Carstairs

Welcome

• The Town of Carstairs takes pride in our small town and we look forward to
  offering you our best; whether you are visiting or making your home here.
  
• Carstairs' creed is "Working Together for a Better Living", and its friendly
  hospitality and rural sensibility bear this out. Town and rural folk alike, unite to
  foster a comunity that prides itself in "old-time" family values. Because of its
  proximity to the City of Calgary, many city folk heeding the urge to leave the
  hustle and bustle of city life behind, settle in Carstairs to raise their families.
  
• We invite you to visit our homepage at www.town.carstairs.ab.ca for more i
  nformation on our community.

Area Overview

The Town of Carstairs is located in south-central Alberta, just off the Calgary-Edmonton
corridor, and features small town living at its best. Our sophisticated little town has
become the choice of many commuters, a getaway beyond a noisy urban life; a safe
and friendly place to raise a family. But don't fool yourself; Carstairs is hardly a sleepy
community. Like most small Alberta towns, an active pool of volunteers is the backbone
for a large variety of clubs, groups, and service organizations. We are home to a finely
maintained and challenging 18-hole golf course, a brand new Memorial Complex,
abundant parks and playgrounds. Just west of town is a new Silver Willow 9-hole golf
course. Our history as an agricultural community is celebrated each year with the Ranch
Rodeo in June, Beef & Barley Days and the annual rodeo in July, the High School Rodeo
in September, 4-H Calf Show and Sale, Bull-A-Rama, Horticultural Show, and Pumpkin
Festival. Every November the Community Hall is home to the annual Christmas Craft Fair.

Community Services

Municipal

Town of Carstairs
Box 370, 844 Centre Street
Carstairs, Alberta
T0M 0N0
Tel: 403-337-3341
Fax: 403-337-3343

Municipal Library

Bob Clark Municipal Library
Box 941
Carstairs, AB T0M 0N0
(403) 337-3943
Anne Strilchuk, Librarian
Monday - closed
Tuesday - 10:00-12:00/1:30-5:00
Wednesday - 1:30 - 5:00
Thursday - 1:30 - 5:00
Friday - 6:00-8:00
Saturday - 1:30-5:00

Town Museum

Roulston Museum
Box 1067
Carstairs, AB T0M 0N0
(403) 337-3710
Betty Ayers, Curator

Winter Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 1:00-4:00
Summer Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 1:00-4:00

FCSS (Family and Community Support Services)
Director: Robbin Bowman 337-2633 or contact the Town office

The town has an affiliation with programs for Home Help, Big Brother/Big sisters, Victims
of Family Violence, Drug/Alcohol Abuse, Municipal Handi-Bus and Elks Community Bus.

Provincial

N/A

Federal

Canada Post Office
(403) 337-3411

The Roulston Museum

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

Carstairs has a wide selection of recreation facilities to choose from. They include a 29-
stall campground, 18-hole golf course, brand new Memorial Complex housing professional
size ice arena and walking track, 4-sheet curling rink, tennis courts, ball diamonds,
jogging track, abundant parks and area playgrounds.

Community Organizations

There are a number of community organizations in Carstairs, such as Minor Hockey,
Minor Ball, Soccer, Slowpitch, Figure Skating Club, Carstairs Curling Club, Carstairs
Community Golf Club, Carstairs Gun Club, Bighorn Bowhunters, Karate Club, Chamber of
Commerce, Half Century Association, Carstairs Community Players, Agricultural Society,
Royal Canadian Legion/Ladies Auxiliary, Elks Lodge, Lions, I.O.D.E., Order of the Eastern
Star, Cubs & Scouts, Guides/Brownies/Pathfinders and Carstairs Artists Guild.

Religious Facilities

St. Agnes Catholic Church
Carstairs Bancroft United Church
Carstairs Church of God
Word of Life Church

Special Annual Events/Attractions

4H Calf Club Sale -- May
Elks Garage Sale -- May
Carstairs Artists Guild Show and Sale -- May
Beef and Barley Days [parade, demolition derby, ball tournament, barbecue and dance]
-- 3rd weekend of every July
Ag Society Horticultural Show -- August
The Carstairs Great Pumpkin Festival -- Autumn
Carstairs Christmas Craft Sale -- November
The Spring Figure Skating Carnival - March

Some local attractions include Roulston Museum, curling bonspiels, drama plays
performed by the Carstairs Community Players, the annual Christmas Craft Fair, Carstairs
Artists Guild Show and Sales and Pasu Farm, featuring wool and sheepskin products.
There are also tours of Custom Woolen Mills to view first-hand the making of hand-
crafted comforters and bedding products as well as sheepskin and wool processing.

