High Prairie, Alberta
| High Prairie | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Town of High Prairie | |
| Motto: Gateway to the Peace Country | |
 High Prairie
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| Coordinates: 55°25′57″N 116°29′10″W / 55.4325°N 116.48611°WCoordinates: 55°25′57″N 116°29′10″W / 55.4325°N 116.48611°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Northern Alberta |
| Census division | 17 |
| Municipal District | Big Lakes |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rick Dumont |
| • Governing body | High Prairie Town Council |
| Area (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 7.92 km2 (3.06 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 602 m (1,975 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 2,600 |
| • Density | 328.2/km2 (850/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Postal code span | T0G 1E0 |
| Area code(s) | -1+780 |
| Highways | Highway 2 Highway 749 |
| Website | Town of High Prairie |
High Prairie is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 749, approximately 89 kilometres (55 mi) northeast of Valleyview and 118 kilometres (73 mi) west of Slave Lake.
The Town of High Prairie is located in open plains with rich farmland.
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[edit] History
High Prairie's first post office opened in 1910.[citation needed] In 1914, the alignment of the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway, later known as the Northern Alberta Railway, was chosen to go through High Prairie instead of Grouard to the northeast.[2] As a result, many residents and businesses from Grouard relocated to High Prairie once the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway was built.[2]
With an estimated population of 600 people, High Prairie incorporated as a village on April 6, 1945.[3] It subsequently incorporated as a town on January 10, 1950.[3]
[edit] Demographics
In the 2011 Census, the Town of High Prairie had a population of 2,600 living in 972 of its 1,069 total dwellings, a -6.6% change from its 2006 population of 2,785. With a land area of 7.92 km2 (3.06 sq mi), it had a population density of 328/km2 (850/sq mi) in 2011.[1]
The population of the Town of High Prairie according to its 2007 municipal census is 2,836.[4]
According to the 2006 census, High Prairie had:
- a population of 2,750 living in 1,104 dwellings, a 0.5% increase from 2001;
- a land area of 6.39 km2 (2.47 sq mi); and
- a population density of 430.5 /km2 (1,115 /sq mi).[5]
[edit] Economy
High Prairie's main industries include agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, and service industry.
One of its main employers was the Tolko OSB Mill that was built in 1995. Tolko Industries Inc. closed the plant in February, 2007, putting more than a 100 employees out of work.[citation needed]
[edit] Government
High Prairie is governed by a town council. A mayor and six council members serve three-year terms.
The current council consists of Mayor Rick Dumont and council members Barry Alsharkawi,Wayne Forrester, Crystal Sekulich ,Michael Smith,James Waikle and Wilf Willier.
[edit] Media
Some media outlets serving High Prairie and surrounding area are CKVH The Fox, CIRE-TV (the local community channel), and the South Peace News, a local community newspaper.
[edit] Attractions
Due to its proximity to the western shores of Lesser Slave Lake, High Prairie has a thriving tourism industry, particularly in the warmer summer months. There are many attractions at the lake, including events such as the Golden Walleye Classic.
Winagami Lake Provincial Park, approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to the north of High Prairie, and Kimiwan Lake, approximately 49 kilometres (30 mi) to the northwest, are attractions for bird-watching enthusiasts. Winagami Lake and Kimiwan Lake are within the general area where three major migration paths meet – the Central Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, and the Pacific Flyway.
[edit] Recognition
In 2001, High Prairie was recognized for its state-of-the-art water treatment system when it was awarded 4 'blooms' by Communities in Bloom,[6] a non-profit organization that encourages environmental responsibility and beautification in Canadian communities.
[edit] Notable residents
- Randy Ragan played for Canada at the 1986 World Cup of soccer.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
- ^ a b Brown, Richard. "A Town Bypassed: Grouard, Alberta, and the Building of the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway". The Archivist (Ottawa: National Archives of Canada) (17). ISSN 0705-2855. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/publications/002/015002-2201-e.html. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "Town of High Prairie". Town of High Prairie. http://www.highprairie.ca/. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs (2009-09-15). "Alberta 2009 Official Population List". http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/documents/LGS/2009pop.pdf. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- ^ Statistics Canada (Census 2006). "High Prairie - Community Profile". http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4817021&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=High%20Prairie&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4817021. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
- ^ Communities in Bloom - Participants
[edit] External links
- Town of High Prairie - official website
- DiscoverThePeaceCountry. Statistics for High Prairie
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Donnelly | Peace River | Atikameg | |
| Sexsmith Grande Prairie |
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Slave Lake | ||
 High Prairie  |
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| Valleyview | Fox Creek | Swan Hills |
