Strathmore experiencing growth across the board

Miriam Ostermann, Times Associate Editor
In the wake of the 2015 recession, Strathmore is staging a comeback with a growth spurt affecting the residential and commercial base, resulting in a stronger local economy and a swelling population.
Over the past year, the municipality has received over 100 in-town and out-of-town business licenses while its population is inching closer to a 2.5 per cent increase – or roughly 300 people a year. In 2016, the population reached 13,592.
As more businesses turn to Strathmore for investment, new communities, such as Wildflower Ranch, Lakewood Meadows, Edgefield and Strathmore Lakes Estates, have kick-started their construction with renewed vigour. New homes are under construction consistently while two apartment buildings in the downtown area are nearing completion.
“The recession hit us, it hit up everyone in Canada, but we’re slowly picking back up,” said Chuck Procter, planner for the Town of Strathmore. “Our new communities are going to be great. It’s still not super fast, but it’s way faster than it was in 2015. We attract a lot of folks with kids. When you get people buying houses in small towns you attract businesses along that corridor, so we’re just an attractive community for small families and I think that’s the root of it for businesses coming in.”
With increasing density in the downtown being a directive of the local council, two 12-unit apartments – the first of their kind in Strathmore – received rezoning to a higher density from R1, or single-family residences a couple years ago. With construction on hold until now due to funding, the units on 303 Waddy Lane and 604 and 606 Lakeside Blvd. are finally coming to fruition.
In addition to the town’s efforts to continue new construction and reconstruction projects on pathways, infrastructure and roads, commercial construction is also on the rise with a new mall near completion on the west side of town at 602 Westmount Rd., and the new Hilltop Mall – the old Calgary Co-op building – undergoing renovations at 320 2nd Street. A new restaurant, offices and retail have already been approved to move into the mall on Westmount Rd., while Bow Valley College, a food court and retail will take up space in Hilltop Mall. The town is also turning sod for the new kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Edgefield along with the regional recreation facility. Other ongoing projects include the Canada 150 projects.
Procter credits the Highway 1 corridor, the proximity to Calgary and current housing prices for the interest the municipality has received over the last two years.
The Murray Chrysler Strathmore dealership opened its doors in August of 2016 and, despite facing a tough winter, has seen a steady spring and summer. Although location played a factor in the dealership’s decision – close to Siksika, Langdon and Chestermere – vehicle registrations also show a large number of their clientele live in the area.
“We knew there wasn’t a Chrysler dealership here … and just felt it was a great opportunity,” said Paul Murray, owner of the Murray Chrysler Strathmore dealership. “What I realized is this is not a bedroom community, this is a hub, an economic hub, and people don’t want to go to Calgary if they can help it.”
A 2010 annexation of 18.5 quarter sections nearly doubled the size of the town to last for 50 years and to accommodate a population of up to 50,000. Along with the regional waterline that services a population of up to 30,000, Procter is confident Strathmore has more growth to look forward to in the future.