Welcome

Welcome to our Community

Area Overview

The Village of Rockyford was first settled in 1913 and takes its name from a "rocky ford" that crossed Serviceberry Creek a half mile south of the village.

Rockyford is a family-oriented agricultural based community which provides close-knit relationships for those who call it home. Less than an hour east of Calgary makes Rockyford the ideal home for commuters who enjoy country living while working in the city. With affordable taxes and its close proximity to Calgary . . .why not consider it for your family?


ALBERTA, THE BEST PLACE TO WORK, LIVE AND DO BUSINESS

The province of Alberta is a leader in the Canadian economy. Alberta has had the fastest growing economy in Canada over the past two decades, with real GDP growth averaging 3.7 percent per year. Highlighting Alberta's success in the past year is:

• Over $73.2 billion in international exports of goods and services (2004)
• Manufacturing shipments of $52.6 billion (2004)
• Creation of 40,000 new jobs in 2004 and 433,900 between 1994 and 2004
• Over $103 billion in major capital projects are proposed, announced, under construction or recently completed (2004)

Source: Alberta Economic Development

Alberta's Positive Business Climate

• The lowest overall taxes in Canada
  
• No provincial sales tax
  
• No general capital or payroll taxes prevalent in other provinces and U.S. states
• A highly entrepreneurial and competitive business community
  
• A fiscally responsible government that has eliminated its provincial debt, demonstrating to investors the business-like attitude of the government
• A highly skilled, educated and motivated workforce that is the most productive in Canada.

Source:Alberta Economic Development

Climate

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

January
Maximum temperature = -5.5 Celsius
Minimum temperature = -17.3 Celsius

July
Maximum temperature = 24.5 Celsius Minimum temperature =9.4 Celsius

Annual precipitation = 336.3 mm

Source: Environment Canada

Community Services

Rockyford Village Office

Box 294 Rockyford, Alberta T0J 2R0
Telephone: (403) 533-3950 Fax: (403) 533-3744
E-Mail: rockyford@calinser.com

Community Futures Wild Rose

Community Futures Wild Rose is a user-friendly business development centre, entrepreneurial development centre, career and employment centre, and a key partner in community economic development in the Wild Rose Region. Specific services we provide include:

• Fully repayable business loans up to $150,000
• Free job posting service with in-office paper job board and online job bank
• Career counselling and job search assistance including resume and cover letter preparation assistance
• Free internet and computer access, plus access to printing and photocopying
• Small business training through the Self Employment Program and free and low cost business seminars via tele-conferencing

Community Lifestyle

PEACE OF MIND

Rockyford is part of the Wild Rose Region. Many residents and business owners choose to locate in the Region because of the safety and security of small town living. As indicated by the below table, crime statistics are substantially lower in the region than typical of a larger metropolitan center like the City of Calgary.


Rockyford offers residents rural community values and an affordable country lifestyle close to the amenities within the region and the neighboring metropolitan centers. Despite favorable economic growth, it’s still very affordable to buy a home and live in the Wild Rose Region.

The region offers the most affordable local utilities, based on comparison with Calgary and area utilities. In the Wild Rose Region, local utilities (water, sewer and garbage) are approximately 26% lower than the average of communities in and around Calgary (Benchmarks Nichols Applied Management, 2000).


ROCKYFORD RECREATION & SPORTS

Rockyford Sportplex has a Skating /Hockey/Ringette Arena

• Two sheet curling rink
• Community Center
• Seniors Friendship and Drop in Center
• Municipal Library
• Gymnasium
• Volleyball court

Outdoor Facilities

• Playgrounds (3)
• Baseball diamonds (2)
• Tennis court
• Memorial Park, campground and rodeo grounds.

CULTURE & SPECIAL EVENTS

• Rockyford Lions Rodeo

This friendly small town puts on the “Biggest Little Show in Alberta” in late July. It’s much more than just a rodeo in Rockyford; wild cow milking, sheep riding, mutton busting, relay, businessmen’s wild cow riding, poker bull fight, a parade, beer gardens, kids midway, chuck wagon races and much more. Gate admission covers all rodeo, events & wagons.

For More Information email or call *403-533-3773 * 403-533-3771 * 403-533-3950

• Chrissie's Antique Bottle Collection

For a unique view of the past, you will want to see this collection of over 1000 bottles lovingly gathered over many years by Chrissie Pedersen, these bottles range around the world and across many generations. Teeny-tiny bottles, big bottles, antique bottles, Avon bottles and many others make up this fascinating collection. More recently, other antiques have been included to the collection including syrup, tobacco and honey cans and antique cigar boxes.

