Grimshaw, Alberta

For other uses, see Grimshaw (disambiguation).

Grimshaw
—  Town  —
Town of Grimshaw
Seal
Grimshaw Location of Grimshaw in Alberta
Coordinates: 56°11′27″N 117°36′42″W
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Northern Alberta
Census division	19
Municipal District	Peace
Founded	1921
Incorporated	1930(Village)
	1953(Town)
Government
• Mayor	Brian Allen
• Governing body	Grimshaw Town Council
• MLA
Area (2011)
• Total	7.21 km2 (2.78 sq mi)
Elevation	615 m (2,018 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	2,515
• Density	349.0/km2 (904/sq mi)
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
Postal code span
Highways	Highway 2 Highway 35
Waterway	Lac Cardinal
Website	Town of Grimshaw

Grimshaw is a town in northern Alberta located west of the Town of Peace River at the junction of Highway 35, Highway 2, and bypass Highway 2A, and the Mackenzie Northern Railway. By virtue of being the original starting point of Highway 35, which leads to the Northwest Territories, Grimshaw is referred to as Mile Zero on the Mackenzie Highway.

Having developed first as a community centre for a rich mixed farming district, Grimshaw's economy has transformed to become a distribution centre for northern Alberta.

History

The name of the town, Grimshaw was derived from Dr. M.E. Grimshaw, a pioneer doctor in the then village of Peace River Crossing in 1914 originally from Kingston, Ontario. He practiced in the area for many years and also served at different capacities in the municipal governments until 1922.

Timeline

• 1917: Grimshaw's location was chosen by the Central Canada Railway.
• 1921: Originally surveyed by Alfred Driscoll.
• 1930: The hamlet was incorporated as the "Village of Grimshaw".
• 1953: Grimshaw was incorporated as a town.

Demographics

In the 2011 Census, the Town of Grimshaw had a population of 2,515 living in 984 of its 1,093 total dwellings, a -0.9% change from its 2006 population of 2,537. With a land area of 7.21 km² (2.78 sq mi), it had a population density of 348.82/km² (903.4/sq mi) in 2011.

According to the 2006 census:

• population of 2,537 living in 1,047 dwellings, a 4.2% increase from 2001.
• land area of 7.21 km² (2.78 sq mi)
• a population density of 352.1 /km² (912 /sq mi).

Education

Public schools in Grimshaw include Kennedy Elementary School [K-6] and Grimshaw Junior/Senior High School [Grades 7-12]. Separate schools include Holy Family Elementary School (Grades K to 9) with senior high school students being bussed to Glenmary School [Grades 7-12] in Peace River.

Post-secondary education is available at Northern Lakes College in the Peace River Campus.

Health care

The Grimshaw Berwyn & District Community Health Centre provides the health needs of residents for Grimshaw, Berwyn and nearby communities. Other hospitals in the area include the Peace River Community Health Centre in Peace River, and the Manning Community Health Centre in Manning.

The medical clinic is located in the Town's downtown core. Dental services are also available in Grimshaw.

Amenities and parks

The Town of Grimshaw has numerous indoor and outdoor recreational facilities within its borders including an outdoor swimming pool, an arena, a curling rink, a family fitness centre, 6 Ball Diamonds, SK8 "N" Bike Park, an R.V. Park and a Seniors Drop In Centre.

The Historic Mile 0 Mackenzie Park and the Tom Baldwin Memorial Arboretum located at the corner of Highway 2 and Highway 2A are fully landscaped passive recreational interpretive park reflecting local and regional history. The history of the communities along the Mackenzie Highway is reflected by interpretive signs situated along the walking path. The Tom Baldwin Memorial Arboretum provides an educational component to visitors and the local schools to learn about the different species of trees in the area forests. Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park and Lac Cardinal Recreation Area on the shores of Lac Cardinal are less than 10 kilometres to the northwest of Grimshaw. Wilderness Park is less than 5 kilometres to the northeast of Grimshaw.

Museums

• Lac Cardinal Pioneer Village Museum, which features buildings from a pioneer town site is located within Lac Cardinal Recreation Area, a few minutes from town.
• Mile 0 Antique Truck Museum displays trucks used in northern cartage in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The museum specializes in International Trucks, and has many that are fully restored to show room condition. The museum has been nominated for numerous awards.

Events

Some annual festivals and events in the Grimshaw area include the following:

• Family Day Celebration in February at Lac Cardinal
• Alberta Pond Hockey tournament in February at Lac Cardinal
• Senior Citizens Week Celebration in June
• Annual Country Fair in June
• Pioneer Days at Lac Cardinal Pioneer Village Museum in August
• North Peace Stampede in August at Lac Cardinal Recreation Area
• Annual Terry Fox Run in September
• Old Fashioned Family Christmas Event at Lac Cardinal Pioneer Museum in December

See also

• List of communities in Alberta
• List of towns in Alberta

External links

• Town of Grimshaw - official website
• Discover the Peace Country. Grimshaw History and Attractions
• Alberta First. Grimshaw Statistics