Find answers to the most common questions about Lake Bonavista, Calgary's first lake community, known for its private lake, beach, tennis courts, and family-friendly atmosphere in the southeast.
Lake Bonavista is located in southeast Calgary, bounded by Anderson Road to the north, Macleod Trail to the west, Canyon Meadows Drive to the south, and Bonaventure Drive to the east. The community is in Ward 14, represented by Councillor Peter Demong. It is Calgary's first lake community, established in 1965 as a model for suburban living centered around a man-made lake.
According to the City of Calgary 2012 municipal census, Lake Bonavista had a population of 11,269 residents living in 4,151 dwellings. With a land area of 5 square kilometres, the population density was approximately 2,320 people per square kilometre. The median household income in 2015 was $79,673, with a homeownership rate of 91%. Low-income residents make up 4.2% of the population, and 22.4% of residents are immigrants.
Lake Bonavista was established in 1965 and was Calgary's first lake community. It was developed by the Bronconnier Group, bringing water from the Bow River to create a private man-made lake that would become the centrepiece of the community. Don Mills opened Lake Bonavista Estates in the late 1960s. In 1979, a trademark dispute with a Minneapolis-based company regarding the name "Bonavista" was resolved by adding the prefix "Lake." The lake was built on an isolated farm with no neighbours for miles, requiring early residents to drive on gravel roads.
Lake Bonavista offers exclusive amenities for property owners in the community:
The Lake Bonavista Residents Association (LBRA) manages the private lake and community amenities for property owners. Annual memberships provide access to lake amenities, and only property owners who pay the annual levy can use the facilities. The association maintains the lake, beaches, tennis courts, and organizes community events throughout the year. Residents can contact the association at 403-271-5300 or via email at info@lakebonavista.ca. The association office is located at 7740 Lake Bonavista Drive SE.
No, Lake Bonavista is a private lake. Only property owners who pay the annual Lake Bonavista levy may use the lake, beach, tennis courts, and other residents-only amenities. The lake is not open to the general public.
Lake Bonavista offers a mix of housing types including single-family detached homes, townhomes, and condominiums. The community features mid-century homes from the 1960s and 1970s alongside modern renovations and infills. Properties include:
Home prices in Lake Bonavista vary significantly by location and property type:
The average home price in Lake Bonavista is approximately $750,000 to $850,000 across all property types, with the premium for lake access reflected in higher property values.
Lake Bonavista is served by several schools within and near the community:
Within Lake Bonavista:
Nearby High Schools:
Lake Bonavista residents enjoy access to several parks and green spaces:
Recreation options in and around Lake Bonavista include:
Lake Bonavista offers convenient access to major shopping destinations:
Lake Bonavista is well-connected for commuters:
Lake Bonavista residents have access to several healthcare facilities:
Yes, Lake Bonavista is an excellent community for families with a Family-Friendly Rating of 4.5 out of 5. Features include:
Yes, Lake Bonavista is a dog-friendly community. The lake pathway system and surrounding parks provide excellent walking routes for dogs. Nearby Fish Creek Provincial Park offers extensive off-leash areas and trails. Many homes have fenced yards, and the neighbourhood's mature tree-lined streets are perfect for daily walks.
Lake Bonavista holds a special place in Calgary's history as the city's first lake community. Its unique features include:
Its success sparked the development of other lake communities including Lake Bonaventure, Lake Chaparral, and McKenzie Lake.
Considering buying or selling? Find Lake Bonavista mobile homes for sale. This community features a variety of amenities plus unique mobile home parks. Compare community reviews, real estate statistics, agent reviews, homes coming soon exclusive listings, detached homes, houses, crime statistics, police emergency numbers, beautiful walking paths. Locate golf course homes, local businesses, house values, zone maps, mortgage rates, past sales history, dates and prices.