Open May to October. Call for hours or to arrange a visit or tour.
Contact person: Doug or Brenda address: Box 294 Rockyford, AB T0J 3Y0 phone: 403-533-3737 fax: 403-533-3744
email: jobb@telusplanet.net
Website: Antique Bottle Collection

ROCKYFORD CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

To view the complete list of Rockyford Clubs and Organizations ENTER HERE

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Rockyford is in close proximity to numerous unique cultural and tourist attractions, visit the following sites:

For information about Things to See and Do, Places to Stay, Services, Communities, Where are We, Road Conditions, and Weather, click here.

Canadian Badlands - Carbon is part of the Travel Alberta tourism region known as the Canadian Badlands. For information about the Badlands' Roots in Pre-History, Human Heritage, Parks, Green Spaces, & Fun visit site.

Royal Tyrrell Museum - Begin your journey through geological time. With every step, you'll experience the evolution of life. From sea dwellers to the Tyrrell's BIG attraction, the dinosaurs; to the rise of those furry little mammals and many of Earth's inhabitants in between. It's all here. Dozens of skeletons and hundreds of fossils that tell the story of ancient Alberta.
Open Victoria Day Weekend to labor Day Weekend 9am to 9pm daily.
Open remainder of year 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. Call 1-888-440-4240.

That's Crafty Craft Barn and Tea House - Ever consider shopping in a barn? See the talent of local artisans at Rosebud’s That’s Crafty. Open March to Christmas.
10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Rosebud Country Inn – a striking bed and breakfast set in the Rosebud river valley

North Bow Lodge – a beautiful lodge set 50 feet from some of the best trout fishing in North America.

Rosebud Dinner Theatre – set in the picturesque valley on the edge of the Canadian badlands. Over 20,000 visitors a year enjoy the dynamic theatre and home cooked meals.

St. Ann Ranch – an attractive 30 room mansion situated on 20 acres that has been declared a provincial historic site.

Bar B Guest House – visitors enjoy the quiet country setting on a working farm.

Sproule Heritage Place – this elegant bed and breakfast, now a provincially designated historic site, gained notoriety when it was featured in a Christmas Hallmark card commercial.

Coyote Crossing Cottage - this handcrafted log home sleeps up to six people and is located on a family owned ranch just minutes off of the Trans-Canada highway near Strathmore.

T L Bar Ranch - nestled in the "valley of the dinosaurs". Horseback riding is the main activity, daily checking the cattle and fences. Canoeing and fishing opportunities. Close proximity (65 km/40 miles) to the Tyrrell Museum.

Buffalo Jump Canyon Ranch – exclusive outfitters to Dry Island Buffalo Jump, the ranch provides breathtaking scenery ranging from peaceful forest to rugged badlands.

Passion Play – set in the spectacular badlands, the play has been described as "life changing", "moving" and "world class". Held each summer in July.

Economic Base

ECONOMIC STRENGTHS

An abundance of productive farmland, clean air and water make the Wild Rose Region an attractive place to live and operate a business. The economic base in the Wild Rose area consists of agriculture (wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, canola, rye, flax, hay, beef and dairy cattle, poultry and hogs), agribusiness (feed and fertilizer production), greenhouses, oil and gas, and construction.

The following tables outline the magnitude of agricultural products in the region:



ROCKYFORD BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Rockyford welcomes the entrepreneurial spirit and invites you to investigate the opportunities for business expansion. We do not have a business tax.

To View Rockyford's Business Directory ENTER HERE

Economic Facts

DEMOGRAPHICS

 The population of Rockyford is 375


PROPERTY VALUE ESTIMATES

• Lot Only (approx)
  Residential - $25,000 Industrial - $40,000

WORKERS COMPENSATION

Average cost per $100 payroll in Manufacturing: $3-$4
Average cost per $100 payroll in Office Work: $.40
Maximum weekly benefit $1,176.92

For additional details on the program see:
Workers Compensation Board

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

55% of your average insurable earnings to a maximum of $413 per week.
For additional information on the program see:
Employment Insurance Information for Employers


RESEARCH BASE

Being a close neighbor of the City of Calgary, companies located in Rockyford have access to a broad range of research facilities located in an around the City. For additional information on the following research facilities, simply click on the name to access the link.

• Alberta Research Council
• Calgary Technologies Inc.
• Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
• Food Processing Development Centre
• TRLabs
• WurcNet

FURTHER IN-DEPTH INFORMAITON

• Municipal Profiles developed by Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs
• Alberta - A Wealth of Opportunity developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Economic Highlights developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Economic Outlook developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Export and Trade developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Tourism Reports developed by Alberta Economic Development
• Alberta Finance Statistics also contains much information which may be useful.

