Town of Coalhurst ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PROFILE

 

1Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

Welcome to the Town of Coalhurst 

If you are looking for a residential town with quiet streets, good schools, caring people and lots of potential ‐ this is the place for you.  Our proximity to the City of Lethbridge and access to their shopping, post‐secondary, medical, seniors and recreational facilities gives us the best of two worlds ‐ city amenities and small town living.   We have residential developments offering a choice of building lots.  Owning a home in Coalhurst is a reality.  Our growth is steady and without many of the problems being experienced by communities who are outgrowing their infrastructure. Combined property tax and utility rates are one of the lowest in Alberta.  The servicing of our long term debt takes only 7.8% of our total operating budget!  Entrepreneurs are always happy to hear we have no business tax.   Coalhurst is physically located within the boundary of Lethbridge County.  It is situated only 8 kilometres from the City of Lethbridge (with more than 85,000 consumers) and 200 kilometres from the City of Calgary (with more than one million consumers).  Additionally, it is conveniently located along Highway 3 ― the principal highway through southern British Columbia and Alberta, and part of the CANAMEX Corridor linking Canada to Mexico through the United States.  

 Road Travel Distances 

Distance Coalhurst To: Kilometers Miles

Calgary 207 129

Edmonton 500 310

Lethbridge 8 5

Medicine Hat 180 112

US border at Coutts 115 72

Waterton National Park 130 81

    

ADASTRAPERASPERATheLatinphraseintheTown’slogomeans:“throughhardships

tothestars”or“Tothestarsthroughdifficulties.”

 

2Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

Climate 

The Town of Coalhurst is in a region that has more days of bright sunshine than anywhere else in Canada.  It is also one of the windiest regions in Canada.  After St. John’s, nearby Lethbridge gets more days with strong winds than any city in Canada.  Winters are cool but are moderated by warm chinook winds blowing from the west coast. 

Average: J F M A M J J A S O N D

Temperature oC -6.0 -4.2 -0.1 6.0 11.1 15.2 18.2 17.7 12.6 6.6 -1.2 -5.4

High temperature 0.1 2.3 6.4 13.1 18.3 22.0 26.1 26.0 20.2 13.7 4.8 0.6

Low temperature -12.1 -10.6 -6.5 -1.1 3.9 8.3 10.3 9.5 4.9 -0.6 -7.2 -11.4

Precipitation (mm) 13.5 12.0 22.8 28.0 49.9 82.0 42.6 37.3 41.4 20.1 17.8 12.9

 

Key Demographics 

Population Demographics (2011) Town of

Coalhurst SouthGrow

Region

Population 1,963 158,282

Annual population growth rate (2001-11 trend) 3.3% 2.0%

Median age 32.6 38.3

Workforce population (age 15-64) 1,335 93,380

School population (age 5-17) 340 26,290

Senior Population (age 65+) 165 26,440

Average employment income $49,746 $52,819

Average family income $81,888 $87,602

Number of dwellings 785 61,566

 

Economic Indicators 

Originally established as a coal mining community, Coalhurst’s current economic base is agriculture.  It is located very near to a number of food processing facilities in the City of Lethbridge and the Town of Taber.  Coalhurst has a vibrant construction sector which includes a cedar retail outlet, a cabinet manufacturer, woodworker, and roofers.  Coalhurst also has a directional drilling company.  Services available locally include: restaurant, gasoline/convenience stores, floral design, car wash, computer software instruction, various trades, picture framing, barber shop, beauty salons, self‐storage, taxidermy, DJs, landscaping and Legion.  

    

Coalhursthasarelativelyyoung

medianage,reflectiveoftheyoungfamiliesthathavechosentomakeourcommunity

theirhome.

 

3Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

Key Businesses / Employers 

Businesses Description

AJM Seeds Agricultural seeds sales of corn, canola, alfalfa, grass, and lawn seed. www.ajmseeds.com

Prairie Cedar Southern Alberta’s largest supplier of cedar lumber and cedar building supplies. www.prairiecedar.com

Syn Core Directional Drilling Provides directional drilling, auguring, and hydrovac.

Mulder Plumbing and Heating Heating, Plumbing, A/C. www.mulderheating.com

Headwater Equipment Supplies Heavy equipment supplier. www.hwequipment.com

Kolk’s Roofing Asphalt and cedar roofing contractor.

Palliser Regional Schools School division. www.pallisersd.ab.ca

Coyote Grill & Wok Chinese & Western Restaurant.

               

Recent Investments and Projects 

Coalhurst has either completed or planned a number of projects   that demonstrate the Town’s current and planned growth. 

Project Description Sewer pipeline to Lethbridge

Recently completed.

Park upgrades Recently completed.

South East Access Collector Road

Planned.

Storm Water upgrade Planned.

