Olds, Alberta
Olds (/oʊldz/) is a town on the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is in central Alberta within Mountain View County, located 61 km (38 mi) south of the nearest city, Red Deer and 90 km (56 mi) north of Calgary. The nearest towns are Didsbury to the south, Bowden to the north, Sundre to the west and Three Hills to the east. Olds is located at the intersection of Highway 27 and Highway 2A, 5 km (3.1 mi) west of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. The Canadian Pacific Railway's main Edmonton -Calgary line runs through the town.
Olds | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Town of Olds | |
 Main Street Olds | |
  Olds Location of Olds  Olds Olds (Canada) | |
| Coordinates: 51°47′34″N 114°06′24″W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census division | 6 |
| Municipal district | Mountain View County |
| Incorporated[1] | |
| • Village | 26 May 1896 |
| • Town | 1 July 1905 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Michael Muzychka |
| • Governing body | Olds Town Council |
| • MP | Earl Dreeshen (Red Deer—Mountain View-Cons) |
| • MLA | Nathan Cooper (Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills-Wildrose) |
| Area (2016)[2] | |
| • Land | 14.93 km2 (5.76 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,041 m (3,415 ft) |
| Population (2016)[2] | |
| • Total | 9,184 |
| • Density | 615.3/km2 (1,594/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Forward sortation area | T4H |
| Area code(s) | -1+403, -1+587 |
| Highways | Highway 2A Highway 27 |
| Website | Official website |
Olds has a big-box retail center which opened in 2008. It features a Walmart, Canadian Tire and other major retailers.
Olds is known for Olds College, which has noted agricultural and fashion retail programs.[4] As of 2012, Olds College also boast a significant Land Use Planning and Land Agent Program through their School of Environment and has gained accreditation from the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians.
Geography
Olds lies within the Grasslands Natural Region of Alberta. Downtown Olds is about 1,041 m (3,415 ft) above sea level. In 2011, the town covered a land area of 14.87 km2 (5.74 sq mi).
Climate
Olds has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) and falls into the Natural Resources Canada (NRC) Plant Hardiness Zone 4b. The average temperature is around 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) in late July to −10.1 °C (13.8 °F) in mid-January.
Winters are cold with temperatures often dropping to or below −30 °C (−22 °F). These are broken up from the dry Chinook winds from the mountains.
Summers can be hot with temperatures reaching up to 30 °C (86 °F).
| Climate data for Olds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
18.3 (64.9) |
22.8 (73.0) |
29.4 (84.9) |
35.6 (96.1) |
36.1 (97.0) |
37.2 (99.0) |
33.9 (93.0) |
33.9 (93.0) |
30.6 (87.1) |
23.3 (73.9) |
19.0 (66.2) |
37.2 (99.0) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −3.0 (26.6) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
2.3 (36.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
15.9 (60.6) |
19.3 (66.7) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.9 (71.4) |
16.8 (62.2) |
10.8 (51.4) |
1.6 (34.9) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
9.6 (49.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −8.7 (16.3) |
−6.9 (19.6) |
−3.1 (26.4) |
3.9 (39.0) |
9.4 (48.9) |
13.3 (55.9) |
15.6 (60.1) |
15.2 (59.4) |
10.1 (50.2) |
4.5 (40.1) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
3.5 (38.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −14.3 (6.3) |
−12.6 (9.3) |
−8.6 (16.5) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
2.9 (37.2) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.4 (48.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−8.9 (16.0) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −43.3 (−45.9) |
−43.9 (−47.0) |
−37.2 (−35.0) |
−29.4 (−20.9) |
−15.6 (3.9) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−15.0 (5.0) |
−26.0 (−14.8) |
−34.0 (−29.2) |
−43.3 (−45.9) |
−43.9 (−47.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 17.7 (0.70) |
14.4 (0.57) |
23.0 (0.91) |
23.7 (0.93) |
56.6 (2.23) |
89.8 (3.54) |
66.0 (2.60) |
64.6 (2.54) |
58.3 (2.30) |
18.6 (0.73) |
16.6 (0.65) |
13.3 (0.52) |
492.4 (19.39) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.1 (0.00) |
0.1 (0.00) |
1.9 (0.07) |
12.5 (0.49) |
47.6 (1.87) |
94.2 (3.71) |
89.8 (3.54) |
65.8 (2.59) |
54.0 (2.13) |
9.7 (0.38) |
0.9 (0.04) |
0.2 (0.01) |
376.7 (14.83) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 17.6 (6.9) |
14.3 (5.6) |
21.1 (8.3) |
11.3 (4.4) |
9.1 (3.6) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.1) |
4.4 (1.7) |
8.9 (3.5) |
15.7 (6.2) |
13.1 (5.2) |
115.7 (45.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.08 | 0.12 | 0.42 | 4.2 | 11.2 | 15.2 | 14.2 | 12.4 | 9.7 | 4.2 | 0.35 | 0.19 | 72.1 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.6 | 6.1 | 7.2 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.12 | 0.78 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 41.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 7.7 | 6.2 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 12.1 | 15.2 | 14.2 | 12.4 | 10.1 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 111.9 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 87.4 | 107.2 | 147.1 | 187.5 | 215.8 | 237.1 | 271.7 | 249.7 | 180.8 | 145.3 | 88.9 | 80.0 | 1,998.4 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 33.7 | 38.3 | 40.1 | 45.1 | 44.5 | 47.6 | 54.2 | 55.1 | 47.5 | 43.8 | 33.3 | 32.7 | 43.0 |
| Source: Environment Canada[5] | |||||||||||||
Flora and fauna
Olds has a various species living in and around it including poplar trees and various wild grasses. Olds is an agriculture based town, so a large portion of the flora grown are crops of canola (Brassica juncea subsp. juncea) and barley (Hordeum vulgare).
