The Village of Eden

In the fast-paced world we live in, with traffic and queues and the perennial rush, we crave oases of quiet – the refreshing rustle of leaves, the gentle brush of fresh air. Such spaces are in demand and Ballito has a few to choose from, each with something to offer. We speak to Haden Keeton, one half of a partnership behind our newest chill spot, Eden Village.

Eden Village was initially conceptualised as a wedding venue.

Haden Keeton and his partner Peter Moss, a seasoned builder, were keen to tap into the market.

They met with Robyn Jackson of Fiona Crago Real Estate and she showed them a plot in Foxhill, near Linc Church.

“The beauty of this place took my breath away the first time we came here. But when we heard the traffic zooming past, a wedding venue seemed improbable. The last thing you want to hear when you are kissing your brand new spouse, is a truck rumbling by,” laughs Haden.

Haden only recently ventured into development, this after 11 years as a managing director for award-winning advertising agency Barrows. He set up branches in England, Turkey and Brazil before heading up the African division. A staunch career guy, he decided to veer in a different direction and go for a change in lifestyle and family values.

“I was drawn to development and construction while building my own home in Simbithi, a difficult process. I thought if I could bring the principles of client service and project management to construction, Peter and I could create a winning formula. We wanted to do something different and have fun doing it.”

Not long after the idea of a wedding venue dissipated Haden was struck by an epiphany one morning. “The first thing I thought was: school. We are living in a rapidly growing area and cannot have enough schools.”

Enter the ladies of Simbithi EcoKidz Pre-School, who established and now run Village Kidz, a picturesque day care and early learning centre at Eden. It is targeted at children from 12 months to six years old, from Umhlali, Sheffield, Salt Rock, Brettenwood, Dunkirk and Simbithi. The next addition was Bloom Special Needs School, which also set up premises on site.

“The Bloom learners can now learn and play in a safe, calming environment and the school is finally growing as a result.”

Regardless of what they did with the property, the name was to be Eden Village because, according to Haden: “the place with its jungle of diverse trees and plethora of birds and butterflies literally felt like the Garden of Eden!”

The idea swiftly took shape, and Peter and Haden were blown away to see the community hop on board as readily as they did.

“We saw miracle after miracle with Eden Village. There’s no way we could have done it on our own. This entire process has showed me what a heart Ballito has for children. There was such a willingness to help.”

With Village Kidz as anchor tenant, Eden began to steadily grow: Swim Baby, a facility that provides swimming lessons and therapy to babies, young children and people with special needs, rotational rooms for various physicians and therapists, extra-murals like painting, pottery and crafts classes and a party venue for children at Clay Occupational Therapy.

Plans are underway for a restaurant and boutique retail area, as well as a dance studio.

“Imagine it: a restaurant nestled in the trees where you can meet up with your mates for an early lunch, have a mommy break while your child enjoys him or himself, or bring your lady for a romantic dinner. Then, when you’re done eating, do some shopping or get your hair and nails done. Magic!”

The village’s latest draw card is the Mamba Skate Park, a 450m outdoor skate track that winds its way through a myriad of exotic and indigenous trees. The course was constructed by Peter in consultation with legendary South African skate champion Eben Combrinck.

“Eben will run a skate academy teaching youngsters how to skate. Otherwise, you can just spend the day enjoying the course at your own pace, all age groups. We want children from all walks of life to be able to come here and skate through nature…where else in the world can you do that? It’s just that something extra.”

The King of the Mamba contest hosted by Redbull and presented by PEG will shake up Eden Village on March 21, with a coaching clinic in the morning and highspeed downhill racing by the pros in the afternoon. Whoever gets down the course the fastest will be crowned King of the Mamba.

Haden acknowledges the presence of similar venues like Burnedale, the Litchi Orchard and Sage, but says there is absolutely no competition because each offers something unique.

“Ballito is a hothouse of ideas and innovation, and I think if we all work together, this area will become something truly special. Together, we will all achieve significantly more and enjoy better results than we would if we were isolated. The whole Foxhill area is undergoing development and we’re just happy to be part of it.”

Peter and Haden believe that building the entire development ‘fit-for-purpose’ is key, if they are to achieve their goal of being fully operational by the end of the year.

“It’s been an interesting few months and we are learning as we go. We want to create a village where children can play, grow and develop. A place for families to enjoy each other in a safe and trusted environment.”

www.eden-village.com

www.villagekidz.co.za

www.mambaskate.com