Welcome to Caroline
On behalf of Village Council and Caroline citizens, it is indeed a privilege and a pleasure to welcome you! As a Village, we have much to offer our residents, visitors, and the surrounding rural community.
Our Village has all the amenities for visitors, be it accommodations, restaurants, gas and service stations, grocery and baking, camping supplies or sporting goods. Friendliness and volunteerism instill a strong sense of community. We can boast of being awarded the Provincial 4 Bloom Championship in the 'Communities In Bloom' competition, in the 1 - 1,000 population category.
Experience our natural beauty, views of the Rocky Mountains, our healthy and growing economy and share the sincere warmth of our residents.
If you would like to visit our Caroline home page, please go to www.caroline.ca
Laura Cudmore
Mayor
Village of Caroline
Area Overview
The Village of Caroline, a "Community of Choices", is situated in a rolling farming and ranching area about 8 km northeast of the Eastern Slopes area and 50 km east of the Banff National Park Boundary. It has a population of 556.
The total area of the Village is about 412 acres [167 hectares]. The urbanized portion consists of a compact area of development located along Highway 54(22), which runs directly through the centre of the Village. Highway 54, or 50th Avenue, is considered to be the main street and is the centre of business and community life, with commercial, industrial and public institutional developments located on or very near to it.
Location
The Village of Caroline is located in Clearwater County, in the Alberta Foothills.It is 41 km southeast of Rocky Mountain House, 88 km southwest of Red Deer, and 61 km west of Innisfail.
Economic Base
Traditionally, agriculture has been the mainstay of the local economy. More recently, forestry and oil & gas production have been of increasing importance to the area. The area has a moderate soil quality rating for crop production, being mainly Class 3, 4 and 5 Canada Land Inventory. Mixed farming and ranching remain the prevailing agricultural operations.
The largest sour gas discovery in Alberta in the last 20 years was made in the area by Shell Canada in 1986. The development of the Caroline Swan Hills Gas Field, with an estimated 2 trillion cubic foot natural gas field and the many economic spin-offs, has contributed to growth in the area.
Recent developments by West Fraser LVL have also added to the local economy. Historically, numerous sawmills and logging outfits were located in and around Caroline, with many land owners clearing farmland and operating their own lumber mills. Today, area logging is on a much bigger scale, with Caroline seeing many loads of timber trucked both east and west.
Recreation and tourism are becoming increasingly significant to the local economy. Up to 3,500 visitors from across Canada, Switzerland, Holland, the Philippines, Finland, the Ukraine, Germany, Australia and Great Britain registered at the Tourist Information Centre last season.
Economic Facts
Economic activity in the Caroline area includes: agriculture -- mixed farming and ranching, equine services, bulk fertilizer and feed outlets, veterinary service and supplies, rodeo stock contractors; small business -- auto and farm machinery parts and repairs, accounting and financial service, notary public service, lumber and building materials, gas and garage, hair/beauty and tanning salons, plumbing and heating, drywall and painters, tire sales and repairs, video rentals; retail stores -- grocery, bakery, hardware, sporting goods, camping supplies, gardening centre, florist, convenience and novelty, new and used, liquor outlets; oil & gas spin-off services -- oilfield maintenance services, evacuation and oilfield construction, landscaping, welders, graders and back-hoes, steam and pressure trucks; tourism spin-off services -- hotels, restaurants, bed and breakfast, campgrounds, golf course; trucking and freight -- gravel, logging, oil, water and equipment hauling, courier services; and forestry -- logging contractors, bunchers, fellers, delimbers, and trucking, small sawmills and post peelers.
Major Businesses Products/Services
- West Fraser LVL
- Shell Canada Sour Gas Field
Financial Institutions
ATB Financial
Utilities
Electrical Power
Wireline Service Provider:
Fortis Alberta
Tel: 403-310-9473
Energy Retailer:
EPCOR
Tel: 403-310-4300
Natural Gas
Line Service Provider:
ATCO
Tel: 403-310-5678
Gas Retailer:
Direct Energy
Tel: 866-420-3174
Telephone
Telus
Tel: 403-310-2255
Water Supply
The source of water is two village wells. The reservoir capacity is 200,000 gallons. Caroline's water and sewage treatment facilities are both designed to serve about 800 people, according to the standards of Alberta Environment. The water distribution system has recently been improved by the installation of a new reservoir and pressurization facility, in 1988. The sewage system, located south of the Village, is treated by an aeration lagoon.
