The Innisfail Advantage

The Innisfail Advantage
Considering all that the Town of Innisfail has to offer, it’s difficult to think of reasons
not to relocate here.
Conveniently situated on the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, Innisfail is a thriving mid-sized community in what some may
say is the perfect location. It’s just 15 minutes south of Red Deer and an hour north of Calgary, meaning whatever few
amenities we don’t have are available just a short drive in either direction.
But let’s focus on what we do have. The question is: Where do we start?
Well, we’ve got a robust employment sector that includes anything from major national corporations to small mom-andpop operations. We’ve got schools that offer comfortable class sizes and safe learning environments. We’ve got unrivalled
Rocky Mountain vistas. We’ve got a wide and varied talent pool with a strong rural work ethic. We’ve got subdivisions
that are home to some of the most luxurious new homes in the province. And we’ve got some of the most visited tourist
destinations in all of Central Alberta.
But that’s just a start.
There’s plenty more to this town of about 8,000. And it’s all well worth exploring.
So whether you’re considering relocating, are thinking about setting up business here, or simply want to know what all the
fuss is about, give us a call today.
Here are just a few reasons investors have chosen to set up enterprise here:
Highly visible sites on the Queen Elizabeth 2
Highway corridor in the heart of Central Alberta
A full-service community offering smalltown
amenities to attract and maintain a labour force
Access to municipal water and wastewater
services at competitive user rates
Locally available selection of affordable housing
Lower costs for serviceable land compared to
sites closer to Edmonton, Calgary or Red Deer
Access to a range of life experiences in the
foothills of the Rocky Mountains
Access to a skilled and educated labour force
locally and within easy commuting distance
Competitive tax rates and a council sensitive and
responsive to the needs of business
Location
The Innisfail area has long been considered one of the most practically located
in the entire province.
Edmonton
Even before the town was incorporated in 1903, the area had
a long history of providing convenience to transient voyagers
and long-term settlers alike. Today, the town’s location still
presents plenty of incentive to relocate here. Take a look at
a map and you’ll see why.
Devon
Leduc
Camrose
Wetaskiwin
13
2
Distances
Ponoka
Lacombe
Rocky
Mountain
House
Innisfail is within a short distance of several major urban
centres. As well, an hour’s drive can take you anywhere from
mountains, badlands and forests, to lakes, rivers and plains.
The town is truly at the centre of it all.
2
Sylvan Lake
11
Stettler
Red Deer
54
Innisfail
Sundre
27
Olds
22
Distances from Innisfail:
Red Deer - 31 km
Calgary - 118 km
Edmonton - 183 km
Banff National Park - 215 km
United States border - 370 km
2
Drumheller
Banff
Cochrane
1
Airdrie
Calgary
Strathmore
1
Highways
Innisfail sits immediately adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway (known colloquially as the QE2) and is located near
the midway point of the Calgary-Edmonton corridor -- one of the most economically vibrant regions in the entire country.
The QE2 provides direct access to Calgary and Edmonton, and also leads to a number of other active trade routes that
traverse Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. As well, the highway links to the CANAMEX Trade Corridor, connecting
Innisfail to the United States and Mexico through one of the most important trade routes in the continent.
Location
Innisfail lies at the heart of a 200-km radius trading area
with a population of over 2.5 million people. The town is
also connected by rail to millions more in the Western
US market, and to the rest of the world through
ports in Vancouver and along the West Coast.
See Innisfail’s location within CN and
CP rail networks at innisfail.ca/
economicdevelopment
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Fort McMurray
Prince George
Pacific
Ocean
ALBERTA
SASKATCHEWAN
Edmonton
Kamloops
Innisfail
Saskatoon
Vancouver
Calgary
Victoria
Medicine Hat
United States
of America
Regina
Population & Demographics
With just under 8,000 residents, Innisfail boasts plenty of smalltown charm while
being absent of the traffic, congestion and overcrowding that’s characteristic of
larger urban centres.
