Ponoka

Welcome

Welcome to Ponoka and Area! We hope this special informative profile introduces you to our beautiful community in the heart of Central Alberta.

Please feel free to contact our representative from the “Key Contacts” section below or email us at town@ponoka.org for more information.

Area Overview

History

Ponoka, whose history goes back 100 years, is proud of its historic past which is an essential part of what is Ponoka – old fashion, down home hospitality. Ponoka began in the 1870s at the Battle River Crossing as a supply point on the wagon trail between Fort Edmonton and Calgary. After 1891, the railway brought a stream of settlers from eastern Canada, the American Midwest and Europe. As there homesteaders made their livelihood on the area’s fine agricultural land, the settlement grew beside the railway into an important service center. Ponoka’s agricultural roots, the presence of the Alberta Hospital Ponoka, and post-war prosperity have left a diverse legacy of architectural and historic places of interest.

Ponoka…a town for all seasons

Ponoka provides family fun year round. Whether your interests are swimming, curling, tennis, cycling or bowling to horseback riding, beach volleyball, bingo or movie going, Ponoka will meet your family recreation desires.

For shoppers, Ponoka has a wide variety of clothing, grocery, and business establishments, most of which are located in the historical downtown core.

Travelers will find the community full of restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores, picnic areas and a friendly atmosphere making Ponoka an ideal stop.

Enjoy Ponoka’s beauty and take a stroll through the Battle River Valley or one of Ponoka’s many well kept parks. Pack a lunch and sit by the fountain in Centennial Park.

As one of the region’s agricultural service centers, Ponoka is home to Canada’s largest single-day livestock auction, the world famous Ponoka Stampede and a variety of special events scheduled year round.

Our Community, with its friendly old fashion hospitality is sure to entice any one looking to visit or relocate.

Fountain in Centennial Park

Climate

Ponoka enjoys a diverse climate. The area receives heavy snowfall in the winter months from November to March and colder climate temperatures ranging from +5°C to -25°C, excellent weather for snowmobiling, skiing, and skating.

In the summer months of June to August the climate is dry and hot and has temperatures ranging from +13°C to +29°C great for camping and heading to the lake.

Spring months of April to May is the wet time of year where we enjoy the greening of grass and the wide range of flowers and trees blooming.

Fall months of September to October boast beautiful red and yellow leaves on the trees and cool fall weather perfect for walking, biking and nature hiking.

For more information on the current weather in Ponoka logo onto: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cities/can/pages/CAAB0246.htm

Community Services

Municipal Town of Ponoka
5102 - 48 Avenue
Ponoka, Alberta
T4J 1P7 Tel: 403-783-4431
Fax: 403-783-6745
E-mail: town@ponoka.org

Administration
Finance
Public Library
Public Works and Electricity
Recreation and Parks

Provincial
Mental Health
Provincial Court
Public Lands Services
Transportation and Utilities

Federal
Canada Post
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

The Ponoka Aquaplex is equipped with a diving tank, 25 meter pool, wading pool, whirlpool and sauna. Recently the pool has been redesigned and upgraded with the help of the community, businesses, municipal and provincial governments. The Aquaplex provides lessons for all ages, early bird swims, adult swim, family swim and many other swimming programs designed for the community.

The Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex houses two ice surfaces, an outdoor rink, six curling sheets, two racquetball courts, a handicraft room, concession booth and licensed lounge. The Complex is also home to the Black Elk Hockey Camp and the Ponoka Farmers Market. The winter months are very busy hosting ice surf time to figure skating, minor hockey, curling, skating programs and family skate.

There are approximately 12 ball diamonds, five soccer pitches, a 400 meter track and field facility and several horseshoe pits in and around Ponoka. A 6 km paved trail is a great way for walkers, cyclists and in-line skaters to enjoy trees, open space and wildlife along the river valley.

