AlbertaFirst.com - Rocky Mountain House

Welcome

Welcome to Rocky Mountain House, gateway to the fabulous West Country of West Central Alberta! On behalf of our Council and Staff, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our web site, and, ultimately, to our Community.

From our historical location at the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, Rocky Mountain House has a long and proud tradition as a business and trade site, extending back well over two hundred years. Today, our vibrant thriving community continues to promote our heritage and we welcome you to experience “Where Adventure Begins”.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our recreational and cultural facilities, as well as our commercial and industrial sectors.

Rocky Mountain House is prospering, and our future looks incredibly bright. Business and pleasure have successfully meshed, resulting in the best of both worlds – Small Town Lifestyle with the amenities of a much larger center.

We boast multi-campus educational facilities that are second to none, with SuperNet access to the World. Our retail and service industries are expanding, serving both local residents and acting as a service hub for various resource exploration and development opportunities.

Responsible development of the Eastern Slopes and Eco-tourism is attracting the attention of visitors from around the world. Don’t just take my word for it; we welcome you to visit us.

We want to prove to you that indeed Rocky Mountain House is “Where Adventure Begins”. If we can be of any assistance, we are at your service. I firmly believe that Strangers are simply Friends that we have not had the opportunity to meet yet, so on behalf of Town Council and staff, I’m happy to extend a warm Rocky welcome, and we look forward to calling you Friend! Town of Rocky Mountain House.

Sincerely

Jim Bague
Mayor of Rocky Mountain House

Area Overview

A prosperous growing community with 6584 in population and a trading area of 20,000. Rocky Mountain House is a major centre for timber, agriculture and oil & gas enterprises, as well as being a gateway to the splendid recreation areas of the Rocky Mountains.

Rocky Mountain House is home to a variety of whitewater rafting, canoeing and trail riding outfitters, while also offering the visitor a fine community museum together with shopping, dining and accommodation facilities and an excellent 18 hole golf course and a beautiful 9 hole course.

The 630 acre Rocky Mountain House National Historic Park, [7 km west on Hwy 11A] contains a Visitor Centre and interpretive trail system which provides a fascinating glimpse of the fur trading past of the region.

Community Services

Municipal
Town of Rocky Mountain House
5116 - 50 Avenue,
P.O. Box 1509
Rocky Mountain House,
Alberta
T4T 1B2
Tel: 403-845-2866
Fax: 403-845-3230
Email:town@rockymtnhouse.com

Municipal Library
403-845-2042

Provincial
Fish and Wildlife
Medical Examiner-Coroner
Provincial Court Public Works

Supply and Services
Mental Health Agriculture Parks and Recreation
Family and Social Services

Federal
Canadian Heritage Employment Centre
Environment Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation
Local recreational facilities in Rocky Mountain House include 2 skating arenas [artificial ice], 2 public libraries, a bowling alley, stampede grounds, tennis courts [3 asphalt], 6 major cross-country skiing areas, 5 summer camps, a gun range and archery range, 3 curling rinks, an 18-hole golf course [grass greens], a 9-hole golf course NW of Rocky, a 400 metre outdoor oval ice surface, 5 shale ball diamonds plus many grass diamonds, fish ponds and a trout ranch, a 25 metre indoor swimming pool with a 170 ft waterslide, kid's pool and 24 person whirlpool and riding stables.

Nearby parks and campgrounds include National Historic Park, Nordegg Historic Mine Site, Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Bighorn Wildland Area, 3 municipal recreation areas, numerous forestry campgrounds, municipal parks, campground in Rocky Mountain House, the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, Pioneer Ranch Camp, and Camp Caroline.

