Oyen

Welcome

On behalf of the residents of Oyen we would like to welcome your interest in our community. We appreciate the time and effort you are taking in assessing our community and hope that the information we have compiled is of benefit to you, whether you decide to locate a new business here or make Oyen your new residence. We invite you to make use of all our recreation facilities, or put your feet up and enjoy the quietness of the country. You will find the people friendly and helpful.

A small town is an ideal place to raise a family. Family ties are renewed and strengthened due to the commitment made by the community people through involvement in the various groups and organizations found here.

A wide range of businesses provide residents and visitors with services they would otherwise have to travel to larger centers for. Groceries, clothing, hardware, farm supplies and services, beauty salons, banking services, crafts, post office, accommodations and restaurants are all readily available.

We are proud of our community and the people who live here. We welcome you and trust that you will enjoy your time with us.

Sincerely,
Mayor and Council

Area Overview

The quiet tree-lined streets of Oyen, known as the "Oasis on the Prairie", provide a cool
and tranquil oasis in the midst of prairie terrain. Traditional values of friendliness, service and hospitality continue to shape the lifestyles of Oyen citizens. Oyen is a modern
urban community providing excellent municipal services, medical services, modern
schools, recreation/leisure facilities, senior accommodations, and the benefits of "big city" life without "big city" problems.

Community Services

Municipal
Town of Oyen
Box 360
Oyen, Alberta
T0J 2J0
Tel: 403-664-3511
Fax: 403-664-3712

• Tourist Information Centre
• Public Works
• Municipal Library

Provincial

• Agriculture
• Fish & Wildlife
• Medical Examiner-Coroner
• Public Works, Supply and Services
• Transportation and Utilities

Federal

• Canada Post Office
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation
Thoughtful planning and dedication by current and past Town Councilors, working hand in hand with the many community groups and organizations, has resulted in the development of superb leisure facilities. Most are within easy walking distance of residential areas. Local recreation and leisure facilities include:
· A 9-hole golf course with grass greens and club house
· Modern arena
· 6 ball diamonds (1 senior baseball diamond, 5 baseball/slow-pitch diamonds)
· 2 tennis courts · 6 horseshoe pits
· A 3-sheet curling rink
· An outdoor swimming pool
· Gun range
· Fishing pond
· Running track
· Fitness room (located in Arena)
· A senior citizens recreation center
· 2 RV camp grounds
· Parks and playgrounds
· Multipurpose Agriculture Building
· Legion Hall

Community Organizations
Local community and recreation organizations include the golf club, gun club, minor hockey association, senior men’s hockey, mini-fitness club, men’s hardball, co-ed slow-pitch, boys and girls minor ball, soccer club, Lions/Lioness Club, Kinsmen/Kinettes Club, Knights of Columbus, Eastern Star, Oyen Masonic Lodge, agricultural society, historical society, chamber of commerce, Royal Canadian Legion, art club, youth group, dance club, Cub/Scouts and Brownies, 4-H clubs.

Religious Services
Anglican Church of Canada
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
St. Peter's Lutheran Church
Oyen United Church
Greek Orthodox Church
Oyen Evangelical Missionary Church

Special Annual Events/Attractions
· Ladies Spring Morning --- May
· Annual Sports Day --- June
· Art Show --- June
· Farmer’s Market --- June to Oct.
· Bull-A-Rama --- July
· Youth Heifer Show --- July
· Big Country Fair --- August
· Ducks Unlimited Banquet --- Oct.
· Festival of Trees --- Nov

Hospitality
Accommodation

• Antelope Inn Motel
• Alberta Hotel/Motel
• Prairie Bell Bed & Breakfast

Restaurants

• 90's Restaurant
• Halfway Inn 96 Restaurant
• Library Pub The
• Oyen Family Restaurant
• Oyen Hotel Coffee Shop
• Lucky Dragon Restaurant
• Subway
• Tumbleweed Restaurant(1989)

Economic Base

The major economic base of the area is agriculture, followed by the gas & oil industry. The Oyen area is home to 650 farm families and a total farm area of 1.8 million acres. Agricultural products include wheat, barley, rye, tame hay, oats, flax, canola, field peas, beef cattle and hogs.

The Town of Oyen is predominantly a service centre for the industries in the surrounding area.

Economic Facts

The thriving business community serves a large market area that includes rural residents and smaller communities within a 80 to 100 Km radius.

Major Businesses Products/Services
Doug's AG Foods Groceries
Shop Easy Foods Groceries
Oyen Greenhouses Trees, Plants,
Oyen Welding & Machining Ltd. Machine Shop
Oyen Paint and Autobody Automobile Services
Fountain Tire Tire & Automotive Services
UFA Fuel, Oil, Farm Supplies
Kevin's Plumbing and Heating Plumbing
John's Electric and Refridgeration Electrical
Oyen Concrete Cement
Allen's Agrocentre Machinery Dealer, Machinery, Parts, Supplies
True Value Hardware Hardware Store
CARA Research Centre
Martin's Flooring and Painting Flooring, Painting, Framing, Draperies
Oyen Pharmacy Drug Store
Oyen Flowers & Giftware

Financial Institutions
ATB Financial
TD Canada Trust

Education

Oyen is part of the Prairie Rose Regional School Division #8, headquartered in Dunmore [Tel: 1-800-468-7023], and the Christ Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional School Division #3, headquartered in Okotoks [Tel: 1-800-737-9383]. The town provides educational services to residents of an area of over 4000 square kilometers, and is a centre for education in the area.

Daycare/Nursery
Oyen's daycare/nursery needs are currently being met by private baby-sitters.

