| Alberta Beach | |
|---|---|
| — Village — | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census division | 13 |
| County | Lac Ste. Anne |
| Incorporated | |
| - Summer Village | August 23, 1920 [1] |
| - Village | January 1, 1999 [2] |
| Government[3] | |
| • Mayor | Lou Hudon |
| • Governing body | Alberta Beach Village Council |
| • MLA | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.98 km2 (0.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 740 m (2,428 ft) |
| Population (2006)[4] | |
| • Total | 884 |
| • Density | 446.3/km2 (1,155.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC−7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC−6) |
| Highways | Highway 33 Highway 43 |
| Waterway | Lac Ste. Anne |
| Website | Alberta Beach |
Alberta Beach is a village in central Alberta, Canada, west of Edmonton. It is located on the southeast shore of Lac Ste. Anne, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Highway 43 and 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Highway 633.
Alberta Beach's economy it is centred around tourism and recreation. The village is 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.
Alberta Beach holds the distinction of being the only urban municipality (cities, towns, villages, and summer villages) in Alberta that does not include its municipal status in its official legal name.[5] Its official name is simply Alberta Beach instead of Village of Alberta Beach like the convention used by other urban municipalities.[5] Alberta Beach changed from this convention at the time it changed its municipal status from summer village to village on January 1, 1999.[2]
Contents |
In 1912 the Canadian Northern Railway built its Edmonton–Vancouver line through what is now Alberta Beach. It brought its employees out for company picnics and holidays. By 1920 the area had incorporated as a summer village,[1] built a dance pavilion, a large wooden pier, and several cabins. Other companies such as Marshall Wells and Woodward's 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. The railway 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. On January 1, 1999, the Summer Village of Alberta Beach became a village.[2] It now has 884 year-round residents and can swell to over 3,000 people during long weekends.[6] A hotel and many small businesses operate 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 draw admiration and provides relaxation to those who come to enjoy the area.
In 2006, Alberta Beach had a population of 884 living in 731 dwellings, a 16% increase from 2001. The community has an area of 1.98 km2 (0.76 sq mi) and a population density of 446.3 inhabitants per square kilometer.[4]
| Sangudo | Barrhead | Morinville | ||
| Lac Ste. Anne | St. Albert Edmonton |
|||
| Alberta Beach | ||||
| Entwistle | Wabamun |