Vegreville

Welcome

Welcome to our community! The Town of Vegreville is situated about an hour east of Edmonton on the TransCanada Yellowhead Highway. It is in the heart of Kalyna Country and the Lakeland Tourist area.

We are very proud of our community which is mainly an agricultural area and also houses companies such as ATCO Gas, ATCO Electric, TELUS, and TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. The Town has an excellent source of water, a railway and a fully operational airport as well as being situated next to a four-lane divided highway. The business centre for Northeastern Alberta, Vegreville has a trading area population of 13,000. There's no better place to operate your business -- transportation, location, services -- we've got it.

Quality of life in our community is excellent due to housing, recreation facilities, and a lively Social Centre with a seating capacity of 1,000 for performances or 800 for banquets, as well as a clean environment, quality education, and health care. Vegreville features a host of things to see and do, from a visit to our World's Largest Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg), which is a unique tourist attraction viewed by many world-wide visitors year round, to the enjoyment of one of our many annual events such as the well known Ukrainian Pysanka Folk Festival in July or the Exhibition & Fair in August.

We invite you to move to Vegreville or relocate a business here. Our friendly business community has all the amenities and will be able to accommodate your individual needs. Vegreville -- Something for Everyone. Come out and see for yourself!

Mayor and Council
Town of Vegreville

Area Overview

Vegreville is a vibrant community; rich in cultural heritage and progressive in terms of facilities, municipal government, and above all, people. Friendly and vital, it is an excellent place to live with reasonable housing/rental prices, top-class educational, medical, recreational, and cultural facilities and a wide range of retail services. Given its proximity to Edmonton, the town's residents enjoy the best of both worlds -- a clean, safe and affordable place to live with the specialized services and attractions of a large urban centre less than an hour drive away.

Vegreville is in the heart of central Alberta, on the twinned Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway. Connections south to Calgary are made via Highway 2. Highway 36, a few miles east of the Town, is a major north-south corridor in eastern Alberta. A CNR rail line runs through Vegreville. The Town is also serviced by a modern airport with complete facilities including a lighted 4000 foot runway. For more information on this undiscovered gem among central Alberta's community airport facilities, visit the Town's website at www.vegreville.com.

With a population of approximately 5,400 Vegreville offers a complete range of services, a friendly small-town atmosphere, and is within close proximity to Edmonton. All these features make the Town an attractive place to reside.

The Town has a relatively low and stable tax rate. Housing opportunities exist; there are many serviced lots at very reasonable prices.

Vegreville has excellent, first class educational, medical, cultural, and recreational facilities. The showpiece of the Town's recreational facilities is an indoor Aquatic and Fitness Centre. The complex contains a leisure pool, twister waterslide, racquetball court, whirlpool, sauna, fitness room, and cultural & dance studio. A modern, full-size indoor ice arena is attached to the Aquatic and Fitness Centre. Nearby is the MultiPlex Building and Curling Rink.

In addition to the excellent leisure facilities, recreational opportunities in the immediate area are numerous. The Town's facilities encourage family participation, allow for year-round recreation programs and attraction of major sports tournaments. Elk Island National Park and Beaverhill Lake Sanctuary are west of Town. The lakes to the north of Vegreville are renowned for their walleye, pike, trout, and perch and many are excellent for swimming or boating.

Vegreville is noted for its multicultural activities, in particular the Ukrainian Pysanka Folk Festival held in early July. Community agencies, societies, service clubs, and the various community facilities are the hub of activity throughout the year.

A place to worship for most faiths is located within the Town and rural area. It is not uncommon for neighbours to lend a helping hand and thus, the churches play an important role in improving community life and adding to the attractiveness of living in Vegreville.

Climate

Average Temperatures

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Maximum -10 -6 -1 10 18 21 23 22 16 11 0 -8
Minimum -21 - 18 -12 -2 3 7 10 8 3 -1 -11 -19
Mean -15 -12 -6 3 10 14 16 15 10 4 -6 -13

Precipitation

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Rain (mm) 2 1 2 8 36 73 83 61 41 10 3 1
Snow (cm) 15 12 13 8 1 0 0 0 1 5 12 18
Total (mm) 17 12 14 16 38 73 83 61 41 15 15 18
Snow Cover(cm) 22 24 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 17

Community Services

Municipal

Town of Vegreville
4829 - 50 Street, Postal Drawer 640
Vegreville, Alberta
T9C 1R7
Telephone: (780) 632-2606
Fax: (780) 632-3088

Municipal Library

Provincial

Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife
Medical Examiner-Coroner
Mental Health
Provincial Court

Federal

Agriculture Canada
Canada Post
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

Recreation facilities within Vegreville are plentiful and second-to-none, featuring an Aquatic and Fitness Centre with pool & 177 foot twister waterslide, whirlpool, sauna, fitness room, squash and racquetball court, and dance/aerobics studio. A full-sized ice arena is attached to the Aquatic and Fitness Centre. Nearby is our Multi-Plex Centre with Curling Rink, built in 1992. For banquets and performances, the Social Centre has a seating capacity of 1,000.

