Cold Lake, AB – With COVID-19 restrictions largely lifted, Canada’s new fighter jet selected, and a blustery winter coming to an end, Cold Lake is seeing positive signs of economic activity.

“We are very enthusiastic about what the rest of 2022 has in store for our community,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “We get the sense there is a significant amount of pent up demand being unleashed, and new opportunities emerging on the horizon. From sports teams to community events, through to commercial and residential developments, everyone is seeing more activity.”

Staff have noticed an uptick in registrations for social and recreational opportunities, with demand for many programs outstripping available space. While plans are being made to accommodate as many interested people as possible, it is increasingly difficult to meet the demand. The same trend is noticed in the not-for-profit sector, where tickets for fundraisers and events have reportedly been in very high demand.

“We’re hoping our local hotels are starting to see some relief after a very challenging dry spell for their industry,” Copeland said. “Not only have our staff been working hard to gauge demand and provide opportunities for exercise and recreation, but volunteers and community partners have really stepped up. Of course, 4 Wing has committed to planning the 2022 Cold Lake Air Show, while our staff are working on the Full Throttle Festival to kick everything off.”

Most encouraging has been a dramatic return of youth sports and the demand for ice time, both in the remainder of the regular season and for what will be Cold Lake’s first sheet of summer ice.

“There has been a parade of minor hockey tournaments coming through town, with even more on the way,” Copeland said. “The Cold Lake Aeros will host their entire playoffs and the CAJHL Champion’s Cup finals here, as well as the CAJHL’s Prospect Camp this spring. Lakeland Lacrosse’s efforts to host the provincials in town promises to be a spectacular minor sports event for the summer. The Cold Lake Aeros, Cold Lake Ice, and Cold Lake Minor Hockey are also slated to host several hockey camps this spring and summer. The truth is, I don’t think we’ve ever seen our recreational facilities this busy.”

Cold Lake City Council has committed to hosting the community’s second annual summer fishing derby, which is approaching a sell-out, after Age Friendly Cold Lake hosted a successful ice fishing tournament that sold out in February. City staff are also working on bringing back the Cold Lake City-Wide Sale, which typically hosts over 200 garage sales throughout the community, drawing shoppers from over 300 kilometres away.

The real estate market has seen an uptick, with an increase in prices and a tightening of supply, while builders are driving the beginning of what could become a significant increase in home starts, and developers are making plans to bring more lots online. There is also cautious optimism in the surrounding oil patch, and several new businesses that are planning to open in the coming months.

“While we can’t speak to the details of private business plans, we know that new brands will be opening their doors here soon, and – believe me – there are plenty more that are kicking the tires in Cold Lake,” Copeland said. “Since recent world events have shown the need for a reliable supply of energy, we also hope rational energy policy that supports Canada’s resource producers is on the way sooner rather than later.”

The selection of Canada’s next fighter platform also bodes well for the community, as it allows significant infrastructure upgrades on CFB Cold Lake to proceed, and is ultimately expected to result in an increase in the total number of Canadian Forces personnel stationed at 4 Wing Cold Lake.

“Our strong relationship with 4 Wing cannot be overstated – they are a tremendous community partner and the work that goes on there is a massive benefit, not only to our community, but to Canada as a whole,” Copeland said. “The modernization of Canada’s fleet of fighter aircraft, the infrastructure that will support them, and the air weapons range that will train the men and women who will fly the new plane, will bring great opportunities for everyone involved.”

Festivals are also back on this summer, with the Extreme Mudfest 2022 announcing Cold Lake as its venue, the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Feast on the Beach being planned, the Treaty 6 Contemporary Art Festival, and staff ramping up planning for the 2022 Canada Day and Aqua Days celebrations.

“You can expect several concert announcements coming in the near future, and even more programming on the way for the summer,” Copeland said. “We all followed the pandemic restrictions and looked out for one another, and we are coming back as strong as ever. We are proud of the effort we all went through to follow the provincial and federal restrictions, and we are especially proud to see that our effort and sacrifices have paid off. Of course, challenges remain. Inflation is a concern and the state of the national and global economies is uncertain. But we have a lot of opportunities coming our way and we are ready to make the most of each one.”

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