Community Organizations

David Thompson Days
Country Fair Society
Nordegg Historical Society
Rocky Mountain House
Reunion and Historical Society
Rocky Performing Arts Society
Rocky Native Friendship Centre Society
West Country Family Services Association
Rotary Club
Kinsmen Club
Lions Club

Religious Facilities

Alliance Church
Christian Reform Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Church of the Nazarene Community
Bible Study - Coffee Break
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Kingdom Hall
Jehovah Witnesses Living Branches
Community Church Living
Faith Renewal Church
Lutheran Church
New Life Christian
Centre Pentecostal Assembly
Presbyterian Church
Rocky Mountain Baptist
St. Matthews Catholic Church
Seventh Day Adventist
Church Ta-Wow Bible Fellowship
The Church of God of Prophecy

Special Annual Events/Attractions

Rocky Mountain House Trade Fair -- May
Rocky Rodeo [pro rodeo] -- June
Rocky Cruise Night -- June
Canada Day Celebrations [National Historic Park] -- July 1
David Thompson Days -- August
Rocky Air Show -- September

Hospitality Accommodation

Alpine Motel
Chinook Inn Eagle Lodge
Holiday Inn Express
The House Motel
Super 8 Motel
Tamarack Motor Inn
Voyageur Motel
Walking Eagle Motor Inn

Restaurants

A & W
The Black Stump
Cosmopolitan
McDonalds
Dairy Queen
Grandview Stage
La La Steak & Pizza Petro
Canada Burger Baron
Subway
Merlins
Ritz Cafe
Dragon Palace

Economic Base

The major economic base of the region is oil and gas, forestry, tourism and agriculture. Major Employers for the Area Sunpine Forest Products Pidherney's Construction Keyera Resources Husky Oil Co-op WildRose School Division David Thompson Health Region

Economic Facts

Major Businesses Products/Services
Agriculture-related Businesses Agriculture Gas and Oilfield-related Businesses Oil and Gas Forestry-related Businesses Forestry

Financial Institutions

CIBC Scotiabank Alberta
Treasury Branch
Rocky Credit Union

Education

Rocky Mountain House is part of the Wild Rose School Division #66, headquartered in Rocky Mountain House [Tel: 403-845-3376], and the Red Deer Catholic Separate Regional Division, headquartered in Red Deer [Tel: 403-343-1055].

Confluence Campus will be opening up in the fall of 2005. It will be home to the Public and Catholic High Schools and a satelite campus for Red Deer College.

Daycare/Nursery

Honey Patch Day Care
Back Pack After School Care
Program Rocky & District
Family Day Homes
Cookie Jar Nursery
Mom'N Me

Public Schools in Rocky Mountain House include :

Lochearn Elementary School [1-6]
Rocky Elementary [1-6]
Pioneer School [6-8]
Will Sinclair High School [9-12].

Separate
St. Matthew's Catholic School provides education for Grades K to 12.

Private
Rocky Christian School [K-9]

Emergency Services

Fire Protection
Rocky Mountain House is served by a volunteer fire department [Tel: 403-845-3500].

There are 4 other regional volunteer fire departments [Nordegg, Caroline, Leslieville, Condor] in the area.

Police Services
Rocky Mountain House is served by a local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Tel: 403-845-2881].

Ambulance Services
Rocky Mountain House Ambulance Service provides service to the town [Tel: 403-845-3002].

Health Care

Rocky Mountain House is in the David Thompson Health Region.

The Rocky Mountain House General Hospital has 30 active beds. Clearwater Centre was built in 2004 and is home to 70 residents with varied levels of care.

The Westview Lodge has 50 beds and many more throughout the community.

For more information please call 403-845-3347.

Other medical services include 10 medical doctors, 1 surgeon, 6 home care nurses, the Caroline Medical Clinic [with laboratory facilities], 4 chiropractors, 3 optometrists, 4 dental clinics, the Red Deer Regional Health Unit, 1 acupuncture specialist and 1 physiotherapy specialist.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal
Town of Rocky Mountain House
5116 - 50 Avenue
P.O. Box 1509
Rocky Mountain House,
Alberta
T4T 1B4
Tel: 403-845-2866
Fax: 403-845-3230
E-Mail:town@rockymtnhouse.com

Jim Bague
Mayor
mayor@rockymtnhouse.com

Larry Holstead
Chief Administrator Officer
Email:lholstead@rockymtnhouse.com

Dean Schweder
Tourism & Economic Development Coordinator
Email:dschweder@rockymtnhouse.com

Provincial (Updated December 2004)
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 Hon.