Mobile home parks in Lake Bonavista offer affordable housing, community living, and shared amenities such as playgrounds, recreation centres and maintained common areas. Residents typically own their home while renting the pad (land) from the park owner, which keeps monthly costs lower than traditional home ownership in Calgary. Learn more about park amenities
To buy a mobile home in Lake Bonavista, find a park with an available pad, confirm pad rental terms, secure financing, and complete a purchase agreement. Financing differs from a traditional mortgage — often a chattel loan if you don't own the land. Mobile home financing options
Pad rental fees are monthly payments to the park owner for the land your mobile home sits on. Fees vary by location and amenities, and typically cover water, sewer, garbage and common-area maintenance. Always confirm what is included before signing. Typical pad fees in Western Canada
Yes, but you'll need to check zoning regulations, park availability, and budget for transport, permits and setup costs — which can be substantial. Alberta has specific regulations for moving manufactured homes on public roads. Mobile home transport regulations
Mobile home parks in Lake Bonavista are regulated by Alberta's Mobile Home Sites Tenancies Act and municipal bylaws covering safety standards, tenant rights, pad fees and park operations. Disputes go to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS). Alberta mobile home park laws
Mobile homes may qualify for a chattel loan (for the home only) or a traditional mortgage if you own the land. Chattel loans typically carry higher interest rates and shorter amortizations. Chattel loan vs. mortgage
Owners typically maintain their home's interior and exterior, while the park maintains common areas and infrastructure. Roof, siding, skirting, and utility connections to the home are usually the owner's responsibility. Mobile home maintenance tips
Some Lake Bonavista parks are 55+ age-restricted, while others welcome all ages. Always check park rules and Alberta's human rights legislation before purchasing. Age-restricted communities in AB
Mobile homes are assessed for property taxes like other homes, but taxes may be lower depending on the municipality and whether the home is on rented or owned land. In Alberta, manufactured homes on rented pads are typically assessed as personal property. Alberta property tax guide
You'll need specialized mobile home insurance covering the structure, contents, and personal liability — similar to traditional homeowners insurance. Some policies also cover temporary living expenses and emergency removal. Mobile home insurance quotes
Top Lake Bonavista REALTORS® with the community experience and market knowledge to ensure your transaction is completed competently and professionally. IF you are interested in the real estate market speak to a qualified real estate agent first who can provide knowledge of the local housing market, market trends and more. Buying property require time from searching for a home closing on it and dealing with the competition is critical. Deal with the best local real estate agent, REALTORS® to ensure that you succeed in your home buying or selling experience.
Thinking of buying or selling? When interviewing real estate agents, don't just take our recommendation. The best reviews come from you. We want to know what the experience was like working with your Agents as that will help home buyers after you to make informed decisions. To View Sean Gillis customer reviews or if you would like latest market updates call 780.897.3520
Top Lake Bonavista real estate agents here to deliver results. Buying or listing your home for sale in Lake Bonavista? Find screened Lake Bonavista real estate agents reviews, Verified Lake Bonavista REALTOR® Referral providing in‑depth knowledge of the Lake Bonavista housing market. Contact Sean Gillis RE/MAX Grande Prairie directly 780.897.3520.
Sean Gillis
VERIFIED Lake Bonavista REALTOR®
Sean Gillis is an experienced Lake Bonavista Calgary REALTOR® helping home buyers, home sellers, real estate investors and new home buyers throughout Lake Bonavista and Calgary. His Lake Bonavista real estate services include resale homes, investment properties, new construction and representation when working with Calgary area home builders.
Verified Reviews: Sean Gillis ecosystem has a list of Verified Lake Bonavista customer reviews and local community business reviews.
Licensed REALTOR®: Sean Gillis is licensed with the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA), Alberta's provincial real estate regulator in good standing.
Real Estate Expertise: Specializing in Lake Bonavista residential real estate, condos, home prices, investments, property values, housing market statistics and an experienced negotiator when buying and selling.
Verified Client Experience: Sean Gillis has several manually verified rank my agent ratings and reviews from real estate clients, providing independently documented evidence of client experience in his ecosystem.
Local Market Knowledge: This Lake Bonavista real estate community resource includes community information, property listings, market data, sold properties, housing videos, tours, crime stats, local real estate resources to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions.
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