If you haven’t been to Chestermere in the past few years, you will certainly be in for a jolt. 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 is of course the famous Chestermere Lake, the 750-acre lake is still the city’s crowning glory as it remains an enviable four-season recreational hotspot.

In the summer, there is water-skiing sailing, fishing, windsurfing, canoeing, and swimming. Migratory birds are drawn to it every fall and spring, and everyone can enjoy the scenic serenity on the two-lane bike path. The ice skating, pond hockey and ice-fishing along the frozen lake provide hours of recreation in the winter.

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

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 eat-in and take-out Italian food “all made from scratch”.

The Dockside Bar and Grill is an institution in Chestermere. The lakeside hangout has been around since 1979. Visit them at 109 E. Chestermere Dr. for some great bar chow, a hearty breakfast or a sumptuous dinner.

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.

Chestermere has grown at an amazing clip. It currently has a population of just under 20,000 people. According to the municipal government, in the last two census, Chestermere’s populations grew by 5,205 people, an average growth rate of 7.09 per cent annually from 2011 to 2016.

Despite its growth, Chestermere still has that recreation-oriented lifestyle, the idyllic countryside and the lakeside living charm that has made it into one of the most appealing residential neighbourhoods in the Calgary region. Today, it isn’t solely its resort town charm that continues to attract newcomers here, but its total family-oriented, ease-of-living package.

There are two new communities just sprouting on the western edge of town offering a wide range of home styles to fit every budget. One of them is Dawson’s Landing by Qualico Communities.

“Dawson’s Landing is a great area 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.”

Dawson’s Landing is a community that’s been specially created to allow families to experience a close connection with nature, she adds. “There’s always something fun to do, from swimming, skating, and fishing at the lake. Picnicking at the future Stormwater Kidney and eco-park while learning about wetland preservation will be located within the community too. We are just a five-minute drive to Chestermere Lake and the East Hills shopping centre. And it’s all as little as 22 minutes from downtown Calgary or the airport.”

Dawson’s Landing offers townhomes starting from the low $300,000s, duplex homes starting from the $330,000s, laned homes starting from the $370,000s, front garage homes starting from the $490,000s, and bungalows starting from the $515,000s.

Just across the road is Chelsea, by Anthem United. It offers single-family front-drive homes from Luxuria Homes, laned homes from Pacesetter Homes, Trico Homes and Truman Homes. Chelsea is a 320-acre master planned community that on completion will have over 7,0000 residents in a variety of housing types near schools, parks, neighbourhood shopping, pathways and an eco-park.

Kinniburgh South is a little further east and is now down to its final phase with its semi-estate homes. Meanwhile, WestCreek Developments, is currently in the planning stages for Bridgeport – one of their two planned communities here. The future does look bright for what was once a sleepy lakeside town.