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If a growth cap is required, we know who to blame

The Town of Crossfield has recently annexed 1,750 acres and expects to increase its population to between 12,000-15,000 by 2045. This population projection mirrors the explosive growth in the Calgary region.

The Town of Crossfield has recently annexed 1,750 acres and expects to increase its population to between 12,000-15,000 by 2045.

This population projection mirrors the explosive growth in the Calgary region. Airdrie is the fastest growing city, Chestermere is the fastest growing town and Langdon is the fastest growing hamlet in Canada.

Although this extreme growth has provided economic benefits, it also inflicts growing pains.

Currently, Rocky View Schools is facing a crisis. Many of our schools are overcrowded, with 40 per cent of students in the division being educated in portable classrooms. Granted, this might be a good temporary fix in a crisis, but what about the kids being educated in gymnasiums, libraries, storage and boot rooms? It takes about four years to build a school - and no new schools were announced this year.

Rocky View County is planning growth nodes in a variety of places, including near Langdon, Conrich, Cochrane Lakes and Balzac. Schools, health care facilities and other essential services will be needed to sustain them.

While the County has done an admirable job putting in place the infrastructure and services it controls, the Provincial government’s reaction to this region’s growth has been mind-numbingly mixed. For reasons surpassing understanding, the Province has been quick on the draw with money for roads and overpasses, but when it comes to core services like health and education, this region has received next to no support whatsoever.

We don’t believe in capping growth. However, if the Province of Alberta continues to willfully ignore our region, a cap on growth may be required.




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