For residents of Calgary's lake communities, having such a special amenity available during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a blessing. Now, those communities are looking ahead to, hopefully, even better times this summer as the province reopens and restrictions are lifted.

You can take the boy out of Saskatchewan, but, as the saying goes, you'll never completely take Saskatchewan out of the boy.

"The first place I ever bought was probably midway through my second year pro (with the Florida Panthers),'' said Shaunavon-born and Frontier-raised Rhett Warrener, a four-season Calgary Flame whose non-negotiable warrior mentality was an indispensable and under-appreciated component of the franchise's unexpected '04 trek to the Stanley Cup final.

More than a year after it began, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spark increased interest in Alberta's recreational property market, as homebuyers seek an escape from congested cities.

Long-term remote work, which has been a reality for many Albertans for the last 12-plus months, has also made people realize that if they can work from anywhere, why not work from a cottage, cabin or waterfront property?

With demand for mental health supports skyrocketing in Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery couldn't come at a better time. Proceeds from this year's lottery will go towards enhancing urgent and critical mental health services in the province.

"Life at the lake is just better," said Tannis Anstey, marketing manager for Calgary communities at Brookfield Residential, while explaining the vision behind the community of Auburn Bay.

"It was really inspired by the cottage lifestyle. We wanted to create a four-season lake community where everyone feels welcome and neighbours become friends."

Get outside but practise physical distancing. Interact with nature but don't travel.

As Calgarians get used to the rules for weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's lake communities are making sure residents can safely enjoy their abundance of unique water amenities.

Decorated Canadian curler Ben Hebert has fond memories of his first home in Regina, though it will forever be tied to an unhappy event.

"We moved in May of 2009, right after we lost the world final in Moncton," he said. "That's how I remember it.

The writing is on the wall, as Jayman Built nears completion of its third and final building in the boutique-style collection of condos known as Calligraphy.

The collection is located on the waterside at Mahogany Lake in the upscale, resort-style community of Westman Village.

While the Smiths were first drawn to Harmony because of its lake access and proximity to the Rockies, a golf course development involving PGA icon Phil Mickelson was the icing on the cake.

"It was a slam dunk when we knew the Mickelson National (Golf Club) was coming in," said Kevin Smith, director of communications for Alberta Golf.

You've always headed west for summer vacation because it doesn't get better than lazy days spent on the water. But what if you could get all the perks of a lake vacation, including that laid-back cottage lifestyle, without leaving your neighbourhood?

The Calgary region's two newest lake communities – Harmony in Springbank and southeast Calgary's Mahogany – are both four-season, amenity-rich neighbourhoods built around water.