Ty Lund
Minister of Infrastructure
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]

Rocky Mountain House Constituency
424 Legislative Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-2080
Fax: 780-422-2722

Federal (Updated June 2004)
Dale Johnston
Member of Parliament [MP]
Ponoka-Wetaskiwin

Constituency
Government of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Location

Rocky Mountain House is located at the junction of Highway 11 [east-west] and Highway 22 [north-south]. It is 85 km west of Red Deer, 229 km northwest of Calgary and 225 km southwest of Edmonton.

Post Secondary Education

Rocky Mountain House has the Pembina College, which offers many college courses offered at bigger colleges across Alberta. A wide range of post-secondary education is located nearby, including Red Deer Community College in Red Deer, Olds College in Olds, and several Calgary and Edmonton based institutions.

Taxation

Mill Rates(2006)

Residential-Public 13.8744
Residential-Separate N/A
Non-Residential-Public 15.7088
Non-Residential-Separate N/A

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2006
Municipal Tax Rate	9.7364	9.7364
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.0380	5.8724
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	4.0380	5.8724
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.1000	.1000

Transportation

Air Service
The nearest airport is the Rocky Mountain House Airport. It has all-weather facilities, and a 2,037 metre paved, lighted runway. Charter service is available from Shunda Helicopter Service Ltd., Aerial Recon Surveys Ltd. and Excel Air.

Rail Service
Rocky Mountain House is served by Canadian National Railways.

Highways
Connecting highways are Highway 11 [east-west], Highway 22 [north-south] and Highway 12 [east].

Trucking Firms

Rocky Fast Express
Arleys/Rocky Transport
Hi-Way 9 Trucking

Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines.

Couriers and Taxis
Loomis, Purolator, Rainbow Couriers. Local taxi service is provided by Cid's Cab and Action Cabs and Towing.

Utilities

Electrical Power
EPCOR
Tel: 310-4300

ATCO Gas
Tel: 310-5678

TELUS
Tel: 310-2255

Water Supply
The Towns water system is made up of the distribution lines, a one million gallon reservoir and pumphouse, and a 1.8 million gallon per day water treatment plant. Raw water is supplied to the treatment plant from the North Saskatchewan River via the Raw water pumphouse.

The Treatment Plant is capable of providing water to a population of 14,000 and is designed so it can easily be doubled in size. Bills for water and sewer are sent out every two months. Water charges are based on meter readings with the sewer charges being a percentage of the water.

There is a security deposit required when registering for water supply. Please check for amount at Town Office.

Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by an aerated sewage lagoon. Garbage is collected in the residential districts of Town once a week.

Garbage in the commercial districts is collected every day. Every house is expected to have regulation type garbage cans and have them placed at the rear of the property, preferably on stands.