The Ponoka area is also great for hunting and fishing in the nearby foothills and streams. Fishermen can also fish in the pond at Centennial Park.

The Ponoka Community Golf Course is billed as Ponoka’s best kept secret. This challenging 18 hole course is set among the trees and rolling terrain. This is an excellent course for any golfer.

For a Scottish-links style course you only need to drive 10 minutes south of Ponoka to Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Wolf Creek is the home of the annual Henry Singer Alberta Open Tour. This 27 hole course will tests your skills as it is rated as #18 of the Top 20 Courses in Canada.

Ponoka has several community organizations and service clubs, as well as many more recreation and sports programs available to residents. Please contact 403-783-4431 for more details and a complete listing.

Hospitality and Tourism
Ponoka has three museums popular with both residents and visitors – the Cowboy Museum (located on the Stampede grounds), the Glen Crandall Antique Collection (located on the Stampede grounds), and the Fort Ostell Museum (located in the Lion’s Centennial Park).

Special Annual Events/Attractions

• Black Elk Hockey Camp – July (Annual)
• County Fair – August (Annual)
• Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays, May – August (Annual)
• Downtown Garage Sale – July (Annual)
• Henry Singer Open Tour – July
• Show & Shine – July
• *Ponoka Stampede – July 1st Weekend - Largest 6 Day Rodeo (Annual)
• Ponoka Stampede Queen’s Contest – June/July
• Wood River Music Festival – March

Community Centers include the Ponoka Kinsmen Community Center, Moose Hall and the Legion. For more information on bookings please call 403-783-4431. Ponoka has two caterers in town for your event or special occasion, Bob Hepp & Company and Bob Ronnie.

Ponoka has a wide variety of Restaurants which include the following:

• A & W
• Blue Ox
• Boston Pizza
• Crestomere Main Shop
• Crossroads Family Restaurant
• Dairy Queen
• Dinos Restaurant & Lounge
• Golden Wheel
• Hong Kong Café
• John’s Place
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• McDonalds
• The Seasoning Pot
• Riverside Motor Inn Café
• Super Foods
• Subway
• Tim Hortons
• Wendy’s Restaurant
• Domino’s Pizza
• Media 5 Café
• Coffee Hut
• Capitol Donair & Subs
• Doro Pizza
• Perry’s 2 for 1 Pizza & Pasta

If you are looking for a place to stay while in Ponoka you can choose from any of the accommodations below:

• Leland Hotel
• Oasis Motel
• Riverside Motor Inn
• Royal Hotel
• Ponoka Stampeder Inn
• Super 8
• Dino’s Motor Inn
• Wood’s Bed & Breakfast
• Country Charm Inn Bed & Breakfast
• Hillside Country House Bed & Breakfast

Capitol Theatre

The Ponoka Aquaplex

Economic Base

Ponoka has abundant oil and gas resources. A strong agricultural base with a mixed farming district where traditional crops and livestock thrive amid alternative ventures, such as emu, bison, ostrich and elk. Rich black soils consistently produce above-average grain crops and the grey wooded soils are excellent for barley, forage crops and grazing lands. Most of the 1,600 farms in the primary market area, representing some 299,000+ hectares of land, are involved in cattle production at a regional and international export level. Over recent years, hog production has grown dramatically. Diary, sheep, poultry, horses and even bees are also part of the rural farming mix.

Vold Jones Vold Auction

Economic Facts

Ponoka and area is home to 423 businesses ranging from large corporations to small
home based business.

