Town of Magrath - SouthGrow Regional Initiative

Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Oil and Gas
0%
Arts, Recreation,
Accommodation
8%
Town of Magrath
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PROFILE
5
Manufacturing
0%
Other
8%
Education and
Healthcare
39%
Utilities,
Transportation
16%
Retail &
Wholesale
Trade
18%
Finance,
Insurancce,
Real Estate
0%
0
Professional,
Scientific,
Management,
Waste Reduction
11%
Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Welcome to the Town of Magrath
Magrath was founded in 1898 and has been known
since its founding as “The Garden City.” The
Community is also known for its excellent schools, its
natural beauty and its outstanding quality of life.
Historically Magrath is unique in the sense that it is
based on the two model community traditions: the
“plat of Zion” and the British “Garden City” tradition.
Magrath is an outlier in many ways and is continuing
to reinforce and learn from these two utopian
approaches to community building.
The town of Magrath is an inclusive Oasis-like
community at the edge of the Canadian Prairie. It
also serves as a gateway along the Alberta Highway 5
to one of the worlds most pristine and visually
stunning natural areas called “The Crown of the
Continent Ecosystem,” Which includes both Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and the contiguous
Glacier National Park in the United States. Magrath is one of the fastest growing communities in
Southern Alberta and its environmental quality and sustainability in economic, social, and other terms is
outstanding. The National Film Board of Canada is currently completing a short documentary on the
unique quality and history of our community which will be screened to local residents and made
available in 2016.
Magrath is an entrepreneur and learning-centered community as well, and the $20,000,000
Modernization of Magrath Schools that is currently underway is catalyzing a number of new corporate
ventures in the community and the establishment of The Sustainable Agriculture Education Partnership
in conjunction with the University Of Lethbridge and major corporate and other partners.
Climate
Magrath, Alberta has a humid continental climate with warm summers and no dry season. The area
within 40 km of this station is covered by forests (51%), croplands (30%), and grasslands (18%). Over the
course of a year, the temperature typically varies from -12°C to 26°C and is rarely below-23°C or
above 31°C.
Elevation: 975 m or 3198.82 feet
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Road Travel Distances
Located on the Mormon Trail, Magrath is in close proximity to premier cities, and border crossings,
While still able to provide residents with a comfortable, small town lifestyle.
Distance Magrath To:
Lethbridge
Calgary
Del Bonita Border Crossing
Waterton National Park
Medicine Hat
Kilometers
37
244
48
83
203
Miles
23
152
30
51
210
Economic Indicators
Magrath has several new businesses as well as an existing business structure that is expanding
rapidly. Ag Spectra Ltd. recently leased 35 acres of land from the Town of Magrath in order to
establish a state-of-the-art green housing operation.
Surex Direct is a local online insurance business that is expanding very rapidly as well. In
addition, the modernization of Magrath Schools over the next two years and the construction
of a new seniors lodge facility with 40+ rooms, are contributing to significant construction
activity in our community.
Add to this projected establishment in 2016 of a Town of Magrath- sponsored incubator; the
full servicing (including fiber optics) of 10 industrial lots in the Town’s light industrial area in
2015; the formation of The Sustainable Agriculture Education Partnership and its focus on
agriculture-based education, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification in our region; the
availability of fully-serviced residential lots; and the creation of the new office space in our
business core; Suncor’s Magrath Wind Farm, as well as natural gas and oil-related activities in
our wider region; and our community seems poised for significant economic growth.
Magrath is a satellite community of the city of Lethbridge, Alberta, and is located midway
between the United States boundary and Lethbridge’s thriving university, college and
increasingly research oriented hub.
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Key Employers and Businesses
Business
Westwind School Division
Town of Magrath
Sash
Surex Direct
Diamond Willow
Good Samaritans
Inline Ovals
Custom Windows and Doors
Dahl Clinic
Magrath Dental
Description
School Division www.westwind.ab.ca
Municipal Services www.magrath.ca
Support Services
Insurance Services
Seniors Residence
Seniors Residence
Frames, Display Cases, ETC
Window and Door Sales
Medical Doctors
Dental clinic
Recent Investments and Projects
Project
Diamond Willow Terrace
Description
Continued promotion for the expansion of Diamond Willow Terrace
Lodge to create a more sustainable sized facility with Mike Leathwood
(Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Municipal Affairs, Housing Division),
Don Squire and their associates in Edmonton.