Population (2011)
Age
0-14 years
15-19 years
20-24 years
25-44 years
45-64 years
65+ years
Total:
Male
Female
Total
Percentage
760
275
190
935
1,055
620
3,835
710
220
210
960
1,095
835
4,030
1,470
495
400
1,895
2,150
1,455
7,865
18.7
6.3
5.1
24.1
27.3
18.5
100
Projected population
Year
2020
2025
2030
2035
Annual household income (2011)
Population
8,868
9,516
10,211
10,957
Historical population
Year
1995
2000
2005
Population
6,064
6,789
7,208
Average income
Average disposable income
$95,351
$64,831
Nearby municipalities (within 35 km)
Municipality
Red Deer
Red Deer County
Sylvan Lake
Mountain View County
Olds
Penhold
Population
100,807
18,351
14,310
12,359
8,617
2,842
History
The Early Years: Henday Arrives
The story of Innisfail’s long and illustrious history dates back to the fall of 1754, when Hudson’s Bay Company explorer
Anthony Henday embarked upon an expedition to the area.
Although Henday’s bid to convince the Blackfoot tribe to trade at York Factory in Manitoba proved futile, the explorer’s
name and image have long since continued to be associated with the town’s history, and can still be found in many places
around town today.
The Evolution: A Town is Born
The area later became known as Poplar Grove -- a popular stopping point along the Calgary-Edmonton Trail for stagecoach
travellers, settlers and hunters among others who used the route. What began as a collection of shacks where they could
stop for an overnight rest eventually grew into a permanent settlement, and thus, a town was born.
The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1891 was accompanied by a new name for the then village: Innisfail -- a
Celtic word, literally meaning ‘Isle of Destiny’. The Town of Innisfail was incorporated a short time later in 1903.
The Present: Innisfail Thrives
Innisfail is now home to some 8,000 residents, and continues to benefit from its prime location on the Calgary-Edmonton
Corridor. Businesses small and large contribute to healthy and vibrant retail, commercial and industrial sectors, while
regional tourism brings hundreds of thousands of tourists to the area every single year.
In summary, the town is no longer simply a stopping point; it’s a destination.
Labour & Employment
The Central Alberta region fosters a strong rural work ethic that produces
no shortage of skilled and dedicated workers. The presence of several higher
education institutions contributes to an immensely diverse talent pool, which
Innisfail benefits from directly.
Labour force
Population 15 yrs+
In the labour force
Participation rate (%)
Employed
Employment rate (%)
Total
Male
Female
6,395
4,310
67.4
4,070
63.6
3,075
2,290
74.5
2,135
69.4
3,320
2,020
60.8
1,935
58.3
Business summary
Total # of businesses
Employee summary
470
By category:
Other
Construction & materials
Legal, accounting & business services
Auto dealers & repair
Educational, health & social services
Food stores & dining
Agricultural & natural resources
Hotels, theatres & recreation
Manufacturing
Finance, insurance & real estate
General merchandise & apparel
82
79
59
49
46
39
36
25
24
23
8
Employees #
Businesses #
1-4
5-19
20-99
100-499
265
165
36
4
Major employers (by # of employees)
Innisfail Health Centre
Bilton Welding
Chinook’s Edge School Division
Johns Manville
Country/Sunset Manor
NWP Industries
250
180
177
175
133
87
Taxation
Innisfail’s highly competitive tax rates -- which sit well below the regional average
-- make the town an immensely attractive place to live, work and do business.
