Town ready for growth

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

In the 21 years from 1994 to 2015 the Town of Strathmore has changed rapidly, and while growth did slow down a bit for a few years, things are looking much different than they once did.
“The next couple of years Strathmore will grow faster than it has for a few years. We used to grow really fast and then it slowed down for a few years and now it is picking up again,” said Chief Administrative Officer for the town Dwight Stanford.
2001 saw the construction of phase one of the Aquatic Centre, and the then new Strathmore High School and Civic Centre. In 2003 coffee lovers rejoiced when the Pine Road Tim Hortons location was built. That was a big year for growth in the area which also saw Extra Foods turn into a No Frills, and bring a Super Store liquor store and gas station. The Travelodge was also built that year.
Most of the early 2000’s saw growth in almost every aspect of Strathmore’s way of life, from the new Hope Community Covenant Church (2004), to McDonalds (2005), Wal-Mart (2005), Sobeys (2007) and most of the Ranch Market businesses being developed. 2010 to now has seen a large number of renovations and upgrades with not as many new developments coming in, but now growth is once again upon us.
As everyone knows Co-op is moving to Edgefield Place in a large new location, and right beside it Peavey Mart is marking their claim. The new agricultural based store will be an asset to both people in town and our rural neighbours with their variety of products.
“They have a variety of things … all kinds of things you really wouldn’t think of when you go through it,” said Chief Administrative Officer for the town Dwight Stanford.
Over the past couple of years road works and paving projects have been completed around the town. Thomas Drive has been redone, and the second coat of asphalt will be put on this year. Lakeside Blvd, 2nd St. and 4 Ave. are all going to see a facelift this summer and fall.
Town administration along with Golden Hills School Division have been looking at different areas in town for new school site locations.
“In the future the town is going to need several more schools. We have enough land in town for roughly 50,000 people so there will be many more schools in the future,” said Stanford.
There are 582 acres of pivot fields that some day host new development on those lands, though it’s unknown at this time what that will look like.
Water and sewer capacity had been a concern a number of years ago but with the new Wildflower reservoir and other projects around town, things are looking good and ready for the growth that is coming.
A census is being conducted this April to determine just how much the town has really grown over the last few years.