Annexation application

Coalhurst has made an application for annexation of 183.15 acres of land from Lethbridge County. The application is required for future residential and non-residential growth as well as for the development of future transportation routes and access.

Satellite Public Works Shop

Planned.

    

 

 

4Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

Available Land 

438 new residential lots were created during the period 2004 – 2014, with the majority of lots created following two 

large residential subdivisions in 2007.  Approximately 60 residential lots are still available for development.  There are many lots available for new homes in the new residential subdivisions including: 

Sundance Ridge Community boasts paved back lanes, a beautiful lake, gazebo and generous amounts of green space.  Lots start at $63,000.  http://sundanceridgecommunity.com   

 The average selling price for homes in Coalhurst over the past  two years has been $219,003.  Some potential commercial/industrial land is available on the east side of Town, as identified on the previous community profile.  Also, two parcels, 22.7 and 9.78 acres in size, respectively, in the centre of Town, all of which are privately owned, are also available.  The Town owns a parcel in the north east corner, which has some potential for business industrial and an 8 acre tax recovery parcel may be available for residential or a rezoning to commercial.  

Development Statistics 

Approximately 379 development permits were issued between 2004 – 2014. 

 

   

Workforce Statistics 

Statistic (2011) Town of Coalhurst SouthGrow Region

Workforce population (age 15-64) 1,335 93,380

Workforce participation rate 75% 70%

% of Workforce with no diploma or post-secondary 23% 25%

% of Workforce with high school diploma or equivalent 29% 29%

% of Workforce with post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree 48% 46%

    

 

Year Number of New

Houses

2014 24

2013 11

2012 27

2011 21

2010 84

 

 

5Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

Employment by Industry 

Statistic (2011) Town of

Coalhurst SouthGrow

Region

Agriculture 5% 12%

Oil & Gas 3% 5%

Manufacturing 7% 8%

Utilities, Transportation, Construction, Warehousing

25% 15%

Retail & Wholesale Trade 14% 14%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 4% 4%

Professional, Scientific, Management, Waste Remediation

7% 7%

Education & Healthcare 17% 18%

Arts, Recreation, Accommodation 8% 6%

Other 8% 11%

 

   

Agriculture5% Oil & Gas

3% Manufacturing7%

Utilities, Transport, Construction, Warehousing

26%

Retail & Wholesale

15%Finance, Insurance, Real Estate

4%

Professional, Scientific, Management, 

7%

Education & Healthcare

17%

Arts, Recreation, Accommodation

8%

Other8%

Employment by Industry

 

6Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

Transportation Infrastructure Coalhurst is located along the CANAMEX corridor, Highway 3, which is a four lane divided highway.  Coalhurst is one hour from the U.S. border, one and a half hours  from the British Columbia border along the Crowsnest Trail, and two hours  from the City of Calgary.  In addition to road transport, Coalhurst enjoys the convenience of the Lethbridge Airport and the town is adjacent to the CPR main marshalling yards  at Kipp, just north of Coalhurst.  

Facility Details

Highways

Highway 3 east-west 2014 Average Annual Daily Traffic west bound: 8,160 2014 Average Annual Daily Traffic east bound: 9,750

Highway 23 north 2014 Average Annual Daily Traffic north bound: 3,270

Secondary Highway 509 south

Rail Served by the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline at Kipp AB - one of the largest rail yards in Southern Alberta.

Regional Airport Lethbridge Airport

International Airport Calgary International Airport

 

 Municipal Tax and Utility Rates 

Service Rate Property Tax: Residential 9.60502 (2014 Mill rate)

Property Tax: Non-Residential 13.36522 (2014 Mill rate)

Residential Water (2015) $39.35 / month for 24.0 m3 plus $1.25/ m3 each additional m3

Commercial Water (2015) $49.90 / month for 24.0 m3 plus $1.25/ m3 each additional m3

Residential / Commercial Sewer $36.90 / month + $5.00 / month storm sewer

Residential Garbage $18.70 / month (95 gallon bin)

Commercial Garbage $18.70 / month (95 gallon bin) or $37.40 / month (300 gallon bin)

 

Utility Providers 

Service Provider Gas ATCO Gas

Electricity ENMAX or Fortis Alberta

Telecommunications Telephone, wireless and high speed internet are available Landfill / Waste Transfer Locations:

Lethbridge Regional Landfill Recycling Facilities: 7th Street & 52 Avenue

 

 

7Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

 

Education 

Facility Details Elementary School Coalhurst Elementary School (K-6)

Secondary (Middle/ High) School Coalhurst High School (grades 7-12)

Post-Secondary

University of Lethbridge Lethbridge College University of Calgary Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Calgary)

 

Health Care and Emergency Services 

Medical services are available through clinics and private practices in Lethbridge.  The nearest hospital is Lethbridge Regional Hospital, located at 960 – 19 Street South. 

