Claresholm
http://www.townofclaresholm.com
Welcome
'Where the Wheatlands Meet the Range'
Claresholm is a wonderful place to call home, this friendly small town, with it's tree lined streets of comfortable houses, convenient shopping, and excellent medical and recreational facilities creates the ideal place to enjoy a high quality of life.
Claresholm is located in a beautiful part of Alberta, where the Porcupine hills rise gently from the prairie to the west of town. Claresholm's Western culture is prominent with the Canadian Appaloosa Museum and Registry located in Claresholm, along with an active Agriplex. Horse shows, ropings or rodeos offer lots to see and do!
Claresholm is fortunate to have a number of green spaces and playgrounds within the Town limits, also located very close nearby are a number of parks including Willow Creek Provincial Park, Pine Coulee and Clear Lake.
Step back in time to learn more about the history of Claresholm and the surrounding area at the Claresholm Museum situated on main street in the sandstone railway building.
Claresholm is a growing community found in the heart of Southwestern Alberta, situated midway between Lethbridge and Calgary along Highway #2. There are many reasons to visit Claresholm, spend the day, or choose to spend the rest of your life here. We've got what you need.
Location
Claresholm is conveniently situated midway between Lethbridge and Calgary along Highway #2. This makes Claresholm an excellent base for many of the area's tourist attractions, it also makes Claresholm a great place to stop for a break from your travels, shop, have a bite to eat at one of our restaurants and check out the historic main street buildings.
Economic Base
Retail Business
Claresholm has a solid retail base, with the majority of the retailers situated within 4 downtown blocks and along the Highway 2 corridor. The following partial list of businesses shows the diverse nature of the retail community in Claresholm.
mens, ladies and childrens clothing
hair salons and barber shop
4 financial institutions
realtors
hardware store and building supply store
liquor stores
flower stores and greenhouses
jewelery store and gift shops
drug stores and health food store
stationery and office supply store
car dealerships
electronics stores
bakery
equestrian supply store
two grocery stores
Claresholm also has several convenience stores along Highway 2, as well as gas stations and restaurants. Due to the nature of the town's location, the drive-through traffic makes up a large part of the clientele of these highway businesses.
Motels in Claresholm are busy in the summer and winter, with tourists and those working in the area. There are three motels in town with a total of 106 rooms, and a hotel with 22 rooms.
Restaurants provide a variety of food including:
Italian and pizza
Greek
Delivery pizza
Western cuisine
Chinese Food
Fast food
Effective July 1, 2003, all public places were declared non-smoking in Claresholm. Those businesses that choose to allow smoking on their property can not allow those under the age of 18 into the business.
The retailers of Claresholm encourage local shopping and offer occasional late night shopping events. The Chamber of Commerce encourages shoppers to support the town's local businesses which will in turn allow the business community to grow.
Industrial Business
Located on the south-east side of Claresholm is the industrial subdivision where a large number of industrial businesses conduct business. In the industrial subdivision, businesses include the following:
welding
auto body repair
auto parts suppliers
automotive repair
trucking/transportation companies
glass repair shop
veterinarian
RV repair shop
Industrial businesses are also located at teh Claresholm Airport, approximately 5 kilometres west of Town. A tortilla chip plant, Del Comal, employs 15 people, and iLevel a
Economic Facts
Market Area
The population of Claresholm's main trading area is well over 13,600 people. It extends west to the south-east corner of British Columbia east to Highway 23, and north to Nanton and south to Fort Macleod. Claresholm is in an excellent location for highway transportation in all four directions due to Highway 2 running through the town (North-South) and Highway 3 (East-West) just 20 minutes to the south of town.
Taxation
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| Municipal Tax Rate |
7.5500 |
16.6300 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
4.4750 |
7.2200 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.4000 |
.4000 |
Transportation
Claresholm has two local taxi services, and transportation is available through the Transportation Society 625-4455.
The Greyhound bus line also stops in Claresholm at Double S Foods on Highway 2. Call 625-2661 for schedule details.
Education
Claresholm's commitment to public education is clear by its support of its public schools: Claresholm Elementary (K-3), West Meadow School (4-8) and Willow Creek Composite High School (9-12). In addition Claresholm boasts an Educational Consortium, Willow Creek Community Adult Learning Society and its adult literacy program.
Health Care
Claresholm offers high quality medical services through local facilities such as the medical clinic, hospitals, nursing home and health unit. facilities including the Care Centre and AADAC also offer medical support. Claresholm is part of the Calgary Health Region.
The CLARESHOLM MEDICAL CLINIC is located west of the General Hospital on 43 Avenue West and houses the offices of our local doctors. The CLARESHOLM GENERAL HOSPITAL was opened in 1972 and today is an active treatment facility with 16 beds, and a 24-hour emergency.
The WILLOW CREEK CONTINUING CARE CENTRE provides extended care for long term patients. In 1988 the present hospital was opened with 100 beds.
the PORCUPINE HILLS SENIORS FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization which provides subsidized, low-cost housing for seniors 65 years of age and older who are functionally independent. The Foundation operates forty lodge units and eight 2-bedroom supportive housing units.
The DAVID LANDER CENTRE/ A. A. D. A. C. was first established in Claresholm in 1974. This facility offers treatment to people of Southern Alberta who are suffering from drug/alcohol addictions.
The CLARESHOLM CARE CENTRE provides community-based psychiatric facilities providing treatment, educational and supportive services. The facility's purpose is to maximise the ability of mental health consumers to live independently in the environment of their choice.
Through the CLARESHOLM HEALTH UNIT, a wide array of community health programs are offered by the Calgary Health Region. Some of the services and programs offered are home visits, immunizations, public health inspections, speech pathologist, seniors wellness clinic, prenatal classes, and foot clinics.
Claresholm also has chiropractic, dental, foot care (chiropodist), massage therapy, optometrist, physotherapy, and reflexology services in town.
Climate
Claresholm has a moderate climate that enjoys four distinct seasons, separated by warm summers and mild Canadian winters.
Temperature
Seasonal Averages:
January -9.9 C / 14.2 F
April 4.4 C / 39.9 F
July 18.1 C / 64.6 F
October 7.2 C / 45.0 F
Annual Precipitation
Mean Rainfall per year: 26 cm. (10.10 in.)
Mean Snowfall per year: 210 cm. (87.71 in.)
Mean no. of days with precipitation: 113 days
Mean total precipitation: 48 cm. (18.71 in.)
General Information
Frost Free days average: 130 days
Average hours of sunshine hours per day: 6.31
Total hours of sunshine per year: 2370
Prevailing wind direction: NNW
Average wind speed: 16.2 km/h / 9.72 mph.
Chinook Average: 25 days
Severity Index
*The severity index is an indication of desirability of the climate of the area. The lower the index, the more desirable the climate.
Area Index: Claresholm 32
Compared to:
Victoria 13
Halifax 43
Vancouver 18
Montreal 44
Regina 47
Calgary 34
Google Map
Claresholm, Alberta, Canada