High Prairie

Welcome

The Town of High Prairie is a thriving community of just under 3,000 people located within the Municipal District of Big Lakes near the west end of Lesser Slave Lake.

High Prairie presents an exceptionally attractive living environment with the advantages of a modern urban community combined with those of a vast natural playground. To make your journey through the profile easier, a directory has been included below. So if you need to get directly to a topic of interest you can, but please also take the time to leisurely scroll through the entire profile. 

Area Overview

Surrounded by boreal forest and open plains yielding rich farmland, High Prairie enjoys a dry, sub-humid climate with warm summers and cool winters. High Prairie and, its rural neighbor, the Municipal District of Big Lakes share a glacial-age history that has left in its wake many unique ecological sites, reminders of Lesser Slave Lake’s former vastness.

These special attractions, along with an environment rich with beauty and natural resources, are conveniently accessed by a system of air, rail and road networks that help cast High Prairie as a focal point for goods and services distribution.

High Prairie is a short 20-minute drive from the western end of Lesser Slave Lake; which is the largest lake entirely within Alberta’s boundaries – 108 kilometers long by 19 kilometers wide (widest point). World-class fishing takes place on Lesser Slave Lake (Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch), with several winter and summer derbies held annually.

Climate

Temperature	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily Mean(oC)	-14.5	-11.7	-4.7	3.3	9.7	13.6	15.6	14.6	9.2	3.8	-6.1	-12.9
Std. Dev.	4.9	5.3	3.6	2.1	1.2	0.9	1.0	1.6	1.8	1.5	4.0	4.4
Daily Maximum	-9.4	-5.9	1.2	9.4	16.1	19.3	21.2	20.3	14.6	9.1	-1.6	-8.2
Daily Minimum	-19.6	-17.4	-10.6	-2.9	3.3	7.9	10.0	8.8	3.7	-1.5	-10.5	-17.7
Rainfall (mm)	0.6	1.0	1.7	12.1	40.9	88.2	95.6	72.4	48.8	18.0	3.1	2.0
Snowfall (cm)	29.9	21.2	20.8	10.4	2.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.2	9.7	19.7	29.8

Average Number of Frost Free Days Annually: 92 Average Number of Hours of Sunshine Annually: 2175

Community Services

High Prairie offers a wide range of community services.

For further information please contact the Town of High Prairie/M.D. of Big Lakes Family & Communities Support Services (FCSS) Coordinator at :780 523-5955.

Click here to learn more about the FCSS Program
Click here for more information about Community Services in, and around, High Prairie.

Community Lifestyle

On any trip through the Town of High Prairie, it’s easy to see that the citizens care about their community. A dynamic, creative atmosphere invites visitors and residents, alike, to sample the fruits of small town life.

In addition to winning the 2002 Provincial Communities in Bloom competition, High Prairie is renowned for its beautiful Christmas light displays. High Prairie’s sparkle is a tribute to true citizenship. The talents and hard work of a community that welcomes cultural diversity have resulted in an impressive variety of social supports and recreational choices, driven by a dedicated volunteer sector.

An educational system that promotes life-long learning and healthcare facilities that subscribe to the highest standards enhance the community’s appeal for all age groups.

Recreation

Leisure and fitness seekers of all kinds have an enticing number of choices to satisfy their recreational appetites. Within the town limits are a multi-purpose arena, tennis courts, outdoor swimming pool, splash pool, private fitness centres and seniors’ drop-in centre. An extensive paved trail system, along with ball diamonds and picnic areas, are well utilized in a natural setting along the West Prairie River.

June 2005 will see the completion of the High Prairie Regional Aquatic Centre. It will host a leisure pool with zero depth entry, a 5-lane competitive pool, kids’ play zone, and waterslide, among other amenities. An indoor riding arena, two golf courses, and numerous private and public campgrounds are additional area attractions, along with nearby winter pursuits of cross-country and downhill skiing and snowboarding. And, of course, highlights for many people are found in the numerous water sports and shoreline activities to be enjoyed at nearby lakes in all seasons.

July brings on High Prairie’s biggest event of the summer season - the Elks Pro Rodeo. Spectators can watch some of the finest professional male and female rodeo competitors in the world. High Prairie is home to the Golden Walleye Classic on Lesser Slave Lake, Canada’s richest and North American’s largest fishing tournament.

Special Annual Events/Attractions

Economic Base

Economic Strengths

Steady growth has characterized High Prairie’s economic status throughout the past half-century. Predictions suggest this is not likely to change, although the economic drivers may shift in balance. Traditionally dependent on agriculture and forestry as its mainstay industries, the town is planning to capitalize on the expected growth of petroleum and tourism industry.

New oil and gas discoveries on the perimeter of High Prairie and heavy oil development north and west in the “Seal Lake” area have already generated increased economic activity. The town hopes to stimulate this promising trend by enhancing infrastructure and marketing affordable land for development. At the same time, the growing popularity of the region as a family holiday destination makes High Prairie an important centre for serving the needs of travelers.

Coupled with its traditional role as a service centre for a sizable population in surrounding hamlets, First Nations communities and Métis settlements, this increasing focus on High Prairie’s amenities makes it an entrepreneur’s paradise.

Industry Profiles The Regional Forestry Industry

Forestry is High Prairie’s single largest employment source. Buchanan Lumber’s sawmill, located in High Prairie, founded in 1946, and Tolko Industries’ oriented strand board mill, constructed in 1992, has had a significant economic impact on the community.

Timber resources are expected to continue to play a major role in the regional economy. Alberta Land and Forest’s regional office in High Prairie helps to manage the Martin Hills Forest Area, which covers approximately 5.62 million hectares of forest and range crown land. The area is comprised of number of natural ecological sub regions inclusive of boreal highlands, central mixed wood, and dry mixed wood, lower and upper foothills. The Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) in the Lesser Slave Lake area is approximately 4 million m³.

The Oil and Gas Industry

Optimism runs high in terms of the petroleum industry’s future contributions to High Prairie’s fiscal health. Oil and gas activities have been a large part of the economic picture for the past several decades, as seismic crews and drilling operators searched for natural gas and oil reserves.

Many service and support businesses were established or expanded to accommodate this sector. Recent oil and gas discoveries in areas surrounding High Prairie, including Seal Lake north of High Prairie, translate into exciting opportunities for attracting oil company branch offices to town.

The town is working to entice complementary service companies and secondary industries, to locate in High Prairie with the goal of establishing a regional service centre for the Oil & Gas industry.

The Agriculture Industry

The farming area surrounding High Prairie includes some 67,000 hectares of prime agricultural land. Favourable growing conditions generally produce excellent quality wheat, barley, oats, and canola, seed and forage crops. In addition, a robust livestock industry is supported on this versatile land base.

High Prairie reaps the benefits of farming activity through provision of goods and services to producers. Although the relative prosperity of this sector is directly tied to commodity prices, the land’s agricultural value is expected to remain strong for years to come.

Soil Classification for this area is class 3 and class 4. Class 3 and 4 are considered capable of sustained use for cultivated field crops. Sandy soils located around the shores of Lesser Slave Lake, Lesser Slave River, and in the Smith area are more suitable for shrubs, Jack Pines, and Indian Rice Grass.

Those sandy soils are acetic soils that produce fruit plants such as blueberry and bearberry. Source: The Canada Land Inventory Soil Capability for Agriculture; Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

The Retail Service Industry

High Prairie has a full complement of retail goods and services. Should residents want expanded shopping options on occasion, they are only approximately one hour west of Slave Lake and two hours east of Grande Prairie. Also important is the fact that High Prairie is only 3.5 hours northwest of Edmonton.

The Tourism Industry

Just 20 minutes from the western shores of Lesser Slave Lake, High Prairie is primed and ready to meet the growing service needs of travelers to this tourist haven. Miles of sandy beaches and a myriad of water sports, along with special events such as the annual Golden Walleye Classic fishing tournament, captivate visitors.

Private resorts, as well as Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park, which boasts world-class open water fishing, provide camping. Winagami Lake Provincial Park, just north of High Prairie, is gaining a reputation as a birder’s paradise, as is nearby Kimiwan Lake, the meeting point of three major bird migration paths. Winigami is also home to the Jackpines Wildland Park, an eco-site unique to northwestern Alberta and a fascinating locale in which to hike. Back to Directory

Economic Facts

Market Research & Demographic Information

Business Licensing and Development Permits

Town of High Prairie
Box 179
High Prairie, Alberta
T0G 1E0
Tel: 780-523-3388
Fax: 780-523-5930
E-mail: admin@highprairie.ca
Website: www.highprairie.ca
Click here for a list of Business Support Services

Property Value Estimates

Zoning - Lots Only	Approximate Price
Residential	$25,000 - $45,000
Industrial	$5,000 - $100,000 /acre
Commercial-Highway	$50,000
Commercial-Downtown	$20,000 - $40,000

Zoning	Type	Approximate Price
Residential	1350 ft2 Three Bedroom Bungalow	$120,000 - $180,000
Industrial	Lease	$6.50 - $9.00/square foot
Commercial	Lease	$7.00 - $15.00/square foot

*Information provided by various realtors in High Prairie

Major Regional Employers Private Sector

Buchanan Lumber	Sawmill & Logging
Charrois Motor Products	New & Used Vehicles
Cox Brothers Contracting	Sand & Gravel Hauling
Emerald Trucking Enterprises	Tank Truck Service
Freson's IGA	Groceries & Household Items
Gem Grant Energy & Maintenance	Oilfield Maintenance & Construction
Monahan Ford	New/Used Car & Truck Sales
Northwest Machine & Welding Ltd.	Welding, Machining
Peyre Farm Equipment	Farm Machinery Sales & Repair
Phoenix Foest Produsts	Sawmill, Planer
Pioneer Home Hardware	Hardware, Building Supplies
Shadow Creek Forest Products	Forest Products
Tolko Industries Ltd.	Oriented Strand Board Mill (OSB)
Torchinsky Engineering Ltd.	Engineering
Trigil Energy Inc.	Oilfield Maintenance
Williscroft RJ Construction Ltd.	Logging & Oilfield Maintenance

Public Sector

Peace Country Hills Region 8	Regional Health Services
High Prairie Health Complex	Hospital
Town of High Prairie	Municipal Administration
Municipal District of Big Lakes	Municipal Administration
High Prairie School Division	Schools and Schools Administration
Living Waters Catholic Regional Division	Schools and Schools Administration

Financial Institutions

Alberta Treasury Branch Financial	(780) 523-5201
Caisse Horizon Credit Union	(780) 523-2667
RBC Royal Bank	(780) 523-3381
TD Canada Trust	(780) 523-4591
Lesser Slave Lake Community Development Corporation	(800) 622-7128

National Franchises/Companies
These are some of the national franchises/companies that have located in High Prairie.

Best Western	Subway	KFC	A&W;
IGA	Super A Foods	SAAN	Fields
Fountain Tire	Kal Tire	Home Hardware	True Value Hardware
Rexall Drugs	Mac's Convenience Store	Napa Autoparts	Circuit City

Education

There are four school divisions represented in High Prairie and area.
High Prairie School Division is the largest, but also present are Peace Wapiti School Board, and Northland School Division. Holy Family Catholic Regional Division is the separate school division servicing High Prairie.

Most Schools follow the AISI (Alberta Initiative for School Improvement) curriculum; E.W. Pratt also follows the Advanced, General and Integrated Occupational Programs Curriculum.

Emergency Services

Emergency DIAL 911 Fire Protection

24 Hour Service for High Prairie and area residents within the Municipal District of Big Lakes who don’t have a volunteer fire department.

High Prairie Fire Department

General Calls:	(780) 523-3525
Fire Chief:	Ken Melnyk
Deputy Fire Chief:	Robert Wishart
31 Volunteer Fire Fighters

Ambulance Service

High Prairie Ambulance Services Town of High Prairie and area residents (half-way to McLennen on the West and Spruce Point Park turn-off to the East) High Prairie Ambulance Service

Office:	(780) 523-6426
General Calls:	(780) 523-2542
Emergency Calls:	911

Police and By-Law Enforcement

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
5400 53 Avenue
High Prairie, AB
T0G 1E0

General Calls:	(780) 523-3370
Personnel:	16 members
Emergency Calls:	911

Town of High Prairie – Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Phone Number:	(780) 523-3388
Fax Number:	(780) 523-5232

Health Care

High Prairie is serviced by the Peace Country Health Region.

View the website for in-depth health service information.
While you're there, check out the High Prairie Health Complex.

Other services in High Prairie include 9 doctors, 2 dentists, 2 medical clinics, 1 health unit, 1 nursing home, and 35 continuing care beds. Air Ambulance is available.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Town of High Prairie
Box 179
High Prairie, Alberta
T0G 1E0
Tel: 780-523-3388
Fax: 780-523-5930
E-mail: admin@highprairie.ca
Website: www.highprairie.ca

Mayor: John Brodrick
Acting Town Manager: G.M. Blaikie

Alberta Economic Development: Edson Office
111 Provincial Building
111 - 54 Street Edson, AB
T7E 1T2
Phone: 780-723-8229
Regional Director - Cathy Goulet

Information Officer - Chris Lockhart

 
Federal Representative
Member of Parliament Fort McMurray-
-Athabasca, Alberta JEAN, Brian (Conservative)

Parliamentary Address
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-1154
Fax: (613) 992-4603
E-Mail: Jean.B@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address
102 - 9912 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, Alberta
T9H 2K4
Telephone: (780) 743-2201
1-877-532-6272
Fax: (780) 743-2287
TTY: E-Mail:

Provincial Representative
Hon. Pearl Calahasen Minister of Northern Development & Aboriginal Affairs

Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]

Lesser Slave Lake Constituency

Constituency Office
P.O. Box 598
5001 - 49 Street
High Prairie, AB
T0G 1E0
Phone: (780) 523-3171
Phone2: (780) 849-3479
(Slave Lake)
Toll Free: 1-866-625-0648
Fax: (780) 523-5150
lesser.slavelake@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office
#403 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-2180
Fax: (780) 427-1321

Location

Located within the Peace Region of Alberta, High Prairie is on Highway 2 near the west end of the Lesser Slave Lake. It is approximately 350 km northwest of Edmonton, (Interactive Map) 200 km northeast of Grande Prairie, (Interactive Map) and 650 km northwest of Calgary. (Interactive Map)

Click here, or on the map, for a detailed, interactive map of Northern Alberta.