The majority of fauna consists of livestock like cattle, and poultry. Almost all of the surrounding farms own several horses and/or donkeys.
Residential areas and neighbourhoods
The town of Olds is surrounded by residential neighbourhoods that offer a variety of house styles, from upperclass to lower-class and anything in-between. There are several mobile home parks throughout the town.
Economy
Olds Alberta has its own fiber optic Internet Service Provider called O-Net that provides gigabit speeds to its residents and businesses. The service cost the town about $21,000,000 to install.[6]
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Olds recorded a population of 9,184 living in 3,698 of its 3,942 total private dwellings, a change of 11.5% from its 2011 population of 8,235. With a land area of 14.93 km2 (5.76 sq mi), it had a population density of 615.1/km2 (1,593.2/sq mi) in 2016.[2]
The population of the Town of Olds according to its 2014 municipal census is 8,617, a change of 1.2% from its 2013 municipal census population of 8,511.[7]
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Olds had a population of 8,235 living in 3,400 of its 3,702 total dwellings, a change of 13.5% from its 2006 adjusted population of 7,253. With a land area of 14.87 km2 (5.74 sq mi), it had a population density of 553.8/km2 (1,434.3/sq mi) in 2011.[8]
Education
Olds has four schools; École Olds Elementary School, École Deer Meadow School, Olds High School and Holy Trinity Catholic School, as well as Olds College. Three schools in this area are part of the Chinook's Edge School Division No. 73
ÉOES is an elementary school containing grades k (kindergarten) - 4. The school contains a small gymnasium with a rock climbing wall. The gym previously doubled as the gymnastics centre for the gymnastics club, now located along 25th Ave.
ÉDMS is a junior high school containing grades 5–8. There is a slightly larger gym as well as a music room for the students beginning in the band programs.
OHS is a junior/senior high school containing grades 9–12. The school has a gymnasium and fitness centre, fine arts theatre and is part of the Olds College Campus. The school has a variety of educational programs such as sports, band, shop, drama and stained glass program.
Sport and recreation
Olds is home to many sports team such as the Olds Grizzlys Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), located at the Olds Sports Complex. Olds College Broncos part of the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference, Olds Rapids Swim Club Located at the Olds Aquatic Centre. And many sporting events such as the Hay City Slam Skate Comp held every summer at the Olds Skate Park.
Home to two golf courses: Olds Central Highlands 23 hole course, 3 mi (4.8 km) east of Olds, off Highway 27 as well as the brand new 9 Hole Trail Creek Golf course located 7 km (4.3 mi) west of Olds, off Highway 27 that opened in July 2015
The Olds Gymnastics Club has recently migrated from their previous home in the Elementary School to a new building located along 25th Avenue. The building was formerly a Sears Canada building, and now is home to a gymnastics centre.
Olds houses the 185 Olds Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron. The building was formerly the Olds recreation centre and is now rendered to the squadron. The building is also rented out by many local dance and church programs.
Notable people
- Jay Rosehill, professional ice hockey player
- Danielle Lappage, Olympic wrestler, competed in Rio 2016
References
- "Location and History Profile: Town of Olds" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 17 June 2016. p. 442. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- Olds College
- Environment Canada—1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals station data, accessed 7 March 2019
- https://calgaryherald.com/life/swerve/would-you-move-to-the-town-of-olds-for-its-gigabit-age-internet-speed
- Joseph Ho (5 August 2014). "Slight growth in Olds according to town census numbers". Olds Albertan. Great West Newspapers LP. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
External links
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Olds and Didsbury. |
Places adjacent to Olds, Alberta | |
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