Valleyview | |
---|---|
Town | |
Town of Valleyview | |
Motto: Portal to the Peace | |
Location in Alberta | |
Coordinates: 55°04′07″N117°16′06″W / 55.06861°N 117.26833°W | |
Country | Canada |
Province | Alberta |
Region | Northern Alberta |
Planning region | Upper Peace |
Municipal district | Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 |
Incorporated [1] | |
• Village | 1 January 1955 |
• Town | 5 February 1957 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Vern Lymburner |
• Governing body | Valleyview Town Council |
• Manager | Ben Berlinguette |
• MP | Arnold Viersen (Cons – Peace River—Westlock) |
• MLA | Todd Loewen (Independent – Central Peace—Notley) |
Area (2021) [3] | |
• Land | 9.17 km2 (3.54 sq mi) |
Elevation | 700 m (2,300 ft) |
Population | |
• Total | 1,673 |
• Density | 182.4/km2 (472/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
Postal code span | |
Area code | +1-780 |
Highways | Highway 43 Highway 49 |
Waterways | Sturgeon Lake |
Website | Official website |
Valleyview is a town in northwest Alberta, Canada. It is surrounded by the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 and in Census Division No. 18.
It is at the junction of Highway 43 and Highway 49, between the Little Smoky River and Sturgeon Lake. Its position, in the junction of the two highways into the Peace Region, has led to the town motto, "Portal to the Peace".
The area around Valleyview has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years due to the area's rich hunting and fishing grounds. The local Cree population has lived in the region since at least the 18th century.
In the early 1800s the first visitors to the area arrived, seeking natives to exchange goods for furs. The trading was good and a Hudson's Bay Company post was established on Sturgeon Lake in 1877. [6] Peace River Jim' Cornwall established the Bredin and Cornwall Trading Post nearby. The area was surveyed in 1900 for a possible settlement, but little developed of it. The following year the area was surveyed again by Fred Young who was particularly impressed with a piece of land on the northwest shore of Sturgeon Lake. By 1916 the first pioneers settled in the area nearby as its soil was rich for farming.
The community that formed to serve the growing population was initially named Red Willow Creek. Only when the first post office was opened in 1929 did the community change its name to Valleyview. [7]
In late 1950 oil was discovered near the hamlet. The Whitecourt Cutoff project was completed in 1955, significantly reducing the travel time between the Peace Country and Edmonton. In 2020 the Town of Valleyview and Chamber of Commerce renamed a stretch of the highway to recognize the 65th anniversary of the cutoff's completion. [8] [9] By the late fifties Valleyview had firmly achieved boomtown status having been incorporated as a village in 1954 and then a town only three years later in 1957. [10]
The town is located in the southern Peace Region between the Little Smoky River and Sturgeon Lake. As noted by its name, the town is elevated and overlooks the surrounding valleys. Sturgeon Lake is located approximately 15 km west of the town and is home to Young's Point Provincial Park, a popular provincial park in the area. Residing next to the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation reservation #154, within the land of treaty 8.
Valleyview lies on the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin known for some of the largest coal and oil deposits in the world and the Duvernay Formation a rich source of natural gas and oil. The town is also located in an active geothermal area. [11]
Valleyview experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summers are warm with cool nights. Winters are long and severely cold.
Climate data for Valleyview | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 16.0 (60.8) | 18.0 (64.4) | 21.0 (69.8) | 28.0 (82.4) | 32.0 (89.6) | 33.3 (91.9) | 34.8 (94.6) | 34.0 (93.2) | 32.0 (89.6) | 29.0 (84.2) | 18.0 (64.4) | 14.5 (58.1) | 34.8 (94.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −6.3 (20.7) | −2.6 (27.3) | 2.9 (37.2) | 10.6 (51.1) | 16.7 (62.1) | 20.6 (69.1) | 22.6 (72.7) | 21.6 (70.9) | 16.3 (61.3) | 9.4 (48.9) | 0.2 (32.4) | −4.7 (23.5) | 8.9 (48.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −11.5 (11.3) | −8.3 (17.1) | −3 (27) | 4.5 (40.1) | 10.1 (50.2) | 14.2 (57.6) | 16.3 (61.3) | 15.2 (59.4) | 10.3 (50.5) | 4.3 (39.7) | −4.4 (24.1) | −9.5 (14.9) | 3.2 (37.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −16.7 (1.9) | −14 (7) | −8.8 (16.2) | −1.6 (29.1) | 3.5 (38.3) | 7.9 (46.2) | 9.9 (49.8) | 8.8 (47.8) | 4.2 (39.6) | −0.8 (30.6) | −8.9 (16.0) | −14.3 (6.3) | −2.6 (27.3) |
