Whitecourt, Alberta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Town of Whitecourt | |||
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| Motto: Where Even The Rivers Meet! | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country |  Canada |
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| Province |  Alberta |
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| Region | Central Alberta | ||
| Census division | 13 | ||
| County | Woodsland | ||
| Incorporated | 1959 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Trevor Thain | ||
| - Governing body | Whitecourt Town Council | ||
| - MP | Rob Merrifield | ||
| - MLA | George VanderBurg | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 26.14 km² (10.1 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 700 m (2,297 ft) | ||
| Population (2006)[1] | |||
| - Total | 8,971 | ||
| - Density | 343.1/km² (888.6/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) | ||
| Postal code span | T7S | ||
| Area code(s) | +1-780 | ||
| Highways | Highway 43 | ||
| Waterways | Athabasca River McLeod River |
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| Website: Town of Whitecourt | |||
Whitecourt is a booming oil, forestry, and agricultural town in Alberta, Canada.
It is located 175 kilometres (109 mi) north west of Edmonton at the junction of Highway 43 and Highway 32. The town is placed at the confluence of the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers, in Woodlands County.
It branded itself as the snowmobile capital of Alberta.
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[edit] History
The community was formed in the place known by the Cree as Sagitawah (the place where the rivers meet). While the first Hudson's Bay Company trading post was established in 1897, the first permanent resident on the present day town site was John Goodwin, who settled here in 1905. In 1910, with the expansion of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, immigrants were encouraged by Premier Arthur Lewis Sifton to settle in the vast scarcely inhabited area between Edmonton and the Peace River Country.[2] The name "Whitecourt" was chosen in 1910 by the postmaster of the newly established community.
[edit] Economy
Whitecourt is the site of three mills:
- Blue Ridge Ranger Lumber Sawmill (owned by West Fraser)
- Millar Western Sawmill / Pulp Mill (owned by Millar Western Forest Products)
- Alberta Newsprint Company Pulp & Paper Mill.
Whitecourt is also home to many companies in the oil and gas industry.
[edit] Demographics
In 2006, Whitecourt had a population of 8,971 living in 3,448 dwellings, a 7.6% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 26.14 km² (10.1 sq mi) and a population density of 343.1/km² (888.6/sq mi).[1]
According to the 2004 Municipal Census:[3]
- Population: 8,747
According to the 2001 Federal Census:
- Population: 8,334
- Median family income: $63,899
- Average value of private dwelling: $126,600
According to the 1999 Municipal Census:
- Population: 8,008
According to the 1996 Federal Census:
- Population: 7,783
[edit] Media
Whitecourt is served by the weekly Whitecourt Star and the monthly Whitecourt Advisor. Two FM radio stations broadcasts from Whitecourt (FM 96.7: CFXW-FM "The Rig" - Classic rock) and (FM 105.3: CIXM-FM "XM 105" - Contemporary country).
CFRN-TV Edmonton operates a transmitter on channel 12 (CFRN-TV-3), which provides separate commercials and short news bulletins for the region. It otherwise simulcasts the main signal from Edmonton.
[edit] Education
Northern Gateway Regional Division No. 10
- Central Elementary School (K-5)
- Pat Hardy Elementary School (K-5)
- Percy Baxter Middle School (6-8)
- Hilltop Jr/Sr High School (9-12)
Living Waters Catholic Regional Division No. 42
- St. Mary School (K-3)
- St. Joseph School (4-12)
[edit] Town Services
The Whitecourt & District Public Library Located at 5201-49 Street, the library serves the town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County. It contains over 35,000 items, including books, movies and audio books. Membership is free to residents, and temporary residents can pay a small, refundable deposit to obtain a library card. Programs include book club, story time, summer reading club, and a teen advisory group. Free Internet access is available to both residents and tourists.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Whitecourt - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-13.
- ^ Olecko, Doreen - Sagitawah Saga - The story of Whitecourt, 2006, University of Calgary, Université Laval
- ^ Alberta populations. Whitecourt’s Population History
[edit] External links
- Town of Whitecourt
- WhitecourtWeb. Local links, maps, attractions
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