Magrath Trail
By October 2015 complete the planning and design work of the Magrath
Trail on an intermunicipal basis.
Public Art Program
Develop a public art program to provide sculptural and other public art
and culture features and creative signage through ought the community.
Sister Community
Consider establishing-for advertising, marketing, economic development,
and historic reasons-a sister community relationship with the first British
Garden City of Letchworth.
Urban Agriculture Program Launch an urban agriculture program consistent with Magrath’s Garden
City brand and its emerging Farmer’s Market program in conjunction with
the Ag Society, and coordinate this in policy and land use terms within the
Town’s revised Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaws (in
2015, ideally.)
Highway 5 Land
Acquire, subdivide, service if necessary, and negotiate sale of some of the
Town’s expected industrial lands just south of Highway 5.
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Available Land
Magrath is a quickly developing community; the residents of Magrath are satisfied with the
small town values that life in Magrath provides.
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•
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Magrath currently has 1 residential lot available for sale, and no commercial properties.
The town is in the process of subdividing and servicing 10 light lots that will be available
for sale late 2015 or early 2016
There are numerous private sale lots/buildings/homes of varying sizes and price levels.
Development Statistics
Year
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Number
Of
New
Houses
8
10
7
22
14
Value
of new
houses
$2,459,000
$3,345,000
$1,830,000
$4,465,000
$3,355,000
Industrial/
commercial/
public/ institutional
permit value
$600,000
$1,700,000
$1,100,000
$211,000
$550,000
Total
Permit
Value
$3,059,000
$3,945,000
$2,930,000
$4,906,000
$3,905,000
“Uniting to
build the
world’s best
community.”
-Magrath
Vision
Statement
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Key Demographics
Magrath has proven to be an entrepreneurial company through a British-funded corporate joint venture
and playing a leading role in the settlement of Southern Alberta in the late 19th century, Magrath was
based on a major regional irrigation project supported by the Galt family in Lethbridge. Magrath’s
current goal is to remain a satellite of larger university and college centered urban hub of Lethbridge
and – together with corporate and community partners – to build the Garden City in the next 10-20
years to a population the size of 5,000 people.
Population demographics (2011)
Population
Annual population growth
Median age
Workforce population (15-64)
School population ( age 5-17)
Senior population (65 +)
Average employment income
Average family income
Number of dwellings
Town of Magrath
3 2,302
6.5%
33.6
1,240
465
360
$32,309
$68,456
756
SouthGrow Region
158,282
2.0%
38.3
93,380
26,290
26,440
$52,819
$87,602
61,566
Workforce Statistics
Statistics (2011)
Town of
Magrath
Workforce population (age 15-64)
950
Workforce population rate
63.3%
% of workforce with no diploma or post-secondary
10.18%
% of workforce with high school diploma or equivalent
28.14%
% of workforce with post secondary diploma, certificate, or degree
90.42%
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SouthGrow
Region
93,380
70%
25%
29%
46%
Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Employment by Industry
Statistic (2014)
Town of Magrath
SouthGrow Region
Agriculture
5%
12%
Oil and Gas
0%
5%
Manufacturing
0%
8%
Utilities, Transportation,
Construction, Warehousing
15%
15%
Retail & Wholesale Trade
17%
14%
0%
4%
Professional, Scientific, Management
10%
7%
Education & Healthcare
37%
18%
Arts, Recreation, Accommodation
8%
6%
Other
8%
11%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
Employment by Industry
Agriculture
Oil and Gas
Manufacturing
Utilities, Transportation,
Construction, Warehousing
Retail & Wholesale Trade
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Transportation Infrastructure
Highways
Magrath is accessible by Highway 5. 15 minutes to the East is
Raymond, and 30 minutes to the North is Lethbridge. The City of
Calgary is a 2 hour and 30 minute drive along AB-2 N.
The Alberta Metropolitan cities of Calgary and Edmonton, located to
the north of Magrath, are within easy commuting distance on wellmaintained double-lane divided highways.