Parks and picnic sites are plentiful, including Elks Park, with the world-renowned Pysanka, trout-stocked pond, walking paths, gazebos, playgrounds and campgrounds. Nearby is the Rotary Peace Park featuring a "Peace Grove" of twelve trees, dedicated to promoting human harmony. Just behind the grove is an outdoor picnic and play area.

In addition, numerous facilities such as the movie theatre, bowling alley, golf course, driving range, shooting range, mini-golf, Rainbow Park Reservoir, ball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball court, tennis courts, outdoor volleyball courts, museum, exhibition grounds, and Seniors Citizen Centre provide entertainment opportunities for all ages.

Outside of Town, the lakes to the north provide excellent fishing, boating and outdoor recreation. To the west are Elk Island National Park, the Beaverhill Lake Bird Sanctuary, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, the Basilian Father's Museum in Mundare, and the Pioneer Museum at Shandro. In addition, Vegreville is part of the Kalyna Country Eco-Museum, an association of communities promoting and developing a "living museum," with attractions such as regional tours and the interpretation and development of historic sites.

Community Organizations

Community groups located in Vegreville include: Alberta Women's Institute, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon, Alateen, Crisis Association of Vegreville, Veg-Al Drug Society, B.P.O.E. [Elks], Joan of Arc #57 Order of the Eastern Star, Kidsport, Kinsmen, K-40 and Kinette Clubs, Knights of Columbus, Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Order of the Royal Purple, Rotary International, Royal Canadian Legion, Vegreville Agricultural Society, Vegreville Cancer Society, Vegreville Lion's Club, Vegreville Minor Soccer Association, and the Vegreville Preschool Association.

Youth groups located in Vegreville include: Boy/Girl Scouts [including Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Pathfinder, Venturers], Awana Boys & Girls Club, Computer Club, Figure Skating, Minor Hockey, Music for Children, Ringette, Pedal Pushers, 4-H, Ballet Club, Gymnastics Club, St. John's B-Alyve Youth Group, Ukrainian Dancing Club, Track and Field Club, Youth Bowling, Youth Curling, Youth Golfing, Vegreville Pool Sharks Swim Club, and Fiddlin' Kiddlins.

Cultural clubs include: Vegreville Cultural Association, dance clubs, music club, crafts guilds [including pottery, spinners and weavers], community band, and the Arts Council.

Social and special interest clubs include: Club 4 (singles, widows/ers, divorced), Ducks Unlimited, Fully Alive, Iron Runners Auto Club, Karate-Do, Seniors Sunshine Club, Garden Club, Trail Breakers, Flying Club, Seniors Clubs, Sno-Chasers, Special Olympics, Gymnastics Club, Badminton Club, Volleyball Association, Women's Aglow Fellowship, and WINC's (Women in Christ).

Religious Services

• Vegreville Alliance Church
• Evangelical Church-Emmanuel
• St. John's Baptist Russo Greek Orthodox Church
• St. John Lutheran Church
• St. Martin's Roman Catholic Church
• St. Mary's Anglican Church
• Seventh Day Adventist Church
• Ukrainian Catholic Holy Trinity Church
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Vladimir
• Vegreville United Church of Canada
• Vegreville Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Vegreville Pentecostal Church

Special Annual Events/Attractions

Vegreville's cultural, historical and agricultural societies and community organizations are active contributors to community life, sponsoring many events that provide opportunities for participation, appreciation and entertainment. Among these are the Ukrainian Pysanka Folk Festival, Agricultural Exhibition & Country Fair, Wendy Brook Music Festival, Iron Runners Car and Truck Show, Combine Crunch and Demolition Derby, Christmas Light Up & Parade, and various events sponsored by groups such as the local Arts Council, Cultural Association, Agricultural Society, Fire Department, Music and Dance Clubs, Kinettes, Kinsmen, Knights of Columbus, and the Public Library.

