Chestermere families will benefit from prioritized school sites, new recreation opportunities, and smarter growth thanks to the new Municipal Development Plan (MDP) approved by City Council today. The plan charts how Chestermere will grow to 2050 while protecting neighbourhood character and ensuring infrastructure is in place first.
“Approving this plan is a milestone for Chestermere,” said Mayor Shannon Dean. “It reflects stability, good governance, and a clear roadmap for the future. Our focus is on building a City where families can thrive, where schools are ready, recreation opportunities are close to home, and growth respects the character of our community.”
Highlights of the new plan
- School sites secured and build-ready: The plan protects land for future schools and ensures sites remain clean and ready for construction, helping school boards and the province move faster when building new schools.
- Land for recreation facilities: Council has already acquired land for a new recreation centre, directly tied to the MDP’s vision for complete communities.
- Infrastructure-first growth: Development will only proceed where water, roads, and services are in place, ensuring sustainable, responsible expansion.
- Protecting neighbourhood character: Policies ensure new development aligns with existing communities, including lakefront, golf course, and infill areas.
- Economic diversification: More space for business and light industry will reduce reliance on residential taxes, create jobs, and expand local services.
- Clear accountability: Built-in timelines and reporting requirements mean progress will be tracked and shared with residents.
Chestermere has grown nearly 30 percent since its last MDP in 2016. This new plan ensures that growth is not just bigger, but smarter. Balancing development with quality of life, economic diversification, and fiscal responsibility.
“This plan gives our residents certainty that growth will happen in the right places and at the right pace,” said CAO Kent Edney. “It also gives our partners confidence that Chestermere is ready for the future with strong governance, stable policies, and clear accountability.”
About the Municipal Development Plan
The Municipal Government Act requires every Alberta municipality to have an MDP. Chestermere’s new plan outlines land use and growth policies to 2050, aligning community needs with long-term infrastructure, recreation, and economic priorities.
The full MDP is available here.