Is growth good or bad for Okotoks?

It's a common question to hear around town, and the answer changes from person-to-person.

On Monday, the Town released the results of its 2015 municipal census, with the total number of residents in Okotoks as of May 6, 2015 coming in at 28,016.

It's a 2.5 per cent increase in population, up 685 residents from last year.

A breakdown of Okotoks' population as of May 6, 2015. (Provided by the Town of Okotoks)

Perhaps the biggest advocate for the growth of Okotoks is Mayor Bill Robertson who says the census results are nothing but good news.

"It's pretty neat to see that our town is growing," he says. "I expect once we finish our annexation, and we bring down the potable-water pipeline from the City of Calgary, then once again our growth will take off into much higher numbers."

A chart showing the trends in growth for Okotoks over the past five years. (Provided by the Town of Okotoks)

The 2.5 per cent increase is actually the lowest in the past few years, but Robertson says that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"I'm happy with 2.5 per cent growth," he says. "It allows a little time to catch up with some of the infrastructure that we're lagging on, perhaps a bit, because in previous years we've had much higher growth."

While the population of Okotoks was, at one point, capped, residents have varied opinions on the Town's continued growth.

A few residents told us they're happy to see their town grow and prosper.

One resident says "I brought my family, so I'm part of that growth. How could I possibly say no to growth?"

"The population of 28,000 should be good for us, and good for Okotoks," says another Okotokian.

Another resident says the growth of Okotoks means more places to shop and things to do, which means less driving out of town.

"I think that it's great our community is growing. I like that we get new stores, new businesses, new everything. I rarely have to go to Calgary, which I love," she says.

More and more homes are being built in Okotoks, like this one in Cimarron Springs, with mixed feelings from residents.

On the flip side, some residents told us they want Okotoks to keep its small-town charm.

"I've noticed quite a change in the town since I've moved here. I would like it to stay smaller, but I'm happy with it. I wouldn't move out," one resident says.

Another resident says she hopes Okotoks stays just the way it is.

"I like the fact that Okotoks is a smaller town. We have room for growth. Not sure how much based on our water capacity, but we're hoping it stays a small town, at least I do," she says.

While water continues to be the biggest concern as the Town grows, Mayor Robertson says it won't ever be an issue, even before securing the water pipeline.

"In the interim, we're going to be finding other water solutions," he says. "So, I don't expect our growth to be cut off at all. We're going to speak with the provincial government, the new NDP government about sourcing the funding for our necessary pipeline infrastructure."

Mayor Robertson has previously mentioned the Town still has enough water to facilitate another 2,000 residents, which, judging by growth patterns, is at least another two years.