Education

Rockyford School
Rockyford is part of the Golden Hills Regional Division No.75 headquartered in Strathmore (Tel: 403-934-5121).

Rockyford School, with students from ECS to grade nine, has maintained high standards, both in behavior and in academic achievement.

After undergoing extensive modernization in 1997, Rockyford School has a fresh new appearance. Recent initiatives have contributed to a school ground beautification project.

Locally Rockyford School offers education from ECS through to grade 9.

Grade 10 to 12 Students commute approximately 20 minutes by bus to Standard High School.

Rockyford School
Box 266
Rockyford AB T0J 2R0
(403) 533-3802 Phone
(403) 533-2106 Fax
Email: rprocter@goldenhills-schools.com
Website:Rockyford School

In 2002/2003 Alberta spent $8,800 to education a student and the student to teacher ratio was just under 18.


Source: Culture, Tourism and Centre for Education Statistics, Summary Public School Indicators for the Provinces and Territories, 1996-97 – 2002-03 (Statistics Canada)

Emergency Services

POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE 911

AMBULANCE/ FIRST RESPONSE

FIRE PROTECTION

• Volunteer Fire Department
• Modern equipment manned by volunteers
• Trained emergency medical helpers ( First Response Team)

POLICE SERVICES

• Strathmore R.C.M.P. 40 km away

Health Care

Rockyford is part of the CALGARY HEALTH REGION and is serviced by the Strathmore District Health Services 40 kms away.

HOSPITAL

The Strathmore & District Health Care Centre is part of a regional health care system, and has 25 active-care beds and 23 extended-care beds.

Phone:(403) 934 0126 Fax: (403) 934 0173.
~ 200 Brent Blvd., Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1J9 ~

Signage directing you to the Diagnostic Imaging Department is located on the main floor, inside the main entrance of the Strathmore Health Unit.


The following DI services are provided at the Strathmore Health Unit:

• General Radiography
• Fluoroscopy
• Ultrasound
• ECG

Professional Services include:

• Physicians
• Radiologists
• Gerontologist
• Recreation Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Orthotics Consultant
• Orthopedic Consultant
• Laboratory Consultant
• Pharmacists
• Dietician
• Dentists
• Chiropractors

Health unit services are also provided out of the hospital. Strathmore also has 2 medical clinics, 1 nursing home and 2 seniors housings.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Rockyford Village Office

Box 294
Rockyford, Alberta T0J 2R0
Telephone: (403) 533-3950 Fax: (403) 533-3744
E-Mail: rockyford@calinser.com

Community Futures Wild Rose

Community Futures Wild Rose is a user-friendly business development centre, entrepreneurial development centre, career and employment centre, and a key partner in community economic development in the Wild Rose Region. Specific services we provide include:

• Fully repayable business loans up to $150,000
• Free job posting service with in-office paper job board and online job bank
• Career counselling and job search assistance including resume and cover letter preparation assistance
• Free internet and computer access, plus access to printing and photocopying
• Small business training through the Self Employment Program and free and low cost business seminars via tele-conferencing

Provincial

Walter Valentini
Regional Manager
Alberta Economic Development
#300, 639 - 5 Avenue, SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0M9

(403) 297-8920 phone (403) 297-6168 fax
E-Mail: walter.valentini@gov.ab.ca
E-Mail: dianne.fitzsimmons@gov.ab.ca

Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) (December 2006)
Hon. Lyle Oberg MD, Minister of Finance
Strathmore-Brooks Constituency
408 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Telephone: (780) 427-8809
Facsimile: (780) 428-1341

Federal

Kevin Sorenson Member of Parliament (MP)
Crowfoot Constituency

Room 518 Justice Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

(613) 947-4608 phone
(613) 947-4611 fax
Email:sorenson.k@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Office
4945 - 50 Street
Camrose AB T4V 1P9
(780) 608-4600 phone or 1-800-665-4358
(780) 608-4603 fax
Email:sorenk1@parl.gc.ca

Location

HIGHWAY LOCATION

Located approximately half way between Calgary and Drumheller in the County of Wheatland.

20 Km. North of Transcanada Highway
90 Km. North East of Calgary
60 Km. South West of Drumheller

LONGITUDE & LATITUDE

• Longitude 113 – 08’
• Latitude 51 –14’

MAP OF ALBERTA

MAP OF ROCKYFORD'S LOCATION



PROXIMITY TO OTHER LOCATIONS

Driving Distance from Rockyford	km	miles	Time Required
Calgary (city centre)	92	57	1 hour, 7 minutes
Calgary International Airport	72	45	56 minutes
Edmonton, Alberta	354	220	3 hours, 45 minutes
Vancouver, British Columbia	1058	658	12 hours, 18 minutes
Toronto, Ontario	3376	2098	34 hours, 55 minutes
United States Border (Coutts, Alberta crossing)	329	205	3 hours, 54 minutes

It is important to note that time required is calculated based on 'ideal' traffic and weather conditions

**Distance is measured from city centre to city centre**

Post Secondary Education

BUILDING FUTURES


The Town of Rockyford is part of the Wild Rose Region and is in close proximity to world-class education facilities.