Record low °C (°F) | −43 (−45) | −40 (−40) | −42 (−44) | −27 (−17) | −15 (5) | −4 (25) | 0.0 (32.0) | −1 (30) | −11.1 (12.0) | −29 (−20) | −32.2 (−26.0) | −46.1 (−51.0) | −46.1 (−51.0) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 33.8 (1.33) | 18.3 (0.72) | 19.2 (0.76) | 24.4 (0.96) | 48.8 (1.92) | 79.4 (3.13) | 92.4 (3.64) | 62.9 (2.48) | 48.2 (1.90) | 24.7 (0.97) | 28.2 (1.11) | 27.0 (1.06) | 504.8 (19.87) |
Source: Environment Canada [12] |
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Valleyview had a population of 1,673 living in 661 of its 782 total private dwellings, a change of -10.2% from its 2016 population of 1,863. With a land area of 9.17 km2 (3.54 sq mi), it had a population density of 182.4/km2 (472.5/sq mi) in 2021. [3]
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Valleyview recorded a population of 1,863 living in 747 of its 833 total private dwellings, a 5.8% change from its 2011 population of 1,761. With a land area of 9.32 km2 (3.60 sq mi), it had a population density of 199.9/km2 (517.7/sq mi) in 2016. [20]
The Town of Valleyview's 2013 municipal census counted a population of 1,972, [21] a 4.7% change from its 2007 municipal census population of 1,884. [22]
Valleyview Town Council consists of a mayor and six councillors. The entire council was acclaimed in the last municipal election. Vern Lymburner, the current mayor, has served the town for over a decade including terms as councillor. [23] The town's Chief Administrative Officer is Ben Berlinguette. [24]
Year | Liberal | Conservative | New Democratic | Green | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 6% | 51 | 59% | 518 | 12% | 108 | 1% | 5 | |
2019 | 6% | 55 | 79% | 727 | 10% | 88 | 2% | 20 | |
Year | United Cons. | New Democratic | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 76% | 498 | 18% | 121 | |
Valleyview is part of the Central Peace-Notley provincial electoral district. The riding was first contested in 2019; previously, Valleyview was in the Grande Prairie-Smoky riding. Central Peace-Notley is represented by MLA Todd Loewen, who was elected as a member of the United Conservative Party in 2019. Loewen now sits as an independent MLA. [27]
Valleyview is part of the Peace River federal electoral district, and is represented by MP Chris Warkentin. In the next federal election, Valleyview will become part of the newly created riding of Peace River—Westlock. [28]
Valleyview's economy is primarily resource driven with oil and gas being the predominant industry. Multiple oil and gas companies operate in the area with several pipelines in the vicinity. Tervita began in Valleyview as Concord Well Servicing in 1979, founded by David Werklund and Gordon Vivian, and still has operations in the area. [29] Pembina Pipeline has an office in Valleyview and operates a terminal facility south of town along with managing other assets in the area. [30] The industry also supports a variety of well service companies and related businesses.
The travel industry is also a major component in Valleyview. Situated along the CANAMEX Corridor and at the junction of two major highways, a service corridor has developed to cater to the needs of travelers. Hotels/motels, gas/service stations and fast food establishments have been built adjacent to the portions of Highway 43 and Highway 49 that pass through town. This section is called Crocus Hill Gasoline Alley. [9]
Another notable employer in Valleyview is the Municipal District of Greenview, which has its main administrative office and several departments situated within town limits. The town is also a regional hub for medical services.
Valleyview hosts the Crocus Hill Stampede, an annual rodeo and agricultural show at the Valleyview and District Agricultural Society grounds. [31] Each summer a fair is held on the town's Main St. (50th Ave).
Valleyview is the home of Greenview's regional multiplex titled the Greenview Regional Multiplex. The recreational centre opened 9 February 2018, boasting aquatics, a fieldhouse, a play area, a commercial kitchen, and a fitness centre located on the second floor.
Valleyview's main recreational activity is found at the ice rink, named Polar Palace. This is where the Valleyview's hockey team (the Valleyview Jets) plays regular games in the Peace Region league. Also located in the ice rink is a curling rink which has regular bonspiels. Next door to the Polar Palace is the local pool, which is on the same grounds as the lovely Legion picnic area and water park.
The nearby Sturgeon Lake provides setting for outdoor activities. Two provincial parks are found on its shores: Young's Point Provincial Park (beach, boating, fishing, camping) and Williamson Provincial Park (beach, boating, fishing).
Valleyview is situated on the junction of Highway 43 leading to British Columbia and Alaska via Grande Prairie and the north south stretch of Highway 49 towards Donnelly and Alberta Highway 2 towards Peace River.
