Castor
http://www.castor.ca
Welcome
Welcome to our community. We hope the information contained within this profile is
useful. Our community is an oasis on the Prairie, with tree lined streets and ponds flowing throughout our town. Castor has many opportunities available to you. Affordable housing, relaxing lifestyle, and opportunities for business/industry. Please check our Website or our Regional partnership www.paintearth.ab.ca for further information.
Aerial View of Castor
Area Overview
The Town of Castor is situated at the crossroads of Highway 12 and Highway 36. The
town is a service centre for the surrounding farming community.
Castor offers everything required for daily needs. It boasts a competitive retail sector
and commercial industries. Main Street includes grocery stores, a drug store,
restaurants, financial institutions, hardware, and various service centres. In addition,
various contractors are available for all types of work including building construction,
plumbing, gas-fitting and electrical work. Service stations are available for vehicle
repairs and parts.
The Town is very picturesque with well-maintained homes and gardens. The streets are
tree-lined, and the natural beauty is very impressive. Throughout the community, a
natural pond system dissects the town providing an enjoyable area for walks and play areas.
Castor prides itself in its continuous efforts to provide a quality of life second to none.
The residents co-operate with each other for the betterment of the town. The family
unit as a whole is an important aspect for the townspeople. The facilities, entertainment
and social aspects are maintained with the family unit in mind.
Location
The Town of Castor is located in the County of Paintearth #18, in east-central Alberta.
It is 160 km east of Red Deer, 245 km southeast of Edmonton, and 290 km northeast of
Calgary. We are situated at the junction of Highway 12 and Highway 36 providing easy to major centers.
Economic Base
Agriculture is the main economic base in the Castor area. Cattle and hog production is a
major contributor to the economic stability of the area. Grain farming in the area is also
very strong, with all varieties of crops being grown. The crops are of high quality and
quantity. Castor is also the central loading station for hogs going to market from the
east-central Alberta area.
It is expected that agriculture will continue to flourish in the area. Good management
and continued stability will be maintained in the future.
Development of High-speed, broad band internet to the region provides new opportunities
for business and educaton as well. Castor has a good mix of retail businesses. Recent investment
by such businesses as Home Hardware, OK Tire, and Terroco have highlighted the many opportunities
for our community. Castor Business Directory .
Other opportunities for business development are the Castor Business Incubator. If you are
considering starting up a business give us a call- we can help. Our business incubator can
assist you with affordable space, shared support services, and professional mentorship to get your
business off to a successful start. Give us a call at 1-888-882-3156 or 403-882-3211. Check out our website
at Paintearth Economic Partnership Society or email.
Economic Facts
Small operations such as retail, concrete mix, service industries and the hospital and
county seat have provided the main employment in the area.
Major Businesses Products/Services
Filipenko Brothers Concrete Cement Production
AG Foods,Food Town Food Service
Value Drug Mart Drug Store
Home Hardware
OK Tire
Terraco
Financial Institutions
Alberta Treasury Branch
Battle River Credit Union
For a complete business listing check out our link Castor Businesses
Utilities
Electrical Power
Atco
Tel: 403-882-3255
Natural Gas
Town of Castor [Urban]
Box 479
Castor, Alberta
T0C 0X0
Tel: 403-882-3215
Paintearth Gas Co-op Ltd. [Rural]
Box 5
Castor, Alberta
T0C 0X0
Tel: 403-882-3974
Telephone
Telus
4831 - 51 Street
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 2A6
Tel: 403-342-3611
Water Supply
The source of water is the Parr Reservoir. The reservoir capacity is 51,650 cubic
meters, the treated reservoir capacity is 817 cubic metres, and the design capacity is
2,182 cubic meters.
Castor will soon be part of the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Commission
Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by a series of lagoons consisting of 4 short and 2 long
detention ponds.
Residential garbage is collected weekly, while commercial and industrial garbage is
collected twice weekly.
Taxation
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Municipal Tax Rate |
19.8402 |
19.8402 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
5.0877 |
7.3749 |
| Education Opted Out Tax Rate |
5.0877 |
7.3749 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.4316 |
.4316 |
Mill Rates [2002]
Residential-Public 23.60
Residential-Separate 23.60
Non-Residential-Public 26.58
Non-Residential-Separate 26.58
Transportation
Air Service
The Castor Airport is a local air-strip. The nearest commercial and freight services are
offered at Calgary International Airport or Edmonton International Airport.