Water is billed on a monthly basis. Residential users are billed for water, sewer & garbage services monthly.
Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by 2 aerated lagoons. The residential usage rate is $18.00 per month. The commercial rate is the minimum applicable, according to average water usage.
Solid waste from the Village is hauled to a transfer station located 5 miles to the west and is operated by the Rocky Mountain Regional Waste Authority. The usage rate is $10.80 for weekly pick-up, $21.60 for two weekly pick-ups, and $32.40 for three weekly pick-ups.
Taxation
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|
|
|
|
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| Municipal Tax Rate |
9.301 |
9.301 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
1.946 |
4.611 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.101 |
.101 |
Mill Rates [2009]
- Residential - Public 11.35
- Residential - Separate N/A
- Non-Residential - Public 14.01
- Non-Residential - Separate N/A
Transportation
Air Service
Local airstrips are located at Rocky Mountain House, Sundre and Innisfail. The nearest commercial and air freight services are available at Calgary International Airport.
Rail Service
N/A
Highways
Connecting highways are Highway 54, leading east to Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton via Highway 2, and Highway 22, leading north to Rocky Mountain House and Drayton Valley, etc., and also south to Sundre, Cochrane, Calgary, and the TransCanada Highway.
Trucking Firms
Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines operates from Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Red Deer.
Couriers and Taxis
WestCountry Delivery, Loomis, and Purolator.
Community Lifestyle
Recreation
Local recreation facilities include the Big Horn Stampede Grounds [outdoor arena and racetrack, bleachers, concessions, camping], Butte Community Hall, Camp Caroline [private/available for bookings, religious studies, indoor pool, retreats, nature walks], Caroline & District Golf Course [18 holes, clubhouse, camping ], Caroline Complex, Caroline Curling Rink [3 artificial ice sheets], Caroline Royal Canadian Legion, Caroline School [gym facilities, outdoor track, ball diamonds, basketball court], Kurt Browning Arena [skating rink, artificial ice surface], Senior's Drop-in Centre, Shilo Community Club, Edna Topp Park[outdoor ice surface], and Little Green Park.
Local community halls include the Butte Community Hall, Crammond Community Hall [hall, kitchen facilities], Dovercourt Community Hall, Elks Youth Hall, Lions Den [hall], and the Living Faith Renewal Centre [private/available for bookings, religious studies, gym facilities, retreats, nature paths].
Facilities for camping include the Caroline Mobile Home & RV Park [RV Parking, full hook-ups - Tel: 403-722-3794], Caroline Municipal RV Park [.5 km east, Tourist Info, Park attendant, 19 overnight stalls, 19 with electric hook-ups - Tel: 403-722-2210 May - Sept.], Burnstick Lake [3 km west/15 km south, fishing, boating, 65 campsites, 7 tent stalls], Clearwater Trading Campground [8 km west, on the banks of the Clearwater River, 25 stalls/serviced], Clear Springs Campground [14 km west, full hook-ups], Phyllis Lake Campground [16 km west, AB Forestry facility], Tay River Campground [28 km east, on the banks of the Tay River, Forestry facility], Boundary Motel/Campground [28 km west, gateway to Rocky/Clearwater Forest, 55 campsites/fully serviced], and the Swan Lake Campground [30 km west/16 km north, AB Forestry facility].
Community Organizations
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Caroline & District Recreation & Agricultural Society
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Caroline & District Historical Society
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Caroline Elks and Order of the Royal Purple
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Caroline Lions Club
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Caroline Royal Canadian Legion
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Caroline 1st Scouting
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Caroline Farmer's Market
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Clicker's Camera Club
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DanceWest Society
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Little Britches 4-H Club
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Ricinus Wooler Rodeo Association
Religious Services
Special Annual Events/Attractions
Caroline has a local museum in town which is operated by the Caroline & District Historical Society. The facility has a log cabin, log house, one-room school house, teacherage, main building, equipment, artifacts, and photography displays. The museum has seasonal hours.