Hospitality & Accommodation

• Alberta Hotel
• Homesteader Country Inn
• The Barn Loft Inn
• Marushka's Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room
• Vista Motel
• West-View Motel
• Wild Rose Inn

Restaurants

• Alberta Hotel Restaurant
• Albert's Family Restaurant
• A & W Restaurant & Drive-Thru
• Bamboo Chopstick Restaurant
• Chin's Restaurant
• Dairy Queen
• Vegreville Golf Course
• Plaza Restaurant (in Husky Plaza Mall)
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Homesteader Country Inn Restaurant
• Perry's 2 for 1 Pizza & Pasta
• Station Cafe
• Subway
• The Butler
• Vito's Steak and Pizza

Economic Base

Vegreville's economy is based mainly on agriculture and related services, and also on the fact that it is a central location for northeast Alberta. The farming community represents a skilled and hard-working labour force with expertise in farming as well as assembly line work, welding, and metal fabrication.

Recent modernized additions to the agricultural base of efficient facilities has added to Vegreville's competitiveness in providing grain elevators and seed cleaning plants for farming operations. A commercial feedlot, hog operations, turkey producers, a farm implement manufacturer, and dairy farms also provide a diversity in agricultural related activities.

The Town of Vegreville supports the agricultural community with a variety of services, offering residents a wide range of employment opportunities in retail, industrial, commercial, trade or professional areas. Major corporations such as TransCanada Pipelines Ltd., ATCO Electric, ATCO Gas, the Alberta Research Council, the Case Processing Centre (Federal Immigration Office) in the Town employ highly skilled technical and expert scientific research personnel. In addition, the oil and gas industry has an important role in the local economy with a number of wells located within the County of Minburn.

Vegreville is rich in many ways - tradition, services, and environment. However, Vegreville's biggest resource is its people - people with the spirit, pride, and drive to make this community truly outstanding.

Economic Facts

A number of major corporations have offices located in Vegreville -- TransCanada Pipelines Ltd., TELUS Communications, ATCO Gas, and ATCO Electric. Private industry has flourished with examples such as Ezee-On Manufacturing and RJV Gas Field Services. The Alberta Research Council (formerly Alberta Environmental Centre) is world-renowned for its initiatives and advancements in environmental science. It also offers a number of diagnostic services. Their website address is: www.arc.ab.ca. Alberta Agriculture and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration offices are located in the Town. As well, Vegreville is the site of a Federal Immigration Case Processing Centre which presently employs approximately 200 staff.

Major Businesses Products/Services

• TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. - Oil and Gas
• ATCO Electric - Utility
• ATCO Gas - Utility
• Ezee-On Manufacturing Ltd. - Agricultural Implements
• RJV Gas Field Services - Oil and Gas

Financial Institutions

• ATB Financial
• Bank of Montreal
• Battle River Credit Union
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• TD Canada Trust

Education

Vegreville is part of the Elk Island Public School Regional Division #14, headquartered in Sherwood Park [Telephone: (780) 464-3477 or 1-800-905-3477 and Elk Island Catholic Schools, headquartered in Edmonton [Telephone: 1-800-996-9982 Administration].

The educational system in the Town of Vegreville is excellent. Schools are operated with the philosophy that education is a joint responsibility of the student, school, and home. Parents take an active part by participating as volunteers or by providing valuable input through the local school councils. The school facilities are used extensively by the Adult Learning Council, local recreation organizations, and the community at large. Schools integrate the use of community facilities such as the curling rink, swimming pool, tennis courts, weight room, etc. into the curriculum.

French classes starting in Grade 1 are offered, as is a Ukrainian Bilingual program. Vegreville's schools have an outstanding reputation for achievement in French, with a high percentage of students becoming French Immersion teachers. An extensive award system in the schools recognizes achievement through scholarships.

The schools also offer a broad range of career and technology studies and vocational courses, including programs in computers, automotives, building construction, electronics, business management, food preparation, and beauty culture. Also offered are comprehensive physical education/ sports programs. Transportation throughout the County and Town is available. Field trips and extra-curricular programs round out the educational experience.

Special-needs students, including the physically and mentally challenged, are integrated into our schools.

Exchange students are frequent visitors to the schools adding another aspect to the learning experience.

Daycare/Nursery

Vegreville Community Daycare (not-for-profit organization) Twin Family Day Homes

Public

Public schools located in Vegreville include A.L. Horton Elementary School [K-6], and Vegreville Composite Junior and Senior High School [7-12].

Separate

Separate schools located in Vegreville include St. Martin's School [K-7] and St. Mary's School [8-12].

Other

Nextstep Outreach School
An alternative program for 16 - 20 year olds who are not presently attending school because they have difficulty fitting into the traditional school setting. Contact Joyce Bryden, Certified Teacher, at (780) 632-7998 or email to jbryden@telusplanet.net.

