Town of Oyen

Javascript is required to view this map.

About

Oyen is located in sunny east central Alberta.  Situated on the corner of Highways 9 and 41, Oyen is in between Calgary and Saskatoon running East and West, and Regina and Edmonton running North and South.  Communities in this part of Alberta are small in size and large in heart.  Rural lifestyle is the foundation of our community – neighbor helping neighbor.  Quiet tree-lined streets provide a picturesque view of small town life surrounded by large expanses of farming and native prairies filled with an abundance of wildlife.  We offer traditional values of friendliness, service and hospitality.  If you’ve ever seen the old television shows from the 1960s such as Any of Mayberry or My Three Sons, then you can picture Oyen.  Kids on their bikes, people standing on the streets visiting, gardens in the back yards – a great place to live and raise a family.

Housing

Although the region’s hot economy continues to remain strong, the housing market offers many attractive options whether you are looking at building a home, buying a home, or checking out rental accommodations.

Housing in the Town of Oyen is primarily single-dwelling homes, condo and apartments are available.  There are lots available to build your dream home.

Oyen has opened a new subdivision in the south end of town close to many of the recreation facilities – the new swimming pool, the golf course and ball diamonds.  These are large (65 by 110 feet) fully serviced lots including curb and gutter (no sidewalks), and are listed at $35,000.  Contact the Town Office at 403-664-3511 for more information.

There are two realtors that serve the Town of Oyen:

There are a few rental properties in town as well and may be listed in the Oyen Echo.

The Town of Oyen currently has two mobile home parks:

  • Southpark Trailer Village
          Paul Lijdsman
          Tel: 403-664-3637  
  • Ball’s Trailer Park
          Helen Ball
          Tel: 403-664-3622
For more information
  • CMHC - A national site that has lots of general information about buying, renting, and renovating homes.  You will also find detailed information and links about housing costs, financial assistance programs, legal information and specialized housing issues. Links to various related Government sites also assist with housing related information.
  • MLS Canada  -  A searchable data base that lists homes for sale.  Property searches by community are available.

Community Services

Palliser region communities have many services available for residents to keep them safe and secure.  A diverse range of recreational facilities and places of worship provide families the opportunity to stay active and maintain spiritual well-being.  All Palliser communities have a library or are part of a library system. 

Emergency Services and Fire Protection

Policing – RCMP Detachment in Oyen
Ambulance, Fire, Rescue - Volunteer Fire Department.  Ambulance through Alberta Health Services.  911 Services
Justice Infrastructure –  Provincial Court of Hanna

Parks and Recreation 
  • A 9-hole golf course  with grass greens and club house
  • Modern hockey arena
  • 6 ball diamonds (one senior baseball diamond, five baseball/slow-pitch diamonds)
  • 2 tennis courts
  • 6 horseshoe pits
  • 3-sheet curling rink
  • Shirley McClellan Aquatic Centre (with laundry & washroom facilities)
  • Gun range
  • Fishing pond
  • Running track
  • Fitness facility
  • A senior citizens recreation center
  • 2 RV camp grounds
  • Parks and playgrounds
  • Multipurpose agriculture building with indoor riding arena
  • Skateboard park
  • BMX bike track
  • Legion Hall
Religious Services
  • Anglican Church - 101 2nd Avenue West; Tel: 403- 664-3912
  • Evangelical Missionary Church - 516 Main Street; Tel: 403- 664-2139
  • St. Peters Lutheran Church - 214 7th Avenue East; Tel: 403- 664-2126
  • Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church - 415 5th Avenue East; Tel: 403- 664-3603
  • United Church - 202 1st Avenue East; Tel: 403-664-3987
Library

Oyen Municipal Library

Climate

Sunshine coupled with warm dry summers means more time to spend outdoors and exploring our region.  The low altitude of the region produces a very warm climate, with particular areas often matching or surpassing the “hot spot” of Canada.  Winters have become very mild over the last few years with average temperatures on the rise.

Oyen’s climate is considered semi arid which means lots of sunshine.  The average temperature during July is 18.4 degrees Celsius and in January is -12.8 degrees Celsius.  The average rainfall for the year is 25.8 cm while the average snowfall for the winter is 69.6 cm.

Taxes

Residential property taxes are definitely a factor to consider when relocating. Although taxes vary depending on the community, Albertans pay low provincial and municipal taxes, overall, in Canada.