The town is served by Valleyview Airport (TC LID: CEL5), located south of the community. The Valleyview airport primarily provides air ambulance flights and serves as a hub for recreational pilots and charter flights in the area. [32] As of 2022 a capital upgrade initiative is underway to improve infrastructure at the Valleyview Airport. [33] There are no regularly scheduled flights.
The Valleyview Health Centre, administered by Alberta Health Services, provides emergency care and other services to the town and immediate area. [34] Alberta Health Services provides immunizations, early-childhood classes, and additional services through Valleyview Community Health Services located in the Provincial Building on 50th Ave. [35] The Valleyview Medical and Dental Clinic provides doctor's offices and dental services.
Valleyview has three public schools, operated by Northern Gateway Public Schools, which combined serve students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Valleyview also has St. Stephen's, a Catholic school serving students from Kindergarten to Grade Nine operated by the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division. [36]
Northern Lakes College provides post-secondary education at their Valleyview Campus. [37]
Sylvan Lake is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is located approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of the City of Red Deer along Highway 11 or Highway 11A. It is on the southeast edge of Sylvan Lake, a 15-kilometre-long (9.3 mi) freshwater lake that straddles the boundary between Red Deer County and Lacombe County.
Wetaskiwin is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. The city is located 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of the provincial capital of Edmonton. The city name comes from the Cree word wītaskiwinihk, meaning "the hills where peace was made".
Fairview is a town in Peace Country, Alberta, Canada. It is located 82 km (51 mi) southwest of Peace River and 115 km (71 mi) north of Grande Prairie at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 64A.
Manning is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is known as the "Land of the Mighty Moose". It is located on Highway 35 on the Notikewin River, approximately 73 km (45 mi) north of Peace River.
Whitecourt is a town in Northern Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by Woodlands County. It is approximately 177 km (110 mi) northwest of Edmonton and 279 km (173 mi) southeast of Grande Prairie at the junction of Highway 43 and Highway 32. It has an elevation of 690 m (2,260 ft).
Chestermere, originally named Chestermere Lake, is a city in the Canadian province of Alberta, within Rocky View County. It is largely a commuter town of Calgary and is a member municipality of the Calgary Region. The city, which surrounds Chestermere Lake, was known as Chestermere Lake from 1977 to 1993.
Division No. 18 is a census division in Alberta, Canada. It is located in the southeast corner of northern Alberta and its largest urban community is the Hamlet of Grande Cache. The boundaries of the division are coextensive with the outer boundaries of the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16.
Fox Creek is a town in northwest Alberta, Canada. It is located on Highway 43, approximately 259 km (161 mi) northwest of Edmonton and 199 km (124 mi) southeast of Grande Prairie, and has an elevation of 808 m (2,651 ft).
Grande Cache is a hamlet in West-Central Alberta, Canada within and administered by the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16. It is located on Highway 40 approximately 145 kilometres (90 mi) northwest of Hinton and 435 kilometres (270 mi) west of Edmonton. Grande Cache overlooks the Smoky River, is at the northern edge of Alberta's Rockies, and serves as a gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park. The hamlet held town status prior to 2019.
High Prairie is a town in northern Alberta, Canada within Big Lakes County. It is located at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 749, approximately 89 km (55 mi) northeast of Valleyview and 118 km (73 mi) west of Slave Lake.
Grimshaw is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 25 km (16 mi) west of the Town of Peace River at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 2A and along 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 of the Mackenzie Highway.
McLennan is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 50 km (31 mi) north of High Prairie on Highway 2.
Rainbow Lake is a town in northwest Alberta, Canada. It is west of High Level at the end of Highway 58, in Mackenzie County.
Redwater is a town in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region of Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by Sturgeon County. It is located on Highway 38, approximately 52 km (32 mi) north of Edmonton. Its population was 2,053 in the 2016 census, while the town's municipal census conducted in 2012 counted a population of 2,116.
Slave Lake is a town in northern Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. It is approximately 255 km (158 mi) northwest of Edmonton. It is located on the southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 88.
Spirit River is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 78 km (48 mi) north of Grande Prairie at the junction of Highway 49 and Highway 731.
Berwyn is a village in northwestern Alberta, Canada. It is located approximately 37 km (23 mi) west of the Town of Peace River, 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of the Town of Grimshaw, and 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of the Duncan's First Nation reserve.
The Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 is a municipal district (MD) in northwest Alberta, Canada. It covers the full extent of Census Division 18, and with an area of 32,984 km2 (12,735 sq mi), it is the largest municipal district in Alberta. Its administrative office is located in the Town of Valleyview.
Mackenzie County is a specialized municipality in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located in Census Division 17, along the Mackenzie Highway. The municipal office is located in the hamlet of Fort Vermilion.
Central Peace-Notley is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district was one of 87 districts mandated to return a single member (MLA) to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting. It was contested for the first time in the 2019 Alberta election.