Community Profiles
Click here for a Map of all the communities listed below-
Black Diamond
Black Diamond, a town of about 2000 is situated in the majestic foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Just one hour south of Calgary, the town is a gateway to the ranchlands along the Cowboy Trail. A spectacular setting, friendly rural atmosphere, fascinating history, and a thriving artistic community are just a few of the qualities that give the town its unique appeal. Black Diamond benefits from the community’s affordable location, strong community spirit, as well as visitors and new residents attracted to the area by its amenities, scenery and recreation opportunities. Its name comes from the oil rush in the early 1930’s. There are several sports locations for hockey, curling, figure skating, baseball and biking or hiking. There are two public schools covering Kindergarten through high school, and a public library. The town Council of Black Diamond runs the town operations. The strategic crossroads location on the Cowboy Trail (Highway 22) is an advantage for residents and businesses. In addition to hardware and grocery stores, a growing number of art studios and specialty shops cater to area residents and traffic along the Cowboy Trail. www.townofblackdiamond.ca.
DeWinton
The area of De Winton covers approximately 135 km of rolling countryside, ravines, farmland and grazing land for cattle, horses, llamas and sheep. On the east side of Highway 2A is nestled the hamlet of De Winton, a picturesque cluster of homes, a store and an active community centre. Over the past decade, the population of the area has more than doubled with the development of Heritage Pointe, a lake and golf course community on the west side of the Highway, with some of the highest home values in the province. The area is also populated by acreages and cul de sac subdivisions, many with mountain views and country vistas. This area is served by two K-9 public schools (Red Deer Lake School and Heritage Heights School) as well as two K-12 private schools (Strathcona Tweedsmuir and Edison School). Recreational amenities include the Calgary Polo Club, horse riding and boarding stables, and three beautiful golf courses – Carmony, Heritage Pointe and Cottonwood. Located ten minutes from both Calgary and Okotoks, the area provides easy access to shopping, recreational and cultural amenities of these larger centres, while also affording the best of country living.
Longview
The Village of Longview is situated 18 km south of Black Diamond with the busy Highway 22 running straight through it and Highway 541 running west to our spectacular Kananaskis region. At last census, there were 334 people in Longview with 14% being 0 to 17 years old, 30% were 18-44, 23% were 45-54, 16% were 55-64, and 17% were 65 and older. Longview clearly has a very senior population with over 33 % being older than 55 years of age. Longview has an elementary school of superb quality but very small student population up to grade six. There are two gas stations with the usual variety store attached. There are three restaurants or coffee shops, one hotel, one motel, a fire hall, Federal Longview Jerky plant, local jerky store and several gift and/or antique shops. Longview’s closest medical center is the Oilfields Hospital 18 km away in Black Diamond and the closest doctors’ offices are located in Black Diamond as well. The Longview School grounds are employed as needed by the Stars Ambulance Helicopter with assistance from our Volunteer Firefighters when there has been an accident on Highway 22 or up in Kananaskis. We have had need in the past to put up stranded motorists when Highway 22 has been closed due to the weather and during the summer, there is a very high traffic volume of tourists headed for Kananaskis or BC. The Village has a very western feel with our major event of the year being the wild and woolly no holds barred Longview Stampede. Our senior population enjoys the associated Little New York Daze Festival, which celebrates Longview’s origins as an oil boomtown from the 30 and 40’s of last century at which time Longview actually numbered around 3000 people. Longview is located only minutes away from our spectacular Rocky Mountains and is blessed with fresh stimulating mountain breezes and clear delicious water from the Highwood River and a great retreat from the harried life in the big city of Calgary were many of our residents commute to every day. www.village.longview.ab.ca
Millarville
Millarville, situated along Highway 22 on the Cowboy Trail, is a small country hamlet with a peaceful atmosphere. Located about 30 minutes southwest of Calgary, the general store/post office is a destination for many cyclists & daytime Calgarians out for a drive in the country. Up the road, west on Hwy 549 is MacKay Restaurant located on one of the original area homesteads. There is also a gas station and an outdoor equipment supplier. An outstanding public school (K-8), library and Ranchers’ Hall are part of the active community facilities. Within the area are two churches – Millarville Community Church and Christ Church Anglican. The Millarville Race and Agriculture Society grounds are the site for the Millarville Farmers Market Saturday mornings (during the summer), the Annual July 1st Horse Races, the Foothills Cowboy Association Rodeo, the Millarville Fair and the Christmas Market. This facility is home to Canada's oldest race track and racing event.
