Lake Bonavista Community Reviews & Ratings
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Lake Bonavista Community Overview
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:
- Private man-made lake – 35 acres of recreational water
- Swimming beaches – Sand volleyball and swimming areas
- Tennis courts – Multiple courts for residents
- Paddle tennis – Additional racquet sport facilities
- Winter skating – Skating on the frozen lake
- Fishing – Lake is stocked with fish
- Picnic areas – Lakeside gathering spaces
- Bonavista Promenade Shopping Centre – Local shopping and services
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:
- Lakefront properties – Homes directly backing onto the lake, commanding premium prices
- Lake-view properties – Homes with scenic lake views
- Non-lake view homes – More affordable options within the community
- Townhomes and condos – Low-maintenance living options
Home prices in Lake Bonavista vary significantly by location and property type:
- Lake front homes: $1.5 million to over $3 million
- Lake-view homes: $800,000 to $1.5 million
- Non-lake view detached homes: $500,000 to $800,000
- Townhomes and condos: $300,000 to $500,000
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:
- Lake Bonavista School – Public elementary school (K-6) located at 775 Lake Bonavista Drive SE
- David Frost School – Public middle school (7-9) in the community
- Santa Maria School – Catholic school in nearby Bonavista Downs
Nearby High Schools:
- Lord Beaverbrook High School (10-12) – Offers International Baccalaureate (IB) program
- Centennial High School (10-12) – Public high school in nearby Shawnessy
- Bishop O'Byrne High School – Catholic high school option
Lake Bonavista residents enjoy access to several parks and green spaces:
- The private lake – 35 acres of water with surrounding pathways and beach areas
- Bonavista Park – Neighbourhood park with playground and green space
- Fish Creek Provincial Park – One of Canada's largest urban parks, accessible nearby
- Bow River Pathway System – Extensive walking and biking trails
- Lake Bonavista Promenade – Pathway around the lake perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling
Recreation options in and around Lake Bonavista include:
- Swimming and boating – At the private lake (residents only)
- Tennis and paddle tennis – At residents' courts
- Winter skating – On the frozen lake
- Fish Creek Provincial Park – Hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, picnic areas, wildlife viewing, and Sikome Lake beach
- Southland Leisure Centre – Indoor pool, waterslide, fitness centre, ice rinks, and library
Lake Bonavista offers convenient access to major shopping destinations:
- Bonavista Promenade Shopping Centre – Local centre with grocery, pharmacy, restaurants, and services, anchored by Safeway and London Drugs
- Southcentre Mall – Major shopping mall approximately 5-10 minutes north
- Macleod Trail retail corridor – Numerous shopping centres, big-box stores, restaurants, and services
- Chinook Centre – Calgary's largest shopping mall, approximately 15 minutes north
Lake Bonavista is well-connected for commuters:
- Road Access: Quick access to Macleod Trail, Anderson Road, and Canyon Meadows Drive, providing connections to Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail
- Public Transit: Multiple Calgary Transit bus routes serve the area
- Nearest LRT Stations: Anderson Station (Red Line) or Canyon Meadows Station
- Commute to Downtown: Approximately 20-25 minutes by car; 25-35 minutes by transit
- Walk Score: Moderate; the community is designed with pathways connecting to the lake and amenities
Lake Bonavista residents have access to several healthcare facilities:
- South Health Campus – Major hospital in Seton for comprehensive care
- Rockyview General Hospital – Accessible via Macleod Trail
- Bonavista Medical Clinic – Located in Bonavista Promenade for routine care
- Multiple pharmacies in Bonavista Promenade and surrounding area
Yes, Lake Bonavista is an excellent community for families with a Family-Friendly Rating of 4.5 out of 5. Features include:
- Excellent schools within the community (Lake Bonavista School, David Frost School)
- Private lake with swimming, beaches, and year-round recreation for children
- Tennis courts and paddle tennis facilities
- Walkable neighbourhood with mature tree-lined streets
- 91% homeownership rate, indicating stable, committed residents
- Nearby Fish Creek Park for outdoor adventures
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:
- First of its kind – Pioneering the lake community concept in Calgary
- Private 35-acre lake – Year-round recreation for residents only
- Established character – Mature trees, classic architecture, and well-maintained streets
- Central location – Easy access to downtown, Fish Creek Park, and major shopping
- Strong community association – Active LBRA managing lake amenities and events
Its success sparked the development of other lake communities including Lake Bonaventure, Lake Chaparral, and McKenzie Lake.
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Quick Lake Bonavista Answers
Safety: 4/5 - Active neighborhood watch, low crime rates
Schools: 5/5 - Highly-rated public and separate schools
Housing Market: 4/5 - Diverse options from entry-level to luxury
Commute: 5/5 - 25-35 min to downtown, multiple transit options
Family-Friendly: 4/5 - Parks, playgrounds, community events
Amenities: 4/5 - Shopping, dining, recreation facilities
Diversity: 3/5 - Mix of families, professionals, retirees
Jobs: 4/5 - Local employment centers nearby
Completed in 1968, Lake Bonavista was the first manmade residential lake in Canada. At the time, the permit process for building a lake was not well established. The story goes that not only was the lake dug without all the necessary permits in place, but it was then filled without permission using water diverted from nearby Fish Creek. Beverly Sandalack, associate dean and professor of landscape architecture and planning in the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, says in land-locked Alberta, “water is a real drawing feature, for both living and recreation.” “I think it did start trends,” she said, adding you only need to check Google Maps to see the numbers of manmade lakes that have been built in the city since Lake Bonavista. “I can totally understand their appeal, and if you have a family, it must be totally fantastic to have that in your backyard.” But Sandalack also wonders what the future holds for lake communities, as climate change makes water a more and more valuable resource. She says in her department at the University of Calgary, “we talk a lot about what the 21st-century city is going to look like, and on the Prairies, it is just not going to be built around lakes.” That being said, the appeal of Calgary’s current lake communities remains strong. Mike Mikkelson recalls spending many happy days at Lake Bonavista as a child. Although his family lived in northwest Calgary, an aunt and uncle bought one of the first homes in Lake Bonavista, and he was a frequent visitor. Mikkelson says even then, “it was always in the back of my mind that one day I would move to (Lake) Bonavista.” That finally happened in 1995, and Mikkelson is now the president of the Lake Bonavista Homeowners Association, whose volunteer board oversees operation of the lake and surrounding parkland. “When Keith built the lake in 1968, he created the home owners association to be stewards of the lake and the park – to manage and take care of his legacy and what he created,” said Mikkelson. The association recently began construction of a new $2-million, 7,500-square-foot community building to replace the original one built in the late 1960s. Mikkelson says Lake Bonavista remains a great community in which to live, with many schools, churches, a shopping centre, easy access, and desirable homes that retain their property value. “But (the lake) is the centre piece,” he said. “People are moving back to the community for a lot of reasons, but I think most are coming for the lake.”