Letter to the Membership
Letter to the Membership
June 30, 2025
Dear Lake Bonavista Homeowners Association Members,
In light of recent developments within the community there has been a lot of discussion (on social media in particular) about what the role of the HOA is when it comes to rezoning, membership and related matters.
Since the new rezoning laws were introduced, we and other lake c
June 30, 2025
Dear Lake Bonavista Homeowners Association Members,
In light of recent developments within the community there has been a lot of discussion (on social media in particular) about what the role of the HOA is when it comes to rezoning, membership and related matters.
Since the new rezoning laws were introduced, we and other lake communities have been wrestling with how this will impact us. There are no easy answers as we must walk a tightrope between property rights, lake usage, community feedback and our limited mandate as a homeowner’s association and volunteer board as set out in our constating documents.
We are aware of and monitor the various discussions and threads on social media about these concerns but cannot comment individually in that kind of open forum lest an offhand comment be construed as “official position” and confuse the discussion.
That said, we are all homeowners/members, so we share the same concerns as all Lake Bonavista residents. Specifically - how do we preserve and improve our community in the face of changing municipal rules, demographics and all the other challenges brought on by a rapidly growing city. More importantly, as a volunteer board, what does all this mean for the lake and park, the maintenance of which is our mandate.
One thing I have learned in my close to 20 years serving on our community and HOA boards is that when something feels like it should have a simple answer, the reality is far from simple. And the perceived ability to influence an unstoppable force is never as obvious as you think it is. Every action/initiative needs to be carefully considered as there is always an equal and opposite reaction – often unpredictable in both substance and timing.
Nonetheless we are tackling this challenge, gathering and collating community feedback and consulting with our peer group HOA’s around the city.
To assist us with these deliberations, we have recently engaged independent legal counsel to review our articles, incorporation documents and municipal precedent to determine what the optionality is available to the community and the HOA when it comes to any type of development – not just the one-off rezoning applications but also the larger developments that we all know are coming in a growing city.
We hope to have that process complete soon and will report back to the membership at that time.
As always, we welcome all feedback and questions. Note that we may not always answer a query directly but often gather them so that they can be answered in an update like this one.
Regards and we hope to see you all at the lake for Canada Day celebrations.
Stuart Parnell on behalf of the Board
Click here to view or download a copy of the letter.
An Update from the Board
Letter to the Membership
April 22, 2025
This year, the Board has decided to provide updates through a
newsletter posted to the website and delivered to residents via our
community access email software to keep everyone informed about
the various initiatives and projects underway. These efforts are focused
on maintaining and enhancing the park experience for the broad
April 22, 2025
This year, the Board has decided to provide updates through a
newsletter posted to the website and delivered to residents via our
community access email software to keep everyone informed about
the various initiatives and projects underway. These efforts are focused
on maintaining and enhancing the park experience for the broad and
diverse group of members we serve.
Click here to learn more about this year’s major initiative.
South Gate Closing!
South Gate Closing!
The South Gate closes for the season @ 8pm, September 15, 2024
New App
South Gate Closing!
September 7, 2024
We have launched a new app that allows members to pre-register guests and access their lake card on their phone!
A few important notes about the app:
Members are now able to rent out boats using the app.
Junior members who do not have a phone will still have to use their physical cards as the app is still in the development
September 7, 2024
We have launched a new app that allows members to pre-register guests and access their lake card on their phone!
A few important notes about the app:
Members are now able to rent out boats using the app.
Junior members who do not have a phone will still have to use their physical cards as the app is still in the development stages. We will let members know as soon as it is available for homeowners to have their children’s cards on their app.
For iPhone users: If your phone does not have IOS 17 installed, the app will not work.
To register your phone number, please stop by the office during office hours!
Click here to view our current office hours.
Swimmer's Itch Concern
New Beach Volleyball Court!
July 23, 2024
*Please note*
Despite the above date, this information is considered current as it will be updated with any new information accordingly.
