Mayor of Brooks concerned with small population growth

Feb 14, 2022 | 5:39 PM

BROOKS, AB — The mayor of Brooks says he’s concerned with lack of growth in his community, as well as in surrounding rural areas, like the RM of Newell.

John Petrie says he’s worried that while the population of Brooks has slowed, there’s growth in and around Calgary.

The latest census shows Brooks grew by 473 people, or 3.3 per cent.

He says centres like his are continuously working on strategies to attract new residents, and there needs to be a focus on the various amenities that Brooks has to offer, especially to younger people.

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“You can sell your place in Vancouver or Calgary, come to Brooks or even Medicine Hat and buy sort of an economical house. You can have a good living. You don’t have to fight traffic and things like that. That’s one thing that we’re working on,” Petrie said.

Meanwhile, Petrie says there is good news from the latest census, in that Brooks remains below the 15,000 mark population-wise at 14,924.

Once the city crests that mark, the taxpayer would foot the bill for 90 per cent of its RCMP services, up from 70 per cent.

by Darren Rathwell

Mayor of Brooks concerned with small population growth

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