Post Secondary Education

www.northernlakescollege.ca Academic Upgrading Programs Career Programs University Transfer Programs (Sunrise Project) Community Learning Services Daycare Services Workforce Development www.athabascau.ca Athabasca University is Canada’s leading Open University. It focuses on the delivery of courses and programs by distance and online methods. Registration is year-round and anyone 18 years of age or older is eligible to apply. Three Year and Four Year Degrees Graduate and Undergraduate Programs Diploma Programs Certificate Programs University Transfer Programs Student Services Back to Directory

Taxation

Assessment [2005] $153,876,020 Mill Rates [2005]

	Residential	Non-Residential
General Municipal	8.8960	12.5816
School Requisition	4.8466	6.7191
Seniors	.1830	.1830
Regional Rec-Plex	.9460	.9460
Total	14.8716	20.4297

There is No Provincial Sales Tax (PST) in Alberta. There is a 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on most purchases in Canada.

---

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	9.8420	13.5276
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.8466	6.7191
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.1830	.1830

Transportation

High Prairie has a fully-developed transportation network. It includes access to air, rail and the highway systems. Highway #2 is a major transportation corridor linking central Alberta and destinations in the northwestern part of the province. Secondary Highways 749 and 750 connect communities within and surrounding the neighbouring Municipal District of Big Lakes.

Air Transportation

The High Prairie Airport is located 5 kilometres south on Secondary Highway #749. The landing strip is all-weather asphalt and is 3933 feet long and 75 feet wide. It is capable of handling light aircraft including helicopters and small business jets. Services at the airport include a public terminal building and night landing on a lighted runway. Fuel is not available on site.

There are 2 charter and 2 helicopter service companies located at the High Prairie Airport. The Slave Lake Airport is located 115 kilometres (72 miles) to the east and has full fuel facilities and the Edmonton International Airport is located 365 kilometres (230 miles) to the southeast. [See: Map (scroll down)]

Highways

Highway 2 is a major transportation corridor linking central Alberta and destinations in the northwestern part of the province.

Secondary Highway 749 services the High Prairie area including access to the Peavine Métis Settlement.

Secondary Highway 750 services the area just east of High Prairie including access to the Gift Lake Métis Settlement.

Clicking on Traffic Counts will take you to a report on the Alberta Transportation website. There are figures for highways within the M.D. of Big Lakes and near High Prairie on pages 12, 13, 60, 61,116, and 121.

Distances to Major Centres

Passenger Bus Service

Greyhound Canada has a bus depot located at Pureflo Bottle Water/Save on Freight at 5018 – 51st Avenue. Greyhound operates daily scheduled passenger and parcel express service to Edmonton and Peace River. Allan’s Coach Lines is a chartered bus service operating out of Allan’s Welding shop located in the industrial section of town.

Rail Transport

High Prairie is serviced by Mackenzie Northern Railway (RLGN)

Taxi, Transportation/Courier Services

Warehousing and Storage Facilities

Utilities

Electrical Power:	Direct Energy Services
Natural Gas:	Town of High Prairie
Water/Wastewater:	Town of High Prairie
Waste Management:	Town of High Prairie

Click here for more information regarding all the above Utilities, including rates, and more in-depth information about the area landfill, recycling, hazardous waste, and waste collection. Communication/Media

Cable Television:	K.B.S. - Cable TV
Telephone:	Telus Communications (land-line and mobile)
Internet Services:	Telus Communications
	Internet North

Local/Regional Newspapers

Name	Phone Number	Fax Number
South Peace News	(780) 523-4484	(780) 523-3039
Tasc Media North	(780) 523-2665	(780) 523-3088
Lakeside Leader	(780) 849-4380	(780) 849-3903

Radio Stations

Name	Phone Number	Fax Number
CKVH Radio	(780) 523-5111	(780) 523-3360
CKYL/KIX 106 Peace River	(800) 610-3610	(780) 624-5424
CFWE FM Edmonton	(780) 447-2393	(780) 454-2820
630 CHED AM Edmonton	(780) 440-6300	(780) 469-5937

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

High Prairie Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

High Prairie Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

High Prairie Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Family Expenditure

High Prairie Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Projects

Summary of Projects in High Prairie as of September 2006

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Largest Projects in High Prairie as of September 2006