LBHA has been notified of members experiencing symptoms that are related to swimmer's itch.
Swimmers itch is a parasite that comes from birds and/or other animals and causes hive like itchy b
July 23, 2024
*Please note*
Despite the above date, this information is considered current as it will be updated with any new information accordingly.
LBHA has been notified of members experiencing symptoms that are related to swimmer's itch.
Swimmers itch is a parasite that comes from birds and/or other animals and causes hive like itchy bumps on the human skin.
The LBHA employs several strategies to reduce instances like the current swimmer's itch concern that members are experiencing including scaring off waterfowl and, as per our Migratory Damage or Danger permit issued by Canadian Wildlife Service under the Migratory Bird Regulations, destroy eggs and nests in the spring. Early this season we collected 77 eggs and disturbed 17 nests to the point of destruction.
We also test our water weekly as regulated via Alberta Health Services. So far this season we have not failed testing thresholds. Four samples are taking weekly and results are coming back significantly below 1280 CCE per 100 mL which is deemed acceptable water quality by AHS. Please contact the office to request the full results.
Swimmers can also employ strategies to reduce the likelihood of contracting swimmer itch as well. This includes towel drying immediately upon exiting the water and then showering as soon as possible.
If requested, members can be sent the MSDS sheets for the different products we use in the lake. The newest additions to the lake water treatment program are microbes, selectively bred bacteria that help clear the water, consume excess nitrogen/phosphorous and reduce the muck on the lake bottom.
Please contact the office for any other concerns or questions.
New Beach Volleyball Court!
New Beach Volleyball Court!
July 6, 2024
We have installed a new beach volleyball court!
It is located on the south side of the Tennis/Pickleball Courts!
Members can rent volleyball from the front gates or they are more than welcome to bring their own!
2024-2025 Lake Fees
June 7, 2024
Lake fees are due June 30, 2024!
Digital invoices were sent out May 21st.
Physical invoices were mailed the week of June 3rd.
For more information about Lake Fees click here.
Please note:
Paying via Credit Card online is currently unavailable. We will let members know when it is available!
When paying via cheque please make it out
June 7, 2024
Lake fees are due June 30, 2024!
Digital invoices were sent out May 21st.
Physical invoices were mailed the week of June 3rd.
For more information about Lake Fees click here.
Please note:
Paying via Credit Card online is currently unavailable. We will let members know when it is available!
When paying via cheque please make it out to Lake Bonavista Homeowners Association Ltd. and ensure it is the correct amount!
Re-zoning Information
April 11, 2024
Memo to the members of the LBHA
Attached is a link to a letter we have submitted to City Hall with respect to the proposed blanket rezoning changes currently under consideration by Council.
It should be noted that the LBHA is a not-for-profit corporation that exists to manage the lake property itself. We are not a community as
April 11, 2024
Memo to the members of the LBHA
Attached is a link to a letter we have submitted to City Hall with respect to the proposed blanket rezoning changes currently under consideration by Council.
It should be noted that the LBHA is a not-for-profit corporation that exists to manage the lake property itself. We are not a community association, and we are not an advocacy group empowered to represent the individual property owners in the community.
Our view is that it is our elected representative – Councillor Peter Demong – who should be gathering feedback on these proposed changes and communicating them to City Council.
Notwithstanding the preceding, we do feel that the rush to implement this rezoning has failed to consider the impacts on unique facilities such as ours in terms of membership numbers, access, traffic and safety and we have made our submission to that effect.
In addition, the individual volunteer board members of the LBHA are all homeowners and in our discussions on this matter it was clear that each person was also planning to communicate their thoughts on this proposal through the various channels available.
We encourage all members to do the same at the link below.
https://forms.calgary.ca/content/forms/af/public/public/public-submission-to-city-clerks.html
To view or download a copy of the above memo, click here.
To view or download a copy of the letter submitted to the city, click here.