Population

Total Population
Population 2004*	6,584
Population 2003*	6,208
Population 2002*	6,208
Population 2001**	6,210
Population 2000*	6,062
Population 1996**	5,805
Population 1991**	5,461
Population % change 1991-1996	5.93%
Population % change 1996-2001	6.49%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs ** Source: Statistics Canada 1991, 1996, & 2001 Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender	1996 Male	1996 Female	1996 Total	2001 Male	2001 Female	2001 Total
Age 0 - 4	215	230	445	250	205	455
Age 5 - 14	515	530	1,045	485	450	935
Age 15 - 19	195	245	440	260	265	525
Age 20 - 24	215	195	410	205	200	405
Age 25 - 34	455	460	915	440	450	890
Age 35 - 44	500	475	975	530	525	1,055
Age 45 - 54	265	295	560	400	375	775
Age 55 - 64	200	185	385	225	240	465
Age 65 - 74	155	190	345	170	155	325
Age 75 and older	105	175	280	140	245	385
Total All Persons	2,820	2,985	5,805	3,090	3,115	6,205
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Rocky Mountain House Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older	2001	%
People without high school certificates	1,490	35.73%
People with high school certificates	465	11.15%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma	1,370	32.85%
People with post-secondary education (not completed)	385	9.23%
People with university diploma/certificate	55	1.32%
People with university degree	405	9.71%
Total Population 20 years and older	4,170	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Rocky Mountain House Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Population with Post Secondary Qualifications	1996	%	2001	%
Agriculture and biological sciences	50	3.33%	85	4.62%
Commerce, management and business administration	250	16.67%	405	22.01%
Educational, recreational and counseling services	235	15.67%	200	10.87%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades	510	34.00%	615	33.42%
Engineering and applied sciences	40	2.67%	25	1.36%
Fine and applied arts	75	5.00%	65	3.53%
Health professionals, science and technologies	165	11.00%	255	13.86%
Humanities and related fields	30	2.00%	60	3.26%
Mathematics and physical sciences	15	1.00%	0	0.00%
Social sciences and related fields	105	7.00%	115	6.25%
Other and/or no specialization	10	0.67%	10	0.54%
Total people with post secondary qualifications	1,500	100.00%	1,840	100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications	690	46.00%	900	48.91%
Males with post-secondary qualifications	810	54.00%	940	51.09%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity	1996	2001
In the labour force, both sexes	3,100	3,375
Not in the labour force, both sexes	1,045	1,325
Total population 15 and over	4,145	4,700
Employed, both sexes	2,630	3,185
Unemployed, both sexes	470	190
Participation rate, both sexes	75.00%	72.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes	15.00%	6.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force by Industry Division	1996	% of total	2001	% of total
Agriculture	105	3.41%	75	2.23%
Mining	485	15.75%	370	11.00%
Manufacturing	165	5.36%	225	6.69%
Construction	320	10.39%	280	8.32%
Transportation. & Utilities	195	6.33%	110	3.27%
Retail and Wholesale	455	14.77%	595	17.68%
Finance	135	4.38%	140	4.16%
Business & Community Services	990	32.14%	1,430	42.50%
Public Administration	125	4.06%	120	3.57%
Total All Industries	3,080	100.00%	3,365	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Rocky Mountain House Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups	1996	%	2001	%
Management occupations	190	6.16%	340	10.10%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations	465	15.07%	485	14.41%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	100	3.24%	90	2.67%
Health occupations	100	3.24%	160	4.75%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion	225	7.29%	240	7.13%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport	40	1.30%	30	0.89%
Sales and service occupations	805	26.09%	880	26.15%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations	565	18.31%	650	19.32%
Occupations unique to primary industry	305	9.89%	215	6.39%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities	285	9.24%	265	7.88%
Occupations not elsewhere classified	15	0.49%	0	0.00%
Total - All Occupations (major groups)	3,085	100.00%	3,365	100.00%
Females - All Occupations	1,390	45.06%	1,555	46.21%
Males - All Occupations	1,695	54.94%	1,810	53.79%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)	1996	%	2001	%
less than $19,999	105	8.33%	185	13.31%
$20,000 - $39,999	345	27.38%	380	27.34%
$40,000 - $59,999	340	26.98%	345	24.82%
$60,000 and over	470	37.30%	545	39.21%
Total number of families	1,260	100.00%	1,455	104.68%
Average family income	$61,865		$63,350
Median family income	$50,735		$54,865
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)	1996	%	2001	%
less than $19,999	405	19.47%	435	18.55%
$20,000 - $39,999	615	29.57%	545	23.24%
$40,000 - $59,999	490	23.56%	470	20.04%
$60,000 and over	140	6.73%	905	38.59%
Total number of households	2,080	100.00%	2,345	100.00%
Average household income	$51,139		$57,191
Median household income	$40,836		$48,502
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Family Expenditure

