Coalhurst growth spurt has its perks and its challenges

By Lethbridge Herald on June 17, 2025.

Sam Leishman
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

According to the municipality’s website, Coalhurst was first incorporated as a village way back in 1913 before dissolving that designation 23 years later in 1936. It became a village once again in 1979, then a town on June 1, 1995.

As of 2024, Coalhurst is home to more than 3,200 residents. That’s about a 110 per cent increase from 1,500 residents in 2001, according to the available population data from the Government of Alberta.

Following some stagnation in the early 2000s, data shows that the population began to pick up speed in 2006, jumping from 1,600 up to 1,700 by 2007. It breached 2,000 residents by 2011 and 3,000 by 2022.

Current Mayor Lyndsay Montina and Director of Operations Kevin Lewis, who has been employed by the town since 1989, agree that the addition of the Imperial Meadows and Sundance subdivisions may have kicked off this modern boom.

“They’re quite large subdivisions, and they filled quite quickly. Faster than usual,” Lewis told the Herald.

Those between 30 and 34 years old and children from newborn to four years old make up the largest section of the current population. Montina says there’s a plethora of reasons that young families might prefer living in Coalhurst.

“We’re minutes from [Lethbridge], but it feels like we’re miles away… It’s a safer, smaller community where you generally know what’s happening and where your kids are. I think that a lot of people really gravitate towards that, and we have two really excellent schools out here.”

Along with a strong sense of community, Montina and Lewis point out that housing affordability and a rich variety of public amenities, including a spray park that opened just a few years ago, a community garden and ample green spaces, continue to attract more residents.

That said, there are some challenges that come along with a growing town.

Addressing the lack of seniors housing is a big priority for Montina and town council. She says parts of the elderly population are choosing to leave Coalhurst due to a lack of options. Her goal is to find solutions to ensure that people can grow old in the community they love.

For Lewis, it can be a struggle at times to maintain town operations.

“It’s keeping infrastructure, equipment and staffing levels up to the growth. The growth happens and we have to catch up all the time.”

Both Montina and Lewis are proud of the town that Coalhurst has become, and they’re optimistic that it has a bright future ahead, as well.

They note in particular that an area structure plan has been approved for a large section of land on the town’s southwest corner where developers can get construction underway any time now. That land will eventually boast a commercial development and homes for another 2,200 residents.