Officially incorporated as a city in 1985, Fort Saskatchewan is a city in central Alberta that occupies a total land area of around 48 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 25,000 people.
One well-kept secret of this city is that there are a flock of 50 sheep that eat the grass during the summertime – if you’re at the right place at the right time, you just might see them!
They are also the inspiration behind the city mascot, which is a sheep named Auggie.
Fort Saskatchewan does not have any post-secondary educational opportunities available. Therefore, residents will have to commute or move into major cities within the province (or out of the province) if they are interested in further education.
If you like sports, you’re going to be overjoyed when you see the multiple indoor sports arenas that the city has to offer.
Fort Saskatchewan is home to several large industrial and commercial organizations,including Dow Chemical CompanyCanada, Agrium and Sherritt International. These major companies and many more plants are responsible for providing Fort Saskatchewan with mostof their available jobs. Management, sciences and healthcare are just some of the other sectors that play a significant role in improving the economic profile of the city. It is worth noting that the city has experienced an average annual growth rate of 5.1% over the past 10 years without any shortage of job openings. This demonstrates that the city is expanding both in population and in opportunity for those who are looking for a new place to start or continue their careers.
With low non-residential tax rates and the lack of a business tax, large multi-national companies including Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart have begun to set up shop in Fort Saskatchewan. Having major transportation routes close at hand is also a plus as it allows easy access to local and provincial markets.
Lifestyle
Although Fort Saskatchewan is a city, the lifestyle is more reflective of a small town. One of the main highlights of this city is an extremely strong community presence. With several annual events and festivals organized by the citizens, there is always something to do and someone to see perform.
You will find that the majority of events take place outdoors and involve a lot of physical activity, which demonstrates the city’s values of positivity and staying healthy year-round. Of course, when people need a break, there are several historic parks and walking trails that allow them to cool off and enjoy the beautiful scenery that Fort Saskatchewan offers.
Main Sections of the City
Fort Saskatchewan is generally divided into three sections: Westpark (west), Pineview (centre), and Sherridon (east).
Westpark is known for being the most scenic out of all the three areas – it is where you will find the majority of parks and walking trails in addition to recreational centers. There are a few small businesses and retail stores located here.
Sherridon happens to be where downtown is located, making it the busiest section of the city by far. A few of the elementary schools are situated here and are within walking distance for most of the residents. Additionally, you can expect to find most of the multi-national companies and manufacturing industries in this area.
Pineview, in the center of the city, is often considered to have a balance of the features in Westpark and Sherridon. It is ideal for people who are looking for the best of both the natural scenery and the industrial sector without an excess of either one.
Westpark is home to several types of homes, ranging from split duplexes to fully-detached residential homes that are larger in size. It’s not uncommon to see homes that offer multi-car garages and a backyard that leads to a scenic view of the city. This type of property is best suited for those seeking peace and quiet in their daily life.
Pineview tends to have a larger aggregation of modern-designed townhomes, due to the fact that most of the citizens of Fort Saskatchewan live in this area. This can be explained by the fact that the most affordable homes tend to be located in Pineview.
Finally, Sherridon is home to somewell-designed condominiums while offering rental apartments for those looking to save some money on housing costs. This area is best suited for the working professional who wants to have their building close by while enjoying the best that the city has to offer in entertainment and dining.
Average Detached Home Price: $412,211
Home Style
Median Price
Home
$424,900
Apartment
$319,900
The table above is based on data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) National MLS® Report for April 2016 (the latest information available). Median prices are based on data from www.canadianrealestatemagazine.ca.
Education
Fort Saskatchewan does not have any post-secondary educational opportunities available. Therefore, residents will have to commute or move into major cities within the province (or out of the province) if they are interested in further education. At the same time, there are presently 9 elementary schools (K-8) and 3 secondary schools in the city. Some of the top schools include (but are not limited to) Fort Saskatchewan Christian, James Mowat and Win Ferguson. These schools have consistently encouraged athletic and academic aptitude amongst their students over the years, and they continue to attract new pupils.
Entertainment and Tourism
If you like sports, you’re going to be overjoyed when you see the multiple indoor sports arenas that the city has to offer. In particular, the multi-use Dow Centennial Center offers an indoor track and field set-up, an ice rink for hockey, a gymnasium, and much more. There are several smaller arenas in Fort Saskatchewan that are more specialized in the sports that they can host. If you like golf, there are two golf courses within the city that will help you improve your game. As you can probably imagine, a strong love of sports brings the community together and provides endless hours of fun.
For something that’s a little less active, head on over to the Fort Saskatchewan Museum. You will have the privilege of seeing many of the city’s buildings preserved in their original form. Everything from the city’s inception to its standing in the 21st century will be on display for your convenience. There are several small marketplaces that you can head to, but don’t forget to check out Fort Mall, which is home to several mom & pop shops along with some retailers that you have probably seen before.