Economic Development

Considered one of Canada's Top Ten Resort Hot Spots, the town of Sylvan Lake is a thriving community that has seen significant growth over the last 10 years. No longer considered a seasonal community, 86 per cent of dwellings are permanent household, according to the 2006 federal census.

Sylvan Lake has been rated as the fastest growing rural community in the nation by Statistics Canada, as well as one of Canada's youngest communities. Over the last five years the municipality has seen annual growth rates of up to 20 per cent. At present 70 per cent of the town's population is made up of people between the ages of 1 – 44 years.

In keeping with the growth pattern, the community has developed a solid infrastructure of services and amenities, with more development underway.

Community Economic Development Strategy

The Community Economic Development Strategy provides a blueprint for achieving community objectives by translating a broader vision into economic initiatives. The Town is committed to enhancing the economic well-being of the community and making economic development a strategic focus for Sylvan Lake.

View the Community Economic Development Strategy

Town of Sylvan Lake Building Permits Information

Workforce

Sylvan Lake’s workforce is rapidly growing along with its population, and 62 per cent of residents reported holding full-time employment. Combine that with the fact that 40 per cent of working residents in Sylvan Lake are earning between $75,000 and $100,000+* and you can see that it truly is a great place to work.

Market Area & Location

Located midway between Calgary and Edmonton directly on the province’s major north-south route, the Red Deer Region Trade Area consists of 229,000 people with an additional 2.4 million within a two-hour drive north or south. This places Sylvan Lake at the centre of one of the world’s wealthiest economic regions. Its location allows Sylvan Lake to take advantage of main highways, the Canadian National Railway and two international airports (Calgary and Edmonton) as well as Red Deer’s regional airport.

Sylvan Lake is also a member of the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP). CAEP is a regional economic development alliance consisting of 42 members and 14 associate members. CAEP serves as a model for collaborative community economic development, and is recognized as both an innovative way to facilitate rural economic development and as a vital partner in the continued diversification of Central Alberta's economy.

Cost

The combination of having no business tax in Sylvan Lake and no provincial sales tax in Alberta makes this region one of the lowest cost locations for conducting business in Canada. Alberta also has the lowest personal income taxes in Canada.

*Statistics reported according to the latest federal census information available at the time of publication.

Major Employers	Product/Service
Nabors Production Services	Oil and gas servicing
Wal-Mart Supercenter	Retail general merchandise
Sobeys Inc.	Retail food
No-Frills	Retail food
Chinook’s Edge School Division	Education, local administration
Town of Sylvan Lake	Municipal government

2008 Employment – Sylvan Lake

5,899 full time, part-time and seasonal jobs including:

- 1,415 employed in sales and service operations

- 1,178 employed in resource-based industries

Building Permits
Total Building Permit Values	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Commercial	2,548,530	11,860,975	1,963,040	15,926,205	5,771,675
Institutional	330,000	--	11,389,421	--	432,809
Industrial	7,054,000	3,102,450	6,000	8,001,180	245,387
Residential	90,908,615	44,884,339	20,852,590	22,431,396	31,204,147
Total Permits	359	311	227	272	298

Sylvan Lake provides a wide range of choices in education including public, private, Catholic and Christian schools at the elementary and secondary levels. Post-secondary education is only 15 minutes away in Red Deer. Red Deer College offers over 75 programs, including degree completion, university transfer, applied degrees, certificates and diplomas, academic upgrading, trades and industrial training/apprenticeships, distance learning and international education opportunities.

There are 13 physicians in Sylvan Lake and the Sylvan Family Health Centre, Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre, and Sylvan Lake Medical Clinic provide a full range of health care services for the community. The Bethany Care Centre also offers 62 rooms to provide continuing and supportive care for senior citizens.

"Sylvan Lake continues to see substantial growth, not only in the residential sector but also institutionally. In 2009 we will break ground on a new RCMP facility, see a sizable reconstruction to one of our elementary schools, renovations to our community centre, and eventually a new administration building. These additions, paired with the continued growth of diverse housing types, prove that Sylvan Lake is still considered a desirable location to live, work and play,"

- Mayor Susan Samson

In addition to the opportunities present within the local area, Sylvan Lake is fortunate to be located at the centre of one of the most prosperous economic regions globally--the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor.

Edmonton, 95 minutes to the north, and Calgary, the same distance to the south, are major economic centres with a population of approximately 1,000,000 people each.

The city of Red Deer, with a population of more than 85,000, is only 15 minutes away and offers numerous business and employment opportunities.

Contact Information: Tim Schmidt, Director of Planning and Development. Phone: 403.887.2141 Email: tschmidt@sylvanlake.ca

Waterfront Redevelopment

The Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan promises to help create an animated waterfront area that will:
• ensure development meets the needs of the community and makes the best use of a limited land base;
• attract new investment and employment opportunities;
• ensure that access to the lake is maintained and enhanced;
• accommodate a wide range of compatible land uses to support vibrant economic development where people can live, work, shop, and play; and
• provide a clear architectural vision for the area, through the use of the Pattern Book, which will ensure the Waterfront builds out in a cohesive manner reflective of the values and vision of the town.

