Grande Cache, Alberta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Town of Grande Cache | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Northern Alberta |
| Census division | 18 |
| Municipal District | Greenview |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Government [1] | |
| - Mayor | Louise Krewusik |
| - Governing body | Grande Cache Town Council |
| - MP | Rob Merrifield (Cons - Yellowhead) |
| - MLAs | Robin Campbell (PC - West Yellowhead) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 35.48 km² (13.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,280 m (4,199 ft) |
| Population (2006)[2] | |
| - Total | 3,783 |
| - Density | 106.6/km² (276.1/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Postal code | T0E 0Y0 |
| Area code(s) | +1-780 |
| Website: Town of Grande Cache | |
Grande Cache is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada, located 145 kilometres (90 mi) northwest of Hinton and 435 kilometres (270 mi) west of Edmonton. It is located in the Municipal District of Greenview, between Highway 40 and the Smoky River, at the northern border of Alberta's Rockies. The town is the gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park .
It is the birthplace of hockey player Dean McAmmond and home of the Canadian Death Race.
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[edit] History
The New Town of Grande Cache was created by the Order in Council 1605/66 of the Alberta Government 1966-09-01. The purpose of creating a new town was to open the area for the development of coal mines. New Town status allowed the town to use the Alberta Government as a guarantor for debt.
Construction of the town began in 1969. By 1971 a hospital, schools, stores, and the first homes were built.
Grande Cache received Town status by the Order in Council 749/83 on September 1, 1983.
The town suffered a boom-bust cycle due to the dependence on a single employer that depended on a single commodity: coal. In an attempt to diversify the economy additional industries were encouraged to develop in the area. This included a wood chip plant and a Corrections Canada facility.
In recent years, wilderness tourism is an increasing industry.
[edit] Geography
The town is built on a plateau that is just below the subalpine level of the Rocky Mountains. The town site is surrounded by three valleys: to the north is the Smoky River; to the west is the Sulphur River; to the south is Victor Lake and Grande Cache Lake. To the east of town is Grande Mountain.
[edit] Demographics
According to Canada 2001 Census[3]:
- Population: 3,828 (4,441 in 1996)
- Land area: 35.48 km² (13.7 sq mi)
- Growth rate (1996-2001): -13.8%
- Median family income: $52,501
- Average value of private dwelling: $90,006
In 2006, Grande Cache had a population of 3,783 living in 1,505 dwellings, a 1.2% decrease from 2001. The town has a land area of 35.48 km² (13.7 sq mi) and a population density of 106.6/km² (276.1/sq mi).[2]
[edit] Infrastrucure
- Highways
Grande Cache is connected to Grande Prairie and Hinton via Highway 40.
- Power station
According to a WWF report, HR Milner Generating Station, is the dirtiest power station in Canada and is fourth in the world on the List of least carbon efficient power stations (based on CO2 per megawatt hour sent out).[4]
[edit] Media
Grande Cache has one weekly paper, the Grande Cache Mountaineer.
[edit] Recreation
- Akasaka Recreation Centre
- Canadian Death Race
- Grande Cache Golf and Country Club
- Willmore Wilderness Park
The Canadian Death Race takes place in Grande Cache in August.[5]
[edit] Education
Local Schools:
- Sheldon Coates Elementary School
- Summitview School (Junior High)
- Grande Cache Community High School
[edit] References
- ^ Town of Grande Cache. Town Staff. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
- ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Grande Cache - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ Grande Cache Community Profile - Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE
- ^ Hazelwood tops international list of dirty power stations
- ^ Canadian Death Race
[edit] External links
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Tumbler Ridge | Grande Prairie | Debolt |
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| Prince George |  |
Fox Creek | |||||
 Grande Cache  |
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| McBride | Jasper | Hinton |
