Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Elkford is located on Highway 43 in the B.C. Rocky Mountains, 35 km north of Sparwood on Highway 43, and approximately 16 km west of the Alberta/British Columbia border. The community sits at the highest elevation of any community in B.C. (1,300m).

Transportation

Road: Highway 43 (N/S) and Highway 3 (35 km south) (E/W)
Air: Elk Valley Airport, 20 km south
  • 4,000 ft paved runway, small aircraft
  • Cranbrook International Airport (1.5 hours)
  • Calgary International Airport (3.5 hours)
Bus: Greyhound – Sparwood, B.C. (35 km south)
Employment Base: Mining, Government/Public Sector, Tourism
Industrial/Commercial Lands: The District of Elkford
Industrial Park currently has 3 vacant lots for heavy industrial users ($50,000 per acre, fully serviced). Additional commercial lots are available in the Bear Paw Subdivision (approx. $87, 000 per acre).

Utilities

Electricity: BC Hydro: 1.800.224.9376, www.bchydro.com
Natural Gas: Terasen: 1.888.224.2710, www.terasengas.com

Municipal Services

The District of Elkford provides a full range of municipal services including legislative services, fire protection, garbage collection,
cemetery interment, land use planning, economic development, building inspection, transportation services, parks, recreation and  leisure services, and water and sewer services.

Water: The water system is designed for a population of 7,000 residents. Variable line pressure is 45 psi. Connection fees, payable at the time of the Building Permit Application:
  • $180.60 plus 5% GST for each 25 mm (1 inch) residential or commercial connection
  • $144 plus 5% GST for each residential commercial connection larger than 25 mm (1 inch)
Sewer: The sanitary sewer system is designed for a population of 7,000. Sewage treatment is completed with aeration lagoons. Connection fees, payable at the time of the Building Permit Application:
  • $133 for each 100 mm (4 inch) residential or commercial connection
  • $200 for each residential or commercial connection larger than 100 mm (4 inches)
Elkford has underground storm sewers that collect surface runoff from all populated areas in town.

Emergency Services

Elkford is an e-911 community.

Policing: Law enforcement services in Elkford are provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Elkford’s detachment has 3 regular members.

RCMP: 2000 Balmer Drive
Telephone: 24 hour telephone switchboard.
Phone: 250.865.2232 Fax: 250.865.7846

Fire Protection: Elkford has a full time Fire Chief who oversees approximately 30 volunteer fire fighters, one firehall equipped with 3 pumpers, 1 ladder truck, a rescue truck with heavy hydraulic extraction equipment and other specialized rescue equipment and an emergency transport vehicle and bush truck. Elkford is listed by the Fire Underwriters Survey with a Public Fire Protection Classification of 6 and a dwelling protection grade of 3a. An interface fuel modification project has begun to help ensure that Elkford can be protected in the event of wildfire.

Communications

Newspapers:
  • The Free Press - Weekly; Thursday www.thefreepress.ca
  • Kootenay Advertiser - Weekly; Monday, Friday
  • Elkford Focus - Monthly Phone: 250.865.2912
Daily papers from larger centres also available

Radio: CJEV 1340 AM out of Blairmore, AB provides local broadcasts
Telephone: TELUS: 1.888.811.2323 (residential),
1.800.268.6680 (business), or www.telus.com

TV: Shaw: 1.866.356.6666 or www.shaw.ca
Internet: High speed Internet is available through Shaw or TELUS

Note: Shaw and TELUS both offer phone, TV, and Internet services.

Mail: Canada Post is located in the Elkford Square Mall.