The first question I hear from buyers new to lake living is always the same: what does the lake cost? The honest answer is that it depends on the community, and the fee is only half the story.
Every lake has an association
Calgary’s lakes are private. Each one is owned and run by a residents’ or homeowners’ association, and in most lake communities membership is tied to the property. When you buy, the fee comes with the house, whether you plan to paddle every day or never at all.
What the fee usually covers
- Lake maintenance: water quality, aeration, weed control and shoreline care
- Beaches, docks, boat storage areas and the park around the lake
- The clubhouse or lodge, staff, and summer and winter programs
- Winter skating surfaces where the lake is flooded and cleared
What to ask before you buy
Fees are set by each association and change over time, so I always get the current schedule in writing for my clients. Ask whether the fee is mandatory, what’s included, whether there are separate charges for boat or dock storage, and whether any special levies are planned.
If you’re weighing two communities, call me. After thirty years, I can usually tell you how each lake runs, and what the neighbours think of it.
