In the heart of southeastern Alberta’s grasslands lies Special Areas 2, 3, and 4. Special Areas is made up of the communities of Consort, Empress, Hanna, Oyen, Veteran, and Youngstown, and many farmers and ranchers who live in the surrounding Special Areas. Just a couple of hours away from major urban centres, Special Areas offers all the amenities of big-city life without the inconveniences of traffic and crowds.
The Special Areas Board was set up under the Special Areas Act in response to the extreme hardship of the depression in the 1930s. This region was first populated by settlers who braved the weather and harsh living conditions to carve out lives for themselves.
Since then, the Special Areas Board has been providing rural municipal government services and public land management to residents and businesses. The Board looks after roads and parks, provides water and emergency services, manages public land and community pastures, and develops economic and conservation strategies.
Living in the Special Areas is a unique experience. With ample land and accessible real estate prices, there are endless opportunities to make your dreams a reality, while still leaving plenty of time to relax on the front porch or explore the great outdoors. Get to know our region and discover why it’s a great place to start a business, raise a family, visit, or retire.
Effective Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. a road ban will be placed on all municipal oiled, base coursed and paved roads in Special Areas 2, 3 and 4 restricting bus, truck and trailer traffic to seventy-five percent (...
Did you know that each subdivision in the Special Areas has its own road committee? In total, 13 road committees help guide and support road-related decisions across the region. What Road Committees Do Road committees play a ...
Get Ready for the 2026 Camping Season! It may look wintery now, but we’re already preparing for camping season in the Special Areas! Reservation Opening Date Reservations for Prairie Oasis Park open: Monday, March 2 at 9:00AM...