Annual Events:
- Big Horn Stampede [ FCA events, pony chariots and chucks, parade, rodeo cabaret, Sunday Cowboy Church service, camping on grounds] -- May long weekend
- Gigantic yard sale and seasonal opening of Museum -- May long weekend
- Show and Shine automotive display and competition -- July 1st
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Big West Country Days [community fair, Homecoming, School Reunion] -- 3rd weekend in August
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Christmas Bazaar at Museum -- 4th weekend in November
Hospitality
Accommodation
Restaurants
Education
Caroline is part of the Wild Rose School Division #66, headquartered in Rocky Mountain House [Tel: 403-845-3376].
Daycare/Nursery
- Caroline Playschool
- Early Childhood Services
Public Caroline
School provides education for Grades 1 to 12.
Separate
N/A
Private
Living Faith Christian School [1-12]. Also, bussing is available to Rocky Christian School [K-9], located in Rocky Mountain House.
Post Secondary
Adult continuing education programs are available from the Rocky Community Learning Council, Pembina Educational Consortium, and Advanced Education and Career Development.
Residents of Caroline also have access to Olds Agricultural College, located in Olds; Red Deer College, located in Red Deer or Rocky Mountain House at the Confluence Campus.
Healthcare
Hospital services are available in Innisfail, Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer, who are all part of the David Thompson Health Region (DTHR).
Other medical services include the regional health unit which provides public support and home care [DTHR], and HomeSupport [HomeSupport, Caroline Meals on Wheels, West Country HomeSupport and Lifeline Programs].
Services for seniors include the Caroline & District Senior's Drop-In Centre and the Mountain Sunset Manor [8 self-contained units].
Emergency Services
Tel: 9-1-1 for all Emergencies
Fire Protection
Caroline is served by the Caroline & District Volunteer Fire Department . The department has 2 fire/pumper units, 1 water tanker, rescue unit, Jaws of Life, and a firehall and training facility. The department has approximately 20 members.
Police Services
Caroline is served by the Rocky Mountain House detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Tel: 403-845-2881- office].
Ambulance Services
Caroline is served by the Caroline & District Volunteer Ambulance.
Community Services
Municipal
Village of Caroline
Box 148
Caroline Alberta
T0M 0M0
Tel: 403-722-3781
Fax: 403-722-4050
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City Hall
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Public Works
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Family & Community Support Services
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Caroline & District Recreation Board
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Director of Disaster Services
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WestCountry HomeSupport, Storefront Operations
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Caroline Municipal Library
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Neighbourhood Place
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Youth and Family Wellness
Provincial
Federal
Key Contacts
Municipal
Village of Caroline
Box 148
Caroline Alberta
T0M 0M0
Tel: 403-722-3781
Fax: 403-722-4050
administration@telus.net
Laura Cudmore
Mayor
Tyler McKinnon
Chief Administrative Officer
administrator@caroline.ca
Deena Knight
Manager
Caroline and District Chamber of Commerce
Box 90
Caroline, Alberta
Tel: 403-722-4066
ccoc@telus.net
Provincial (Updated June 2011)
Dawna Allard
Regional Manager, South Central
Alberta Finance and Enterprise
T: 403.340.5302 | F: 403.340.5231 | E. dawna.allard@gov.ab.ca
Ty Lund
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Rocky Mountain House Constituency
#513 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-5012
Fax: 780-427-1835
Constituency Office:
P.O. Box 1245
5115 - 50 Street
Rocky Mountain House AB
T0M 1T0
Tel: 403-845-5154
Fax: 403-845-5525
Federal (Updated September 2009)
Blake Richards
Wild Rose Constituency
321 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-996-5152
Fax: 613-947-4601
Richards.B@parl.qc.ca
Constituency Office:
16, 620 - 1st Ave. NW
Airdrie, AB T4B 2R3
Tel: 1-800-667-0410
Fax: 403-948-0879 blake@blakerichards.ca
