Grande Prarie County Alberta Real Estate

Grande Prairie County, Alberta

The County of Grande Prairie is located in northwestern Alberta. It is approximately 450 km northwest of Edmonton and 160 km east of the Rocky Mountains. It is bordered by the Municipal Districts of Greenview, Clear Hills, Saddle Hills and by the Province of British Columbia.

The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 is a large rural county with a population of 15,320 people [2000], located in northwestern Alberta. Located within the County is the City of Grande Prairie, the Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, the Village of Hythe, the Hamlets of LaGlace, Bezanson, Clairmont and Valhalla Centre, numerous small country points, and a small federal Indian Reserve. The County covers an area of 5,482 square km, of which 40 percent is prime farmland.

The area became settled with the establishment of the area's first Hudson's Bay trading post at Lake Saskatoon. A steady stream of settlers followed, all anxious to homestead the rich prairie soil. Catholic missionary Father Grouard was one of those that answered the call of the prairie breezes. Upon seeing this remarkable area for the very first time he spoke the words that would make history, calling the panoramic view, "la grande prairie". It was word of this rich agricultural region that led to one of the largest migration of pioneers in the history of the West.

Today, the County of Grande Prairie is a proud agricultural and industrial region, as well as the location of some of the most unique tourist attractions in Canada. The County provides municipal government services for thousands, administering road construction and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities, by-law enforcement, water, sewer, planning and agricultural services.

The County of Grande Prairie is bordered on two sides by major rivers [Smoky River, Wapiti River] and on the other two sides by forests. There are many other smaller streams and rivers, natural areas, and numerous lakes [Bear Lake, Cutbank Lake, Saskatoon Lake, Clairmont Lake], which all provide excellent recreation possibilities. Community parks are strategically located and access to the Rocky Mountains is only two hours to the southwest. Fishing has improved in the area with the stocking of more lakes, and hunting, hiking and biking opportunities exist throughout the County.

There are a variety of day-use picnic areas in the County, including Kleskun Hills Park, Brainard Park, Bear Hill Park and Clairmont Lake Municipal Park. Camping facilities are available at Kleskun Hill Park, Red Willow Park, Hommy Park, Bear Lake Park, Clairmont Park, Demmitt Park, Pipestone Creek Park, Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, the Rotary Campsite in Grande Prairie, the Wee Links Pitch and Putt Golf Course, and also at Valhalla, Hommy and Clairmont Parks.

Additional facilities include golf courses, arenas, baseball diamonds, ski hills/trails, farmers markets, churches, parks and campgrounds, rodeo grounds, curling rinks, historical sites, hotels/motels, lakes and rivers, community halls and gymnasiums. The Wapiti Nordic Ski Facility, constructed for the 1995 Canada Winter Games, is a world-class facility able to host major cross country and biathlon competitions.

Grande Prairie County also known as Division 19 consists of many wonderful communities. Some of which are described below:

Beaverlodge:
Situated 43 km (27 miles) west of Grande Prairie on Highway 43 en route to Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway, Beaverlodge offers one of the most spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the picturesque rolling landscape of the Beaverlodge River Valley. The community offers excellent health services, recreational and shopping features, with a number of stores and specialty shops.

Beaverlodge has a stable, diversified economy, anchored by agricultural production, processing and research.It is home of the federal government's Northern Agricultural Research Station where experimental work was started by local farmer W.D.Albright in 1915. The Pacific Regeneration Technologies (PRT) Tree Nursery features 5 acres of greenhouses, annually producing millions of spruce and pine seedlings for reforestation. Beaverlodge also has a strong oilfield industry, due to the Elmworth Deep Basin gasfield. First drilled in 1975, it has become one of the largest gas finds in Alberta's history, and is located just 20 km south of Town.

With a population of 2,000 people, Beaverlodge offers a full range of recreational facilities and services: such as arena, curling rink, outdoor pool, community centre, golf course and 6 park/play-grounds. A 19 stall campground is an excellent stopping spot on the "best" route to Alaska. Seven service clubs and eight churches create a warm social sprit with something for everyone.

The Beaverlodge Cultural Centre located on the main highway represents a transformation of the old Town hospital into a beautiful unique facility featuring an art gallery, tea room, gift shop, and numerous studios;a lovely showcase for the extraordinary and extensive artistic talent in the Beaverlodge District.

