Country Canada Census division 5 Founded 1883 Elevation 970 m Local time Tuesday 9:29 PM | Region Calgary Region Municipal district Wheatland County Time zone MST (UTC-7) Population 13,756 (2016) Province Alberta | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind SW at 13 km/h, 52% Humidity | ||
Strathmore is a town located along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta, Canada within Wheatland County. It is approximately 50 kilometres (30 mi) east of the City of Calgary.
Contents
Map of Strathmore, AB, Canada
History
The town began as a hamlet for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) lines that were built in the area in 1883. The CPR named the town after one of its benefactors: Claude Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore. The Earl's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth – as consort to King George VI – later passed through the community on the "Royal Train" in late May 1939.
A track laying record was made between Strathmore and Cheadle when the railroad was built. In one hour one mile (1.6 km) of steel was laid and – at the end of the ten-hour working day – the rails were laid to Cheadle, 9 miles (14 km) for a record. Efforts by the Canadian government to develop western Canada led to increases in Strathmore's population and its importance as a rail supply stop.
In 1905 the CPR moved the Hamlet of Strathmore 4 miles (6.4 km) north to its current location. The first school opened in 1908.
The CPR railroad tracks are now gone, the land having been subdivided.
In 2011, the Town of Strathmore celebrated its centennial – and will release the book 100 Years of Memories: Celebrating Strathmore’s Centennial through Polished Publishing Group in early 2012.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Strathmore recorded a population of 13,756 living in 5,148 of its 5,358 total private dwellings, a change of 7001118000000000000♠11.8% from its 2011 population of 12,305. With a land area of 27.4 km2 (10.6 sq mi), it had a population density of 502.0/km2 (1,300.3/sq mi) in 2016.
The Town of Strathmore's 2015 municipal census counted a population of 13,327, a change of 7000790000000000000♠7.9% from its 2012 municipal census population of 12,352. At its current population, Strathmore is one of the largest towns in the province and is eligible for city status. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town is eligible for city status when it reaches 10,000 residents.
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Strathmore had a population of 12,305 living in 4,577 of its 4,930 total dwellings, a change of 19.7% from its 2006 adjusted population of 10,280. With a land area of 27.28 km2 (10.53 sq mi), it had a population density of 451.1/km2 (1,168.2/sq mi) in 2011.
Economy
Today, the town is an important agricultural community. Oil and gas exploration is also a growing interest in the area. It is the headquarters of Golden Hills School Division No. 75.
Many residents commute daily from Strathmore to Calgary. Over the past three years the town has seen a major growth in commercial development, with many franchise restaurants and a few big-box chain stores opening in the community.
Sports
Strathmore was the home of the Strathmore Rockies, a team in the WWHL. It is currently home to the Strathmore Wheatland Kings of the Heritage Junior "B" league; as well as the UFA Bisons of the AMHL, who have helped produce NHL players Zach Boychuk and Mason Raymond among others.
The Strathmore Spartans football team has alumni players throughout the CJFL and Canadian University system.
The Strathmore Venom Junior "B" lacrosse team won the provincial title in 2010 for the first time since the team was founded in 2004.
Strathmore was one of the hosts for the 2013 Tour of Alberta Pro Cycling Festival.
Every year Strathmore holds its Heritage Days celebrations, which include the Strathmore Stampede, Canada's third largest rodeo.
Education
Strathmore is part of the Golden Hills School Division.
Strathmore has three elementary schools (Wheatland, Westmount, and Brentwood), one junior high school (Crowther Memorial Junior High School), one high school (Strathmore High School) and a Catholic School providing Kindergarten through grade 6 (Sacred Heart Academy) as well as a grade 7 to 12 Catholic school (Holy Cross Collegiate).
Strathmore was the home of Covenant Bible College Canada. The CBC-C campus relocated in 1995 from its prior home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In Covenant Bible College, students took a course in religious studies. It was closed in 2007 due to dropping student enrollment and other fiscal problems. The former CBC campus was sold for $5.5 million to another Christian organization, EnCharis.
In September 2008 Strathmore's newest school, Trinity Christian Academy, opened at the former Covenant Bible College property. Trinity Christian is a Christian school providing Kindergarten through grade 9 and is publicly funded.