The redevelopment of the Waterfront Area will increase the overall economic prosperity, social vitality, and environmental sustainability of Sylvan Lake by creating a vibrant, pedestrian -friendly mixed-use downtown area.

The Town has a growth strategy, which establishes a high level general policy to guide direction and form growth over a long period of time. It considers what elements are needed to create a complete community that accommodates a population's diverse needs and aspirations, and outlines what Sylvan Lake will generally look like over the next 30 plus years.

The Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) was established in 2006 to guide growth and development within the downtown and waterfront areas. It provides direction and identifies opportunity for commercial and mixed-use growth, intensification and efficient use of land and improved access to the lake. Implementation of the plan has resulted in amendments to regulations to provide flexible zoning to achieve the desired vision.

The Pattern Book, established in 2007, is a document that provides developers and designers with a practical guide for architectural authenticity within the Waterfront ARP. This will ensure the long-term Cape Cod vision of the area is achieved. It establishes guidelines so that land is used efficiently, producing a better outcome for the design of buildings and ultimately the community.

"Sylvan Lake has chosen to create a vibrant, pedestrian friendly downtown waterfront area which will positively contribute to the community's economic sustainability"
- Tim Schmidt, Director of Planning & Development

Click Here To Access the Pattern Book, Design Guidelines, Lakeshore Development Brief's and more
Strategies and Reports

Workforce
With 70 per cent of Sylvan Lake’s population being less than 44 years of age, there is a young, energetic, and productive workforce that is rapidly growing. Sixty-two per cent (2006) of the total population that is employed and over 15 holds a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree. Forty per cent of working residents make between $75,000 and $100,000+.

Market area
Red Deer Region’s Trade Area consists of 229,000 people and 2.4 million people within a two-hour drive.

Sylvan Lake is one of the 39 members of the Central Alberta Economic Partnership. CAEP is a partnership designed to collaborate on economic development issues to secure success for the region in a global marketplace.

Location
Located midway between Calgary and Edmonton on the province's major north-south route, Sylvan Lake is at the centre of one of the world’s wealthiest economic regions.

Its location allows Sylvan Lake to take advantage of major highways, two international airports (Calgary and Edmonton) as well as Red Deer’s regional airport, and the Canadian National Railway. Transportation of goods and people is easily accomplished.

Cost
The combination of having no business tax in Sylvan Lake and no provincial sales tax in Alberta make this region one of the lowest cost locations for conducting business. Alberta also has the lowest personal income taxes in Canada.

The natural attractions, vibrant community, and family friendly environment make Sylvan Lake an ideal town to live in, with the business opportunities of a city.

Sylvan Lake has unsurpassed recreational opportunities suitable for all ages. The community boasts
• an award winning Aquatic Centre with a 25-metre main pool, tot pool, hot tub, and climbing wall;
• the Medican MultiPlex which houses an NHL-sized ice surface;
• a community centre offering children’s programming, rental space, youth and volunteer services;
• two large fitness centres;
• a public library;
• and a three-screen cinema.

Sylvan Lake is continually developing and enhancing its extensive trail system that allows people to walk or bike while they enjoy the community's parks and green spaces.

"Sylvan Lake has a rich musical history, much greater in scope than its relatively small population would seem to warrant. The legendary days of the Varsity Hall with its travelling bands are warmly remembered by many in the community. At one time there were three dance halls in Sylvan Lake! Jazz At The Lake is a grass-roots festival and family friendly, positively affecting Sylvan Lake's residents and visitors by continuing the tradition of live music, family fun and cultural awareness. In addition, the hundreds of people that attend the four-day festival contribute to the town's economy, with many visitors now planning their holidays around jazz festival weekend."
- Eric Allison, Jazz at the Lake

Festivals and Attractions:
Winterfest – February long weekend
Sylvan Lake Pond Hockey Tournament – March
International Speed Skating Marathon – February
½ Iron Man Triathlon --
Beach volleyball tournaments – July/August
Jazz at the Lake Festival – August
Shake the Lake – August
Gear Motorized Ice Races

Beautiful stretches of sandy beach, a fantastic array of outdoor sports and activities, nationally renowned events and festivals, unique shops and world class golf courses are just some of the reasons why Sylvan Lake is one of Alberta’s top hot spots.

The Town of Sylvan Lake hosts approximately 906,744 visitors annually.
• Visitor spending creates an economic impact of $48.4 million each year.
• Food, beverage, accommodations, and recreational spending account for over 80 per cent of all visitor spending.
• The lake supports year-round recreation suitable for all visitors. The summer months promote swimming, sailing, boating, and fishing, while the winter months offer hockey, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Boasting a beautiful natural ice surface, the town is able to host activities such as the Sylvan Lake Pond Hockey Tournament and outdoor speed skating competitions.