Town of Perth, ON

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COMMUNITY PROFILE

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Welcome

A warm welcome to Heritage Perth, located on the Tay River in eastern Ontario. We are a small town with a big vision of how life should be. We are proud of our strong community spirit set against a backdrop of beautiful heritage architecture and plenty of open natural spaces.

Come to Perth and experience life at our pace. For almost two hundred years, we have been setting goals and moving ahead at a deliberate pace - just as our town motto, Make Haste Slowly, says. Perth has grown with a strong sense of pride, prosperity and determination. As a community, we continue to foster the high expectations of our ancestors. We hold a high regard for our beautiful brick and limestone buildings.

Location and Geography

Our strategic location has 100 lakes within 50 miles and offers a rich natural playground with breathtaking views for both visitor and resident alike.

Perth is located in the heart of Eastern Ontario's Rideau Lakes district, halfway between Ottawa (the nation's capital) and Kingston.
Perth is located within the heart of Lanark County.
Perth is bounded by Tay Valley Township and the Township of Drummond North Elmsley.
Highway #7 connects Perth to Ottawa 80 km to the northeast.
County Road #43 connects Perth to Smiths Falls 24 km to the east.
Perth has an area of 10.36 sq. km.

History

Perth's history stretches back to the era when Upper and Lower Canada were English colonies. At the end of the War of 1812, Britain offered land along the Tay River to its officers and soldiers, fulfilling the perceived need to establish a strategic defensive outpost. Perth was founded in 1816 as one of three military settlements along the Rideau Corridor.

The Rideau Canal, built between 1826 and 1832 as a safe inland military route from Kingston to Ottawa, and the Tay Canal, an offshoot of the Lower Rideau Lake, were never needed in war. After commercial uses waned, the area became a mecca for recreation.

Scottish Heritage

Perth and the Tay were named after the town and river in Scotland because the landscape reminded the early settlers of their homeland. It became the regional hub for both our Scottish and Irish homesteaders. As the county town, it continues to be the administrative, social and judicial centre of the area.

Inspiring

Perth's history is romantic and, in some cases, exceptional! The nation's oldest town band - the Perth Citizens' Band - still performs today in the beautiful bandstand. Canada's Last Fatal Duel was fought on the banks of the Tay in 1833 - for a lady's honour. The Mammoth Cheese - a 22,000 pound cheddar - was created here for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

Population
We are proud of our people, who possess a fierce sense of spirit, and our music, art and theatre scene that just gets better every year!
Perth's present population is 5,840 (2011)
Avg. persons per household is 2.0 (2006) *2011 data to be released on 19, September, 2012
The population of the Greater Perth Area is approximately 20,000 which includes Perth, Tay Valley Township, and the Township of Drummond North Elmsley.
Growth rates for Perth, Tay Valley, and D/NE over the last 5 years were -1.1%, 5.6% & -1.1% respectively. (2011)

Weather

Perth has four seasons to choose from offering a refreshing change of climate about every three months.

     SPRING is ... maple syrup, kayaking and orchids.
      Average Temp: 18.3C(64.9 F), Precipitation: 22.8 cm (9 in)
      SUMMER is ... swimming, boating, gardening
      Average Temp: 24.1 C (75.4 F), Precipitation: 26.1 cm (10 in)
      AUTUMN is ... Fall colours, apple orchards
      Average Temp: 6.1 C (43 F), Precipitation: 22.1 cm (8.7 in)
     WINTER is ... skiing, skating & snowshoeing.
    Average Temp:   -1.9 C (28.6F) Precipitation: 18.7 cm (7.4 in)

Residential Development

The community of Perth boasts a full range of affordable housing options. Whether it's retirement estates, a riverfront condominium, century-old stone homes, a custom design-built solution at one of many spacious subdivisions or on the lake - the choices are many and the prices are attractive.

2,945 dwelling units in Perth
- Single Detached Dwellings = 1570
- Semi Detached Dwellings (# of units) = 265
- Duplexes = 25
- Townhouses/Rowhouses = 130
- Small Multi-units = 194
- Condominium Apartments = 81
- Apartment Dwellings = 498
- Senior Residency Dwellings = 81
58% dwelling units are owned
42% dwellings are rented
65% housing is low density (singles and semis)
27% medium density (row/townhouses)
8% high density (apartment)
95 social assisted dwelling units are provided for within the community by 3 non-profit housing authorities
Number of housing starts over the last 3 years: 39

Non-Residential Development

Perth is a great place to do business. Lower land costs and taxes, a stable motivated workforce, and close proximity to major markets make Perth a profitable business location. A total of 4,323,536 square feet of non-residential land uses are found within the Town.

Trade Area

Perth has an immediate trade area as well as a secondary trade area which includes rural residents, tourists and cottagers. The secondary trade area extends some 60 km west along Highway #7 to include Arden and 10 km to the east along Highway #43

The Downtown Core

49% of all retail space
1.79 ha (4.42 ac) of vacant land
2.6% retail vacancy rate
43% of all office space with a 0% vacancy rate

The Highway #7 Corridor

18 ha (44.6 ac) of vacant land
36% of all retail space
6.6% retail vacancy rate
10.9% of all office space with a 1.9% vacancy rate

Industrial

Situated on the Trans-Canada Highway, with easy access to major roadways, rail services, nearby domestic and international airports, Perth's location is ideal.