Public
Public schools in Oyen include Oyen Public School [K-9] and Oyen South Central High School [10-12].

Separate
Assumption Roman Catholic School provides education for Grades [K-6]

Private
N/A

Emergency Services

ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE ACCESSED BY CALLING 911

Fire Protection
Oyen is served by a 15-member volunteer fire department, which has 2 fire trucks, 1 12,000 litre water tanker, 1 emergency response unit and the Jaws of Life [Tel: 403-664-3999].

Police Services
Oyen is served by a 3-member local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP]
[Tel: 403-664-3883].

Ambulance Services
Oyen currently receives privately owned gound ambulance service [Tel: 403-664-3212]. Fixed wing air ambulance and STARS with Advanced Cardiac Life Support are also available.

Health Care

Acute Care: Big Country Hospital
-10 bed acute care -respite care
-24 hour emergency
-24 hour lab & x-ray
-palliative care

Ambulance:
Privately owned ground ambulance Fixed wing air ambulance STARS with Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Long-Term Care:
Big Country Continuing Care -30 funded beds

Public Health:
Community Health Services
-home care
-home support
-public health nurse

Physician Education:
Medical Teleconference program from University of Calgary

Related Services:
Family & Community Support Services
Meals on Wheels
Ministerial Association
Oyen Lodge
Handi Bus
Life Line

Health Professionals:

• 2 physicians
• 1 dentist
• 1 optometrist
• 1 chiropractor
• physiotherapist
• early prevention dental services
• outpatient/inpatient respiratiory services
• speech therapist/audiology
• recreation therapist
• health inspector
• occupational therapy
• mental health worker
• massage therapist

A 33-unit senior's lodge with a staff of 17 is also located in Oyen. The lodge provides individual bedrooms with communal eating and living areas. There are also 8 self contained units.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal
Town of Oyen
Box 360
Oyen, Alberta
T0J 2J0
Tel: 403-664-3511
Fax: 403-664-3712 email: townoyen@telusplanet.net

Douglas Jones
Mayor
email: douglasjones@telusplanet.net

Debbie Kovitch
Administrator
email: debbiekovitch@telusplanet.net

Provincial (Updated May 2006)

Alberta Economic Development
109 Provincial Building
346 - 3 Street, S.E.
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 0G7 Tel: 403-529-3630
Fax: 403-529-3140

Elvira Smid
Regional Manager
elvira.smid@gov.ab.ca

Gloria Filgas, Information Officer
gloria.filgas@gov.ab.ca

Hon. Shirley McClellan
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]

Constituency Office
Box 1386
119 - 2nd Avenue West Hanna
T0J 1P0
Phone: (403) 854-4333
Fax: (403) 854-2812
drumheller.stettler@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office
#224 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton
T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-8809
Fax: (780) 428-1341

Federal (Updated May 2006)

Kevin Sorenson
Member of Parliament [MP]
Crowfoot Constituency

Parliamentary Address
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 947-4608
Fax: (613) 947-4611
E-Mail: Sorenson.K@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address
4945 - 50th Street
Camrose, Alberta
T4V 1P9
Telephone: (780) 608-4600 1-800-665-4358
Fax: (780) 608-4603

Location

The Town of Oyen is located in south-eastern Alberta at the crossroads of Highways 9 and 41. Hi-Way 9 is a main route between Calgary and Saskatoon and Hi-Way 41 is the main north south route along the east side of Alberta. Oyen is 397 km southeast of Edmonton, 327 km east of Calgary and 187 km north of Medicine Hat.

Post Secondary Education

The Big Country Adult Learning Council provides a variety of learning opportunities for adults. Post-secondary education is available at Medicine Hat Community College in Medicine Hat.

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	17.9000	17.9000
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	5.1060	7.5560
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	5.1060	7.5560
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.3430	.3430

Mill Rates [2001]

Residential - Public 22.334
Residential - Separate 22.334
Non-Residential - Public 25.423
Non-Residential - Separate 25.423

Transportation

Air Service
Oyen Municipal Airport (elevation 2498 ft.) has a 3000 ft. (914 metre) runway that is paved and lighted with a rotating beacon. The nearest passenger and air freight facilities are at Medicine Hat Municipal Airport, 187 km south of Oyen.

Rail Service
Oyen is served by a Canadian National Railway secondary main line. Spur trackage is available.

Highways
Connecting highways are Highway 9, Highway 41 and Secondary Road 895.

Trucking Firms
Hi-Way #9 Express Ltd.

Bus Services
Regularly scheduled inter-community bus service is available. The town also operates a Handi-Bus for the handicapped and seniors.

Couriers and Taxis
Loomis, Purolator, Hi-Way 9 Express Ltd.,UPS, Greyhound Canada, Canpar and Canada Post.

Utilities

Electrical Power
ATCO Electric
113 - 1 Avenue
Oyen, Alberta
Tel: 1-800-668-5506

Natural Gas
ATCO Gas
113 - 1 Avenue
Oyen, Alberta
Tel: 403-664-8105

Telephone
Telus Ltd.
Tel: 310-2255

Water Supply
The source of water is the Henry Kroeger Regional Water Commission.

Waste Management
Oyen's sewage system is comprised of a gravity flow collection system, a main sewage pump station and associated force main, gravity sewage outfall and 4 sewage lagoons [3 anaerobic ponds, 1 aerobic pond].

Oyen is a member of the Big Country Regional Waste Authority. Garbage is picked up once per week and is transferred to a waste transfer site, before being moved to Youngstown. A paper recycling program is also in operation in Oyen.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Oyen Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Oyen Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Oyen Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings