Grande Cache

www.grandecache.ca

Welcome

Welcome to our community! This profile is intended to provide you with basic information about our town. If you require additional information, please contact our representative in the "Key Contacts for Business Development" section found at the end of this profile.

Area Overview

The Town of Grande Cache gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park, is a vibrant community of 3,800 people. The town was planned and built starting in 1969 in response to resource development. Accordingly, visitors will find a modern town in an unspoiled wilderness environment.

The early planners were very sensitive to the need to protect and maintain the natural splendour of the area and the integrity of the town's beauty. Accordingly, Grande Cache is located on the southwest shoulder of Grande Mountain overlooking the spectacular Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Resource industries are located about 20 km from the municipal boundaries, so that the town retains its unspoiled scenic environment.

As a planned community, Grande Cache has uniformly modern facilities to serve both citizens and visitors. Grande Cache combines the best of both worlds; modern services and accommodations surrounded by pristine mountain wilderness.

Community Services

Town of Grande Cache
10001 Hoppe Avenue
Box 300
Grande Cache, Alberta
T0E 0Y0
Tel: 780-827-3362
Fax: 780-827-2406

Mrs. Louise Krewusik, Mayor 
Mr. Duane Dukart, Municipal Administrator

M.D. of Greenview No. 16
Box 1079
Valleyview, Alberta
T0H 3N0
Tel: 780-524-3193
Fax: 780-524-4307

Mr. Tony Yelenik, Reeve
Ms Sally Rooson, Development Officer

Town Office
Municipal Library

Provincial

  • Community and Occupational Health
  • Attorney General
  • Solicitor General
  • Forestry, Lands and Wildlife
  • Family and Social Services
  • Transportation and Utilities
  • Native Counselling, Referral and Recreation

Federal

  • Employment and Immigration
  • Canada Canada Post Office
  • Correctional Services Canada

Community Lifestyle

Recreation
Grande Cache is the gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park, 4,464 square km of pure unspoiled mountain wilderness. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the park. A
network of trails, most of which were established by natives, trappers and outfitters, provide access to the backcountry. Fast-flowing rivers and streams with waterfalls are found throughout the park.

The natural setting of the surrounding Grande Cache area provides opportunities for a wide range of recreational pursuits, including horseback tours, photography, canoeing, hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, white water paddling, mountain biking, hang gliding, jet boating, heli touring, cat skiing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing and wildlife viewing.

Grande Cache has a rich tradition of hunting and fishing. A variety of game fish are available to the sport-fishing enthusiast. Rainbow trout, brook trout, Dolly Varden [bull trout], Arctic grayling and Rocky Mountain whitefish populate the lakes and streams. As for hunting, you can choose to hunt on your own or use the services of several
outfitters and guides in the area. Elk, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly bears, black bears, and wolf are all plentiful in the area.

Local recreation facilities include the Akasaka Recreation Complex [swimming pool, arena, curling rink, fitness room], tennis courts, ball diamonds, a golf course, Fireman's Park, Grande Cache Lake [day-use, boating, fishing], and Victor Lake [canoeing,
fishing].

Nearby campgrounds include Hide-A-Way Camp, Blue Bridge Campground, Grande Cache Municipal Campground, Pierre Grey Lake Campground, and Mason Creek Day use area.

Community Organizations
Grande Cache has a wide range of community and recreational organizations, including the Bighorn Golden Age Club, Block Parents, Chamber of Commerce, Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Independent Order of Foresters, Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Lions Club, Royal Canadian Legion, TOPS, Catholic Women's League, Knights of Columbus, Pineview Alliance Women's Auxiliary, United Church Women, Centre Stage Dance Club, Palette Pals Art Club, Bridge Club, Dart League, Fish, Game and Gun Club, Grande Cache Saddle Club, Rocky Mountain Riding Association, Akasaka Figure Skating Club, Grande Cache Golf & Country Club, Grande Cache Karate Club, Grande Cache Mixed Slow-pitch Association, Minor Hockey Association, Muttoneer Hockey Club, the Otters Swim Club and ladies hockey.

Religious Services

  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
  • Full Gospel Assembly
  • Grande Cache United Church
  • Holy Cross Parish
  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness
  • Mount Carmel Lutheran Church
  • Pineview Alliance Church

Special Annual Events/Attractions

  • Canadian Death Race

Hospitality

  • New Comer’s Package
  • Meals on Wheels

Accommodation

  • Acorn Motel
  • Alpine Lodge Motel
  • Best Western Getaway & Hotel
  • Big Horn Motor Inn
  • Grande Cache Hotel
  • Inn on the Valley
  • Misty Mountain Suites & Apartments
  • Bed & Breakfast

Restaurants
A variety of restaurants are available in Grande Cache and they provide a good range of foods from hearty fare to specialty offerings with more adventurous taste buds. From meat and potatoes to pizza to fine dining, there are plenty of culinary options.

Economic Base

Forestry, power generation, Federal correction services and tourism define Grande Cache’s economic base. Coal mining still plays an important role in the local economy, but the economic focus has shifted to the development of the huge tourism potential in the immediate area.

Economic Facts

Major Businesses Products/Services
Maxim Power Corp. – H R Milner Station
C&C; Wood Products Ltd.
Grande Cache Coal Corporation
Correctional Service Canada

Financial Institutions
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Alberta Treasury Branch [sub-office]

Education

Grande Cache is part of the Grande Yellowhead Regional School Division #35, headquartered in Edson [Tel: 780-723-4471].

Daycare/Nursery

  • Grande Cache Day Care and Family Day Home Program

Public Schools in Grande Cache include :

  • Sheldon Coates Elementary School [K-3]
  • Sunrise Christian Program [K-9]
  • Summitview School [4-8] 
  •  Grande Cache Community High School [9-12]

Emergency Services

Fire Protection
Grande Cache is served by a 35-member volunteer fire department, and has 3 pumper trucks [Tel: 911]. Correctional Services Canada provides back up.

Police Services
Grande Cache is served by a local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Tel: 780-827-2222].

Ambulance Services
Grande Cache has a full time BLS service with 4 full time and several part time and casual personnel. Grande Cache utilizes 3 ambulances and 2 rescue trucks. [Tel: 911].

The Grande Prairie Ambulance Service provides Paramedic Air Ambulance to Edmonton [Tel: 911].

Health Care

Grande Cache Community Health Complex has 10 acute care beds, 5 physicians, an Aboriginal Health Liaison, Pallative/Pediatric/Pastoral care, Physiotherapy, X-ray facilities and laboratory.

The Health Unit maintains an office in the Provincial Building.

Other medical services include a medical clinic, a public health nurse, chiropractor, two physiotherapists and one dentist. The nearest full-time optometrist is located in Hinton
or Grande Prairie, but an optometrist has an office in town which is open one day per week.

Veterinary services are available one day per week; full time services are located in Hinton and Grande Prairie.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal T
own of Grande Cache
P.O. Box 300
Grande Cache, Alberta
T0E 0Y0
Tel: 780-827-3362
Fax: 780-827-2406

Louise Krewusik, Mayor
Duane Dukart, Administrator

Economic Development
Team Grande Cache
Terry Coray, Chairperson
Tel: 780-827-4944

Stan Wall or Colleen Gross
Tel: 780-827-2129

Provincial (updated December 2004)
Ivan Strang Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
West Yellowhead Constituency

Constituency Office
P.O. Box 7859
505 - 50 Street
Edson, AB T7E 1V9
Phone: (780) 723-3601
Toll Free: 1-800-661-6517
Fax: (780) 723-2915
west.yellowhead@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office
#612 Legislature Annex
9718 - 107 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5K 1E4
Phone: (780) 415-0986
Fax: (780) 415-0951

Alberta Economic Development
Cathy Goulet, Regional Director
cathy.goulet@gov.ab.ca
Christine Lockhart, Information Officer
chris.lockhart@gov.ab.ca

111 Provincial Building
111 - 54 Street
Edson, Alberta
T7E 1T2
Tel: 780-723-8229
Fax: 780-723-8240

Federal (May 2006)
Rob Merrifield
Member of Parliament [MP]
Yellowhead Constituency

Parliamentary Address
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-1653
Fax: (613) 992-3459
E-Mail: Merrifield.R@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address
 119 - 50th Street, PO Box 7887
Edson, Alberta
T7E 1V9
Telephone: (780) 723-6068 1-800-268-7117
Fax: (780) 723-5060
TTY:
E-Mail:
5023 - 50 Avenue, P.O. Box 1495
Whitecourt, Alberta
T7S 1P3
Telephone: (780) 706-2067
Fax: (780) 706-2085

Location

The Town of Grande Cache is located in the Municipal District of Greenview #16, on the easterly edge of Willmore Wilderness Park. It is 140 km northwest of Hinton, and 180 km south of Grande Prairie, on Highway 40.

Post Secondary Education

The Yellowhead Education Consortium offers a wide variety of post-secondary programs linked to the University of Alberta and Athabasca, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT], Grant MacEwan Community College and Grande Prairie Regional College.

Taxation

Mill Rates [2004]

Residential - Public 16.066
Non-Residential - Public 22.645
Residential/Farmland Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate 11.1410 15.1110
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate 4.6320 6.9090
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate .3200 .3200

Transportation

Air Service
Grande Cache Municipal Airport, located 19 km from town, has a 5,000-metre runway and is operated on a 24-hour basis. The airport handles charter and emergency flight transportation.

Rail Service
 Alberta Rail-Net serves Grande Cache under contractual arrangements. Passenger service is provided by Canadian National Railways to Hinton, which is the closest depot.

Highways
Grande Cache is connected to Hinton to the south, and Grande Prairie to the north, via Highway 40, the Bighorn Highway.

Trucking Firms & Hot Shot Services

  • BTS Byers Transportation Systems Inc.
  • Grimshaw Trucking
  • All-Ways Transfer & Hot Shot (Grande Prairie to Grande Cache)
  • Advantage Hot Shot Services

Bus Services

  • Greyhound Canada

Couriers

  • Loomis Courier
  • Purolator Couriers
  • Greyhound Courier
  • Express Bomars Ventures

Taxis

  • Grande Taxi

Utilities

Electricity
ATCO Electric
Box 299
Grande Cache, Alberta
T0E 0Y0
Tel: 800-668-2248

Natural Gas
Alta Gas Utilities
Box 97
10023 - 99 Street
Grande Cache, Alberta
T0E 0Y0
Tel: 800-242-3447

Water Supply
Victor Lake and Grande Cache Lake are the Town's water sources. The water is filtered and chlorinated, then distributed through a modern piping system.

Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by a secondary wastewater treatment plant. The facility has the capacity for twice the current load.

Residential refuse is collected weekly, while the business sector is serviced 3 times a week. A modified landfill facility is located 1.5 km from town.

Population

Total Population    
Population 2004* 3,828
Population 2003* 3,828
Population 2002* 3,828
Population 2001** 3,830
Population 2000* 4,441
Population 1996** 4,441
Population 1991** 3,842
Population % change 1991-1996 13.49%
Population % change 1996-2001 -16.01%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs
** Source: Statistics Canada 1991, 1996, & 2001 Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender  1996 
Male 		 1996 
Female 		 1996 
Total 		 2001 
Male 		 2001 
Female 		 2001 
Total 
Age 0 - 4 190 180 370 130 110 240
Age 5 - 14 395 370 765 365 325 690
Age 15 - 19 195 190 385 135 145 280
Age 20 - 24 175 150 325 105 80 185
Age 25 - 34 445 355 800 275 260 535
Age 35 - 44 455 380 835 400 325 725
Age 45 - 54 330 260 590 290 245 535
Age 55 - 64 155 105 260 195 180 375
Age 65 - 74 40 30 70 115 75 190
Age 75 and older 10 20 30 35 35 70
Total All Persons 2,410 2,035 4,445 2,055 1,775 3,830
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Grande Cache Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older  2001  % 
People without high school certificates 750 30.12%
People with high school certificates 405 16.27%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma 815 32.73%
People with post-secondary education (not completed) 245 9.84%
People with university diploma/certificate 55 2.21%
People with university degree 215 8.63%
Total Population 20 years and older 2,490 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Grande Cache Highest Level of Schooling 2001


Population with Post Secondary Qualifications  1996  %  2001  % 
Agriculture and biological sciences 40 3.14% 35 3.23%
Commerce, management and business administration 250 19.61% 185 17.05%
Educational, recreational and counseling services 85 6.67% 135 12.44%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades 525 41.18% 375 34.56%
Engineering and applied sciences 15 1.18% 40 3.69%
Fine and applied arts 60 4.71% 35 3.23%
Health professionals, science and technologies 160 12.55% 105 9.68%
Humanities and related fields 10 0.78% 65 5.99%
Mathematics and physical sciences 10 0.78% 20 1.84%
Social sciences and related fields 95 7.45% 95 8.76%
Other and/or no specialization 0 0.00% 10 0.92%
Total people with post secondary qualifications 1,275 100.00% 1,085 100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications 555 43.53% 465 42.86%
Males with post-secondary qualifications 720 56.47% 620 57.14%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity  1996  2001 
In the labour force, both sexes 2,335 1,875
Not in the labour force, both sexes 815 900
Total population 15 and over 3,150 2,775
Employed, both sexes 2,190 1,645
Unemployed, both sexes 140 225
Participation rate, both sexes 74.00% 68.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes 6.00% 12.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

Labour Force by Industry Division  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Agriculture 80 3.48% 65 3.53%
Mining 655 28.48% 155 8.42%
Manufacturing 170 7.39% 135 7.34%
Construction 90 3.91% 130 7.07%
Transportation. & Utilities 175 7.61% 200 10.87%
Retail and Wholesale 250 10.87% 225 12.23%
Finance 30 1.30% 45 2.45%
Business & Community Services 755 32.83% 670 36.41%
Public Administration 300 13.04% 195 10.60%
Total All Industries 2,300 100.00% 1,840 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Grande Cache Labour Force By Industry - 2001


 
Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups  1996  %  2001  % 
Management occupations 175 7.59% 175 9.51%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations 260 11.28% 155 8.42%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 80 3.47% 80 4.35%
Health occupations 95 4.12% 30 1.63%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion 165 7.16% 120 6.52%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport 25 1.08% 45 2.45%
Sales and service occupations 515 22.34% 570 30.98%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations 605 26.25% 515 27.99%
Occupations unique to primary industry 250 10.85% 75 4.08%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities 120 5.21% 70 3.80%
Occupations not elsewhere classified 35 1.52% 35 1.90%
Total - All Occupations (major groups) 2,305 100.00% 1,840 100.00%
Females - All Occupations 885 38.39% 760 41.30%
Males - All Occupations 1,420 61.61% 1,075 58.42%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)  1996  %  2001  % 
less than $19,999 55 5.05% 105 11.23%
$20,000 - $39,999 120 11.01% 215 22.99%
$40,000 - $59,999 240 22.02% 240 25.67%
$60,000 and over 675 61.93% 345 36.90%
Total number of families 1,090 100.00% 905 96.79%
Average family income $68,634   $60,937  
Median family income $65,576   $59,375  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)  1996  %  2001  % 
less than $19,999 160 11.43% 215 16.17%
$20,000 - $39,999 185 13.21% 260 19.55%
$40,000 - $59,999 270 19.29% 265 19.92%
$60,000 and over 225 16.07% 585 43.98%
Total number of households 1,400 100.00% 1,330 100.00%
Average household income $63,725   $56,435  
Median household income $62,176   $52,501  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Family Expenditure

Expenditure Category  1992  % of total  1996  % of total 
Food and Shelter $16,101,065 35.84% $22,588,954 35.43%
Clothing $3,309,670 7.37% $4,491,125 7.04%
Education and Reading materials $1,139,815 2.54% $1,544,391 2.42%
Health and Personal care $2,711,975 6.04% $4,175,699 6.55%
Hshld. operationas and furnishings $5,018,065 11.17% $7,052,655 11.06%
Recreation $4,190,865 9.33% $6,261,884 9.82%
Transportation $9,096,355 20.25% $12,234,926 19.19%
Miscellaneous $3,359,300 7.48% $5,413,814 8.49%
Total Current Consumption $44,930,110 100.00% $63,763,448 100.00%
Total # of Households 1,200   1,404  
Average Consumption per Household $37,442   $45,416  
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Grande Cache Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
Building Permits Value, Commercial $125,000 $499,000 $1,930,000 $557,000 $4,420,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial $0 $0 $0 $190,000 $0
Building Permits Value, Institutional $790,000 $0 $0 $3,012,000 $0
Building Permits Value, Residential $164,000 $1,012,000 $262,000 $182,000 $4,462,000
Building Permits Value, Total $1,079,000 $1,511,000 $2,192,000 $3,941,000 $8,882,000
Total Housing Starts 1 4 0 0 60
Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Apartments 200 14.29% 135 10.15%
Detached Duplexes 0 0.00% 5 0.38%
Movable Dwellings 95 6.79% 85 6.39%
Other single attached house 0 0.00% 5 0.38%
Row and semi-detached house 200 14.29% 165 12.41%
Single-detached house 905 64.64% 945 71.05%
Total number of occupied private dwellings 1,400 100.00% 1,330 100.00%
Private dwellings, owned 945 67.50% 955 71.80%
Private Dwellings, rented 465 33.21% 375 28.20%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction  # of Dwellings  % of total 
Period of construction, before 1946 0 0.00%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960 15 1.13%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970 335 25.28%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980 680 51.32%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990 180 13.58%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001 115 8.68%
Total number of private dwellings constructed 1,325 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Projects

Summary of Projects in Grande Cache as of September 2006

Project Sector  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Residential  2  $8,800,000 
Institutional  1  $3,700,000 
Tourism/Recreation  1  $2,000,000 
Total 4  $14,500,000 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Project Status  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Proposed   4  $14,500,000 
Total 4  $14,500,000 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Largest Projects in Grande Cache as of September 2006

Company Name  Project 
Description 		 Project 
Location 		 Project 
Cost 		 Construction 
Schedule 		 Status 
Farnell Properties  Condominium Development  Grande Cache  $5,800,000  -  Proposed  
Evergreen Foundation  'Whispering Pines' Supportive Living Complex  Grande Cache  $3,700,000  -  Proposed  
Farnell Properties  Apartment Building  Grande Cache  $3,000,000  -  Proposed  
Town of Grande Cache  Recreation Centre Upgrades / Expansion  Grande Cache  $2,000,000  -  Proposed  

 

 

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