Community Testimonials

Testimonials, thoughts, and thank you notes...

"RiverBend is a wonderful, friendly community.  We know we made the right decision to move to our lovely villa here.  Thank you Sifton for a great new home and lifestyle."
Lynda & Peter Duckworth

“We absolutely have found moving to RiverBend one of our best decisions. Our house is great, the service and amenities are great, and the staff are all beyond our expectations. Neighbours are very helpful and friendly. Love it! We feel like we are on vacation, not just retired.”
Robert & Irene Chapman

"On behalf of the Ivey Business School I want to thank you and all of your staff for an outstanding dinner event that you organized for Hutchison Ports Holdings last week.  RiverBend hosted 26 senior, well travelled, sophisticated executives from Hong Kong, Panama, the UK, the Netherlands, Mexico, China, Korea and other countries who ended up concluding that they had one of the best meals of their lives, accompanied by some of the finest wines, at our own RiverBend. Your attention to detail as well as Kirk's imaginatively conceived and well-executed menu and the sommelier's choice and presentation of wines, were appreciated. Miranda, my assistant in Hong Kong also appreciated your great flexibility and speed of response as the numbers bounced around during the last few days. Your wait staff were superb and would have done credit to any restaurant or private club in the world.  The Baked Alaska - complete with crane - will be remembered long after they have forgotten anything that we may have taught them. The fact that the CEO wanted to take the crane with him amazed me - also his description of the bison tenderloin as 'the best steak I've ever eaten' was about as effusive as he ever gets." (May 15, 2011)
Kind regards, Jeffrey Gandz

"Tedd: Sandra and I wanted to thank you and your team for the outstanding job you did with regard to restoring the course. While it is frustrating to the members not to be able to play, we know it is more frustrating to you that the course can’t be maintained to your high standards.  The course we played today is the best in the area and maybe the province...all because of the dedication and commitment of you and your team. Thank you very much for a job well done." (June 2, 2011)
Ian Black & Sandra Stewart

"So many thanks for our lovely dinner on Saturday….our family was really impressed with the presentation of our dinners and how flavourful, hot, and tasty they were! Not easy with diverse ages….and what a beautiful cake Kirk made! Thanks to Carman and Leslie as well for their friendly and astute service. How did Carman keep up with 2 little ones and their beverages; not to mention the 12 big ones and their beverages! Everyone thought the room layout was terrific…the sofas/chairs and fire were so cozy while we enjoyed our appetizers and the table formation led to all of us enjoying conversation with each other. Providing a personal menu was such a highlight and surprise which I’ll certainly save in my “family album”. Having the TV available to display our personal Anniversary DVD was beyond enjoyable. What a great way to celebrate 50 years of marriage. As I’ve often said to my children, nothing is better than family, and what compliments it is a great community and friends and a super Club which employs super staff!" (November 7, 2011)
With warm regards and much appreciation, Dave and Carole Sewell

"Please pass on to the organizers of yesterdays tournament that it was a great success in the eyes of the 5 guys from St.Andrews East GC.  The course was in wonderful condition, the food exquisite and the members that hosted as well as the volunteers made the day very enjoyable. We look forward to returning next year and hopefully playing a little better." (July 7, 2011)
Thanks again, Paul Berry, St. Andrews East Golf Club

"I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the very enjoyable "Pampered Ladies Day" last Saturday.  This was my first event at RiverBend and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can well appreciate the amount of time and effort you put into making this such a success. It also provided me with a great opportunity to meet many of the residents of the community.
The staff and ladies of RiverBend have been very welcoming and i look forward to being part of a great community. Thanks again." (May 2, 2011)
Sincerely, Linda Kuchta

"Judy and I moved into our home in RiverBend exactly two years ago. Right from day one, we have had outstanding customer service and follow-up from Maureen O'Reilly. Her efficiency and attention to detail, as well as her ability to get things done has made us very comfortable with our decision to invest in a Sifton home at RiverBend.  Also, Jerry Hakkers has quickly looked after any issues with the exterior and landscaping of our home." (September 30, 2011)
Regards, Doug & Judy Outerson

"We had a really nice time yesterday at the shower. Everything was just perfect. Will you please pass on my thanks to your staff and Chef. The service, the food and the ambience were great. All of the guests came from out of town and were very impressed with the community and particularly the facilities at the Clubhouse. Thank you so much for arranging it all for me." (May 30, 2011)
Carol Telford

"Our participants were extremely complimentary in their comments about the golf course itself and those compliments were echoed again in regard to the Clubhouse setting, the meal and manner in which the staff went out of their way (as they always do) to make sure everyone was made to feel welcome and comfortable." (October 20, 2011)
John Davidson, Jesse's Journey

"Jackie, it is always a pleasure to work with you. You are very accommodating and professional. I appreciate your well thought out responses to all my questions. While the tournament turned out splendidly, we know how much preparatory work goes into planning such a day. Your suggestions and guidance were invaluable and resulted in RiverBend presenting a very positive image to our guests. I have heard several compliments regarding the dinner, the decor, the prizes and the fun loving staff and volunteers dressed in french garb. Tara, is there anything you can't do? From the announcements to the final thank you notes, you delivered a consistently elegant Paris themed feeling to our event. Your creativity and efficiency are admired and appreciated." (July 2011) 
Lisa McCracken

"Marty, I truly enjoyed golfing with you at the Sifton Golf Tournament.  Winning 2nd prize with the team was incredible, as it was the first time in my life that I had won a prize for golf.  My thanks goes out to the Sifton organization for this first class event." (June 2011)
Tony Marsman

"Kristen, thank you for such a special Pampered Ladies Day!  We thoroughly enjoyed the enitre day of being pampered!  I know you put a tremendous amount of effort into the day and it was greatly appreciated by all!
Louise Good

"Chef Kirk: Home now and still enjoying all of the exposed senses from tonight - sight, smell and taste!  Thank you so much for enriching our food experience and sharing your knowledge.  Your enthusiam about life and food is infectious.  Yes, let's do a lot more evenings like this, I thought the format tonight worked very well." (November 2011)
Louise & Ross Good

"We had a Holiday Open House on Dec. 3rd for 21 of our friends and neighbours. I worked with Jackie to have the Club cater the event and want to report back that Bob and I were extremely pleased with the food and service.  Jackie and Chef put together a lovely menu, and accommodated both celiac and lactose-free allergy requirements which was greatly appreciated. The guests in particular raved about Chef's homemade chicken and cranberry sausage, smoked salmon cones, ham and assorted chutneys!Stephanie and Jesse did a great job. They are such pleasant young people and the Club is fortunate to have them in its employ. They were efficient in setting the food out, serving the guests and cleaning up throughout and after the party. It was a treat for me at the end of the evening to have everything cleared away!  I'm glad that the Club is able to offer catering services; it is a value-added benefit of living at RiverBend. Please pass along our appreciation to your staff for a job well done." (December 2011)
Evelyn and Bob Watson

"Jackie: Please accept our sincere appreciation for the outstanding work you and your staff accomplished in preparing for and hosting our marriage celebration.  From the moment you welcomed us to the Club, to helping us create a menu, and suggestions how the evening could proceed, we knew we were in for a great experience.  We certainly hoped for a special evening to celebrate our marriage.  You and the staff have provided us special memories of an evening we will remember forever." (February 2011)
Grazyna & Peter Martin

Last night's dinner was excellent. Our guests were really impressed with the meal and service. The decoration of the diningroom created a festive atmosphere for a fun filled evening. Please express our appreciation to all your staff for a job well done. (January 2012)
Don & Heather Moir