Tax Comparisons (2015)
Municipality
Mill rates
Innisfail
Blackfalds
Lacombe
Olds
Red Deer
Penhold
Rocky Mountain House
Sylvan Lake
Average
County
Red Deer County
Lacombe County
Mountain View County
Residential
Non-Residential
6.5111
7.7246
7.36769
5.6679
5.9374
9.245
8.2508
5.495
7.0249
8.0739
8.305
9.0165
7.7541
12.6665
12.019
8.7508
9.836
9.5527
Mill rates
Residential
Non-Residential
Farmland
2.6816
2.363
2.72
9.9465
4.785
9.8
7.946
4.785
7.85
Note: Rates do not include AB School Tax and Senior Fund
Utilities
Water
The Town of Innisfail receives water from the Red Deer River via the Mountain View Regional Water Commission. The Town
has three pump stations, and three water storage reservoirs with a storage capacity of 2.5 million imperial gallons.
Water Rate: Flat Rate:
$2.15 per cubic metre of water consumed
$10.00 per month
Wastewater
The Town of Innisfail’s sewage collection system consists of a series of eight- and ten-inch gravity lines connected to 12inch trunk lines. In 2015, the Town completed the process of connecting to the regional wastewater line, and began paying
for all wastewater pumped down the line.
Sewer Rate: Stabilization Rate: $2.85 per cubic metre of water consumed
$15.00 per month
Garbage & Recycling
The Town offers contracted solid waste collection, as well as a Green Box household recycling program. Household yard
waste, hazardous waste and e-waste are also collected at various times throughout the year.
Residential: $17.00 per month
Residential Recycling: $5.00 per month
Housing & Shelter
The town’s wide variety of housing options makes it easy for residents, workers
and families to call Innisfail home.
Housing by structure (2015)
Houses
Apartment units
Other dwelling types
Housing by tenure (2015)
Owned
Rented
#
%
2,966
409
175
83.5
11.5
4.9
#
%
2,858
692
80.5
19.5
Dwelling values (2011)
Average
Median
$276,264
$269,585
Average monthly rent (2014)
Type
Bachelor
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
3 Bedroom
Average
$761
$730
$776
$858
Range
$530-$775
$600-$1,000
$400-$1,150
$575-$1,200
Lifestyle
Recreation & Culture
When it comes to recreation and culture, Innisfail has it all.
A state-of-the-art library, a multi-surface ice rink, and a year-round indoor aquatic centre are among the amenities enjoyed
regularly by town residents and visitors alike.
There are also walking trails, ball diamonds, sports fields, outdoor skating rinks, tennis courts, a ski hill, a spray park and a
curling rink, and Town Council recently took the first steps toward constructing a new skatepark.
Whether it’s by taking advantage of one of these facilities, or by making the most of the town’s diverse and scenic terrain,
Innisfailians (as residents of the town are colloquially known) are always busy doing something.
Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, walking and hiking are all popular cost-free activities, and there are plenty of organized
sports and leagues well worth participating in. As well, the Innisfail Golf Club is an internationally-lauded course that offers
a first-rate experience for even the most skilled of golfers.
For sports enthusiasts who are more into spectating, the Senior AAA Innisfail Eagles hockey team provides top-notch
viewing entertainment. It’s some of the highest caliber of hockey around.
Nearby
Providing breathtaking vistas visible throughout
Innisfail, the Rocky Mountains are just over an
hour’s drive away. World-class skiing, climbing
and other year-round outdoor pursuits are
always on hand.
Innisfail also has the benefit of being situated
between two major Canadian cities in Calgary
and Edmonton, while Red Deer -- Alberta’s third
largest city -- is located just 15 minutes up the
highway.
Canada frequently ranks among the most
liveable countries in the world -- a sentiment
reflected strongly in Albertan culture. Living and
working conditions are of the highest quality.
Innisfail Public Library
Lifestyle
Health Care
The Innisfail Health Centre is a fully modern hospital and extended care facility. Built in 1984 and expanded in 1993, it’s got
20 acute care beds and 80 extended care beds, as well as a 24-hour emergency department, day surgery, and X-ray and
lab services. It’s also one of the province’s primary hubs for cataract eye surgery.
Innisfail is also home to two medical clinics, three dental clinics, and various professional services in optometry, chiropractic
care, reflexology, physiotherapy and massage therapy.
Climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Average High
Temp. °C (°F)
-1.5
(29.3)
-3.0
(26.6)
7.5
(45.5)
12.6
(54.7)
17.2
(63.0)
21.9
(71.4)
Average Low
Temp. °C (°F)
-12.4
(9.7)
-13.5
(7.7)
-5.2
(22.6)
-2.7
(27.1)
2.0
(35.6)
8.4
(47.1)
Precipitation
(mm)
21.5
10.5
9.9
14.1
24.2
47.2
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average High
Temp. °C (°F)
24.5
(76.1)
22.5
(72.5)
18.1
(64.6)
13.5
(56.3)
-1.7
(28.9)
-1.2
(29.8)
Average Low
Temp. °C (°F)
10.8
(51.4)
9.6
(49.3)
4.6
(40.3)
0.2
(32.4)
-11.7
(10.9)
-10.6
(12.9)
Precipitation
(mm)
64.9
82.4
48.1
6.0
28.6
3.5
Sunny Days
According to the Government of Alberta, “Alberta
enjoys the highest number of sunny days in
Canada — more than 2,300 hours of sunshine
each year. Even in winter, the sky is often clear as
the sun shines brightly on the sparkling snow. In
June, there can be as many as 16 to 18 hours of
daylight per day.”
Napoleon Lake
http://www.albertacanada.com/opportunity/choosing/province-climate-geography.aspx
Education
Innisfail’s primary and secondary school population is served by two school
districts: Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and Chinook’s Edge School Division.
The presence of elementary, middle and high schools means students can complete
their entire high school diploma without ever having to leave town.
The town is also within a 20-minute drive of two accredited and respected post-secondary institutions. Red Deer College
and Olds College are both world-class educational facilities that offer easy access to professional development, and
produce no shortage of skilled workers in a variety of industries.
Two of the country’s highest-ranking universities -- the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta -- lie less than two
hours away, in Calgary and Edmonton, respectively.
Kindergarten to Grade 12
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
School (Pre-K to 9)
4453 51 Ave.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1A7
Phone: 403-227-2123
Fax: 403-227-0444
École John Wilson Elementary
School (K to 4)
4401 52 Ave.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1A7
Phone: 403-227-3292
Fax: 403-227-6006
Chinook Centre School
(K to 4)
4931 52 St.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1W6
Phone: 403-227-0170
Fax: 403-227-0173
École Innisfail Middle School
(Grade 5 to 7)
4501 52 Ave.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1A8
Phone: 403-227-0060
Fax: 403-227-0061
École Innisfail High School
(Grade 8 to 12)
4459 51 Ave.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1A8
Phone: 403-227-3244
Fax: 403-227-2595
Innisfail Career High School
(Grade 10 to 12)
4404 42 Ave.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1P6
Phone: 403-227-0141
Fax: 403-227-0172
Education
School Divisions
Chinook’s Edge School
Division
4904 50 St.
Innisfail, AB
T4G 1W4
Phone: 403-227-7070
Fax: 403-227-3652
Red Deer Catholic Regional
Schools
5210 61 St.
Red Deer, AB
T4N 6N8
Phone: 403-343-1055
Fax: 403-347-6410
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
Post-Secondary
Olds College
4500 50 St.
Olds, AB
T4H 1R6
Phone: 403-556-8281
Fax: 403-556-4711
Red Deer College
100 College Boulevard
Red Deer, AB
T4N 5H5
Phone: 403-342-3400
Fax: 403-340-8940
Interior Heavy Equipment
Operator School
36040 Range Road 284A
Innisfail, Alberta
T4G 1T8
Phone: 250-766-3853
Fax: 1-866-399-3853
Educational Attainment
Qualification
University degree
University certificate
College, CEGEP, other certificate/diploma
Apprenticeship, trades certificate/diploma
High school certificate (or equivalent)
#
%
755
254
1,172
1,181
2,024
10.3
3.5
16
16.1
27.6
Transportation
Airports
The Innisfail Airport provides infrastructure for smaller
aircraft, while passenger flights are available at the nearby
Red Deer Airport. The Calgary International Airport, located
just 45 minutes down the highway, offers direct international
flights to destinations all around the world.