Expenditure Category	1992	% of total	1996	% of total
Food and Shelter	$21,402,675	37.25%	$27,657,032	36.88%
Clothing	$3,913,685	6.81%	$5,024,240	6.70%
Education and Reading materials	$1,204,105	2.10%	$1,700,567	2.27%
Health and Personal care	$3,578,520	6.23%	$5,134,358	6.85%
Hshld. operationas and furnishings	$6,316,955	11.00%	$8,281,380	11.04%
Recreation	$4,671,530	8.13%	$6,806,485	9.08%
Transportation	$11,757,965	20.47%	$13,937,649	18.58%
Miscellaneous	$4,584,010	7.98%	$6,457,210	8.61%
Total Current Consumption	$57,450,125	100.00%	$74,998,921	100.00%
Total # of Households	1,960		2,081
Average Consumption per Household	$29,311		$36,040
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Rocky Mountain House Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Building Permits Value, Commercial	$13,773,000	$1,755,000	$2,717,000	$4,230,000	$9,929,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial	$364,000	$470,000	$930,000	$83,000	$195,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional	$410,000	$7,952,000	$19,084,000	$2,215,000	$778,000
Building Permits Value, Residential	$5,713,000	$4,091,000	$7,007,000	$7,275,000	$8,398,000
Building Permits Value, Total	$20,260,000	$14,268,000	$29,738,000	$13,803,000	$19,300,000
Total Housing Starts	51	30	62	50	52
Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type	1996	% of total	2001	% of total
Apartments	350	16.83%	380	16.20%
Detached Duplexes	75	3.61%	45	1.92%
Movable Dwellings	205	9.86%	280	11.94%
Other single attached house	0	0.00%	15	0.64%
Row and semi-detached house	220	10.58%	340	14.50%
Single-detached house	1,220	58.65%	1,285	54.80%
Total number of occupied private dwellings	2,080	100.00%	2,345	100.00%
Private dwellings, owned	1,355	65.14%	1,515	64.61%
Private Dwellings, rented	730	35.10%	830	35.39%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Private Dwellings by Period of Construction	# of Dwellings	% of total
Period of construction, before 1946	115	4.91%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960	260	11.11%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970	300	12.82%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980	715	30.56%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990	450	19.23%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001	500	21.37%
Total number of private dwellings constructed	2,340	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Projects

Summary of Projects in Rocky Mountain House as of September 2006

Project Sector	Number of Projects	Project Cost
Commercial/Retail	4	$5,667,000
Infrastructure	1	$809,080
Institutional	3	$569,930
Total	8	$7,046,010
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Project Status	Number of Projects	Project Cost
Announced	2	$419,930
Proposed	2	$5,093,000
Under Construction	4	$1,533,080
Total	8	$7,046,010
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Largest Projects in Rocky Mountain House as of September 2006

Company Name	Project Description	Project Location	Project Cost	Construction Schedule	Status
Wal-Mart Canada Inc.	NEW STORE	Rocky Mountain House	$5,000,000	-	Proposed
Riverview Estates	Phase 1 - Grading, Install Road, Curb, Sidewalk & Water, Sanitary Sewer & Storm	Rocky Mountain House	$809,080	2006-2006	Under Construction
Phoenix Construction Inc. - McCaw	Shop / Warehouse / Office	Rocky Mountain House	$350,000	2006-2006	Announced
Wildrose School Division No 66-2	Rocky Elementary School- Portable Classrooms	Rocky Mountain House	$250,000	2006-2006	Under Construction
Wildrose School Division No 66-2	Lochearn School- Portable Classrooms	Rocky Mountain House	$250,000	2006-2006	Under Construction
Rocky Mountain House Co-op	Garden Centre Addition	Rocky Mountain House	$224,000	2006-2006	Under Construction
Red Basket Store	Mac's Convenience Store - Renovation	Rocky Mountain House	$93,000	-	Proposed
Westview Lodge	LODGE REPAIR & MAINTENANCE	Rocky Mountain House	$69,930	2006-2007	Announced