Chestermere: Placid lake, vibrant city

For the longest time, Chestermere was thought of merely as Calgary’s lakeside playground, but it has since grown up to be its own city with a unique personality and lifestyle that isn’t just about water fun.

If you haven’t been to this lakeside city just east of Calgary in the past few years, you will certainly be in for a surprise. Growth is evident everywhere, from the rising number of new residential neighbourhoods to the bustling commercial centres in town and just on its outskirts.

Its call to fame remains Chestermere Lake, as the 750-acre lake and the four-season recreational fun it offers remains a big draw. But it is so much more than that today. More people are finding Chestermere an appealing community to set roots in with at least four new developments offering a varied range of housing options.

According to a city census, Chestermere has been growing steadily at 34 percent since 2011 and has a population today of 20,732. That’s just going to go higher as the young communities of Chelsea, and Dawson’s Landing continue to progress, and the new developments of South Shore and Waterford commence.

Jenny Cawthorn, junior marketing manager at Anthem United, the developers of Chelsea, says despite its growth, Chestermere still has that small town vibe.

“Living in Chestermere is like living in a large community. People are friendly, the city is clean and there are multiple activations that happen throughout the year including Canada Day Celebration and Water Festival in the Summer and the Pond Hockey Tournament in the Winter,” she says.

Adam Oruclar of General Development Services of the new South Shore community says Chestermere has dozens of unique year-round festivals for the family. “From the annual Music Festival, Bulls at the Beach, Annual Country Fair, and so many more. Chestermere also has its own waterfront dog park. What a great way to get outdoors and have fun with your pet!”

And there is still more to love in this young city just 10 minutes east of Calgary.

Recreational haven

There is of course the Lakeside Golf Club in town, a semi-private beautifully manicured 18-hole Championship Golf Course. The Calgary Yacht Club is on the shores of Chestermere Lake, and Anniversary Park is the lakeside park where many of the young city’s social and cultural life happens. Chestermere Landing is the city’s first commercial centre where the iconic Dockside Bar and Grill is located, and it has opened its marina for recreational activities in the summer and winter.

Visitors to the young city are encouraged to make a stop at Crazy Pasta at 320 Westcreek Dr. to shop for authentic, fresh-made pasta, bread, and an assortment of imported Italian foods. They also have a small kitchen that offers ear-in and take-out Italian food “all made from scratch,” it says.

The massive East Hills shopping centre is right on the border between Calgary and Chestermere, and its cinemas, big box stores and boutique diners have provided a ton of convenience to residents along the 17th Avenue SE - Chestermere Blvd. corridor.

But what attracts people to Chestermere today isn’t solely its resort town charm, but its total family-oriented, ease-of-living package. Not to mention the wide range of housing options available in its vibrant, new communities.

Chelsea

Chelsea is on its Phase 4, with 200 families already calling this Anthem United development home. “Anthem United has worked hard to educate Calgarians on the benefits of moving to Chestermere and the best parts about Chelsea being the future amenities available inside and around the community, lots are larger, and you can live close to a lake without paying lake fees,” Cawthorn says.

Chelsea has Trico Homes selling laned and front drive homes, Sterling Homes selling laned homes, Truman has duplex and laned homes and Luxuria Homes selling front drive homes and townhomes. New showhomes will be opening later this Spring.

“Currently, the community is home to a landscaped field and later in the summer will have a tot lot and an interactive pathway called ‘Pioneer Trail’ that will include information about the family that used to own a dairy farm on the Chelsea lands, and other pioneer settlers that once called Chestermere home,” she adds. For more information, visit chelseachestermere.com.

Dawson’s Landing

“Dawson’s Landing is a great community with so many existing and future amenities,” says Emily Smith, marketing manager for Qualico Communities, Dawson’s Landing’s developer. “Existing restaurants, grocery, daycares and professional offices are within a few minutes’ drive. There are a number of established schools within Chestermere, and two school sites planned for the community.”

It’s no wonder Dawson’s Landing has been as successful as it was, and growth continues as Phase 3 was just released. “This phase will see a brand new showhome parade in Fall 2022,” Smith says.
Over 350 homes have been sold in the community with just under 150 occupants currently living in the community, she says.

Dawson’s Landing, which launched in 2020, was the first to offer laned homes in the city of Chestermere and was a crucial ingredient for its success. “Since then, the Stormwater Kidney™ Pond has opened as an amazing amenity for the community and the City of Chestermere. Other amenities in the community are the two future school sites, parks, playgrounds, future eco park, and the proximity of the community to everything the City of Chestermere has to offer”
For more information, visit liveindawsonslanding.ca.

South Shore

South Shore at Chestermere is one of the newest residential developments in the city and the last opportunity to own a lakeside home. It just broke ground last summer and construction is well underway for five new showhomes, Oruclar says. “We have a scheduled community and showhome grand opening on Saturday, June 4, 2022.”
Developed by GDS on behalf of Edgewater Communities Inc, South Shores is adjacent to the last developable shores of Chestermere Lake. It is comprised of 77.5 gross acres interlaces with pathways, playgrounds and adjacent shoreline.
It brings together brings together a premium and award-winning group of builders: Crystal Creek Homes, Prominent Homes, Madison Avenue Group, Green Cedar Homes, and Avalon Master Builder. This dedicated line-up of

homebuilding partners offers a wide selection of home styles including single-family, duplexes, townhomes and even rentals.

“The proximity to the lake is really the primary draw for people to South Shore. New homeowners in South Shore can connect in the community via extensive pathways that lead to a further network through the small city and around Chestermere Lake, with lots of amenities within walking distance. Two new playgrounds are planned,” Oruclar says.

Visit liveatsouthshore.com for more information.