Planting Roots, Building Momentum: Why I’m Committed to Chestermere
Article sponsored by the Re-Elect Janelle Sandboe for Chestermere Council 2025 Campaign.
A few years ago, my daughter, who was six at the time, came home from school with a sign-up form for her school’s Terry Fox fundraiser. Her class had talked about his legacy that day.
“Did you know he ran for, like, a hundred days on one leg?” She asked me.
“Yes, it’s pretty incredible.” I told her. “How do you feel about that?”
She considered the question, and two hours later, she had enlisted a friend to help her knock on every door on our block, asking for a donation to the cause. I sat in my driveway with a coffee, watching them move around our little neighbourhood together, realising how special it was to have that opportunity to watch my daughter practice being part of her community. You can’t imagine how proud I was.
My husband and I moved to Chestermere before our kids were born. It was 2014, and the population was less than 20,000 people then, and we were drawn to the lake, beautiful boulevards and amazing people here. We were warmly welcomed by our neighbours and set to work integrating into our new environment. We knew Chestermere was growing, but we had no idea that we were one of the fastest-growing communities in all of Canada. We didn’t understand that our quiet little town would become a City fighting a losing battle against its rapid population growth.
My kids’ school, a K-6 in Chestermere, suddenly had over 1,000 students. The canola fields on either side of 17th Ave soon disappeared, and the drive along Chestermere Blvd started to test my patience. My kids wanted to do sports and other activities, but there was limited opportunity close to home and driving elsewhere ate into family time. We felt sad that the change was happening faster than we were ready for, and that the infrastructure and amenities weren’t keeping up with ours and our neighbours' needs.
You might relate to that feeling.
My daughter came back from her door-knocking with over $400 that day. It reminds me of the power of community coming together. Chestermere has the very best people I have ever met - volunteers, neighbours-helping-neighbours, amazing events where people celebrate culture and community - the type of people and lifestyle that’s hard to find. It’s where my family has planted its roots and where I hope my children will raise my grandchildren some day. It’s worth fighting for. Worth investing in.
That’s why I decided to seek a nomination for Chestermere City Council. I was elected in the 2024 by-election with a big mandate from all of you to manage our current population growth at the same time as planning for a more sustainable future. I have been working every single day since being elected to make that happen.
We have done the hard work of backfilling infrastructure and amenities in record time, with even more exciting and sustainable projects started. The momentum is building.
2024-2025 Highlights:
Four schools are coming to Chestermere (our last school opened in 2014)
Municipal Development Plan (MDP) changes in progress to require school sites be ready as new residents are moving in
Land purchased for new recreation centre and high school in Dawson that can include a pool
Land purchased for existing rec centre (CRRC/CRCA) lands
Golf course purchased to preserve for recreation and block redevelopment
New funding model for a future library build that includes developer contribution of $9M
Twinning of Chestermere Blvd. is scheduled to start late 2025/early 2026 and will be front-ended by developers
Continue to advocate for twinning Calgary’s portion of 17th Ave/Chestermere Blvd directly to Calgary Administration & Council, Ministers and MLA
Raised crosswalks installed in front of all schools to address parents’ speeding concerns
Sunset Beach parking lot paved
Beacon AI project expected to create 300 permanent jobs and attract other businesses
Supported installation of cameras in high-risk public areas in 2025
No increase to the tax rate of 3.25% (one of the lowest rates in Alberta)
Chestermere is worth investing in. I am seeking re-election on October 20, 2025, because community is my “why”. My executive background, extensive community involvement and experience as a sitting Councillor have prepared me to drive the momentum we’re seeing now. I invite you to learn more about my background and platform at www.JanelleSandboe.com.
My daughter ran back to me with that $400 in a pickle jar, giddy at what she had accomplished. Later, I quietly thanked many of my neighbours for helping her do this beautiful act of service. The next year, she fundraised again and made twice as much. Then she asked to volunteer at the Chestermere Food Bank with me. Then she helped a friend who was having a hard time. I am proud of her, and proud that the momentum in Chestermere is making it possible for my family to continue feeling invested in our City, connected to our neighbours and hopeful for the future.
Connect with Janelle at hello@janellesandboe.com, on socials and www.JanelleSandboe.com .
