Town of Olds Shares Results from 2026 Budget Engagement

October 8, 2025, Olds, AB - This summer, over 300 residents provided input through the 2026 Budget Engagement survey, sharing their priorities and perspectives on municipal services, community safety, infrastructure, and recreation facilities.

This annual survey invites residents to help shape the municipal budget by ranking services and highlighting community needs.

“By hearing directly from residents, Council gains a clear understanding of the community’s priorities,” said Sheena Linderman, Director of Corporate Services. “Knowing what matters most to residents of Olds allows council to make more informed decisions.”

Key Highlights from Engagement:

• Top Priorities: Public Works (snow clearing, road maintenance, utilities) and Public Safety emerged as the highest priorities for investment both followed by Recreation, Economic Development, and Parks & Trails.
  
  
• Community Safety: Reducing property crime (80%) and addressing drug-related issues (67%) were identified as the leading RCMP priorities. Residents also asked Municipal Enforcement to focus on traffic safety/speeding (56%) and unsightly properties (47%).
  
  
• Infrastructure Investment: Nearly two-thirds of respondents want the Town to continue advancing infrastructure renewal, even if it delays other projects. Road repairs and resurfacing (76%) and water/sewer upgrades (59%) were noted as the most pressing needs.
  
  
• Sportsplex Planning: Residents were asked whether the Town should maintain the current Sportsplex, expand it, or work toward a new facility. Majority (49%) wanted to maintain the current Sportsplex with 12% wanting to expand the existing Sportsplex and the remaining residents preferred to work towards building a new facility (39%).
  
  
• Centennial Park Future Projects: Residents provided input on potential upgrades, with the following priorities: Upgrade year-round washrooms (47%), Benches/Picnic Tables/Seating (42%), Playground (35%), Outdoor Performance Stage (26%), Shelter/Cookshack (20%), Beach Volleyball (13%), Storage Shed (2%).
  
  
• Staying Connected: Most residents prefer updates via social media (65%) and the Town website (49%) however the biweekly newsletter, The Amplifier, is becoming more popular (34%).  Online public surveys (73%) remain the preferred method for providing input.

Next Steps
Resident feedback will guide Council and Administration as they develop the 2026 municipal budget. A draft version will be brought forward this fall, with final approval anticipated in early December.

For more information or to view the full engagement report, visit https://www.olds.ca/council-administration/plans-and-reports/.

Media Contact:

Sheena Linderman

Director of Corporate Services

Town of Olds

slinderman@olds.ca

Direct: 403-507-4858

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