Highlights of Ground Transportation in Magrath:
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1 h South East is Alberta’s Major Port of Entry to the United
States at Coutts and Sweetgrass, Montana. This twenty-four hour border crossing links Alberta’s
export highway with U.S. Interstate 15 (an integral portion of CANAMEX) and it’s the 8th busiest
border crossing in Canada in terms of trade traffic by road. In 2012 an estimated 150,000 trucks
and 230,000 passenger vehicles crossed at the Canada/United States border at the Coutts,
Alberta/Sweetgrass Montana border crossing. Both Truck and passenger vehicle traffic at this
border crossing has grown an average of 3% annually over the past decade. In 2010 the crossing
saw over $9 billion in trade (Transport Canada).
Highway 5 heading north connects the Town with the Lethbridge Airport and to the southwest is
the corridor to the majestic peace park.
Magrath has access to several delivery companies. Canada post is stationed in Magrath, and
companies like Purolator and UPS deliver standard packages to the town.
Air
The Lethbridge Airport is located on the south end of the city and is only 31 minutes north of Magrath.
The airport operates 24/7 with daily schedules flights by Air Canada and Integra Air. Calgary and
Edmonton International Airports are Primary Destinations, with regular service to Fort McMurray.
Charter and executive aircraft service, aircraft rentals and flight training are also available. Several rental
car agents are available on sight.
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Facility
Highways
Rail
Regional Airport
International airport
Details
Highway 5 east, west, north, south
Highway 62 south
Served by Canadian pacific Railway mainline. Transmark Ltd, a privately owned rail
storage and siding operation is adjacent to the CPR mainline
Lethbridge Airport
Calgary International Airport
Municipal Tax and Utility Rates
Service
Rate
Municipal Tax: Residential
7.176
Municipal Tax: Non-Residential
12.9000
Residential Monthly Water Rate
$25.00/month plus $0.96/cubic meter consumption
Commercial Monthly Water Rate
$35.00/month plus $0.96/cubic meter consumption
Residential Monthly Sewer
$20.00/month
Commercial Monthly Sewer
$28.00/month
Residential Monthly Solid Waste Rate
$13.00/month/collection cart (automated truck pick-up system)
Commercial Monthly Solid Waste Rate $20.0/month/collection cart (based on single pick-up/week)
Utility providers
Service
Natural Gas Providers
Electric Providers
Water Service Suppliers
Landfill
Telecommunications
Water Supplier
Provider
ATCO Gas, Direct Energy, Enmax, Epcor
Direct Energy, Enmax, Epcor
Taber Irrigation District; St. Mary’s River Irrigation District; Bow Island River Irrigation
District
Chief Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority
TELUS Communications: Phone, TV, Internet
Ridge Water Services Commissions
Education
Facility
Daycare Services
Elementary Schools
Secondary (Middle/High school)
Post-Secondary
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Details
Several daycares are available in Raymond and Lethbridge
Magrath Elementary School
Magrath Junior Senior High School
Lethbridge College
University Of Lethbridge
University of Calgary
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Calgary)
Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Health Care and Emergency Services
Facility
Police
Fire
Ambulance
Medical Services
Doctors, Clinics
Details
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•
•
•
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•
•
•
Dentists, Chiropractors, Optometrists
•
•
•
Seniors Housing
•
•
•
Community Organizations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Magrath Lions Club
Magrath Chamber of Commerce
Magrath Cultural Arts Society
Magrath & District Recreation Society
Magrath & District Agricultural Society
Garden City Seniors Association
Friends of the Library
Pals of the pool
I swam the Dam Triathlon
RCMP
Magrath Fire Department
Alberta Health Services
X-ray lab
Raymond Hospital
Cardston Hospital
Chinook Regional Hospital
Dahl Clinic
1 Chiropractor
1 Dentist
Naturopathy Clinic
Garden Vista Good Samaritan’s Society Facility
Diamond Willow Terrace Lodge
Alberta Housing Corporation – Garden Villa
Minor Sports Organizations
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Magrath Minor Hockey
Magrath Men’s Hockey
Magrath Minor Football
Magrath Co-ed Softball
Magrath Soccer Association
Magrath Rod & Gun Club
Magrath Swim Club
Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Recreation
Magrath is based on the unique features of its natural environment and on the availability of both
surface and subsurface water, this allows for beautiful campgrounds and swimming centers, many
playgrounds and the Magrath Trail System
Attraction
Magrath Pool
Details
The outdoor swimming pool is composed of a 5 lane, 25m pool, with
diving board, kiddie pool, and open grassed area. The Magrath pool is the
perfect way to enjoy the heat of the summer
Magrath Ice Arena
Magrath’s full sized hockey arena operates from October to March. It
facilitates many hockey organizations including Minor Hockey, Magrath
Men’s league, Lethbridge Minor Hockey and other pick up hockey leagues
around Magrath.
