Innisfail: Pride in our Past; Faith in our Future

Just a 30-minute drive south of Red Deer lies Innisfail, a small town with plenty of big-city amenities and things to do and see. Almost 8,000 citizens are wild about Innisfail, and it’s easy to see why. Read on to find out why you might like to call Innisfail home too.

With the majestic Rocky Mountains visible to the west, and the busy QE II Highway right along its east perimeter, Innisfail is a hidden gem in central Alberta. The name ‘Innisfail’ goes back to celtic origin. It means “Isle of Destiny”. It was actually the Canadian Pacific Railway that gave Innisfail its name. Before that, wagon and cart drivers called the area ‘Poplar Grove’.

Recreation

Golf lovers will find a world-class golf course with a view when they come to Innisfail. This 27-hole course – called one of the finest in Alberta – will pose just the right level of challenge to avid golfers because of its natural hills and selection of hazards. The scenic surroundings of the golf course also extends to Innisfail’s other recreation spaces, including Dodds Lake, hiking trails, a ski hill, an outdoor water park, and a BMX course. Innisfail residents can also stay active indoors, with an indoor pool, arena, bowling alley, and curling rink.

Tourist Attractions

Innisfail may be home to almost 8,000 people – but it has a few wilder residents too. Exotic animals from all over the world can be found at Discovery Wildlife Park, located just outside of Innisfail. And in June, the Daines Rodeo comes to town. For those looking for less of a wild time, a number of museums – including the Dickson Dam Interpretive Centre, the Danish Canadian National Museum, the Innisfail Historical Village, and the Historic Markerville Creamery – can be found in Innisfail and its surrounding communities.

Discovery Wildlife Park is a 90 acre zoo located in Innisfail, Alberta

Shopping

As a growing community, Innisfail offers its residents an array of stores and restaurants right in town. And because of Innisfail’s prime location just south of Red Deer, local shoppers also have easy access to Red Deer’s south-side big box stores and to the expansive new CrossIron Mills outlet mall, just an hour away from Innisfail in Balzac.

Schools

Students of all ages will find many learning opportunities in Innisfail. The public school system offers schooling from kindergarten up to grade 12, including year-round schooling at John Wilson elementary school. The Catholic school system also serves Innisfail, from kindergarten to grade 9. For adult learners, both Red Deer College and Olds College are each only around a 30-minute drive away, giving college students living in Innisfail many different post-secondary program options.

Work

As with many other communities in Central Alberta, Innisfail is a hub for the agriculture industry because of its surrounding cropland. But because of its convenient location just off a major connector highway halfway between Edmonton and Calgary, Innisfail also attracts employers in the oilfield, manufacturing, and livestock industries, including the Nestle Purina Petcare plant and Shell Canada. Innisfail is also a short commute to Red Deer or even Airdrie, making Innisfail a great home-base for those willing to do a bit of driving for the right job.

Worship

Though only a short drive from Red Deer’s variety of religious facilities, Innisfail itself is home to a range of places of worship. Whether you’re looking for a Catholic church, a Baptist church, or a Lutheran church, you’ll find that – and more – right in Innisfail.