Abundant hydroelectric power
Integrated high-speed telecommunications
Multi-national companies such as 3M Canada, Albany International, Central Wire Industries and Omya International.
Other companies include Perth Soap Inc., Eaton Yale Ltd and Cosma International.There are two key established areas for industrial development in the east and south ends of Town. There are smaller pockets of industrial land available in the west and east ends.
The Town owns approx. 35 acres of industrial land available for industrial development.

Income and Employment

2011 data to be released soon.

Perth employs 2,620 people (2006).
Median annual household income is $55, 581 (2006)
Median annual income (person 15 years or older is $23,787 (2006)
Perth's Unemployment rate is 7.0% (2006)

Education

Education in the Town of Perth offers a wide variety of choices.

Two preschool alternatives
Five elementary schools
Two secondary schools, with both public and separate school selections and French immersion available
Cooperative learning
Perth's Algonquin College has courses in office administration, health care and customized industrial training. Their Heritage Trades program in carpentry, millwork and stone masonry has gained international acclaim.
Distance learning and video conferencing.

Social

Perth is home to 7 Protestant Churches and 1 Roman Catholic Church. Each congregation is very active and has a variety of outreach programs that help to build a strong and healthy spirit within the community. The music programs at many of the churches are very good and often host cross- denominational concerts throughout the year.

Health

Perth is serviced by the modern and fully equipped Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital, which is also supplemented by a full range of medical related clinics and practices found throughout the community. Specialty clinics offer state-of-the-art rehabilitation, physiotherapy and diagnostic services. Twenty-four hour ambulance crews with a heli-pad back up provide quick response in emergencies.

Recreation

Perth is a mecca of activity throughout the year. Sports and recreation enthusiasts and daytrippers enjoy the many lakes and rivers, provincial parks, campgrounds, conservation areas and recreational facilities. Our community boasts several recreation opportunities such as:

Curling club
Community centre
Indoor swimming pool
Lawn bowling greens
Seven golf courses in 35 km
Seven community parks
Athletic clubs/fitness centres
Bowling alley
Conlon farm recreation facility has basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer pitches, tennis courts, skateboarding and roller-blading surfaces, toboganning hills and a children's playground.

Water Supply & Sewage Disposal

Water supply and distribution system has been in operation for over 60 years
Currently operating at 67% capacity and is expected to meet the demands of the Perth Community the next 20 years
Sewage collection and treatment system is anticipated to meet the needs of the community over the next 18 to 19 years

Waste Management

Present reserve 5-6 years in the municipally owned and operated landfill.
A county wide landfill site is expected to provide perth with a 25+ year capacity

Transportation

Major Arterial Roadways linking major urban centres include TransCanada Hwy #7 and #43
Collector roads include #10, #511, #1, #6 which also link the Perth community to other rural and urban centres
St. Lawrence and Hudson Railway Line (CPR) travels through the northeastern portion of Town
The Tay Canal provides tourist boat travel/access from the Rideau Canal at Beveridge Locks into the Downtown Core

Police and Fire

The Town benefits from its own municipal police and fire departments, which are fully complimented with trained staff/volunteers (Police 25, Fire 28) and up-to-date emergency equipment.
Perth has recently developed a state- of-the-art joint fire and police emergency centre strategically located within the community.
Perth now has a state-of-the-art 9-1-1 Call and Dispatch centre in operation at 1881 Rogers Road.
The community also benefits from policing services by the Ontario Provincial Police. (staff 35)
Perth has recently developed a state- of-the-art joint fire and police emergency centre strategically located within the community.

Municipal Structure and Key Contacts

Perth is one of eight member municipalities of the County of Lanark.
Town Council is comprised of seven elected officials, including a mayor, a deputy mayor and five Councillors.
There are a number of subcommittees of Town Council, which include appointed non-elected officials, who are responsible for specific matters and report to Council with recommendations.
Lanark County Council is responsible for setting policy and administering various programs at the regional level, while its member municipalities, like Perth, look after matters of local significance.
Membership on County Council includes representatives from all of its affiliated municipalities.

Municipal Staff and elected officials can be reached during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the following address

Town Hall, 80 Gore Street East
Perth, Ontario K7H 1H9
Telephone: (613) 267-3311
Fax: (613) 267-5635
www.perth.ca

Other Key Contacts

Perth & District Chamber of Commerce
34 Herriott Street,
Perth, Ontario K7H 1T2
Tel: 613-267-3200
Fax: 613-267-6797
Email: welcome@perthchamber.com
www.perthchamber.com

Downtown Heritage Perth BIA
80 Gore St. East.
Perth, Ontario K7H 1H9
Tel: 613-267-3311 ext 2251
Fax:613-267-5635
Email: BIA@perth.ca

Drummond North Elmsley Township
Municipal Office
310 Port Elmsley Road,
R.R.#5 Perth ON K7H 3C7
(613) 267-6500
www.drummondnorthelmsley.com

Tay Valley Township
Municipal Office
217 Harper Rd.
R.R.#4, Perth ON K7H 3C6
(613) 267-5353
www.tayvalleytwp.ca

SPRING is ... maple syrup, kayaking and orchids. Average Temp: 18.3C(64.9 F), Precipitation: 22.8 cm (9 in)
SUMMER is ... swimming, boating, gardening Average Temp: 24.1 C (75.4 F), Precipitation: 26.1 cm (10 in)
AUTUMN is ... Fall colours, apple orchards Average Temp: 6.1 C (43 F), Precipitation: 22.1 cm (8.7 in)
WINTER is ... skiing, skating & snowshoeing. Average Temp: -1.9 C (28.6F) Precipitation: 18.7 cm (7.4 in)