Major Businesses

• Enercon Construction – Industrial Oil & Gas Business
• Calnash Trucking – Trucking Business
• Kinetic Projects – Industrial Oil & Gas Business
• Nova Chemicals Corporation – Oil & Gas Business
• Encana Resources – Oil & Gas Business
• Oakes Jones Welding – Construction Business
• Inland Concrete – Construction Business
• Almita Manufacturing – Construction Business
• Vold Jones Vold Auction – Agriculture Business
• VS Feed – Agriculture Business
• WestDeer Implements – Farm Implements Business

Financial Institutions

• Agriculture Development Corporation - Ph: 403-783-7072
• Alberta Opportunity Company - Ph: 403-783-7011
• Alberta Treasury Branch - Ph: 403-783-3301
• Bank of Montreal - Ph: 403-783-4401
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce - Ph: 403-783-5581
• Ponoka Community Savings - Ph: 403-783-4466
• Royal Bank – Ph: 403-783-4417

Chipman Avenue Downtown Ponoka

Education

Ponoka is part of the Wolf Creek Regional School Division #32 [Tel: 403-783-3473].

Daycare/Nursery
Ponoka has 1 daycare that is open to children from infancy to school age, as well as 3 day homes which provide specialized child care for working parents.

Public
Schools in Ponoka include

Crestomere School [1-9] - Ph: 403-783-2141,

Diamond Willow Middle School [6-8] - Ph: 403-783-3386,

Mecca Glen ECS School - Ph: 403-783-6666,

Mecca Glen School [1-9] - Ph: 403-783-2463,

Ponoka Central ECS School - Ph: 403-783-4740,

Ponoka Composite High School [9-12] - Ph: 403-783-4411,

Ponoka Elementary School [1-5] - Ph: 403-783-3583,

Ponoka Outreach School - Ph: 403-783-3285,

Primary & Elementary School - Ph: 403-783-3583.

Ponoka/Rimbey Adult Learning Center - Ph: 403-783-5464,

The school system has a tremendous record. Students consistently achieve above
average grades compared to provincial averages, and proportionately more attend university. An exceptional vocational training program is a model for other school divisions.

Separate
St. Thomas Acquinas R.C.S.D. - Ph: 403-783-5541

Private
Adventist School - Ph: 403-783-2640
Ponoka Christian School - Ph: 403-783-6563

St. Augustine Catholic School

Emergency Services

Fire Protection - 911
Ponoka is served by a volunteer fire department [Non-Emergency Tel: 403-783-0112]. Police Services - 911
Ponoka is served by a 22-member local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] Emergency Tel: 403-783-4471 [Non-Emergency Tel: 403-783-4472].

Ponoka is a safe community. Perhaps the greatest asset contributing to the town's low crime rate is a general attitude of respect for others and a willingness to help those in need.
Ambulance Services - 911

The local ambulance service has 3 ambulances and provides Advanced Life Support [Non-Emergency Tel: 403-783-3363].

Health Care

The Ponoka Hospital & Care Centre is an acute care and long-term care facility providing services to the entire region. The hospital is fully equipped for general medicine, obstetrics, surgery, pediatrics and emergency use. It is supported by an in-house laboratory and radiology facilities.

Ponoka also has three medical clinics, a medical laboratory, two physiotherapy clinics, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, a psychologist, a denturist, the Wetoka Health Unit, and a 64 room seniors lodge, and the 72 Bed Northcott Care Facility.

Alberta Hospital Ponoka is a nationally renown psychiatric and brain damage treatment centre and educational facility. Programs include adult psychiatry, substance abuse, rehabilitation, as well as treatment and brain injury.

Alberta Hospital

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal
Town of Ponoka
5102 - 48 Avenue
Ponoka, Alberta
T4J 1P7
Tel: 403-783-4431
Fax: 403-783-6745
E-Mail: town@ponoka.org

Larry L. Henkelman
Mayor

Curtis Herzberg
Chief Administrative Officer
curtis@ponoka.org

Carey J. Keleman
Economic Development Officer carey@ponoka.org

Provincial (Updated May 2006)

Alberta Economic Development
Allan Walkey, Regional Manager
allan.walkey@gov.ab.ca
Dale Beddoes, Information Officer
dale.beddoes@gov.ab.ca

