Governance

Governance within the Town is based on a Council-Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) system. The CAO is responsible to Council for the proper operation of Town affairs. The Government exists to serve the needs and interests of its citizens. The Town consists of seven departments - Recreation, Planning, Public Works, Corporate Services, Economic and Community Development, Police and Security, and Fire Services. Wolfville is served by a 45 member volunteer fire department, RCMP, ambulance services, and Emergency Measures Organization (EMO).

Budget

The annual operating budget for the Town of Wolfville is approximately $6.2 million with a capital budget of $760,000.

Demographics

The 2001 Census report Wolfville's population to be 3658, an increase of 3.7% since 1991. Wolfville's population doubles to over 7000 eight months of the year with the presence of Acadia University's student population.

Wolfville has one of the most educated populations in the province with 43% possessing a university degree (1996 Census). This compares to 15% for the province as a whole.

Click here to view Statistics Canada Census information for the Town of Wolfville.

Educational Facilities

Wolfville is considered the academic centre of the Annapolis Valley. It is home to Acadia University, described by MacLean's Magazine as one of the best liberal arts universities in Canada. Known as a leader in education, Acadia was the first Canadian university to fully integrate the use of laptop computers into its undergraduate programs. It has a student population of close to 4000.

Horton High School serves grade 9-12. Located in Greenwich just outside Wolfville, this state-of-the-art school was constructed in 1998. Wolfville School serves grades primary through nine and has an enrollment of 545 students. Landmark East School is a private international boarding school serving students with learning disabilities. Total enrollment is around 70 with students ranging in age from 10 to 19. Student/teacher ratio is less than 3 to 1. Fairfield School is a democratic free school based on the Sudbury Valley School Model. It accepts students ages 4 to 17. Opened in February 2002, it has an enrollment of approximately 20. Fairweather Montessori School has been operating since 2002 and is currently licensed under the provincial daycare act. It serves children ages three through six years with capacity for ten children.

Places of Worship

Wolfville has four churches serving Anglican, Baptist, United, and Roman Catholic denominations. There is also a Divinity Church located on the Acadia Campus.

Recreation Facilities and Opportunities

There are numerous recreational opportunities within the Town for both youth and adults. Facilities at Acadia University are open to the public and include a swimming pool, an Olympic-sized ice surface, indoor and outdoor tracks, and squash and racquetball courts. Seven public parks provide opportunities for soccer, baseball, skateboarding, swimming, and walking/hiking. The Town also maintains two public playground facilities and a public library.

Golf Courses

The nearest golf course is the Ken-Wo Golf and Country Club located in New Minas, a ten minute drive from Wolfville. Green fees for this 18-hole course are $55.00 (taxes included).

Clubs and Organizations

Wolfville has a wide range of clubs and organizations to meet the needs of its residents. The Wolfville Business Development Corporation represents the interests of the local business community. Service clubs include Rotary, Lions, and the Royal Canadian Legion. In addition, there are several clubs and organizations serving the needs of children and seniors.

Tourism and Culture

Wolfville is a thriving cultural and tourist destination that possess small town charm in a cosmopolitan environment. In 2002, Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine voted it "one of the best towns in which to live in Canada."

Wolfville houses a number of historic country inns and quaint bed and breakfasts, close to twenty eateries, and a variety of specialty shops.

Wolfville is adjacent to the community of Grand Pré, a national historic site documenting the expulsion of the Acadians made famous in Longfellow's poem "Evangeline." Wolfville is also part of the Evangeline Trail, a popular tourism route minutes away from beautiful coastal communities along the Bay of Fundy and Minas Basin.

Wolfville's Visitor Information Centre is open from May to October and is one of the most visited in the province.

Health Care Facilities

Wolfville is served by a variety of doctors, dentists, and other healthcare professionals. Health care services are provided in Town through the Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Centre which serves the entire eastern region of Kings County. As a community-based organization, it provides primary health care services including health promotion, health education and illness prevention, rehabilitation, and diagnostic and treatment services. Specialized services are provided by the Valley Regional Hospital ; a progressive 145 bed regional health centre located in nearby Kentville. It offers a broad range of patient care including maternal and child care, emergency services, intensive care, family and internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, neurology, surgical services, chemotherapy, psychiatry, addiction services, pharmacy services, diabetes education, nutrition counselling, diagnostic imaging, respiratory, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

Taxes, Water and Sewer

Wolfville's property taxes are comparable with other towns of similar size. Residential rates for 2004 were $1.57 per $100 of property assessment; and commercial rates were $3.10 per $100 of commercial assessment.

The Wolfville Water Utility maintains high quality drinking water through an optimal treatment process, regular testing and highly trained staff. Full sewage treatment is provided through areation lagoons.