Calmar mayor responds to concerns re: municipal growth

CALMAR -- Calmar Mayor Krista Gardner is responding to residents' concerns about the future growth of the township.

This comes in light of the recently announced Calmar Crossing development, which is set to become the largest commercial build in the town's history as an incorporated municipality. This development, along with other notable projects being planned across Calmar, has prompted concerns from some residents who feel that this kind of growth could diminish the small-town feel of the municipality.

In conversation with 93.1 The One, Mayor Gardner talked about why she feels that driving economic activity through responsible growth is the best way for the township to continue to deliver the programs and services that residents rely on.

"I think the reality of the world we live in is that if you're not growing, you're dying," said Mayor Gardner. "As Council, and as leaders here in the community, we want to make sure that we're sustainable and viable into the future, to make sure that we have the infrastructure that everyone needs in order to provide that quality of life and small-town life that we enjoy here." 

Construction is now underway for new commercial developments in the downtown area and along the west side of Highway 39. In addition to these new builds, ground was also broken in 2025 on the first apartment building in Calmar in more than fifty years. The total population of the Town of Calmar last year was 2,345 according to the Alberta Regional Dashboard municipal data estimate, a number that had been mostly unchanged prior to the last couple of years.

"As mayor, I believe that responsible, planned, and well-managed growth helps ensure Calmar stays financially sustainable for the long term," said Mayor Gardner. "Growth to me isn't dreaming about becoming a city or approving new developments willy-nilly. It's about thoughtfully welcoming new families and supporting existing businesses while encouraging new investment."

Gardner also notes that part of the goal of growing the municipality comes in response to previous feedback from local residents about the need for the township to keep property taxes low. She adds that sustainable economic development is one of the ways that they are working to achieve that goal. 

"Every new home and business contributes to our assessment base," said Gardner. "As Calmar's assessment base grows, the cost of municipal programs and services is shared among more properties, which helps lower the tax burden on individual households. Businesses are more likely to invest where they see opportunity, creating jobs and expanding services to give everyone more reasons to shop local."

The Town of Calmar will be completing the draft of its new strategic plan this coming fall, which will be presented for public feedback prior to being tabled for approval. The details of this document will set out a guiding framework for how the town proceeds in the coming years.