The City of Chestermere, Alberta
Rocky View County’s Lakeside Gem
Discover a charming community blooming with economic and educational progress
Chestermere, Alberta, stands at a pivotal moment in its development. The city is currently well-positioned to become one of Alberta’s strongest sources of provincial growth.
Thanks to the astute long-term planning of the city’s leaders, Chestermere has been able to manage its rapid population growth sustainably.
By blending its natural lakeside views with contemporary investments meant to stimulate its modern potential, Chestermere is quickly becoming one of Western Canada’s most easily recognized urban centers.
At its core, Chestermere prioritizes the needs of its residents. By embracing its residents’ cultural diversity, city leaders develop innovative programming and events that celebrate inclusivity while strengthening community bonds.
As a natural byproduct, expanding educational infrastructure has become paramount to accommodating Chestermere’s youthful population and ensuring access to quality education.
Chestermere also continuously enhances its parks, schools, recreational facilities, and other public amenities to preserve its community-centric, resort-style atmosphere.
The city’s investments in infrastructure, such as modernized transportation routes and expanded utilities, have been key support structures for its growing neighborhoods, including Dawson, Chelsea, Clearwater Park, and Bridgeport.
Moreover, Chestermere’s public-private partnerships attract businesses to its tax-friendly environment, bolstering the local economy and creating job opportunities. This allows the city to grow while maintaining its unique identity as a serene lakeside haven.
As it is now, Chestermere is a dynamic junction of economic and social activity, a city achieving a vision as a successful standout Alberta destination. Chestermere residents enjoy a thriving economy, exceptional public services, and a close-knit community that embraces advancement and tradition.
This is all thanks to the city’s bold yet proportional approach to development, which provides its residents with an unparalleled quality of life.
Chestermere’s Picturesque Community Personality
Sitting just outside Calgary, Chestermere is a unique city known for its resort-style community.
Often described as tight-knit and culturally diverse, the city’s relaxed atmosphere makes it a sought-after destination for families, retirees, and anyone seeking a serene waterfront lifestyle.
“Chestermere is one of the only venues to allow motorized boating in the area, with the next nearest location being Ghost Lake, which is about an hour away. Our pristine beaches and well-kept parks offer many different ways for families to enjoy their day on or around the water,” says city Communications Manager Ty Tomosta.
Chestermere’s appeal is centered on its namesake lake, which attracts water sports enthusiasts. The lake offers activities such as waterskiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating.
However, for those who prefer to stay ashore, the city provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Cove Beach offers a quiet retreat, complete with a playground, while Anniversary Beach serves as a gathering spot for community events and celebrations, including sandcastle competitions.
Chestermere is a year-round destination with activities for both residents and visitors. In the summer, the lake is abuzz with activity, while Lakeside Greens, a stunning golf course that winds through the city, offers a tranquil escape for golf enthusiasts.
Conversely, winter transforms Chestermere into a bustling social scene, with events like the annual Pond Hockey Tournament and the Winter Lights Festival drawing crowds to John Peake Park.
John Peake Park, Chestermere’s crown jewel, is the epicenter of many signature events, such as the city’s new Food Festival. Named after Councillor John Peake, a dedicated advocate for the lakefront community, the park is seen as a testament to the city’s rich history and ongoing commitment to community engagement.
The city also hosts the World’s Longest Hockey Game each March, an event that supports the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and highlights the community’s spirit of generosity.
Chestermere’s appeal extends beyond its picturesque lake, and its growth has been nothing short of remarkable. In recent years, its reputation and population have grown with the vibrancy of its rapidly maturing urban center.
According to the 2024 Chestermere Municipal Census, the city’s population has surged to 28,129, a 34% increase from the 2021 federal census.
“Neighborhoods continue to spring up around Chestermere, and it’s because we offer ample commercial areas for businesses and new clients starting home businesses,” Tomasta says.
Despite this rapid expansion, the city has managed to retain its “summer village” vibe. New neighborhoods like Dawson and Chelsea are thriving, offering the perfect balance between small-town charm and big-city amenities.
At the same time, developments like Clearwater Park and Bridgeport are poised to welcome their first homeowners.

(Photo by Inder Chahal/City of Chestermere)
Cultivating a Business and Student-Friendly Environment
Chestermere’s strategic location along one of Alberta’s busiest economic corridors makes it a prime commercial destination.
