Ponoka, Alberta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Ponoka
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settlement_type = Town
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dot_mapsize = 200px
dot_map_caption = Location of Ponoka in Alberta
dot_x = 96 |dot_y = 173
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Central Alberta
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = 8
subdivision_type4 = County
subdivision_name4 = Ponoka
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Larry Henkelman
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 = Ponoka Town Council
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leader_title3 = MLA
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established_title = Founded
established_date = 1905
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1905
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area_total_km2 = 13.05
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 6,576
population_density_km2 = 504.1
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
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latd=52 |latm=40 |lats=32 |latNS=N
longd=113 |longm=34 |longs=49 |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 805
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = T4J 1E4
area_code =
blank_name = Highways
blank_info = Highway 2A
Highway 53
blank1_name = Waterway
blank1_info = Battle River
website = [http://www.Ponoka.org Town of Ponoka]
footnotes =

Ponoka is a town in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the south/central parkland region of rolling hills. Industries are agriculture (grain and cattle production), and oil and gas production. Ponoka is located at the junction of Highway 2A and Highway 53, km to mi|59|precision=0|spell=UK|wiki=yes north of the city of Red Deer and km to mi|95|precision=0|spell=UK south of Edmonton.

The name Ponoka is Blackfoot for "Black Elk", the town flag depicts an elk.

Ponoka was founded on the land north of Fort Ostell in 1905 as a waypoint for the railway from Edmonton to Calgary.

The town is the seat of government for the County of Ponoka.

Demographics

In 2006, Ponoka had a population of 6,576 living in 2,771 dwellings, a 3.5% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of km2 to mi2|13.05|abbr=yes|wiki=yes and a population density of Pop density km2 to mi2|504.1| spell=UK | abbr=yes.Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4808039&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Ponoka&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4808039 | title= Ponoka - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= Census 2006 | accessdate= 2007-06-12]

Services and facilities

The small town of Ponoka is home to many services and facilities. Fire service is provided by the Ponoka Volunteer Fire department. Policing is the responsibility of the Ponoka Royal Canadian Mounted Police Detachment. General bylaw enforcement is undertaken by the town's special constable, in collaboration with the RCMP. Health care facilities include: The Ponoka Hospital and Care Center (formerly known as the Ponoka General Hospital), The Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury (Formerly The Alberta Hospital Ponoka), The Northcott Care Center, and The Rimoka Housing Facility. The Ponoka Hospital and Care Center is responsible for general healthcare, while the Centennial Centre serves as a care and treatment facility for mental health and is known for its outstanding brain injury program (The Halvar Johnson Centre for Brain Injury). The Northcott Care Center and Rimoka Housing Facility both care for the elderly, with the Northcott Care Center focusing on care for handicapped individuals.

Events

The town holds the Ponoka Stampede, a seven day rodeo [ [http://www.ponokastampede.com/ The Ponoka Stampede] ] at the end of June beginning of July, usually ending after or on the Canada Day weekend. During this period of time, the town is packed with holiday trailers and people wanting to watch the rodeo, or participate in the games, activities, and rides in the midway. This is advantageous to the small businesses in the area, as there can be up to four times more customers in their stores than any other time of the year. During Stampede time the population of Ponoka grows by approximately 400 percent.

Parks

Ponoka is home to the beautiful Wolf Creek Trail which starts at its southern end near the Ponoka Community Golf Course and travels northwards, randomly ending in the middle of a field. The trail follows the Battle River for several kilometers. Along the trail are several descriptions of various local wild animals and historical tidbits. Also along the trail system are several baseball diamonds, benches, and picnic tables.

Another major park in the Town of Ponoka is the Lions Centennial Park. The park is located along the west side of Highway 2A. The park contains a pond with a small dock, several bathroom facilities, a stage, a statue which is "The World's Largest Cowboy Riding a Horse Statue" [ [http://www.roadsideattractions.ca/ponoka.htm The Ponoka Statue] ] , The Centennial Time Capsule, several gazebos with picnic tables, and the Fort Ostell Museum. The statue has gotten much criticism since it was built. This is because few people in town knew about the statue before it was built and didn't have a say on it. Many say the statue is disproportionate and unrealistic because of the cowboy's short limbs, straight sitting position, amateur facial features; the horse's short legs, the odd angles and bends; and the lack of texture on the cowboy's shirt. Some feel the statue looks like it was made by a grade-school art class. It remains to be seen how long the statue will last as complaints about it accumulate.

There are many more small parks and playgrounds littered throughout the Town of Ponoka, most of which have been established by community groups and committees.

ee also

*Towns of Alberta

References

External links

* [http://www.Ponoka.org Town of Ponoka]
* Alberta First. [http://www.albertafirst.com/profiles/statspack/20452_stats.html Ponoka Statistics]

Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
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