| Lake Bonavista | |
|---|---|
| — Neighbourhood — | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| City | Calgary |
| Quarant | SE |
| Ward | 14 |
| Established | 1967 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Administrative body | Calgary City Council |
| • Alderman | Peter Demong |
| Elevation | 1,035 m (3,396 ft) |
| Population (2006)[2] | |
| • Total | 10,381 |
| • Average Income | $101,025 |
| 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.
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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. Two trailer courts resided on the west side of Bonavista, north of the Avenida Shopping Centre, alongside Macleod Trail. One trailer court was relocated to Northeast Calgary in the late 1990s, the other was removed and the land was sold. The Bonavista Square shopping complex, Calgary Honda, Kramer Mazda and Hyundai Gallery, as well as two apartments, a retirement home, and an office building were built in its place, accessed by an extended Lake Fraser Drive, as well as an interchange built at Anderson Road and Macleod Trail, in 2001.
In 2008, the population of Lake Bonavista was 10,534, with an additional 1,005 in Bonavista Downs.[3] Residents in this community had a median household income of $101,025 in 2005, and there were 4.4% low income residents living in the neighborhood.[2] In Bonavista Downs, the median household income was $81,761, and there were 8.4% low income residents living in the neighborhood.[4]
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.
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 (210,000 m2) 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 (140,000 m2) 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.
Lake Bonavista is home to the following schools[5]:
The following churches are located in Lake Bonavista [6]:
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 Peter Demong.
| Southwood | Willow Park | Maple Ridge | ||
| Canyon Meadows | Queensland | |||
| Lake Bonavista | ||||
| Fish Creek Provincial Park | Parkland | Deer Ridge |