“Our city’s location and recent growth provide plenty of opportunities for businesses to set up shop and expand their clientele,” Tomasta confirms, emphasizing how Chestermere’s rapid growth has created a robust local economy and an expanding customer base.
With its proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway and Stoney Trail, the city offers unparalleled access to major transportation routes, making it an ideal base for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.
Chestermere’s 2024 census not only revealed a significant population increase but also highlighted a young and active workforce with a median age of 35 to 39. This demographic profile is particularly attractive to Chestermere’s new businesses seeking skilled and energetic employees.
Fortunately, when they need it, those businesses will have support from Chestermere’s financially savvy policies.
“It’s important to note that Chestermere does not tax businesses for operating. If you operate in Chestermere, the only applicable fees are property taxes and licensing,” Tomasta explains.
Combined with its accessibility and prime locations in new developments, this policy makes Chestermere one of the most attractive choices for businesses looking to grow.
“With this new growth, of course, comes new demand for housing and services. Chestermere is also a particularly diverse community, and that has become a strength for many of our local restaurants, particularly for businesses looking to cater to a multicultural customer base,” Tomasta says.
As more commercial activity continues to flow through the city, Chestermere’s multicultural community will further strengthen its economic appeal by providing businesses with a wealth of opportunities to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
However, out of all the new service demands that the city’s growth has triggered, education is undoubtedly one of the most important cornerstones of Chestermere’s development strategy.
The city is home to five public schools—East Lake School, Prairie Waters Elementary, Rainbow Creek Elementary, Chestermere Lake Middle School, and Chestermere High School—as well as two Catholic schools, Our Lady of Wisdom and St. Gabriel the Archangel.
With the city’s population growing rapidly, the demand for educational facilities has increased. So, Chestermere’s City Council has been proactive in addressing this need, advocating for funding and working with Rocky View Schools to prepare sites for new schools.
As these developments mature, Chestermere’s excellent transportation links will be particularly important. The city’s transportation network makes it a convenient location for post-secondary students commuting to Calgary or other nearby institutions.
This accessibility ensures that residents have ample opportunities to pursue higher education while enjoying the benefits of lakeside living.

(Photo by Inder Chahal/City of Chestermere)
A Community That Celebrates Today and Tomorrow
As Chestermere continues to grow, its leadership remains focused on preserving the city’s unique identity while planning for the future. Investments in infrastructure, education, and community amenities are central to this vision.
The development of new neighborhoods, the expansion of recreational opportunities, and the creation of a new high school are just a few examples of the city’s forward-thinking approach.
By balancing economic development with community-focused initiatives, Chestermere is ensuring that its growth is both sustainable and inclusive.
The city’s vibrant events calendar shows that while things are moving forward, there will always be a strong sense of community. From Canada Day fireworks and Music Fest to the Winter Lights Festival and New Year’s Eve celebrations, the city’s wide range of activities continues to bring residents together.
Unique initiatives, like allowing off-highway vehicles on roads and permitting alcohol consumption in parks, also contribute to Chestermere’s distinctive lifestyle of responsible freedom and fun.
These policies enhance the city’s resort-like vibe, offering residents a level of flexibility and liberation that is rare in urban settings.
With its stunning lakeside setting, vibrant community, and commitment to improvement, Chestermere is more than just a city—it’s a once-rough diamond that’s finally starting to shine. As it looks to the future, this Alberta gem will undoubtedly continue to thrive and offer residents and businesses alike an outstanding environment to live, work, and play.
AT A GLANCE
The City of Chestermere, Alberta
What: A dynamic, fast-growing lakeside city blending urban development with resort-style living
Where: Situated in Rocky View County, just east of Calgary, Alberta
Website: www.chestermere.ca
PREFERRED VENDORS
Centron – www.centrongroup.com
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South Shore is a unique opportunity to Live at the Lake in Chestermere. Locations like this don’t come around very often. Directly beside the south shore of Chestermere Lake, there are single-family front-drive, duplex-style, and townhomes from four award-winning homebuilders. Live at the Lake in South Shore of Chestermere.
Kerr Wood Leidal Associated Ltd. – www.kwl.ca
Kerr Wood Leidal, founded in 1975, is an employee-owned firm specializing in water-related planning and infrastructure projects. We provide consulting services in engineering, resource management, planning, design, and construction. Our clients include governments, First Nations, communities, developers, and industry, with in-house experts in biology, planning, and surveying.