Optimism as Strathmore keeps growing even through pandemic

Things are looking up in the town of Strathmore. Even during the pandemic, people are moving to Strathmore in hopes of a better way of life. There has been a 4.2 per cent growth in the population of the town since 2021, according to the latest Census.

We sat down with Mayor Pat Fule to speak about some of the changes over the last year, and some of the ways the town is working to attract more residents.

“I'm really happy with the steady growth that Strathmore's had, especially since the last federal census in 2016. Since that year, we've had 4.2 per cent growth and our population has now risen to 14,439 people. The thing I'm happy about is that we have slow, steady manageable growth,” he said. And with that growth comes the ability to better provide services to residents.

One other item of growth is in regards to housing.

“In 2020 we only had 18 new homes constructed in town. But by the end of 2021, we had 56. So that's over three times the new homes built from 2021 to 2020, so that's a really good optimistic sign that builders and developers believe in our town and they think that we're moving in the right direction,” said Fule.

In terms of how things have evolved in the community over the past year, the Mayor says things have changed in the municipal government, the town council.

“We've got a new very strong council and there's been a great deal of training and work. I know there was controversy with the last council and residents were frustrated with how things had gone and things that had happened.” He explained that all members of council have been informed of their legal rights and responsibilities.

“We've also had a lot of training and work on proper rules of order in our meetings so that everybody knows exactly what should and shouldn't be done in a council meeting,” said Fule. “It's brought a great deal of professionalism and stability to our group as we do the work and directions and governance and policy setting for the Town of Strathmore.”

There are a number of new revenue streams for the town and plans for construction projects that will spark interest in the community and with it bring visitors and tourism dollars.

“We're very grateful to Wheatland County who have worked out a new recreational cost-sharing agreement regarding our different facilities and the usage of them. We also have revenue coming in from the solar farm this year,” he said.

He noted that Strathmore has not invested capital in the project.

“All we did was provide land to the to the group, and in return they built and installed their solar panels and we as a town will be receiving property taxes and lease payments for 26 years,” he explained.

In late 2021 another revenue stream was the sale of the former municipal office to Siksika Nation for just over $1 million. This week an exciting new opportunity was discussed at the town council meeting.

“Just this past Wednesday we passed a new property tax incentive bylaw and that's going to make Strathmore more attractive to very large industries,” said the Mayor. The hope is that this will create an opportunity for more jobs as well.

The Mayor And finally with the creation of the Legacy Farm Project, there’s a chance to increase agri-tourism in the region and boost the local economy.

The Legacy Farm Project Area Structure Plan just passed the second reading.

“We are very grateful that Bruce Klaiber and his team are bringing this legacy project to town,” said Fule. “It’s going to be an incredible asset for our residents as well as Wheatland County residents”

He revealed there are opportunities for RV camping, farming and ranching demonstrations, shopping and dining options as well as community gardens.

“It’s going to be a really good thing to attract people to town,” he said.

For now, the project will be reviewed by the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board.

The Mayor also remarked that the project could attract people who wish to live in Strathmore, recognize the community’s farming and ranching roots as well as generate some enthusiasm for farming and ranching into the future.