Okotoks
The Town of Okotoks is an attractive, vibrant community nestled in the Sheep River Valley of the Alberta foothills, 20 kms south of Calgary on Highway 2/2A. The Sheep River is the figurative and literal heart of Okotoks. The town derived its name from the Blackfoot word ‘Okatoks’ which means ‘rock’ relating to the largest glacial erratic in North America located 7 kms. west of town. The Big Rock weighing 18,000 tonnes was left by the retreat of the glaciers during the last ice age some 10,000 years ago.
Okotoks has gained worldwide recognition for its Sustainability Plan which includes North America’s first solar-
heated community – Drake Landing. It is listed among the most environmentally friendly housing in Canada and draws attention and study from cities all over the globe.
Okotoks now has over ten churches of various denominations serving its population of approximately 18,000 people. There are public and separate school systems (grades k-12) in addition to private and alternative education facilities. The Station Cultural Centre, Heritage House & Museum, the riverside library and numerous boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries add to the lure of this “small town atmosphere” community. The Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre provides quite a unique
interdisciplinary mix of medical services including urgent care, lab, x-ray, public health, community care, speech language pathology, pediatric occupational therapy, environmental health, mental health to name some of them.
The town is very proud of its many sports activities/facilities and especially its baseball team, the Dawgs. Three golf courses, the Sheep River Provincial Park, the Okotoks Recreation Centre and extensive pathway systems offer residents and visitors year round recreation opportunities. www.okotoks.ca
Priddis
The quiet hamlet of Priddis is located just off of Highway 22X West and is approximately 20 kms. southwest of Calgary. The hamlet and surrounding area supports a population of around 1500 people (which includes the residents of Priddis Green). The community has a wonderful spirit with residents involved in many of the community activities. There are no medical services in Priddis but there is a veterinarian. There are new Priddis ambulance services with the fire hall west on Hwy 22. There is a quaint Anglican church located on the main street. A small strip-mall is situated opposite the Library/Post Office and Community Hall and kids’ hockey rink. Included in the mall are a gas station/convenience store, small grille serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.priddis.org
Turner Valley
Turner Valley is nestled in the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains only
30 minutes from Calgary and on the edge of Kananaskis Country. Turner Valley was discovered during the first era for its Oil and Gas and is known as the birthplace of Alberta's Oil and Gas industry. In 1914 the first producing well came into production. It is known as Dingman #1. Turner Valley boasts a remarkable history as not only the first major oilfield in Alberta but at one time the largest oil producer in the British Empire.
Turner Valley has one public school, Turner Valley Elementary, one United Church, one Anglican Church, one large Mormon Church and a small tabernacle. The Sheep Creek Arts Council is an active group in the community, offering arts classes, contests and scholarships. The Garden Club uses their building as well and several Continuing Education courses are taught there. The Recycling Depot is well used by the townspeople as well as others in the surrounding communities. Turner Valley has a Fire Department, Town Office, RCMP detachment, outdoor swimming pool, and outdoor recreational facilities for hosting soccer, baseball, hockey games and skateboarding. The Flare and Derrick serves as a community hall for elections, music concerts, classes and social functions. Main Street is the location for several business such as a bank, restaurants, day care, insurance company, auto service and a flower and candy store.
The park at the main intersection is the location for the “Points of Light” fundraiser tree, “Art in the Park”, and weddings and band concerts are held at the Gazebo. The Friendship Trail, a walking and cycling path to Black Diamond, begins here. On the outskirts of the town there are lots of opportunities for recreation along the riverbanks, the Turner Valley Golf Course, and it is known as the gateway to the Kananaskis Provincial Park. www.turnervalley.ca