Alberta Beach, Alberta

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Village of Alberta Beach
Location of Alberta Beach in Alberta
Village of Alberta Beach
Location of Alberta Beach in Alberta
Coordinates: 53°40′36″N 114°21′00″W / 53.67667, -114.35
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Province Flag of Alberta Alberta
Region Central Alberta
Census division 13
County Lac Ste. Anne
Incorporated 1920 (Summer Village)[1]
  1999 (Village)
Government [2]
 - Mayor Roy MacGregor
 - Governing body Alberta Beach Village Council
Area
 - Total 1.98 km² (0.8 sq mi)
Elevation 740 m (2,428 ft)
Population (2006)[3]
 - Total 884
 - Density 446.3/km² (1,155.9/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
Highways Highway 33
Highway 43
Waterway Lac Ste. Anne
Website: Village of Alberta Beach

Alberta Beach is a village in central Alberta west of Edmonton.

Located on the shores of Lac Ste. Anne, it is centered around tourism and recreation. It is famous as being the site of the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage, an event having key significance to Cree Aboriginals of the Catholic faith. It is also notable as being one of Edmonton, Alberta's main cottage weekend retreats.

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[edit] History

In 1912 the Alberta Northern Rail built the railroad to what is now Alberta Beach, it brought its employees out for company picnics and holidays. By 1920 they had incorporated the area as a summer village, built a dance pavilion, a large wooden pier, and several cabins. Other companies such as Marshall Wells and Woodwards then began to bring their employees out for the same relaxing and beautiful atmosphere.

There was such a demand for this atmosphere that the Moonlight express was started. A.N.R. picked people up in Edmonton on Saturday mornings, took them to Alberta Beach., then picked them up Sunday night to take them back to Edmonton.

Soon people began purchasing and building their own cabins, and small businesses. In 1999 the Summer Village of Alberta Beach became a Village boasting 884 year round residents, and swelling to over three thousand people during long weekends. A hotel and many small businesses prosper within the Village. Alberta Beach has developed in many ways while still preserving the reason for its popularity. The tranquility and beauty of the lake still draws admiration and provides relaxation to those who come to enjoy the area.

[edit] Demographics

In 2006, Alberta Beach had a population of 884 living in 731 dwellings, a 1% increase from 2001. The community has an area of 1.98 km² (0.8 sq mi) and a population density of 446.3 inhabitants per square kilometer.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Association of Summer Village s of Alberta. The History of Summer Villages. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  2. ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs (2007). Municipal profiles. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  3. ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Alberta Beach - Community Statistics. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.

[edit] External links

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