The following table outlines the tax mill rate for 2009

Residential/Farmland* 2009 Taxation Year

Municipal

14.020

Provincial School Program

2.570

Acadia Foundation

0.614 

Medical/Dental

0.000

Palliser Regional Municipal Services

0.128

Total

17.332

Commercial/Industrial  

Municipal

14.020 

Provincial School Program

4.950

Medical / Dental

0.000 

Acadia Foundation (Seniors)

 0.614

Palliser Regional Municipal Services

0.128 

Total

19.712

* All tax rates per $1,000 of assessment.

Additional Information

Property tax is either provided as a percentage or as a millage rate.  A mill is one-thousandth of a dollar.  To calculate the property tax, the assessed value of property is multiplied by the mill rate and then divided by 1,000.  For example, property assessed at $100,000 located in a municipality with a mill rate of 20 mills would have a property tax bill of $2,000 per year.

Utilities

Utilities including natural gas, power, and water are necessary expenses to consider for both homeowners and renters. Communities in south east Alberta boast some of the lowest rates in the country.

Electrical Power

ATCO Electric   
113 - 1 Avenue West
Oyen, Alberta   T0J 2J0
Tel: 403-310-4300

Natural Gas

ATCO Gas
113-1st Avenue West
Oyen, Alberta
Tel: 403.664.8105

Telephone

TELUS Ltd.
Tel: 403.310.2255

Internet

NETAGO
105-2nd Avenue W
Hanna, Alberta
Tel: 1-866-346-7822

Water Supply

The source of water is the Henry Kroeger Regional Water Commission. The water originates from the Red Deer River, is treated at the treatment plant at Sheerness, then transported by pipeline to its member communities.

Sewer

The Town sewer is currently serviced by two anaerobic cells, one facultative cell, and one storage cell.

Waste Management

The Town of Oyen is a member of the Big Country Waste Management and has a waste transfer site south of Town.  Garbage pick up is done once a week for residential and three times a week for commercial/industrial properties. 

The recycling drop off site for paper, glass, glossy magazines and tin is behind the Antelope Inn on 1st Avenue East and the drop off site for cardboard is behind the Oyen Echo on 6th Avenue East.  Grass clippings and leaves can be placed in the compost site located by the fishing pond on 4A Avenue West.

For more information

The Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) provides consumers with information about Alberta's restructured electricity and natural gas markets.

Health

Under the Canada Health Act, Alberta has a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and health care services.

All eligible Alberta residents are covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) to access healthcare services.  An eligible resident of Alberta is a person who is:

  • Legally entitled to be or to remain in Canada and makes his/her permanent home in Alberta;
  • Committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in a 12 month period;
  • Not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country;
  • Any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta.

Effective January 1, 2009, Albertans are no longer required to pay AHCIP premiums.

An Alberta Health Care card gives you access to the public health care system including medical checkups and hospital visits. Private clinics exist, but are permitted to perform only elective services not included as part of the primary care available through our health care system.

Alberta Health Services provides a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

The Oyen Big Country Hospital is an acute and continuing care facility. Core programs at Big Country Hospital include acute/sub-acute medicine, emergency stabilization, ambulatory care services, and continuing care.

Oyen Big Country Hospital
312-3rd Street East
Oyen, Alberta   T0L 2J0
Tel: 403-664-4300

Oyen Community Health Services also provides health care for the Town’s residents:

315 3rd Avenue E
Oyen, Alberta   T0J 2J0  
Tel: 403-664-3651

Health professionals within the Town include:Dental office

  • 3 physicians
  • 1 dentist
  • 1 optometrist
  • 1 chiropractor
  • Physiotherapist
  • Early prevention dental services
  • Outpatient/inpatient respiratory services
  • Speech therapist/audiologist
  • Recreation therapist
  • Health inspector
  • Occupational therapy
  • Mental health worker
  • Massage therapist
  • Home Care 

A senior’s lodge is also located in Oyen. The lodge provides individual bedrooms with communal eating and living areas. There are also self-contained units.

