With an eye to the future and potential town growth, the Town of Eckville is actively pursuing lots sales in two distinct areas.
The Town of Eckville experienced a three per cent growth last year, the result of t38 people moving into the area.
Three per cent is a significant number for a community that does not experience yearly growth.
“Three to three and half per cent growth is significant to us as we need growth to keep the tax rate stable,” Jack Ramsden, Eckville’s chief administrative officer said.
“In this day and age if you don’t lose population, you are doing okay,” Jack added.
The Town of Eckville is pursuing lot sales in the highly sought after McDonald Heights area on the west end of town.
While lot prices in this area, currently $65,000, may seem high, they are considered to be good size lots; the average lot size is 60 feet by 120 feet, with a number of lots larger also available.
Though two lots sold last year, approximately half the lots are still available.
The Town is currently working with a builder in the area to share in partial development of some lots to attract potential buyers.
In order to appeal to a variety of potential home purchasers, the Town also developed an area for modular homes in the Westview Subdivision.
Currently, Eckville is in discussions with a Red Deer modular home company to create a “turn-key” set-up that would include a serviced lot with a modular home in place ready for occupation.
The Town has also implemented a program to encourage older mobile home owners to upgrade to new homes, particularly in the Eckville Estates subdivision, a privately owned mobile home park.
The town will pay up to $5,000 for the removal and disposal of an older home. This program is to encourage older home owners to upgrade to newer mobile homes as older homes do not generate significant taxes.
For information regarding lot purchases please contact Ramsden at the Town Office 403- 746-2171 or by email jackramsden@eckville.com