Hythe:
Welcome to the Village of HYTHE - moto: volunteer capital of Alberta - a pioneer community still going strong with the spirit built it - population of under 800 banded together to provide schools, medical clinic, physicians, pharmacy, exercise gym, library and seniors outreach program, seniors lodge, long term care hospital and seniors self contained units. HYTHE is a good family community located in the heart of the agricultural, gas and oil and forestry industries.

The Village of Hythe is a small community located on Highway 2, between the British Columbia border and the City of Grande Prairie. The economy of the community is based the provision of products and services to support the agriculture, forestry and oil & gas industries in the area.

Local recreation facilities include a covered swimming pool, museum, artificial ice arena, curling rink, 2 baseball diamonds, bowling alley and golf course. Hythe also has the Hythe Motor Speedway, one of the best 5/8th oval tracks in Canada.

Local organizations include the B.P.O. Elks/Royal Purple, Hythe Athletic Association, Order of the Eastern Star, Hythe Chamber of Commerce, Pioneer Craft Club, Royal Canadian Legion, Hythe Agricultural Society, Daybreak Toastmasters Club, and the Later Rain Ministries.

Sexsmith:
The Town of Sexsmith is located in the County of Grande Prairie #1, in northwest Alberta. It is only a 17 km drive south to Grande Prairie on Highway 2.

The Town of Sexsmith is one of the oldest and more progressive communities in the Peace River region. In the early 1900's, Sexsmith was known as the "Grain Capital of the British Empire", shipping more grain than any other port in the Empire.

Today, Sexsmith is a friendly town of 1,350 people. The area is one of the largest grain-producing areas in the world and the combination of fertile soil and hard-working, community-minded people, who have managed to provide excellent education, religious, recreational and cultural facilities and programs, continues to make Sexsmith a great place to live and raise a family.

Sexsmith is a bedroom community to the City of Grande Prairie, as evidenced by the large proportion of the labour force [50%] that work in Grande Prairie.

Nevertheless, the local economy of Sexsmith is based on agriculture, given its location in one of the largest grain-producing areas in the world.

Local recreational facilities include Heritage Park [unserviced facilities for R.V's, picnic tables, fish pond, miniature golf, horseshoe pitch], the Sexsmith Arena [full slate of winter programs], curling rink [4-sheets], 4 ball diamonds, 2 tennis courts and also basketball courts. Golf courses include the Spruce Meadows Golf and Country Club [18-holes], and the Morningview Park Golf Course [9-holes], as well as golf courses in Grande Prairie.

Wembly:
The Town of Wembley is a quiet peaceful town with a variety of age groups, relegions and nationalities. We are located 14 miles (20km) west of Grande Prairie or 12 miles (17km) east of Beaverlodge, on Highway #43. Wembley is located in North West Alberta and lies within the boundaries of the County of Grande Prairie.

Wembley, named after Wembley, England was incorporated as a village in 1928 and as a Town in 1980. Ourtown is situated in a strong farming community made famous world wide by Herman Trelle, who was four times "Wheat King of the World". The Town has adopted in Trelle's honor, the wheat sheaf as its logo.

Wembley's business district consists of a grocery store, post office, service station, laundromat, video outlet, greenhouse and a hotel. Wembley's work force is comprised mainly of those who work in the oil patch, forestry or commute to Grande Prairie, but the drive is compensated for by coming home to the peace and quiet of small town living. The population of Wembley is a little over 1500. Kindergarten to grade 9 is offered in Wembley with the high school in the town of Beaverlodge.

The Wembley Recreation Complex, located in Heritage Park, has facilities for curling, skating and hockey. Other facilities include soccer, football and baseball fields, horseshoe pitches, tennis and volleyball courts, playground equipment, a sliding hill, and rodeo grounds.

Nearby recreation areas include Pipestone Putters Golf Course, Saskatoon Lake Provincial Park [located between Wembley and Grande Prairie], and Pipestone Creek Park and Campground. Also, Sunset Lake Park is located in the southwest corner of the town, and is a nature area popular for bird-watching and nature walks. The Park has overnight camping facilities, fire pits, trailer sanitary, picnic tables, and a water spray deck.

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