Oyen Senior’s Lodgeseniors lodge
310 – 2nd Street West
Oyen Alberta  T0J 2J0
Tel: 403- 664-3661
Tel: 403- 664-2964

For more information
  • Alberta Health Care Insurance - The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and medical services. AHCIP forms, information on premium and drug assistance, answers to common questions and more are available at this site.
  • Alberta Health and Wellness –  Alberta’s Health and Wellness provides information about Alberta’s health care system including the forms needed for registration.
  • Service Alberta – The Health Care Professional section of this Service Alberta site provides information for the wide variety of health professionals in Alberta – doctors, nurses, ambulance operators, and many others who provide services for the maintenance and improvement of health.  Use this page to learn about Alberta Netcare, to look up Health Professionals, to find contact information for nursing homes and hospitals in Alberta, and much, much more.
  • Alberta Health Services  – Alberta Health Services provides a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.  Use this site to access information about specific health care facilities and to get the latest news relating to health care.
  • Health Canada – The Health Canada site focuses on providing immigrants with information about health care coverage. It also contains good links to other helpful information on employment, health promotion, and more.

Education

Providing access to education and training opportunities is essential in creating a well-prepared workforce and strong communities. Southeast Alberta schools, college, other education institutions and have a lot to offer newcomers in lifelong learning.

The Town of Oyen is a centre for education for the area, offering residents both public and separate school options.  

Public Schools

Public schools in Oyen are part of the Prairie Rose School Division #8 Schools include Oyen Public School (Preschool to Grade 9) and Oyen South Central High School (Grades 10 to 12).

Oyen Public SchoolOyen Public School 
107 - 4th Ave E
Box 479
Oyen, Alberta T0J 2J0
Tel: 403-664-3733

South Central High school

South Central High School
105-3rd Ave W
Box 299
Oyen, Alberta T0J 2J0
Tel: 403-664-3644  

 

Separate Schools

Assumption Roman Catholic School is part of Christ Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional School Division #3 and provides education for students from Preschool to Grade 6.


Assumption Catholic SchoolAssumption Roman Catholic School 
415 – 5th Ave
Oyen,  Alberta    T0J 2J0
Tel: 403-664-3643 

Continuing  Education

The Big Country Community Adult Learning Council (BCALC) provides community based adult learning. Located in Oyen, the BCALC provides learning opportunities for the entire region. Learning opportunities range from learning Thai cooking to oil/gas industry requirement training.

Big Country Community Adult Learning Council
Box 667
113 - 2 Avenue W
Oyen, Alberta  T0J 2J0
Tel: 403- 664-2060
Fax: 403- 664-2905
Email: bccalc[at]telusplanet[dot]net 

Post-Secondary Education

Medicine Hat College (MHC) has been serving students in southeastern Alberta and beyond since 1965. Situated in Canada’s sunniest city, MHC’s main campus services almost 3,000 students each year with another 200 attending Brooks Campus, located 100 km west of Medicine Hat. With some of the lowest student-to-instructor ratios in the province, MHC offers a very personal, one-on-one student experience. MHC offers a wide variety of programs to meet the ever-changing needs of students from southeastern Alberta and around the world.

Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University, is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide.

For more information
  • ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service)  – This site provides information on education, training, financial assistance, grants, bursaries, transfers, on-line student services, and more.
  • Alberta Education Curriculum - Excellent information and resources for parents of students is provided on this site; it includes information on school choices, summaries of required curriculum, and “homework” help.
  • Alberta Education - Schools  -  A complete list of schools and school boards is available here.
  • Alberta Children's Services – This site provides information and check-lists to help parents find quality child care; information and links about child care subsidies, adoption, parent support services; and phone numbers for the Kids Help Line, and the Child Care Help Line for Parents.
  • Child Care Subsidy – If you have child care costs for preschool children, you may not be aware that all eligible Albertans may qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program.  Go to this site to get complete information about the Child Care Subsidy or to try the Estimator.
  • Monthly Living Allowance - Information from the Alberta Student Finance Board is available at this site.
  • National Child Benefit (Low Income Families)  - This program provides financial and social support to low-income families.

Community Lifestyle

Community lifestyle is one of the most important factors when considering a move.  Sports, recreation, community involvement, cultural events, hospitality, and safety are just a few of the many reasons why people choose southeast Alberta as an excellent place to live.

Local community and recreation organizations reflect the interests and passion of our communities.  From theatre groups, Ag societies and historical societies to Chamber of Commerce, youth groups and service clubs, our communities deliver great events and services to our community.