For information on Educational Opportunities in the Region visit the corresponding websites on the facilities listed:

• University of Calgary
  Tel: 403-2205110 www.ucalgary.ca
  
  
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
  Tel: 403-284-7248 www.sait.ab.ca
  
  
• Mount Royal
  Tel: 403-240-6111 www.mountroyal.ab.ca
  
  
• Alberta College of Art and Design
  Tel: 403-284-7600 www.acad.ab.ca
  
  
• DeVry Canada
  Tel: 403-235-3450 www.devry.ca
  
  
• Olds Agricultural College
  Tel: 1-800-661-6537 or 403- 556-8281 www.oldscollege.ab.ca/
  
  
• Red Deer Junior College
  Tel: 403- 342-3300 www.rdc.ab.ca/

Distant Leaning

• Athabasca University
  Tel: 403-263-6465
  www.athabascau.ca

OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES within close proximity are:

Prairie Bible Institute offers a wide range of programs, including ministry, aviation, drama, wilderness leadership and music, to students from over 20 countries around the world. Students can earn a one-year certificate or a four-year degree.

Covenant Bible College is an eight-month program of Christian discipleship. The Strathmore campus is one of three campuses, with the other two located in Colorado and Ecuador.

Rosebud School of the Arts offers a unique blend of practical and theoretical training in the performing arts. In addition to the arts program, Rosebud provides apprenticeship programs in the hospitality industry.

Transportation

HIGHWAYS

The Town of Rockyford located approximately half way between Calgary and Drumheller.

20 km north of Transcanada Highway
8 km east of Hwy 21
18 km south of Hwy 9

For manufacturers and producers who need assistance to determine the most cost-effective and efficient transportation method, AlbertaPORT provides a "virtual" gateway to assist with transportation logistics at www.alberta-canada.com/altaport/.

AIR SERVICES

• The nearest commercial and air freight services are at Calgary International Airport.
  
  
• 72 kms from Rockyford.
  
  
• For a listing of non-stop passenger destinations visit Passenger Non-stop Destinations.

POSTAL & COURIERS

Canada Post, Purolator, UPS, Loomis and FedEx all provide delivery services to Rockyford. Canada Post fills a vital need in the region providing cost-effective and timely mail delivery. In its mission to provide innovative physical and electronic delivery solutions creating value for its customers, Canada Post works with its business customers to ensure their mail communication needs are achieved.

In 2001, Canada Post received an on-time, combined service performance score of 96.4% on properly prepared letter mail.

For more information on service in Rockyford contact: Canada Post,Purolator,UPS, Loomis. FedEx.

Utilities

ELECTRICITY and NATURAL GAS are deregulated in Alberta.

The Alberta government provides a Web site to provide information to assist consumers to choose the appropriate provider for their residence or business. To learn more about electrical or natural gas providers visit Customer Choice

Regulated Rate Providers for Community of Rockyford are:

ELECTRICAL POWER

• Epcor
• FortisAlberta

NATURAL GAS

• Direct Energy Regulated Services 
• Atco
  

WATER & WASTE

• Rockyford Water Treatment Plant
  403-533-3796
• Cost of Water Supply .95/Cu M.... plus flat distribution cost of $27.50/mo

Alberta’s commitment to water resources is three-fold: a safe, secure drinking water supply, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.Alberta Environment has developed water programs that include studying, monitoring and testing of water sources. They have established guidelines to ensure quality standards for the many uses of water, and programs to protect ecosystems and enforce regulations.

Alberta has the most stringent drinking water program in the country and was one of the first provinces to fully adopt the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality as a minimum standard. Alberta Environment strives for continuous improvement in its program and works closely with Alberta Health and Wellness to ensure Albertans continue to enjoy high-quality drinking water.

Waste Management

GARBAGE COLLECTION

• Garbage Collection picked up once a week on Tuesdays
• Garbage Transfer Site - One km south of Rockyford
• Cost Of Garbage...$11.00/mo

COMMUNICATIONS

TELEPHONE

• Telus

INTERNET SERVICE

• Telus

CABLE TELEVISION

• Persona Communications

LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS

• The Valley Times
• Drumheller Mail
• Strathmore Standard
• The Calgary Herald
• The Calgary Sun

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Rockyford Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Rockyford Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Rockyford Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Dwellings