The Anchor Weekly – The Chestermere Lake News

CHESTERMERE – If you saw an abundance of runners in Chestermere on the morning of Sept. 18, it wasn’t because a bunch of locals were starting a new fitness regimen. Instead, it was because of the third annual Loop Around the Lake, a charity run that donates all proceeds to the Chestermere Public Library. Organizer Bernard Maillet said that it was another successful year, and that he is continually overwhelmed by the support of everyone in the community, as well as the sponsors, the volunteers and of course the participants. “Wasn’t it a good day? Or was that just me?” [...]

CHESTERMERE – Registration for the third annual Loop Around the Lake closes on Sept. 15, and organizers are hoping for lots of last minute sign-ups. The run, which will take place on Sunday Sept .18, is put on in support of the Chestermere Public Library. Marathoner Bernard Maillet started the run three years ago and has a goal to raise $100,000 in 10 years for the library. “I’m excited, I can’t believe it’s the third year already,” Maillet said. “I’m excited to see what the numbers are going to be. “I hope to surpass 100 people again, that would be [...]

CHESTERMERE – Nearly five days after he fell off a tube that was being pulled by a boat, the body of the presumed drowned Richis Bondo Katumbay was recovered in Chestermere Lake by RCMP. Katumbay plunged into the water around 7 p.m. on Aug. 6, and was not wearing a life jacket. Witnesses lost sight of him soon after. Members of the community in their own boats, local RCMP and Rocky View Fire Service, the Strathmore Fire Department’s aquatic rescue team, Calgary’s HAWC police helicopter and STARS air ambulance all responded to the scene, but were unsuccessful at locating Katumbay. [...]

CHESTERMERE– Three people from the Calgary area watched their friend’s “last bubble” during a fatal boating accident on Chestermere Lake Aug. 6. Richis Bondo Katumbay, 33, was being towed by a five-metre motorboat when the tube flipped and he plunged underwater. The Congo native was not wearing a life-jacket at the time, and friends later said he couldn’t swim and didn’t even enjoy being in the water. Pacifique Mangapi, Katumbay’s friend, was inside the boat when he saw the tube flip. He said co-worker Craig Vandevoghel turned the boat around in the southern part of the lake and then dove [...]

CHESTERMERE– Avid marathoner Bernard Maillet usually aims for low numbers when he’s clocking in on race day. But it’s exactly the opposite when it comes to organizing the Loop Around the Lake, a local fundraising run benefiting the Chestermere Public Library. Maillet, who started the run three years ago, said he’s hoping to raise $100,000 for the library in 10 years. The event has currently raised $18,930 with the help of local establishments and the provincial government. It seems like the Loop’s on the right track, but Maillet — like most competitive racers — said he’s always looking to set the [...]

CHESTERMERE–Being a good neighbour means not making unnecessary waves in the community. This applies both figuratively and literally in Chestermere where making too big a splash on the lake could swamp smaller vessels.

According to local boat owners and law enforcement officials, people are generally showing good etiquette. Dwight Mervold, a resident since 2001, said he thinks boaters are behaving courteously on the water.

”It’s pretty good,” said Mervold, a former lifeguard. “On the weekend it gets a little crazier, but through the week it’s good. “You do see a lot of people with no lifejackets, stuff like that.” 

Mervold said good [...]

The information provided by the Mayor Matthews in her message appears to be very general and brief. I believe that a public forum and/or an open house should be held to inform all residents of the possible ramifications of a dredging project before anyone can make an educated survey vote. By involving all taxpayers from the outset with adequate information will lend more credence to this survey. Chestermere does not own the lake and all responsibilities regarding the governing of the lake should be laid out. Statistics regarding lake usage by residents should be brought forward. The lake is a [...]

CHESTERMERE– There was plenty of excitement going around the Chestermere recreation centre during a pep rally for the upcoming 55 Plus Summer Games, which will be held from July 21 to 24 in Fairview, Alta. The rally was held on July 6 for participants from Zone 2– an area covering south-central Alberta, from Banff to Empress and Olds to High River. Fourteen different activities and sports are planned for the 55 Plus Summer Games. They include: athletics, bocce, contract bridge, cribbage, cycling, floor curling, floor shuffleboard, golf, horseshoes, military whist, pool (8-Ball), slo-pitch, swimming and tennis. There will also be [...]

CHESTERMERE– After months of being left bare, three flagpoles on top of the Rainbow Falls waterfall will not be repaired and will be cut down instead. Shreds of the original flags were taken down after suffering weather damage. The Town had looked into replacing the flags, however, it was recently determined the ropes were cut and the repair would have to be contracted out because of the special mechanism used to string the rope. An email sent from Town of Chestermere assistant director of public works Donna McCallum to resident Kal Macdonald on July 7 confirms the flagpoles will be [...]

GAINFORD– At three years old, an age when most kids are slipping on water wings for the first time, Justin Gratzfeld was learning how to wakeboard. Now an 18-year-old boarding vet with a resume chalked full of competitions and sponsors, Gratzfeld recalled his early days on Lake Isle, which is about 80 kilometres from Edmonton. His father Shawn would stand on shore and pull the rope like a boat, while the young boarder tried to keep his balance. “It was a different way of life,” Gratzfeld said. “It was different than starting a lot of other sports.” He’s grown a [...]