Milton is Canada's fastest-growing community, but residents say the town is struggling to keep up with staggering growth that shows no sign of slowing.

As Milton's population explodes, residents are complaining of clogged streets and a shortage of community facilities.
(CBC)

The town's population grew from 31,471 people in 2001 to 53,939 in 2006, a 71 per cent increase, according to the latest census data, released Tuesday.

Development is booming, but some residents say the town's infrastructure and community services are lagging behind.

Milton only has one public pool and four ice pads. Residents complain about constant gridlock, crowded schools and not enough recreational facilities.

"Gone are the days when we just say 'We'll meet you there.' Now we're going a little early to make sure we get in," said resident Beth Gorman, adding that gridlock has also made it more difficult to get around town.

Five years ago, the town's expansion ground to a halt because every household was using well water. Milton then began pumping water from Lake Ontario and the town's population began its steady increase.

But Mayor Gordon Krantz said there's more room for growth and estimates the town will see its population rise to 125,000 in the next 20 years.

Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz says the town has the space to grow.
(CBC)

"There's no shortages of places to say put say a fire station, a park, a new arena, any of those facilities, and even the expansion of a hospital is being talked about," Krantz said.

A number of suburban communities around Toronto outpaced the city's population growth of less than one per cent over the past five years, 2006 census data showed.

Communities that experienced double-digit population growth included Brampton, with 33.3 per cent, and Vaughan, with 31.2 per cent.

Barrie, north of Toronto, is the fastest-growing city in the country, the census showed.