Accommodation

Golden West Motor Inn

Memorial Park.....a beautiful setting in the centre of the community containing a walking path and connections to tennis and basketball courts.

Economic Base

Carstairs is a growing town situated in central Alberta, along the Calgary-Edmonton
corridor, nestled between the prairies to the east and the parklands to the west.

The economy of Carstairs and district is derived from a thriving oil & gas industry and
agriculture. The town acts as a service centre for those involved in agriculture,
resource development, and tourism.

Businesses in the Carstairs area include those involved in pipeline maintenance, gas
plant, weed control, farm equipment, grain distribution, vinyl siding, wool and wool
products, seed cleaning, and more.

All businesses operating within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Carstairs are
required to possess a valid Town of Carstairs Business License. There are three different
types of licenses: Resident, Non-Resident, and Temporary. Businesses that purchase a
Business License automatically become members of the Chamber of Commerce. Fees for
business licenses are based on a calendar year and expire December 31 each year.

The Carstairs and Community Chamber of Commerce is an organization of local business
people and community minded individuals. The Chamber strives to promote the economic
well-being of Carstairs and the surrounding community. Membership fees are included in
your Town of Carstairs business license. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the
month in Council Chambers at Town Office.

The Town's planners, Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS), is an intermunicipal
services agency that provides a broad range of planning services to urban and rural
municipalities, as well as landowners and other private sector clients. PCPS provides
expertise in municipal planning policy, site assessment and planning for specific sites and
broader landscapes, subdivision design and development concepts, land use bylaws,
public participation and community visioning.

Prospective residents will be able to access housing in established neighbourhoods or in
one of several new developments currently in the planning stages or under construction.
Housing options include single family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, senior housing,
mixed neighbourhoods, etc. Older residents also have the option of applying for housing
in one of two senior manors or in the Chinook Winds Lodge. The average cost of a 1,200
square foot home in Carstairs is approximately $150 - 165,000

Main street businesses....the Business Revitalization Committee of the Carstairs Chamber of Commerce has been working hard to help businesses renew and refurbish business-fronts. The results are fabulous!

Recently refurbished storefronts

Economic Facts

The Town of Carstairs is committed to providing quality, cost-effective government
services for its citizens. The Town of Carstairs has an operating budget of $5 M that
includes infrastructure. Budget meetings are held each year in December.

Education

Carstairs is part of the Chinook's Edge Regional Division #5, headquartered in Innisfail
[Tel: 403-227-4272].

Playschool - one

Public

Hugh Sutherland School provides education for Grades K to 12. Elementary, middle
school, and senior high school special education is offered. Telephone: (403) 337-3326

Separate

N/A

Private

Olds Koinonia School, Olds AB

Emergency Services

Fire Protection

There is a Volunteer Fire Department serving the community [Tel: 403-337-3633]

Police Services

Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] Didsbury detachment is responsible for the
policing [Tel: 403-335-3381]

The Town of Carstairs introduced a Bylaw Enforcement Officer early in 2005. Constable
Rob Ridley enforces all bylaws in town as well as handling animal control complaints. A
selection of the Town's most requested bylaws is available in the Town Services section
of our website. If you are interested in a specific matter, please feel free to Contact
Town Office with your inquiry. Copies of bylaws can also be viewed at Town Office, 844
Centre Street.

Ambulance Services

9-1-1 for all emergencies

Mountain View Ambulance service is available from Didsbury.

Health Care

The nearest hospital is located at Didsbury [16 km north]. It provides 24-hour medical,
nursing, emergency, obstetrical and pediatric service as well as elective surgery. The
135 bed hospital employs 225 health care professionals.

Carstairs has a medical clinic, 1 doctor, 1 dentist, chiropractors and a senior citizen's
lodge.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Town of Carstairs
Box 370
Carstairs, Alberta
T0M 0N0
Tel:403- 337-3341
Fax:403-337-3343
E-mail:admin.town.carstairs.ab.ca

Lance Colby
Mayor

Carl McDonnell
Chief Administrative Officer
carl@town.carstairs.ab.ca

Michael King
Manager of Finance

Jeannette Austin
Planning and Development Officer

Robbin Bowman
FCSS Director

Provincial (Updated May 2006)

Alberta Economic Development
2rd Floor, Provincial Building
4920 - 51 Street
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 6K8
Tel: 403-340-5300
Fax: 403-340-5231
Andre Tremblay, Regional Manager
andre.tremblay@gov.ab.ca
Dawna Allard, Regional Development Officer
dawna.allard@gov.ab.ca
Lisa Houle, Regional Project Officer
lisa.houle@gov.ab.ca

Richard Marz
Member of the Legislative Assembly[MLA]
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Constituency

