Grande Cache, Alberta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Grande Cache
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settlement_type = Town
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image_caption = Highway 40 crossing Grande Cache


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dot_mapsize = 200px
dot_map_caption = Location of Grande Cache in Alberta
dot_x = 22 |dot_y =139
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Northern Alberta
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = 18
subdivision_type4 = Municipal District
subdivision_name4 = Greenview
government_footnotes = [Cite web| url= http://www.grandecache.ca/community/townserv/staff/default.htm | title= Town Staff | author= Town of Grande Cache | accessdate= 2007-06-23]
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Louise Krewusik
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 = Grande Cache Town Council
leader_title2 = MP
leader_name2 = Rob Merrifield (Cons - Yellowhead)
leader_title3 = MLAs
leader_name3 = Robin Campbell (PC - West Yellowhead)
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established_title = Founded
established_date = 1969
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area_total_km2 = 35.48
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 3783
population_density_km2 = 106.6
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
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latd=53 |latm=52 |lats=29 |latNS=N
longd=119 |longm=07 |longs=21 |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1280
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = T0E 0Y0
area_code = +1-780
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website = [http://www.grandecache.ca/default.htm Town of Grande Cache]
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Grande Cache is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada, located km to mi|145|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes northwest of Hinton and km to mi|435|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0| west of Edmonton. It is located in the Municipal District of Greenview, between Highway 40 and the Smoky River, at the northern border of Alberta's Rockies. The town is the gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park .

It is the birthplace of hockey player Dean McAmmond and home of the Canadian Death Race.

History

The New Town of Grande Cache was created by the Order in Council 1605/66 of the Alberta Government 1966-09-01. The purpose of creating a new town was to open the area for the development of coal mines. New Town status allowed the town to use the Alberta Government as a guarantor for debt.

Construction of the town began in 1969. By 1971 a hospital, schools, stores, and the first homes were built.

Grande Cache received Town status by the Order in Council 749/83 on September 1, 1983.

The town suffered a boom-bust cycle due to the dependence on a single employer that depended on a single commodity: coal. In an attempt to diversify the economy additional industries were encouraged to develop in the area. This included a wood chip plant and a Corrections Canada facility.

In recent years, wilderness tourism is an increasing industry.

Geography

The town is built on a plateau that is just below the subalpine level of the Rocky Mountains. The town site is surrounded by three valleys: to the north is the Smoky River; to the west is the Sulphur River; to the south is Victor Lake and Grande Cache Lake. To the east of town is Grande Mountain.

Demographics

According to Canada 2001 Census [ [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4818005&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=grande%20cache&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Grande Cache Community Profile] - Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE] :
* Population: 3,828 (4,441 in 1996)
* Land area: km2 to mi2|35.48|abbr=yes|precision=2|
* Growth rate (1996-2001): -13.8%
* Median family income: $52,501
* Average value of private dwelling: $90,006

In 2006, Grande Cache had a population of 3,783 living in 1,505 dwellings, a 1.2% decrease from 2001. The town has a land area of km2 to mi2|35.48|abbr=yes|wiki=yes and a population density of Pop density km2 to mi2|106.6| spell=UK | abbr=yes.Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4818005&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Grande%20Cache&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4818005 | title= Grande Cache - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= Census 2006 | accessdate= 2007-06-11]

Infrastrucure

;HighwaysGrande Cache is connected to Grande Prairie and Hinton via Highway 40.; Power stationAccording to a WWF report, HR Milner Generating Station, is the dirtiest power station in Canada and is fourth in the world on the List of least carbon efficient power stations (based on CO2 per megawatt hour sent out). [ [http://www.wwf.org.au/news/n223/ Hazelwood tops international list of dirty power stations] ]

Media

Grande Cache has one weekly paper, the "Grande Cache Mountaineer".

Recreation

* Akasaka Recreation Centre
* Canadian Death Race
* Grande Cache Golf and Country Club
* Willmore Wilderness Park

The Canadian Death Race takes place in Grande Cache in August. [ [http://www.canadiandeathrace.com/v2/MainPage.html Canadian Death Race] ]

Education

Local Schools:
* [http://gcchs.gyrd.ab.ca/sonrise/ SonRise Christian School (K-8)]
* Sheldon Coates Elementary School (K-3)
* Summitview School (Junior High)
* [http://gcchs.gyrd.ab.ca/ Grande Cache Community High School]

References