Vegreville Literacy Network
Coordinates volunteer tutoring courses for adults who need help with basic reading, writing and math skills. Contact the office at (780) 632-6881 or mail to Box 442, Vegreville, AB T9C 1R4.

Youth Connections
Provides Career and Employment Assistant Services for youth ages 16-24 years in Vegreville and surrounding area. Contact Derrick Gladdish, Youth Connections Coordinator at (780) 632-3966 or mail to Youth Connections, Lower Level, Town Administration Building, 4829 - 50 St., Box 809, Vegreville, AB T9C 1R9; fax (780) 632-3935 or email to ycc@vegnet.com.

Emergency Services

Fire Protection

Vegreville is served by a 29-member and 7-junior member volunteer fire department. Training in hazardous materials incident and high angle rescue complement the fully equipped rescue unit. Rural areas are served by the Rural Fire Protection Association [Telephone: (780) 632-2254 Administration].

Police Services

Vegreville is served by a 12-member local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police which includes 1 Highway Patrol officer and 1 Special Constable [RCMP] [Telephone: (780) 632-2223 Administration].

Ambulance Services

Prairie Emergency Services serves Vegreville and area [Telephone: 780-632-4222 Administration].

Health Care

Vegreville's medical and health-care facilities and services are excellent. St. Joseph's General Hospital is a 32 bed active treatment hospital (3 bed coronary care unit, 1 bed Palliative Care and 28 bed medical/surgical beds). The Hospital offers Diagnostic Services (laboratory, imaging, ultrasound), Rehab Services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, respiratory), Pastoral Care, Cardiac Stress Testing, 6 bed Dialysis Unit, Home Monitoring (Lifeline), Family Day Home, Meals on Wheels, Regional Dysphagia Program and Specialist Clinics. [Telephone: (780) 632-2811]

Vegreville's Long Term Care Centre, immediately adjacent to St. Joseph's General Hospital, has 90 beds and provides long-term care. [Telephone: (780) 632-2871]

The Vegreville Health Unit provides a broad range of service programs including community health nursing [immunization, pre-natal classes], home health aids, speech and hearing, dental, environmental health, and volunteer programs [Friendly Visitor]. The Unit serves a wide area with sub-offices located in Lamont, Mannville, Two Hills, and Willingdon. [Telephone: (780) 632-3331]

Other medical resources include 1 nursing home, 3 senior citizens apartments, 1 senior citizens lodge (renovated in 1999), 2 assisted living complexes, 2 physiotherapy clinics, 8 doctors, 5 dentists, 2 denturists, 2 optometrists and 3 chiropractors.

Since Edmonton and Camrose are both an hours drive from Vegreville, residents can easily obtain access to specialized medical services that exist only in major centres.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Town of Vegreville
4829 - 50 Street
Postal Drawer 640
Vegreville, Alberta
T9C 1R7
Tel: (780) 632-2606
Fax: (780) 632-3088
Email: vegtown@vegreville.com
Web Site: www.vegreville.com.

Richard Coleman, Mayor

Jody Quickstad, Town Manager

Mike Webb, President
Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce
Box 877
Vegreville, AB T9C 1R9
Phone: (780) 632-2771
Fax: (780) 632-6958
Email: vegchamb@telusplanet.net

Linda Craven
Manager - Economic Development
Economic Development Board
5009 - 50th Avenue
PO Box 217
Vegreville, AB T9C 1R2
Tel: (780) 632-3891
Fax: (780) 632-3892
Email: vedb@telus.net
Richard Coleman, Chair

Provincial (Updated May 2006)

Alberta Economic Development
Box 412
Room 308, Provincial Building
5025 - 49 Avenue
St. Paul, Alberta
T0A 3A4
Tel: (780) 645-6358
Fax: (780) 645-6241
Garry Krause, Regional Manager
Maryann Robinson, Client Service Representative

Ed Stelmach, The Hon.,
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Vegreville - Viking Constituency

Constituency Office
Box 451
4945 - 51 Avenue
Vegreville
T9C 1R6
Phone: (780) 632-6840
Fax: (780) 632-6888
fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office
607 Legislature Annex
9718 107 Street
Edmonton
T5K 1E4
Phone: (780) 422-5384
Fax: (780) 415-0951

Federal (Updated May 2006)

Leon Benoit
Member of Parliament [MP]
Vegreville-Wainwright Constituency

Parliamentary Address
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-4171
Fax: (613) 996-9011
E-Mail: Benoit.L@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address
5004 - 49th Street, Professional Building, P.O. Box 300
Mannville, Alberta
T0B 2W0
Telephone: (780) 763-6130 1-800-463-1194
Fax: (780) 763-6132
TTY:
E-Mail: benoit1@parl.gc.ca

Location

The Town of Vegreville is located in the County of Minburn #27, in the heart of Alberta. It is approximately 105 km east of Edmonton on Highway 16 [Yellowhead Highway] and 146 km west of Lloydminster.

