Balzac, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Balzac
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 Balzac
Location in Alberta
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Census division | No. 6 |
| Municipal district | Rocky View County |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated |
| Elevation | 1,080 m (3,540 ft) |
| Population
(2006)
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| • Total | 1 person |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
Balzac is a small community, known as a hamlet, located in Rocky View County in the Canadian province of Alberta. It's part of the larger Calgary Metropolitan Region. You can find Balzac just west of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. It's about 24 km (15 mi) north of downtown Calgary and 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Airdrie.
Balzac is very close to Calgary's northern city limits. It's also right next to the huge CrossIron Mills shopping mall. This makes it a busy spot for businesses and shoppers.
Discovering Balzac's Past
Balzac has an interesting history, especially with the railway.
How Balzac Got Its Name
A Canadian Pacific Railway station started operating in Balzac in 1910. The president of the railway, William Cornelius Van Horne, named it. He chose the name after one of his favorite writers, Honoré de Balzac. Honoré de Balzac was a famous French novelist who lived from 1799 to 1850.
Early Buildings and Services
The first post office in the area opened on April 1, 1912. It was first called "Beddington" but changed to Balzac on July 1, 1925. In 1916, the first warehouse was built. It was mainly used for storing coal.
Famous People from Balzac
Bert Brown, who was a Canadian Senator and worked to make the Senate better, came from Balzac.
Balzac's Population
According to a count done in 2006 by Rocky View County, the population of Balzac was 1 person.
Balzac's Economy and Businesses
Even though Balzac is a small hamlet, the area around it is a hub for many large businesses and activities.
Local Businesses in Balzac
- Balzac General Store Gas Plus: This store has a restaurant and a gas station.
Big Businesses Near Balzac
Many large businesses are located very close to Balzac, often referred to as being "in Balzac" because of their nearness.
CrossIron Mills Shopping Centre
The CrossIron Mills shopping centre is right next to Balzac. It's the biggest single-level mall in Alberta. It opened in 2009.
Business Park Development
The area around the mall has grown into a big business park.
- In 2015, a horse-racing track and casino were added.
- There are plans for an equestrian college campus and other businesses in the future.
Walmart Distribution Centre
In 2009, Walmart announced plans to build a huge distribution center. This center cost CA$115 million (about $104.4 US million). It's about 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m2) in size. It opened in late 2010 and helps distribute fresh food across Western Canada.
Amazon Distribution Centre
In late 2017, Amazon decided to build a large distribution center here. This facility is about 600,000-square-foot (56,000 m2). It is expected to create 750 permanent jobs. Amazon chose this spot because it's close to the Calgary International Airport, which helps with faster shipping.
Enterra's Innovative Facility
The company Enterra has received $30 million to build a special facility. This facility will breed insects like the soldier black fly. These insects will be used as a source of high-protein animal feed. This facility will employ 30 staff and started operating in 2019.
New Horizon Mall
Another large shopping center, New Horizon Mall, is also located nearby.
Westgen Manufacturing Operations
In January 2022, Westgen moved its EPOD manufacturing operations. They moved to a shop in the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park, which is east of Balzac.
Media and Local Traditions
Because Balzac is so close to Calgary and Airdrie, most of its news, TV, and radio come from those bigger cities.
Balzac Billy
Balzac is also home to Balzac Billy. He is a special character who helps predict the weather on Groundhog Day.
Images for kids
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A view of the town of Balzac, Alberta, Canada.