Magrath Golf Course
The Magrath Golf Club is an 18 hole facility with many spectacular views.
Magrath’s challenging natural layout allows golfers to enjoy a peaceful
and scenic round of golf. Magrath boasts quick greens, mature trees and
an outstanding practice facility. Magrath Golf Club also offers full service
clubhouse facilities with a protected patio and a fully licensed clubhouse.
Magrath Trail System
The Magrath Trail is an intermunicipal recreational, educational, and
historic corridor commemorating the unique human and natural history of
the Town of Magrath and its surrounding rural region.
Jubilee Park
Located behind the fish pond just off Hwy 62 to the South of Magrath, this
campground has un-serviced sites. The campground has men and women
outhouses and three camp kitchens with power, wood stoves, but no
potable water. Campsites cannot be booked and is serviced under a first
come, first served basis.
Covered Wagon RV Park and Cabins Covered Wagon RV park in Magrath is the perfect choice if you are
looking for a relaxed, quiet setting. The park is available for both camping
in a tent, or an RV, and also comes with full service cabins. Bed and
Breakfasts available for overnight guests.
Baseball Diamonds
The town has 4 baseball diamonds that can be booked for recreational
leagues or for informal games.
Soccer fields
Magrath has two soccer fields that service the local community. One is
located in the centre of town off Centre Street, just north of the Pool and
arena. The other one; Cole Soccer Field is located on the corner of
Highway 5 and Highway 62.
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Area Attractions
Magrath is a central location for regional tourism attractions, such as the Waterton/Glacier international
Peace Park, Writing on Stone Provincial Park, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, the Devil’s Coulee
dinosaur fossil sites, and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
Attraction
The Mormon Trail
Details
A 2-4 hour self-guided driving tour in Southern Alberta through the
Communities of Stirling, Magrath, and Cardston.
www.themormontrail.ca
Stirling Agricultural Village
Only 1 of 3 Canadian communities designated as a National Historical Site.
The village’s well preserved settlement pattern follows the plat of Zion
model. Also within the Village are: The Michelsen Farmstead and the Galt
Historic Railway Park. http://stirling.ca
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
Head Smashed in Buffalo
A UNESCO World Heritage site which attracts around 60,000 visitors per
Jump Interpretive Centre
year. www.head-smashed-in.com
Waterton-Glacier
In 1939, Canada’s Waterton National Park and Glacier National Park in the
International Peace Park
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
Bellevue Mine
Put on an authentic miner’s helmet and lamp and tour the actual corridors
taken by the early coal miners.
www.crowsnestpass.com/Tourism/historic/bellevuemine.html
Fort Museum of NWMP and
A replica of the original North West Mounted Police outpost built in 1874 in
First Nations Interpretive Centre Fort Macleod; view daily Musical Ride in July and August. Attracts about
20,000 visitors per year. www.nwmpmuseum.com
Empress Theatre
The historic Empress Theatre in downtown Fort Macleod hosts an
impressive line-up of events that often feature nationally and
internationally known musicians and actors. www.empresstheatre.ab.ca
Castle Mountain Ski Resort
With two mountains, over 3500 skiable acres, 78 trails, 8 alpine bowls, 6
lifts, and 3 terrain parks Castle Mountain Ski resort offers something for all
levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village Located in Pincher Creek. An outdoor heritage facility preserving the
Western Canadian Frontier village with 22 heritage cabins and two
museum buildings and artifacts. www.kootenaibrown.ca
Alberta Birds of Prey Centre
A “must see” attraction. Take a “hawk walk” and learn about Alberta’s first
privately licensed raptor rescue and conservation organization at Coaldale.
www.burrowingowl.com
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
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Town of Magrath: Economic Development Community Profile
Contact Information
Town of Magrath
Wade Alston, CAO
55 South 1st West, Box 520
Magrath, AB, T0K 1J0
Ph: (403) 758-3212
info@magrath.ca
www.magrath.ca
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SouthGrow Regional Initiative
Peter Lovering, Manager
P.O. Box 27068
Lethbridge, AB, T1K 6Z9
Ph: (403) 394-0615
Pete.lovering@southgrow.com
www.southgrow.com