It's not just about getting away from it all. It's about being together with family and friends. And it's about making memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, fishing, boating, or jumping off the dock to cool off, the cottage is one of Canada's most treasured summer destinations. Investing in building your own cottage can be one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make. Take a walk through time as we look at what makes the Kawartha lakes such a special place, and how Timber Frame Solutions can help you build the custom timber frame structure of your dreams.
A Little History
Kawartha Lakes was created in 2001 by the amalgamation of all the municipalities in the former county of Victoria, including Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Verulam, Fenelon Falls, Omemee, Sturgeon Point, Woodville and 10 townships. The name is taken from the name given to a group of lakes in the area, the Kawartha Lakes. The name "Kawartha" meaning “bright waters and happy lands”, is home to lakes including Balsam Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Pigeon Lake and many more. They were formed by glaciers during the last ice age and contain many lakes, rivers, and other water bodies. The area is known for its beautiful scenery, fishing, boating, and water sports. The city of Kawartha Lakes is situated on Mississauga lands and has been noted as native territory for thousands of years. The Kawartha Lakes are located in south-central Ontario between the cities of Toronto and Ottawa, to the south of Highway 401. There are several small towns within the Kawartha Lakes region and has a population of about 65,000 people, making it one of the smaller regions in Ontario. The Kawarthas is a popular destination for tourists and cottagers because it offers a beautiful and much-needed escape from city life.
The Northern Way of Life
Canada is a country with no shortage of nature and Cottages are a big part of Canadian culture. Cottagers are passionate about their home away from home and spend their summers there as often as possible. The escape to “up north” usually begins on the Victoria Day weekend and lasts through to the fall. Many people close up for the season right after the Thanksgiving turkey has been served on the picnic table or dockside. Being a short 2 – 2.5-hour commute from Toronto, many city slickers have opted to either make the trek every day or spend the summers’ weekends at their cottages. It’s a way of life for many Canadians and as the years go by, the ideal of the cottage gets bigger and better with every generation. In fact, retiring to the cottage seems to be the latest trend as people are discovering it as a preferred way of life. The winters, however, are not for the faint of heart as the snowfalls can be heavy and limit road travel. But, for the Florida snowbirds, it’s the perfect way to spend the rest of the year!
Building the Dream
The words cottage or cabin used to bring to mind a small shack in the woods with no running water and inevitably, an outhouse. Now those same dwellings are known as a symbol of prestige and only the lucky ones get to own one. The outhouse is a thing of the past for most cottages, and almost all of them have running water, in fact, with Lakehouse interiors trending, they are often more beautifully decorated than one’s everyday home in the city. The reason why so many people build their dream cottage is because they want to create an ideal place for their families to spend time together. They want the cottage experience to be memorable for everyone involved and that means creating a space that everyone will love. Spending summers at the cottage brings families closer together and allows them to create memories that last forever. Well Kawartha Lakes just got a little bit more exciting now that Timber Frames Solutions is in town! Whether you are building a custom cottage, log home or want to enhance your lakefront property with a pergola, gazebo, or beautifully crafted porch, Timber Frame Solutions is the company to turn to. They use the highest quality Canadian-grown timbers, state-of-the-art design technology, and the traditional art of timber frame joinery. Originally based in Niagara on the Lake, Timber Frame Solutions now has a location in Fenelon Falls to better serve the GTA and the Kawartha Lakes. Give them a call today and start that project you’ve been dreaming of!