Chestermere: Southern Alberta's newest city is packed with amenities

It's not uncommon for those who make the move from the "big city" to the idyllic shores of Lake Chestermere to never look back.

Take, for example, Colleen and Mathew Jones.

The couple and their two young children moved to Chestermere, which gained its city status in 2015, from Calgary's Mayland Heights neighbourhood five years ago. They purchased a three-bedroom home by Broadview Homes on a corner lot in Kinniburgh South – located on the east side of the city, just steps from the lake and from East Lake School.

"Chestermere has such a small-town feel," said Matthew Jones. "Our neighbours are awesome. We have block parties. In the evening, everyone is outside and talks to each other. The kids just go outside and play. It reminds me of when I was a kid growing up."

At Chestermere's core is a tranquil, 4.8-kilometre lake that offers plenty of summer and winter fun, from boating to ice fishing.

Add to that three sandy beaches, seven parks, a BMX and skateboard park, and a picturesque pathway system, and Chestermere hits the sweet spot when it comes to lifestyle.

The city's youthful population currently sits at around 21,000 residents, a number that has grown by 34 per cent since 2011 – and expect those numbers to keep rising.

"We really wanted to create a perfectly positioned community that enables residents to move freely between the big city, smaller city and lake life." - Brady Morrice, Anthem United

In the second quarter of this year, Kinniburgh developer Pollyco Development Inc. released its final phase in the community, a collection of 73 single-family estate lots.

At the same time, Pollyco is also moving forward with new community plans on the city's west side. They are joining a string of developers who are set to reshape the former farmland there, adding amenities and a variety of new housing options.

Anthem United, the developer behind Wedderburn and D'Arcy in Okotoks, recently launched Chelsea, which will span 129 hectares on Chestermere's west side. Its population is expected to reach close to 7,000 at final build out.

"We really wanted to create a perfectly positioned community that enables residents to move freely between the big city, smaller city and lake life," said Brady Morrice, development manager at Anthem United.

The community will offer a collection of laned, paired and front-drive-garage homes. The builder group includes Luxuria Homes, Truman Homes, Pacesetter Homes and Trico Homes.

"Chelsea is for people who want to enjoy a little bit of everything," said Morrice. "It's an affordable community where a summer-village vibe intersects with big-city possibilities."

Qualico Communities will be adding to the city's amenity mix with an eco-park, recreation facility, two schools and a selection of retail offerings in its new west-Chestermere community of Dawson's Landing.

The 108-hectare community will offer cottage-style homes, multi-unit dwellings, townhomes, duplex homes and single-family homes. The builder group includes Morrison Homes, Trico Homes, Broadview Homes, Sterling Homes and NuVista Homes. At final build out, 1,305 families will call the community home.

Showhomes are slated to open in Chelsea in late fall and in Dawson's Landing in early 2020.