Residents
Our CommunityLocationWolfville is situated in the North Western portion of Nova
Scotia, along the shores of the Minas Basin which is part of the The Town is accessed by land via Highway 1 which is connected to Highway 101 at two interchanges approximately 4 kilometres east or west of Town limits. The Town has a geographic area of 7.31 square kilometres and is approximately an hour's drive from Halifax, Atlantic Canada's largest city. It is also two and a half hour's drive from Yarmouth, the gateway to the United States. HistoryIncorporated as a Town in 1893, Wolfville was originally settled by the Acadians who were expelled by British forces in 1755. The area was resettled by New England planters who arrived in 1760. Wolfville was originally named Mud Creek after the muddy harbour located in the downtown. In 1830 the name was changed when two granddaughters of Judge Elisha DeWolfe convinced their postmaster uncle, Elisha Junior, that a more suitable name was needed. With about half of the homeowners on the main road being DeWolfe's or DeWolfe by family connection, the name Wolfville was chosen. GovernanceGovernance 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). The role of Town staff is to deliver proactive, effective, and responsive services; promote citizen-based involvement and problem solving; foster an atmosphere of quality service to citizens with an open and responsive manner; promote learning, co-operation, and shared knowledge and resources; encourage alternative, creative, and effective methods of service delivery; and support Council decision making. The Town's civic vision is a community based on respect for all people, property, and the environment; a community in which there is adequate housing, appropriate employment, personal security, and cultural enjoyment. BudgetThe 2008-09 annual operating budget for the Town of Wolfville is approximately $7 million with a capital budget of $2,318,881. Demographic ProfileThe 2006 Census report Wolfville's population to be 3772, an increase of 3.1% since 2001. 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 41% possessing a university degree. This compares to 16% for the province as a whole. Wolfville also has Nova Scotia's most diverse population, with more than 12% of the Town's residents born outside of Canada. This compares to about 5% for the province as a whole. View Statistics Canada Census information for the Town of Wolfville. Educational FacilitiesWolfville 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. Fairweather Montessori 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 WorshipWolfville 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 OpportunitiesThere 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 running tracks, an artifical turf field and squash and racquetball courts: Acadia Arena. The Town of Wolfville operates 13 public parks and recreation facilities that provide opportunities for residents to enjoy community events and participate in activities including soccer, tennis, skateboarding, swimming, and walking. The Town also operates a Recreation Centre at 7 Victoria Avenue which is home to year-round recreation programs for residents of all ages (contact the Recreation Centre at 542-3019 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Through an ongoing partnership the Town of Wolfville has access to Wolfville School for recreation programs including basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. Finally, the Town operates two public playgrounds and a public library which is located in our historic train station. . Wolfville has a variety of sport and recreation clubs including soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, minor hockey, tennis, badminton, handball, cycling, curling, lawn bowling, elite and entry level swimming, chess, and cycling (link to community groups contact information) Golf CoursesThe 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 OrganizationsWolfville 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 CultureWolfville 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 is parlocated along the Fundy Shore travelway which is composed of the many beautiful coastal communities that surround the Bay of Fundy. For more information on the Bay of Fundy and it's many cultural and natural attractions please visit the official site of the Bay of Fundy. Wolfville houses a number of historic country inns and quaint bed and breakfasts, close to twenty eateries, and a variety of specialty shops. To see a full list of Wolfville's shops and businesses visit www.downtownwolfville.com. 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." Also in close proximity to Wolfville
are the many wineries that contribute to the growing reputation of the
Annapolis Valley as one of Canada's premier wine industry destinations.
Each winter Wolfville is home to the Wolfville's Visitor Information Centre is open from April to December (summer hours are 9am - 8pm, Spring and Fall hours are 10am - 6pm) and is one of the most visited in the province. Health Care FacilitiesWolfville is served by a variety of doctors, dentists, and other health care 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 SewerWolfville's property taxes are comparable with other towns of similar size. Residential rates for 2008-09 are $1.44 per $100 of property assessment; and commercial rates are $3.41 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. Real EstateSome Valley Real Estate agents are MacKay Real Estate, Homelife Valley Realty , Re/Max Banner, Contact InformationFor further information on living, working or visiting the Town of Wolfville, please contact us by: Phone: (902) 542-5767 |