Whitecourt, Alberta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Whitecourt
other_name =
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settlement_type = Town
motto = Where Even The Rivers Meet!


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image_caption = Mill over Whitecourt


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image_blank_emblem = Whitecourt sign.jpg
blank_emblem_type = Welcome sign
blank_emblem_size = 125px


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dot_map_caption =Location of Whitecourt within census division number 13, Alberta, Canada.
dot_x =59 |dot_y =127
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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 = 13
subdivision_type4 = County
subdivision_name4 = Woodlands
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Trevor Thain
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 = Whitecourt Town Council
leader_title2 =MP
leader_name2 = Rob Merrifield
leader_title3 =MLA
leader_name3 =George VanderBurg
leader_title4 =
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1959
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area_total_km2 = 26.14
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
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population_total = 8,971
population_density_km2 = 343.1
population_density_sq_mi =
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = −7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = −6
latd=54 |latm=08 |lats=34.1 |latNS=N
longd=115 |longm=41 |longs=06.9 |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 700
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = T7S
area_code =+1-780
blank_name =Highways
blank_info =Highway 43
blank1_name =Waterways
blank1_info =Athabasca River
McLeod River
website = [http://www.whitecourt.ca/ Town of Whitecourt]
footnotes =

Whitecourt is an oil, forestry, and agricultural town in Alberta, Canada.

It is located km to mi|175|spell=commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes north west of Edmonton at the junction of Highway 43 and Highway 32. The town is placed at the confluence of the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers, in Woodlands County.

It branded itself as the snowmobile capital of Alberta.

History

The community was formed in the place known by the Cree as "Sagitawah" (the place where the rivers meet). While the first Hudson's Bay Company trading post was established in 1897, the first permanent resident on the present day town site was John Goodwin, who settled here in 1905. In 1910, with the expansion of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, immigrants were encouraged by Premier Arthur Lewis Sifton to settle in the vast scarcely inhabited area between Edmonton and the Peace River Country. [http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=4236 Olecko, Doreen - Sagitawah Saga] - The story of Whitecourt, 2006, University of Calgary, Université Laval] The name "Whitecourt" was chosen in 1910 by the postmaster of the newly established community.

Geography

Whitecourt is located at the confluence of the McLeod River and Athabasca River, with the town centre in the floodplain, at an elevation of m to ft|690|abbr=yes, and the commercial part on the elevated plateau overlooking the river.

It is bisected by Highway 43, and is the northern terminus of Highway 32. The Canadian National Railway tracks run through the town.

Economy

Whitecourt is the site of three mills:
* Blue Ridge Ranger Lumber Sawmill (owned by West Fraser)
* Millar Western Sawmill / Pulp Mill (owned by Millar Western Forest Products)
* Alberta Newsprint Company Pulp & Paper Mill.Whitecourt is also home to many service companies in the oil and gas industry.

Demographics

According to the 2008 Municipal Census:
* Population: 9,202

In 2006, Whitecourt had a population of 8,971 living in 3,448 dwellings, a 7.6% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of km2 to mi2|26.14|abbr=yes|wiki=yes and a population density of Pop density km2 to mi2|343.1| spell=UK | abbr=yes.Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4813030&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Whitecourt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4813030 | title= Whitecourt - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= Census 2006 | accessdate= 2007-06-13]

According to the 2004 Municipal Census: [Alberta populations. [http://www.altapop.ca/towns/white.pdf Whitecourt’s Population History] ]
* Population: 8,747

According to the 2001 Federal Census:
* Population: 8,334
* Median family income: $63,899
* Average value of private dwelling: $126,600

According to the 1999 Municipal Census:
* Population: 8,008

According to the 1996 Federal Census:
* Population: 7,783

Media

Whitecourt is served by the weekly "Whitecourt Star" and the monthly "Whitecourt Advisor". Two FM radio stations broadcasts from Whitecourt (FM 96.7: CFXW-FM "The Rig" - Classic rock) and (FM 105.3: CIXM-FM "XM 105" - Contemporary country).

CFRN-TV Edmonton operates a transmitter on channel 12 (CFRN-TV-3), which provides separate commercials and short news bulletins for the region. It otherwise simulcasts the main signal from Edmonton.

Education

Northern Gateway Regional Division No. 10
* Central Elementary School (K-5)
* Pat Hardy Elementary School (K-5)
* Percy Baxter Middle School (6-8)
* Hilltop Jr/Sr High School (9-12)

Living Waters Catholic Regional Division No. 42
* St. Mary School (K-3)
* St. Joseph School (4-12)

Town Services

The Whitecourt & District Public LibraryLocated at 5201-49 Street, the library serves the town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County. It contains over 35,000 items, including books, movies and audio books. Membership is free to residents, and temporary residents can pay a small, refundable deposit to obtain a library card. Programs include book club, story time, summer reading club, and a teen advisory group. Free Internet access is available to both residents and tourists.

References

External links

* [http://www.whitecourt.ca/ Town of Whitecourt]
* WhitecourtWeb. [http://www.whitecourtweb.com Local links, maps, attractions]

Geographic Location (8-way)
Centre = Whitecourt
North =

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