developers that also built the Drake Landing Community, say the community will feature green spaces, walking paths and 2 new schools.

Steve LePan Sales and Marketing Director for Anthem United says preparations like moving the golf course access have been a long time coming.

"We are very happy to have received approval on our outline plan earlier this year, and now we can begin construction on the site!  We're very excited to see things start to happen."

LaPan says phase one is in action. "Since we're beginning construction on phase one, we're now going to be preparing the land for construction." LePan says they need to create an even and blank canvas to start on.  "That's what you're starting to see right now, in moving the entrance to the D'Arcy Ranch Golf Course, and of course removing the trees that were all part of their entry feature.  That is all part of the stripping, grading and readying of the land for construction."

Construction will be done in phases, LePlan says it could last a few years.

"It will certainly be ongoing for the next number of years in a staged process of course, as market demand dictates us on how we bring on the phases.  This year though, we plan to be working on the site all throughout the construction season through summer and fall, and we hope to have building permits by the end of the year."

Some familiar names will be doing most of the building in the area including Morrison Homes, Sterling Homes and Trico Homes.

Anthem United says there will be retail and commercial opportunities which will serve the north end of town.

To stay up to date on the D'Arcy construction you can follow their web page www.darcyokotoks.com