After years of consultation and research, the City of Chestermere is building a new $39.5-million civic recreation centre.

Chestermere Mayor Marshall Chalmers says the project is an important one, as Chestermere has seen significant growth in recent years. The city is the third-fastest-growing community in Canada and second in Alberta to only Airdrie.

Growing without a plan is like driving without a map: You may reach your destination, but don't count on it. As it charts a course for growth, the City of Calgary is counting on its Guide for Local Area Planning to help communities find their way forward.

The Bank of Canada maintained its overnight rate target at 0.25 per cent and announced it would be scaling back some of its interventions in the market now that economic conditions are beginning to improve.

Calgary communities that provide convenient access to desirable amenities and major roadways are leading the way in growth.

City of Calgary report provides estimates for short-term growth in city's suburbs

What's Calgary going to look like in the next five years when it comes to growth and the housing market?

The City of Calgary's Suburban Residential Growth 2017-2021 report sheds some light on where the city is headed in terms of population and housing growth over the short term.

The draft document is an interesting one, and it serves as a starting point of discussion as the City looks to sustainably increase its footprint.

Segment rallies as overall market continues to face challenges

Once considered out for the count, Calgary's luxury housing sector has seemingly rallied, posting a double-digit sales increase so far in 2016, according to new statistics.

Home sales in the city valued at more than $1 million totalled 118 over the first three months of the year – up more than 20 per cent from 98 during the same period last year. In March, $1-million-plus sales totalled 54, up from 49 in 2015.

This comes as CREB® released its most recent monthly housing summary, showing overall sales in the city this year have declined so far this year by nearly 10 per cent.

"While the $1-million-plus segment accounts for a small share of the activity, there has certainly been some improvement in sales over last year," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

Calgarians playing a role in driving home sales outside of the city

Founded largely by intrepid pioneers who ventured west on the then fledgling Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary is now seeing another western excursion.

With home sales in the city facing downward pressure as a result of a weakening labour market, markets west of the city – small and large – are seeing increased activity, thanks in part to Calgarians continued urge to drive westward.

From as near as the Rocky Mountains to as far as the West Coast, Calgarians are being pointed to as contributing factors in real estate markets outside of the city.

As the developer behind Canmore's Spring Creek, a $38-million "active lifestyle community" for seniors, frank Kernick has seen the impact of Calgary buyers outside of the city.

"From the demand point of view, the last three months in Canmore have probably been the strongest January, February and March I've seen in 10 years," said Kernick.

More than 90 per cent of Airdronians feel safe

Airdronians are generally a happy bunch – at least with local amenities and services, according to the City of Airdrie's 2016 citizen satisfaction survey.

Residents' rating of overall quality of life, quality of services and efficiency of services remained strong, with no significant change from 2015.

To read the full survey, click here.

Online forum also open

The City is conducting a transportation corridor study to identify short-, medium, and long-term plans for Crowchild Trail from 24th Avenue N.W. to 17th Avenue S.W.

Now in Phase 3: Concept Identification, the study will take place throughout November, working with Calgarians to explore ideas on possible changes to the roadway to help address issues today and accommodate Calgary's growth in the coming decades.

"We're working with Calgarians to put pen to paper," said project manager Fesial Lakha. "We know Calgarians have great ideas. The workshops are an opportunity to explore the benefits, impacts, constraints and trade-offs of different ideas participants bring to the table."