Distances from Innisfail:
Red Deer Airport - 10 km
Calgary International Airport - 105 km
Edmonton International Airport - 158 km
Innisfail & District Handivan
Trucking
Innisfail is home to trucking firms that provide local, regional and continental freighting services.
Rail
Innisfail is served by a Canadian Pacific Railway main line connecting to major international ports and rail transloading
terminals.
Bus
Greyhound Canada’s scheduled bus service stops in Innisfail daily, linking the town with destinations all across the
continent. For fees and schedules, visit greyhound.ca.
Couriers & Taxi
Greyhound Courier Express offers service in Innisfail, while Purolator, UPS and DHL all operate nearby. Associated Cab
offers 24-hour taxi service in town.
Community Busing
A community handivan offers bookable transportation for seniors, while the Innisfail Community Bus operates as a monthly
coach service to Red Deer.
Tourism & Activities
The Innisfail region is home to some of the province’s most enthralling tourist
destinations, which every year attract thousands of visitors from all around the
world.
The town is perhaps best known for being home to the Discovery
Wildlife Park -- an enchanting zoo renowned for its highly unique
wildlife experiences. The Innisfail Golf Club -- a scenic 27-hole golf
course that frequently ranks among the best in Alberta -- is also
an immensely popular draw. On top of that, the town’s vibrant
retail district, along with its many trails and walking paths, makes
for wonderful day-tourism opportunities that can be enjoyed by
residents and visitors alike.
Innisfail truly has a little bit of something for everyone, meaning
when you come here, you’ll never find yourself short of something
to do.
Other tourism highlights:
Innisfail Historical Village
Skydive Big Sky
RCMP Police Dog Training Facility
Innisfail Pro Rodeo
Family Farms/Local Growers
Innisfail Ski Hill
Discovery Wildlife Park
Nearby
The town is also within a short drive of a number of world-renowned tourist attractions. Banff National Park, the Calgary
Stampede, the West Edmonton Mall and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology are all easily accessible.
For a full list of nearby attractions, visit innisfailtourism.com or travelalberta.com.
Innisfail Golf Club
Banff National Park
Innisfail Historical Village
Tourism & Activities
Entertainment & Activities
Whether you live in town or are simply passing through,
you’re guaranteed to stay entertained during your time
in Innisfail.
Spend an evening bowling at the Innisfail Bowling Lanes,
an eight-lane five-pin bowling alley in the centre of town.
Catch a matinee at Century Theatre, a cinema that offers
city-quality entertainment at smalltown rates. Take a dip
in the pool at the Aquatic Centre, or simply relax in the
steam room. Channel your inner Broadway by taking part
in an Innisfail Town Theatre production -- or just watch, if
that’s more your thing.
In short, the opportunities for things to do are endless.
Events
Innisfail Aquatic Centre
In addition to having an endless stream of things to do, the Town of Innisfail also plays host to a number of major events
every single year. From the Innisfail Pro Rodeo in June to frequent family events at local growers and farms, there’s always
something going on in and around innisfail.
Scheduled events (2016)
Discovery Wildlife opens
Innisfail Pro Rodeo
Canada Day fireworks
Strawberry Festival
Zoofest
Teddy Bear Picnic
Viking Days
Markerville Show & Shine
Innisfail Triathlon
Sauerkraut Festival
Scarecrow Festival
Julestue
Christmas Market
May 1
June 17-19
June 30
July 23
July 30
Aug. 11
Aug. 20
Aug. 28
Sept. 10
Sept. 17
Oct. 8
Nov. 5
Nov. 18-19
Innisfail Pro Rodeo