Early settlement

Prior to the 20th century, the area around what is now Chestermere Lake was settled by only a few farmers. When the Canadian Pacific Railway was established in the 1880s, more and more people came to settle in the west. To make farming more productive, settlers began to determine ways to irrigate their land. As a natural wetland, Chestermere Lake was considered to be perfect for use as a balancing pool for the Western Irrigation Block.^[3] By 1907, a dam and canal system had been built, the wetland developed into a lake, and farmers began using the water for irrigation.

Summer village

Following the irrigation development, the lake began to be used for recreation. People would lease land from the Western Irrigation District (WID) build cabins and stay on the lake during the summer months. In 1959, the Chestermere Cabin Owners Association (CCOA) was incorporated with approximately 50 members.^[4] The CCOA held events, bought a fire truck for the community, worked to reduce pollution in the lake, planted trees, and arranged for electricity and natural gas for the cabins.

As more people began to live around Chestermere Lake, residents wanted to secure long-term leases. In 1975, the CCOA bought the land from the WID and then transferred it to the residents. By 1977, the lake boasted 120 permanent homes^{[citation needed]} and gained official status as the Summer Village of Chestermere Lake on April 1, 1977.^[5][6] As a summer village, the residents of Chestermere gained more political influence and were able to begin adding services and amenities or encouraging infrastructure and developments such as fire and protection services, improved roads, a community hall, street lights, a recreation centre, local businesses and a golf course.

Town

By 1992, Chestermere’s population had increased to 1,043 permanent residents. On March 1, 1993, the Summer Village of Chestermere Lake officially changed its status and name to the Town of Chestermere.^[7] Becoming a town gave the residents more local and political authority. The town continued developing amenities and services for residents and its population has grown to 14,285 residents as recorded by its 2010 municipal census.^[8]

Demographics

The population of the Town of Chestermere according to its 2010 municipal census is 14,285,^[8][9] a 3.8% increase over its 2009 municipal census population of 13,760.^[10]

In 2006, according to Statistics Canada census data, Chestermere had a population of 9,564 living in 3,165 dwellings, a 148.0% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 8.91 km² (3.4 sq mi) and a population density of 1,073.4 /km²(2,780.1/sq mi).^[2]

Attractions

• Chestermere Lake – Chestermere is well known for its lake. In the summer, it is used for waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing and a variety of other water sports. It also provides day use parks for launching boats and family areas for the enjoyment of the outdoors.^[11] Chestermere Lake is also home to the Calgary Yacht Club.
• Chestermere Water Festival – The Chestermere Water Festival is an annual celebration of summer at the lake.
• Biking and skateboarding – Chestermere is connected to the Calgary bicycle pathway system at the south end of West
• Chestermere Winter Festival – The Chestermere Winter Festival is an annual celebration of Winter in a small town.

Chestermere Drive (by the canal) and has bike trails surrounding the lake, a BMX park and a skate park.

• Golf Course – Lakeside Greens Golf Course in Chestermere is a semi-private 18 hole golf course.
• Camp Chestermere – Camp Chestermere is a Christian camp located on the southeast end of Chestermere Lake.