Highways
Connecting highways are Highway 12 and Highway 36. The high quality grade of the
highways makes easy access both north-south and east-west. Should access to
Edmonton and the northwest be required, the highway allows the journey via Camrose in a
little over two hours.
Trucking Firms
Hiway 9 Express
Dove Transport Ltd.
East Country Delivery
Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service.
Couriers and Taxis
Greyhound Courier Express, Loomis, Purolator
Community Lifestyle
Recreation
The recreation facilities and programs offered to the public are first-rate. The arena,
curling rink, tennis courts, swimming pool and parks are actively used by the residents.
These facilities have been well maintained over the years. The Golf Course offers a 9-
hole, grass green course with a new clubhouse. The curling rink was completed in 1988.
Various recreation programs are offered throughout the year. Minor hockey and ball
programs are easily accessible at low cost. Summer swim club, arts & crafts, dance
club, gymnastics, 4-H, woodworking and various recreation and culture programs are
offered on a regular basis. For adults, there is hockey, curling, ball, golfing, aerobics and
other activities offered throughout the year. The Recreation Department is continuously
working to build new programs for both young people and adults.
Other recreation facilities include the Valley Ski Hill [14 miles N.E. of Castor], R.V.
campground [water, sewage & electrical], various playgrounds, and boating.
Community Organizations
Many service organizations are actively involved in the community.
Religious Facilities
All Saints Anglican Church
Missionary Church
St. John Lutheran Church
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
United Church of Canada
Castor Community Lighthouse Church
Special Annual Events/Attractions
Our museum and library meets the cultural needs of the community.
Castor Little Theatre has produced plays for the community. The play runs for
2 weeks (end of February/early March) as a dinner theatre and is a worthwhile evening for anyone who has attended
the productions.
Other highlights include Winterfest, which includes all types of entertainment, such as a
trade show, fireworks, cutter parade and ice sculpting.
|
ice sculpture- Winterfest
|
fireworks-Winterfest
|
|
Hoarfrost at Cenotaph
|
Leisuretime in Castor
|
Castor Rodeo- July
The whole community works
hard to provide a weekend of fun for all ages. Also, the Annual Fair is held in August,
and continues to grow every year.
Hospitality
Accommodation
Cosmopolitan Hotel
Grey Goose Motel
Robin's Nest BB
Restaurants
Cosmos Restaurant
Shangri-la Inn
Tasty Mill
White Goose Family Restaurant
Education
Castor is part of the Clearview Public Schools (Clearview School Division #71), headquartered in Stettler
[Tel: 403-742-3331] and the East Central Alberta Catholic Separate School Division
#16, headquartered in Wainwright [Tel: 403-842-3992].
Over the years many of Castor's students have received provincial recognition for their
accomplishments in education, which speaks highly of the quality of education in the
area.
Public
Gus Wetter School provides education for Grades K to 12.
Separate
Theressetta Roman Catholic Separate School provides education for Grades 1 to 9.
Private
N/A
Post Secondary
Post-secondary education is available from Red Deer Community College in Red Deer,
Olds College in Olds, and from Edmonton or Calgary-based post-secondary institutions.
Health Care
Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital has 25 active-treatment beds. Other medical services
include 2 medical clinics, 1 dental clinic, and the Health Unit. Ambulance service is also
available.
There is also a senior citizen's lodge in Castor.
Emergency Services
Fire Protection
Castor is served by a 12-member volunteer fire department [Tel: 403-882-3333].
Police Services
Castor is served by the Coronation detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
[RCMP] [Tel: 403-578-3622]. The detachment has 4 officers.
Ambulance Services
East Central Ambulance Association has 2 units that serve Castor [Tel: 403-882-3383].
Community Services
Municipal
Town of Castor
Box 475
Castor, Alberta
T0C 0X0
Tel: 403-882-3215
Fax: 403-882-3454
Recreation
Public Utilities
Public Library
Provincial
Transportation and Utilities
Federal
Canada Post
Google Map
Castor, Alberta, Canada