For complete listing of Community Organizations please visit the Town website

bullaramaSpecial Annual Events/Attractions
  • Ladies Spring Morning - May
  • 941 Art Show - June
  • Farmer’s Market - June to October
  • Bull-A-Rama - July
  • Youth Heifer Show – July
  • Travelling Art Show – July
  • Lions Show & Shine Antique Car Show - August
  • Ducks Unlimited Banquet - October
  • Christmas Farmers Market – December
  • Night in Bethlehem – December
Recreation Facilities

golf  course photo

  • A 9-hole golf course
  • Modern hockey arena
  • 2 tennis courts
  • 6 horseshoe pits
  • 3-sheet curling rink
  • Gun range
  • Fishing pond
  • Running track
  • 6 ball diamonds (one senior baseball diamond, five baseball/slow-pitch diamonds)
  • Shirley McClellan Aquatic Centre (with laundry & washroom facilities)
  • Fitness facility
  • A senior citizens recreation center
  • 2 RV camp grounds
  • Parks and playgrounds
  • Multipurpose agriculture building with indoor riding arena
  • Skateboard park
  • BMX bike track
  • Legion Hall
For more information
  • Service Alberta helps caregivers by providing information on resources available for persons or organizations that care for individuals who need support due to age, or physical or mental illness or disability.
  • Service Alberta has information for parents on topics such as Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan, Bully Free Alberta, and Passports for Children.  There is even a day care look-up at this site.
  • Rural residents can obtain information specific to their needs through Service Alberta.  Here, rural residents can look for links to information and publications about the Rural Development Initiative, water wells, the weekly Agri-News, hunting licenses and more.
  • Seniors  can find links to the government information and services that apply to seniors, covering topics such as pensions, health care, retirement and more at this site.

Employment

The job market in Southeast Alberta is strong! There are lots of great career opportunities in many different industries from trades to healthcare to manufacturing and many, many more. There is demand for all levels of positions, from entry-level to senior positions.

Check them out at www.findingwork.ca

Community Profile
Employer Profiles
Occupational Profiles

Career and Employment services available free of charge via:

Big Country Community Adult Learning Council
Box 667
113 - 2 Avenue W
Oyen, Alberta   T0J 2J0
Tel: 403- 664-2060
Fax: 403-664-2905
Email: bccalc[at]telusplanet[dot]net

For more information
  • Alberta Government Learning Information Services - Alberta's leading on-line source for career, learning and employment information and services. Here you'll find the resources you need to make the most of your future.
  • Alberta Occupational Profiles - Information about a variety of career occupations, and advice about how to develop careers in Alberta, including information about current job markets is available at this site. There is a searchable database that makes it easy to research career options by interest, professional title, or industry.
  • Alberta Wage & Salary data  - The Alberta Wage and Salary Survey covers over 400 occupations and provides information on wages and salaries for full-time and part-time employees in Alberta by occupation, geographic area, and industry group.
  • Alberta Works - Alberta Works focuses on training people for employment.
  • Service Alberta’s Job Seekers provides information for those looking for employment.  Here, you will find the Alberta Work Search Online, the Federal Job Bank, and even a free e-Résumé Review Service.
  • The Government of Canada has bilingual information about Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Service Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and Foreign Credentials Referral Office.
  • The Government of Alberta provides information on immigration process for Canada and Alberta, as well as about programs and services designed to help immigrants before and after they arrive.
  • Canadian Information Centre for Immigrants - A bilingual site that provides a thorough overview of information about credentials, education, qualification, and employment in Canada. It is well organized and easy to navigate.
  • Job Bank Canada - Job Bank is the largest web-based network of job postings available to Canadians.

Business Directory

Click Here to access the Oyen business directory.

More Info

Website

www.townofoyen.com

Driving Maps
Additional Community Information
Government of Alberta Services
  • Service Alberta provides information on vehicle licensing, employment, property and more.
  • Moving to or Around Alberta includes information on health care services, electrical rates, population, housing support services, immigration and more.
Print Media
  • Oyen Echo
  • Prairie Post
  • East Central Alberta Review
PALLISER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOX 1046, 109 - 346 THIRD ST. SE MEDICINE HAT, AB, CANADA T1A 0G7
TOLL FREE 1-877-226-7552 TEL 403-526-7552 EMAIL