The Alberta towns of Turner Valley and Black Diamond will amalgamate to become the Town of Diamond Valley on January 1, 2023. (Photo: C.Gibson, March 2022)

By Sarah Jones

New Beginnings

Diamond Valley to be Alberta’s newest town in 2023

Dec 16, 2022 | 2:18 PM

In the new year, two Southern Alberta towns will merge to become one.

Starting January 1, 2023, Turner Valley and Black Diamond will officially amalgamate to become the new Town of Diamond Valley.

The prospect to join both towns has been in discussion since 1988, but a letter of intent wasn’t sent to Alberta Municipal Affairs until September 2020 to formally notify that the two existing municipalities would be commencing negotiations to merge.

After thorough public engagement, both councils re-confirmed support of the proposed amalgamation and will move forward to become a single entity in 2023.

As a result, the up-and-coming town held its first election in November 2022 to elect a new mayor and six councillors to be sworn in on January 9, 2023.

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Moving forward, citizens in both communities will have to obtain new animal licenses for pets, update addresses on drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations, passports, and firearms possession and acquisition licenses.

The Government of Alberta will automatically update land titles and documents after January 1, 2023.

In 2021, Turner Valley had a population of 2,797 and Black Diamond had a population of 2,804.

Over 200 suggestions were made by both communities to name the new town, with runners-up being the Town of Sheep River and the Town of Black Valley.

To celebrate the creation of the Town of Diamond Valley and to ring in the new year, the town will host a free community event on December 31, 2022, that will feature hayrides, ice skating, live entertainment, snacks, and fireworks.

See all amalgamation updates on the Town of Diamond Valley website.