Olds, Alberta


Olds is a town on the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is in central Alberta within Mountain View County, located south of the nearest city, Red Deer and 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, west of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. The Canadian Pacific Railway's main Edmonton -Calgary line runs through the town.
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. 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 above sea level. In 2011, the town covered a land area of.

Climate


Olds has a humid continental climate and falls into the Natural Resources Canada Plant Hardiness Zone 4b. The average temperature is around in late July to in mid-January.
Winters are cold with temperatures often dropping to or below. These are broken up from the dry Chinook winds from the mountains.
Summers can be hot with temperatures reaching up to.

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 and barley.
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.

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 from its 2011 population of 8,235. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016.
The population of the Town of Olds according to its 2014 municipal census is 8,617, a change of from its 2013 municipal census population of 8,511.
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, it had a population density of in 2011.

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 - 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, 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, east of Olds, off Highway 27 as well as the brand new 9 Hole Trail Creek Golf course located 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