mypcmla.ca | Richard Marz

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills is located in south-central Alberta, stretching from the Red Deer River in the east to the area around Cremona and the Water Valley in the west. Major communities include Acme, Olds, Cremona, Didsbury, Carstairs, Torrington, Trochu and Three Hills. Olds College is also located in the riding.

The area was first represented by John A. Simpson (Innisfail) and Cornelius Hibert (Rosebud) in 1905.

Agriculture is the major employer in the riding. Acme is best known as the hub of the hog industry, with Didsbury and Linden being well-known for the high-quality manufacturing of agricultural-related products.  Olds College is known as one of the finest agricultural colleges, with impressive Botanical Gardens.

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills has several Vitarra wheat towers, located in Carstairs and Torchu. An Agricore wheat terminal can also been seen in Three Hills, which is well-known for its annual antique car show.

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills is also a great destination for tourism, from the historic Saint Ann Ranch in Trochu, to the Dollhouse Museum in Torrington and the Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. Particularly of interest is the Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington. The Torrington Gopher Hole Museum features stuffed Richardson's Ground Squirrels ("gophers") posed to resemble the townspeople. Exhibits include gophers dressed as a priest, bank robber, RCMP officer, duck hunter, firefighter, and beautician, among others. Dressed in elaborate costumes and framed by elaborately painted backdrops, the gophers pose in cabinets. In addition, Torrington is home to a large roadside attraction, a 12 foot high gopher, names “Clem T. GoFur”. Pay attention to the fire hydrants in Torrington as well – they are all painted to resemble gophers!

Trochu is home to an arboretum, which is home to over 1000 trees and shrubs of over 100 species, as well as various native and non-native flowering plant species, and showy floral displays.

Notable residents (and former residents) of the riding include:

• Willie DeWitt, 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist;
• Paul Janz, Singer; and
• Erica Durance, Actress (known for her role as Lois Lane on the TV show Smallville).