The Town of Mossbank recently completed work on a new subdivision on Centennial Drive that could add as many as 60 people to the population, a 16- to 17-per-cent increase over the town’s 370 current residents.
“We’ve been talking about it as part of our strategic planning discussions since 2014, said Chris Costley, chief administrative officer for the Town of Mossbank. “This was a project that was contemplated way back in the mid to late ‘70s. Centennial Drive was partially completed, and then the market dried up in the ‘80s.
“This is really finishing a 40-year-old project.”
People have been moving from rural to urban areas steadily for decades now, a trend seen all over the industrialized world. Mossbank, though, grew its population by 10 per cent between the last two censuses. The median age of the town dropped from 51 to 41, something the town’s leadership sees as proof that their growth strategy is working.
When asked how Mossbank has managed to grow despite the odds, Costley said they have excellent water and lots of recreational options. Mossbank's water quality index is 100, and residents get 3,000 gallons a month for $70.
“That’s tough to find nowadays,” he pointed out.
Costley also highlighted the resources that have been put into Mossbank’s recreational venues.
“We have a few things that most people wouldn’t expect. We’ve got a 24-hour, full-service gym. Our ice rink is well maintained, we’ve put a lot of money into it over the last few years — the boards are new, the lights are new, the roof is new. The swimming pool is brand-new as of 2017.”
In 2022, work was completed on paved walking trails that now interconnect every park area in the town. A spray park, new daycare facility, third baseball diamond, proximity to Old Wives Lake Nature Area, and one of the only functional original blacksmith shops in the province are also part of the town’s appeal.
Costley said attracting families is the first priority of Mossbank’s leadership. There are family discounts for the gym, the swimming pool, and everywhere else they’ve been able to put them.
“The demand is there. We did a smaller subdivision in 2017 … we sold (every home), so that proved there’s a demand for housing here. This (Centennial Dr. expansion) is much larger, this one has 23 lots.”
Mossbank has a program whereby homeowners receive a three-year tax break after moving in to a new construction, and Costley expects the new lots will sell quickly.