Post Secondary Education

There are a number of opportunities for continuing education.

Portage College
Various diploma programs are offered by qualified staff. Low tuition rates, with minimal added fees and on-site housing and childcare are just a few of the additional services offered. For more information on programs, please call (780) 632-5420 or (780) 623-5580 or toll free (in Alberta) at 310-0000, then enter (780) 623-5580. The email address is info@portagec.ab.ca; website address: www.portagec.ab.ca. Awards and scholarships are available in all Portage College programs. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify.

Lakeland College
A varied curriculum in adult education is offered at its Vermilion campus. (Vermilion is only 50 minutes East of Vegreville.) An extensive range of technical and video-conferencing courses from Athabasca University, NAIT, SAIT, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Saskatchewan are also available through Lakeland College. Telephone 1-800-661-6490 for further inquiries concerning programs offered.

VegMin Learning Network
Adult non credit courses are coordinated and educational initiatives are supported by the Adult Learning Council. Examples of some of the courses sponsored by the Council are: prenatal classes, Tai Chai, Yoga, personal and professional development, crafts, computer, and dog training. The Council works cooperatively with other community groups and agencies to offer courses based on community needs and demand. Please call (780) 632-7920 if interested in taking or teaching a course. The email address is cmalc@vegnet.com.

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	13.8156	22.2496
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.2413	7.1305
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	4.2413	7.1305
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.2270	.2270

Mill Rates [2002]

Residential - Public 20.3646
Residential - Separate 20.3646
Non-Residential - Public 29.2986
Non-Residential - Separate 29.2986

Transportation

Air Service

The Vegreville Industrial Airport is a non-commercial facility with a 4,000 foot lighted runway, fully operational 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year (weather permitting). Located in the County of Minburn at the edge of Town, the airport is an important link in the transportation infrastructure. You are invited to visit www.vegreville.com for more details. The nearest commercial and air freight service is available at Edmonton International and Edmonton Municipal Airports.

Rail Service

Vegreville is served by a Canadian National Railway main line. Highways Connecting highways are the TransCanada Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) Highway 36 and Highway 857.

Trucking Firms

• Austin's Transport
• Dennis & Sons Water Service Ltd.
• Eastline Transfer Ltd.
• Falcon Industries
• G & R Sand and Gravel Ltd.
• Seniuk Livestock and Transport
• Tuck's Transport Ltd.
• Twin Lakes Ready-Mix & Aggregates Ltd. (2000)
• VRS Carriers Ltd.
• Willco Enterprises

Bus Services

Greyhound Bus Lines offers regularly scheduled inter-community service (780-632-2895). Charters are available from Baydala Charters (780-632-7158).

Couriers and Taxis

Courier services include Champagne Courier Service, Priority, Loomis, SDS Courier, and Purolator.

Central Taxi and Penny's Deliveries & Taxi provide local taxi service.

Utilities

Electrical Power

ATCO Electric
Box 610, 6502 - 55 Avenue
Vegreville, Alberta
T9C 1S4
Telephone: 1-800-668-2248; power outage, 24 hr. 1-800-668-5506

Natural Gas

ATCO Gas
Box 1237
Vegreville, Alberta
T9C 1S4
Telephone: 1-888-511-7550; 24 hr. 1-800-511-3447

Telephone

TELUS
4829 - 50 St.
Vegreville, Alberta
Telephone: toll-free 310-2255; repair service 611

Water Supply

The source of water is the North Saskatchewan River. Water is piped to Vegreville from Edmonton, providing an excellent water quality and ample supply that can serve a community several times its current size. The reservoir capacity, measured in treated substance, is 15,911 cubic metres.

Waste Management

Sewage treatment is provided by a series of lagoons consisting of 4 short and 7 long detention cells.

Residential garbage is collected weekly. There is no charge for this service.

For information on water and sewer charges or hookups in the Town of Vegreville, contact the Town of Vegreville Office at (780) 632-2606.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Vegreville Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Vegreville Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Vegreville Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Family Expenditure

Vegreville Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Projects

Summary of Projects in Vegreville as of September 2006

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Largest Projects in Vegreville as of September 2006