Constituency Office

P.O. Box 3807
#3, 4530 - 49 Avenue
Olds, AB
T4H 1P5
Phone: (403) 556-3132
Fax: (403) 556-3120
oldsdidsbury.threehills@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office

#639 Legislature Annex
9718 - 107 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5K 1E4
Phone: (780) 415-0994
Fax: (780) 415-0951

Federal (Updated May 2006)

Myron Thompson
Member of Parliament[MP]
Wild Rose Constituency

Parliamentary Address

House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 996-5152
Fax: (613) 947-4601
E-Mail: Thompson.M@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address

213 Main Street, Bay 3, P.O. Box 3816
Airdrie, Alberta
T4B 2B9
Telephone: (403) 948-5103
Fax: (403) 948-0879
TTY: E-Mail: ThompM1@parl.gc.ca

Location

The Town of Carstairs is located in Mountain View County, on Highway 2A. It is 48 km
north of Calgary and 241 km south of Edmonton. Alberta Map

 Town of Carstairs Location Map

Driving Distance from Carstairs	km	miles	Time Required
Calgary (city centre)	65	40	43 minutes
Calgary International Airport	55	34	36 minutes
Edmonton, Alberta	261	162	2 hours, 41 minutes
Vancouver, British Columbia	1031	641	11 hours, 56 minutes
Toronto, Ontario	3460	2150	35 hours, 46 minutes
United States Border (Coutts, Alberta crossing)	386	240	4 hours, 3 minutes

It is important to note that time required is calculated based on 'ideal' traffic and
weather conditions.

An aerial view of Carstairs circa 2004 facing south. The foreground bottom left shows the Carstairs Community Golf Course adjacent to the 2A highway. This highway angles to the left in the upper quadrant of the photo.

Post Secondary Education

Olds College and the post-secondary educational institutions in Calgary such as the
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology [SAIT], the University of Calgary and Mount
Royal College are within a 1 hour drive.

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	9.7495	16.9801
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	5.6000	4.3515
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	0.1458	0.1458

WHEREAS, the assessed value of all property for 2005 in the Town of Carstairs as
shown on the assessment roll is:
Assessment:

Residential & Farmland $136,555,810
Non-residential 17,141,640
Special Residential 2,683,380
Senior Citizens Housing 1,821,620
Machinery and Equipment 30,750
Carstairs Community Golf Course 1,608,240
Totalling $159,841,440

Mill Rates

(2001)

Residential - Public 153072

(2005)

Residential - Public 142718

Transportation

Air Service

The nearest airport is the Olds/Didsbury Airport, 26 km north of Carstairs. The airport
has a 900 metre runway and all-weather facilities. The nearest commercial and air
freight service is at Calgary International Airport.

Rail Service

Carstairs is served by a Canadian Pacific Railway main line. Spur trackage is available.

Highways

Connecting highways are Highway 2A and Secondary Highway 581 [connecting to
Highway 2, which is the main north-south highway between Edmonton and Calgary].

Trucking Firms

Carstairs Transport
Far West Trucking Ltd.
Jensen Trucking
K. Wall Transport

Bus Services

Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service. 2A Gas
station on 2A Highway and Centre St. is location for arrivals and departures.

Couriers and Taxis

Carstairs is serviced by several major Canadian courier companies.

Utilities

Electrical Power

Utilicorp
Tel: 1-800-667-2345

Natural Gas

ATCO Gas
2014 - 17 Avenue
Didsbury, Alberta
T0M 0W0
Tel: 403-335-3372

Telephone

Telus Communications Inc.
115 - 6th Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0P8
Tel: 403-231-7111

Utilities: (water, sewer, garbage)
Town of Carstairs
Box 370
844 Centre Street
Carstairs, AB T0M 0N0
(403) 337-3341
www.town.carstairs.ab.ca

water is metered. Invoiced every 2 months. Water has $17 flat fee every 2 months,
sewer 33% of water usage every 2 months, garbage $22 every 2 months.

Cable:

Shaw
Calgary, AB
310-7429

Water Supply

The source of water is the Anthony Henday Water Treatment Plant, located in Innisfail.
The plant supplys water to the communities of Innisfail, Olds, Didsbury and Carstairs.

Waste Management

Sewage treatment is provided by 4 short and 2 long detention lagoons.

All residential, commercial and industrial garbage is collected weekly by Mountain View
Regional Waste Services Commission. The Commission also operates a waste transfer
station west of Carstairs. Their head office is located in Olds/Didsbury. Telephone
number: 335-2005. Call for rates and hours of operation.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Carstairs Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Carstairs Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Carstairs Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Projects

Summary of Projects in Carstairs as of September 2006

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Largest Projects in Carstairs as of September 2006