5005 - 49 Street
Camrose, Alberta
T4V 1N5
Tel: 780-679-1235
Fax: 780-679-1250

Raymond Prins, MLA
Ponoka-Rimbey

Constituency Constituency Office
4960B Hwy 2A
Lacombe
T4L 1J9
Phone: (403) 782-7725
Toll Free: 1-800-565-6432
Fax: (403) 782-3307
lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office
#503 Legislature Building
10800-97 Avenue
Edmonton
T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 422-3353
Fax: (780) 422-0351

Federal (Updated May 2006)
Member of Parliament
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
CALKINS, Blaine (Conservative)

Parliamentary Address
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 995-8886
Fax: (613) 996-9860
E-Mail: Calkins.B@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address
6-4612 - 50th Street
Ponoka, Alberta
T4J 1S7
Telephone: (403) 783-5530
Fax: (403) 783-5532
TTY:
E-Mail: calkib1@parl.gc.ca

Location

Ponoka is ideally located and open for business along the Province’s primary economic corridor. Nestled in the Battle River Valley, Ponoka is 104 km South of Edmonton and 51 km North of Red Deer. Highway 2A runs directly through Ponoka and Highway 53, only 5 minutes west, connects Ponoka to Highway 2. Highway 2 is the direct route of travel between Calgary and Edmonton. Just 40 minutes away from the Edmonton International Airport, via Highway 2, Ponoka offers outstanding access to suppliers and markets, and to the rest of the world. Ponoka is located in an area that allows for industrial opportunity, commercial, agricultural, retail and technological ventures.

Ponoka nestled in the Battle River Valley

Post Secondary Education

Edmonton-based post-secondary institutions such as The University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan Community College, and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT] are also available. Also, Red Deer College, located in Red Deer, and the Canadian University College, located in Lacombe, are within commuting distance of Ponoka.

Canadian University College

Taxation

Town of Ponoka Mill Rate

Residential 2006

Alberta School Foundation Fund/St.Thomas
Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate Regional
Division No.22 4.1714

Rimoka Foundation .06
Municipal Purposes 6.9940
Total 11.22

Non-Residential Properties 2005

Alberta School Foundation Fund/St.Thomas
Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate Regional
Division No.22 5.9216 Rimoka Foundation .0620

Municipal Purposes 7.49
Total 13.4776

Ponoka has one of the lowest tax rates in the province, making it a very competitive place to do business and live.

Transportation

Air Service
The Ponoka Airport features a lighted 3,116 foot runway and is the only airport between Edmonton and Calgary to hold a CANPASS for custom clearances.

The Edmonton International Airport is located 40 minutes north of Ponoka via Highway 2.

Highways
Located approximately 4 km west of Ponoka is Highway 2. Highway 2 is the major route linking Calgary and Edmonton, and is the main route leading the Unites States to Alaska.
As well Highway 53 runs East-West through Ponoka and Highway 2A travels North-
South through Ponoka.

Bus Services
Greyhound Busing Service has regularly scheduled inter-community service.

Couriers and Taxis
Ponoka has a variety of courier companies. They are Loomis Courier, Purolator Courier, Steadfast Courier, Greyhound Courier Express and Canada Post. Local taxi services are provided by Eagle Taxi.

The Ponoka Airport

Utilities

Electrical Power & Natural Gas
Consumer Information Center 1-877-427-4088

Water/Sewer & Garbage Services
Town of Ponoka
403-783-4431

Telephone
Telus 1-403-310-2255

Water Supply
As of May 2006, the Town of Ponoka's water source is the Red Deer River, purchased from the City of Red Deer, via the North Red Deer River Water Services Commission. The Regional Waterline Initiative will secure a safe and viable source of potable water to meet the needs of Ponoka for years to come.

Waste Management
The sewage treatment is provided by lagoons.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Ponoka Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Ponoka Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Ponoka Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Family Expenditure

Ponoka Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Projects

Summary of Projects in Ponoka as of September 2006

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Largest Projects in Ponoka as of September 2006