Lake Bonavista, Calgary

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Lake Bonavista
Location of Lake Bonavista in Calgary
Lake Bonavista
Location of Lake Bonavista in Calgary
Coordinates: 50°56′31″N 114°02′40″W / 50.94194, -114.04444
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Province Flag of Alberta Alberta
City Flag of Calgary, Alberta Calgary
Quarant SE
Ward 14
Established 1967
Government [1]
 - Administrative body Calgary City Council
 - Alderman Linda Fox-Mellway
Elevation 1,035 m (3,396 ft)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 10,381
 - Average Income $92,715
Website: Lake Bonavista Community Association

Lake Bonavista is a neighbourhood in Southeast Calgary, Alberta. It is bounded by Anderson Road to the North, Macleod Trail to the West, Canyon Meadows Drive to the South, and Bow Bottom Trail to the East. The small community of Bonavista Downs resides in the north-east corner of the neighbourhood.

Contents

[edit] History

Lake Bonavista was developed by the Keith Construction company starting in 1967. It was the first community in Canada to be built around a man made lake, and served as a prototype for other “Lake Communities” in Calgary.

[edit] Demographics

In 2006, the population of Lake Bonavista was 10,381, with an additional 1,001 in Bonavista Downs.[3] Residents in this community had a median household income of $92,715 in 2000, and there were 5.4% low income residents living in the neighborhood.[2] In Bonavista Downs, the median household income was $75,388, and there were 7.7% low income residents living in the neighborhood.[4]

[edit] Amenities

Lake Bonavista Promenade is a small commercial development within Lake Bonavista that includes both retail space and professional offices. There is also convenient access to shopping areas along Macleod Trail and in Southcentre Mall.

Fish Creek Park borders the community to the south, and provides a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Lake Bonavista Community Association (not to be confused with the homeowners association which maintains the lake) owns a community centre within the district. The community centre includes two ice rinks, a gym, and a variety of multipurpose rooms.

There is also a City of Calgary ice rink, Frank McCool Arena, within the community.

[edit] Manmade Lakes

The area was originally flat treeless prairie with no distinctive natural features. In order to make the area more attractive Lake Bonavista, a 52 acre man made lake, was constructed in 1968, with a portion of the earth excavated from the lake used to construct a 65-foot (20 m) hill with a waterfall adjacent to the lake. The lake and adjacent park provide a variety of year round recreational opportunities for residents, including fishing, swimming, boating, tennis, skating, and tobogganing. The Lake Bonavista Home Owners Association, membership in which is mandatory for homeowners in the area, provides the upkeep of the lake and park.

The neighbourhood also contains a second manmade lake, Lake Bonaventure. This 35 acre lake is only accessible by houses built directly around the lake itself. Homeowners with access to Lake Bonaventure must pay their share of the upkeep on both Lake Bonavista and Lake Bonaventure.

Bonavista Downs residents share many of the amenities with Lake Bonavista, but they do not have access to the lakes and do not need to pay for their upkeep.

[edit] Education

Lake Bonavista is home to the following schools[5]:

  • Lake Bonavista, Public Elementary
  • Andrew Sibbald, Public Elementary
  • Sam Livingston, Public Elementary
  • Nickle, Public Junior High
  • St. Boniface, Catholic Elementary
  • St. Bonaventure, Catholic Junior High

[edit] Churches

The following churches are located in Lake Bonavista [6]:

  • Bonavista Baptist Church
  • Bonavista Evangelical Missionary Church
  • Holy Nativity Anglican Church
  • St. Bonaventure Church

[edit] Electoral Districts

Lake Bonavista is part of the Calgary Southeast Federal Electoral District, the Calgary Fish Creek Provincial Riding, and Calgary Municipal Ward 14. It is represented in the Calgary City Council by Ward 14 Alderman Linda Fox-Mellway.[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ City of Calgary (2004). Ward 14 Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-25.
  2. ^ a b City of Calgary (2006). Lake Bonavista Community Statistics. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  3. ^ City of Calgary (2006). Community Population Comparison. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  4. ^ City of Calgary (2006). Bonavista Downs Community Statistics. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  5. ^ Lake Bonavista public schools: Lake Bonavista, Andrew Sibbald, Sam Livingston, Nickle and catholic schools: St. Boniface, St. Bonaventure
  6. ^ Churches in Lake Bonavista: Bonavista Baptist Church, Bonavista Evangelical Missionary Church
  7. ^ Federation of Calgary Communities. Bonavista Downs Community. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  • James Martin, Calgary - Secrets of the City Arsenal Pulp Press, 1999. ISBN 1-55152-076-1
  • Robert M. Stamp, Suburban Modern - Postwar Dreams in Calgary Touchwood Editions, 2004. ISBN 1-894898-25-7

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 50°56′31″N, 114°02′40″W