Facility Details Health Units / Clinics In nearby Lethbridge

Hospital Lethbridge Regional Hospital

Police (911) RCMP Lethbridge Detachment 403.329.5010

Fire (911) Coalhurst Volunteer Fire Department 403.381.3633

Ambulance (911) Lethbridge Ambulance 403.327.3340

 

 

 

Coalhurst’sschoolsalsoeducate

studentsfromtheVillageofMonarchandsurroundingruralareas.

 

8Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

Recreation  

Facility Details

Miners Memorial Park

23 acre multi-use, multi-season park. 4 baseball diamonds, 3 soccer fields, horseshoe pits, outdoor ice rink, over-night camping area, and playground. Also includes a social area with a privately fenced area, covered facility including kitchen, gas grills, fireplace and picnic tables. Great for company socials, weddings and family reunions.

Coalhurst & District Community Centre

Main hall and stage area, plus general meeting rooms. Can accommodate functions of up to 300. Great for weddings, gift openings, meetings, family reunions.

Krahn Tot Park A neighbourhood park with children’s playground equipment.

Imperial Meadows Park 5 acre green space with children’s playground equipment.

Sundance Ridge Park New neighbourhood park with a walking path, gazebo, lake, and children’s playground.

Clubs and Organizations 

Coalhurst 55 Plus Club 

Coalhurst Shotokan Karate Club 

Coalhurst Sparks, Brownies, Guides (Girl Guides of Canada) 

Coalhurst Elementary School Council 

Coalhurst High School Council 

Coalhurst Miners Day Committee 

Coalhurst Volunteer Fire Department 

 

 

 

Coalhurst Youth Committee 

Coalhurst Good News Centre 

Coulee Kickers Soccer Association 

Hilltoppers Gymkhana Club 

Barons‐Eureka Warner FCSS 

County of Lethbridge Community of Learners 

Parent Preschool Program of Southern Alberta 

Community Futures Lethbridge Region 

 

 

   

 

9Town of Coalhurst:  Economic Development Community Profile 

 

Area Attractions 

Attraction Details

Park Lake Provincial Park 54 powered campsites, 18 unserviced campsites, boat launch. www.albertaparks.ca/park-lake.aspx

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Take an unforgettable walk through an authentic Japanese garden in the city of Lethbridge. www.japanesegarden.ab.ca

The Galt Museum Located in Lethbridge, the renovated former Galt Hospital is the largest museum in Southern Alberta. www.galtmuseum.com

Taber Irrigation Impact Museum Focuses on the impact of irrigation on Taber’s development.

Fort Museum of NWMP and First Nations Interpretive Centre

A replica of the original North West Mounted Police outpost built in 1874 in Fort Macleod; view daily Musical Ride in July & August. Attracts about 20,000 visitors per year. www.nwmpmuseum.com

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

In 1939, Canada’s Waterton National Park and Glacier National Park in the U.S. were joined to create the world’s first international peace park. Known as “The Crown of the Continent” the combined park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/waterton/natcul/inter.aspx

Writing on Stone Provincial Park One of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system. A National Historic Site, it contains the largest concentration of rock art on the Great Plains. www.albertaparks.ca/writing-on-stone.aspx

Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre

A UNESCO World Heritage Site which attracts about 60,000 visitors per year. www.head-smashed-in.com

Alberta Birds of Prey Centre A “must see” attraction. Learn about Alberta’s first privately licensed raptor rescue and conservation organization at Coaldale. www.burrowingowl.com

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre Experience what it was like to be in the coal mining town of Frank before, during and after the great rock avalanche. www.frankslide.com

Bellevue Mine Put on an authentic miner’s helmet and lamp and tour the actual corridors taken by early coal miners. www.crowsnestpass.com/Tourism/historic/bellevuemine.html

The Mormon Trail A 2-4 hour self-guided driving tour in Southern Alberta through the communities of Stirling, Magrath, Cardston, and Raymond. www.themormontrail.ca

Cardston Alberta Temple View the majestic Cardston Temple, which was built in 1923. It was the first Mormon temple to be built in Canada and only the second to be built outside the United States.

Remington Carriage Museum The largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in North America is located in Cardston. www.history.alberta.ca/remington

Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur & Heritage Museum

Key features include: a Hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur) nest and embryo, ancient fossils. www.devilscoulee.com

 

 Writing on Stone Provincial Park 

 

 

Contact Information 

Town of Coalhurst SouthGrow Regional Initiative R.K (Kim) Hauta, CAO Peter Lovering, Manager 100 – 51 Avenue Box 456 Coalhurst, AB T0L 0V0

P.O. Box 27068, Lethbridge AB, T1K 6Z9

Ph: (403) 381-3033 Fax: (403) 381-2924

Phone: (403) 394-0615 Fax: (403) 485-3143

main@town.coalhurst.ab.ca www.coalhurst.c.ca

pete.lovering@southgrow.com www.southgrow.com

June 2015