Carstairs

Welcome

The Town of Carstairs

• Takes pride in our growing 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 bare this out. Town and rural alike, unite to foster a community that prides itself in "wholesome" family values. Because of its proximity to the City of Calgary, many city dwellers are feeling 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 town website at www.town.carstairs.ab.ca

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 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 Alberta towns, it bosts of an active pool of volunteers and 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 Memorial Complex, Tourist Information Centre, Brand New Gazebo in Memrial Park, 28 Treed site Campground, with abundant parks and playgrounds. Just west of town is the 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, Mountain Music Festival in August, 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 with a newly constructed Gazebo 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, Football 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 JulyMountain View Music Festival - August 
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 rapidly 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, UMA Engineering, 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. UMA Engineering 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.

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 #73, 4904 - 50 Street Innisfail, AB  T4G 1W4 [Tel: 403-227-4272]. www.chinooksedge.ab.ca

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

Middle School K-5

Sod turning was September 4, 2008

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.  We now have two full time Peace Officers Scott Donselaar and Kevin Hirima who enforce all bylaws in town as well as handling animal control complaints. A selection of the Town's most requested bylaws is available in the Municipal Services/Documents and Forms section of our website. If you are interested in a specific matter, please feel free to contact the 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.  1118 Hammond Street Phone: (403) 337-3121 Dr. Smit

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

#319 Legislature Building 
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 415-0994
Fax: (780) 422-5628

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

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.

Carstairs Taxi Dispatch (403) 968-8131

Utilities

Electrical Power

Utilicorp
Tel: 1-800-667-2345

Natural Gas 

Direct Energy  Tel: 1-866-420-3174 

Cable Television

Shaw Cable TV  Tel: 1-800-400-9605

Telephone

Telus Communications Inc.
115 - 6th Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0P8
Tel: 403-310-225 (no charge)

Water

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.

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 Bi-Weekly by Mountain View
Regional Waste Services Commission. Please Have your garbage out in time for 7:00 AM.

The Commission also operates a waste transfer site in Didbury. Their head office is located in Olds/Didsbury. Telephone
number: (403)335-2005. Call for rates and hours of operation.

Recycling

Bins at the Lions Recycling Depot in Industrial Park. Newsprint, cardboard, plastic milk jugs, tin cans, clear glass, white paper, coloured paper, telephone books, catalogues. Please collapse all boxes and remove caps and rinse plastic jugs.

Bottle Collection

FastGas Bottle Return on Highway 2A & Centre Street - Open Monday to Sunday.

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 2008

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2008)

Largest Projects in Carstairs as of September 2008