Athabasca

http://www.athabasca.ca

Welcome

Message from the Mayor

Welcome to Athabasca, Gateway to the Great New North.  We are just north of the Edmonton Capital Region, about on hour and thirty minutes drive from Edmonton.  From Athabasca, roads lead north to Slave Lake, Wabasca, and Fort McMurray making the Town a true gateway that both industry and people can take advantage of.

Athabascans are proud of their community and the positive steps that have been taken in beautification, developing the riverfront park and in telling Athabasca's story through the many interpretive sings throughout the downtown and the riverfront park.

We have a diversity of people that is somewhat unusual in a small town and this has generated a vibrant sense of community that produces large numbers of events and volunteers each year.  Community activities run the gamut from hockey to ballet, and our local festivals such as the Magnificent River Rats bring in thousands of people each year.

Athabasca is home the Athabasca University, Canada's open university and the Town's largest employer.  We are also the home to many oil and gas businesses, close to Alberta Pacific Forest Industries and a service centre for the agricultral community.  We are the fastest growing town in this part of Alberta and we anticipate an increase in our commercial and industrial sectors.

Whether you are planning to visit Athabasca, move here or do business here please let our website introduce you to our community.

Colleen Powell
Mayor

Area Overview

Point to the centre of a map of Alberta and you're pointing at Athabasca Country - "Land of the Whispering Hills" - a land with a rich past, an exciting present, and a promising future.

Come to Athabasca Country for unspoiled lakes and rivers, experience a part of Alberta's past, and find a community with a fine blend of activities, facilities, and friendliness. Athabasca is nestled among the hills along a bend in the Athabasca River, which flows northeast from its source high in the Rocky Mountains to Lake Athabasca.

Athabasca comes from the Cree Indian word "Athapaskan", the name the Cree gave to Indians living around Lake Athabasca. Athapaskan refers to the lake and might mean "where there are reeds" or "meeting place of many waters". First named Athabasca Landing by the Hudson's Bay Company, the town's name was shortened to Athabasca in 1913.

Location

The Town of Athabasca is located in the County of Athabasca No. 12, in north-central Alberta. Three highways meet at Athabasca. Highway 2 parallels much of the historic Athabasca Landing Trail and leads 145 kilometres south to Edmonton. Secondary Highway 813 leads north to the Slave Lake Forest and the sandy white beaches and provincial park at Calling Lake. Highway 2 north and Highway 55 east - the Northern Woods and Water Route - link the Town to Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and lead to other nearby provincial parks and recreation areas.

Economic Base

The economy of the Athabasca region is based on agriculture, natural gas, forestry and, more recently, tourism. The principle economic activity of the Athabasca area is agriculture, although its importance has decreased over the past few years.

The area is well suited to forage production. Barley is the main grain crop, but significant acreage of wheat, oats, and rapeseed are also grown. Beef cattle is the major livestock industry in the area, but there are also a number of specialized dairy, sheep, swine, and beef feed lot operations.

The development of gas fields in the area has had a profound impact on the economy in recent years. As the demand for natural gas stabilizes, it is expected this industry will increase in the Athabasca region, along with the potential for the development of tar sands activity north of Athabasca.

Timber has been and continues to be a major source of employment in the Athabasca area. Presently, the major areas are Smith, Calling Lake, and Wandering River, in the northern portion of the Athabasca trading area. In addition, there are many small lumber mills in the immediate area which are operated by farmers on a part-time basis.

The local retail/service sectors have also grown significantly in the past five years in response to developments within these other industry sectors.

Athabasca lies in the heart of some beautiful lake country, offering a wide range of recreational pursuits. The region also has a rich history. Several organizations have been active in making the area the leaders in north-central Alberta for tourism and related activities.

Economic Facts

            Major Businesses Products/Services
Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc. Light industrial parks are located within Town limits and eastern outskirts. 

           Financial Institutions

  • Bank of Nova Scotia
  • ATB Finiancial
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
  • Common Wealth Credit Union

Utilities

Power
Epcor
Customer Service: 310-4300(local call)
For Outages call: 310-9473(local call)

Natural Gas
AltaGas
Telephone: 1-866-222-2067

Telephone
Telus Communications Inc.
P.O. Box 2422 ,
Stn Main Edmonton, AB
T5J 2S7

Residential Customers 
Telephone Toll-Free: 310-2255
Commercial Customers: Telephone
Toll Free: 310-3100

Water Supply
The source of water is the Athabasca River [2 reservoirs].

Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by aerated lagoons.

Garbage Method/Frequency of Collection
Weekly Industrial/Commercial - owner's responsibility

Residential - Weekly pick-up (Tuesdays or Fridays)
Garbage For Pick-Up or Questions, call: Athabasca Recycle & Transfer Site at
(780)675-1117
Recycle For Pick-Up or Questions, call Dr. Recycle at (780)689-8271

Taxation

Residential Non-Residential
2007
Municipal Tax Rate 10.101 16.345
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate 3.35 5.829
Greater North Foundation Tax Rate 0.0823 0.0823

Mill Rates [2007]

Residential-Public 13.5333
Non-Residential-Public 22.2563

Transportation

Air Services
The Athabasca Municipal Airport has all-weather facilities. Alberta Central Airways provides scheduled/charter service. The nearest commercial and air freight service is at Edmonton International Airport, located 157 km south of Athabasca.
Telephone: (780)675-5225

Highways
Athabasca is served by three main highways: Highway 2 south to Edmonton and north to Slave Lake, Highway 55 east to Lac La Biche and Saskatchewan, and Secondary Highway 813 north to Calling Lake and onward to Wabasca/Desmarais.

Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines provides regular scheduled daily inter-community service.

Couriers and Taxis
Loomis, Purolator, and UPS provide service to the Athabasca area.

There are two taxi companies located in Athabasca.

Community Lifestyle

Recreation
Take a look at what Athabasca Country offers - tennis courts, ball parks, walking trails, curling rink, artificial ice arena as well as outdoor skating rinks, groomed cross-country ski trails, a world-class 18-hole golf course with grass greens, an indoor swimming pool complete with sauna and whirlpool, and rodeo grounds.

One of the world's few unpolluted major rivers, the 1,231 kilometre-long [765 miles] Athabasca River provides a recreational wonderland for canoeing, sport fishing, and jet boating right in the heart of Athabasca Country.

The spectacular valleys of the Athabasca River, Tawatinaw Creek and Muskeg Creek Ravine dominate the scenery and give the region its distinctive geography. Campers, either with tent or recreational vehicle, have many sites from which to choose. The town's site at the meeting of the Tawatinaw Creek and Athabasca River provides washroom and shower facilities, sanitary disposal, and a kitchen shelter. More sites can be found at nearby County and Provincial parks.

Nearby, sparkling lakes with sandy beaches invite boating, water skiing, swimming, wind surfing, and sailing. The naturalist and outdoor enthusiast will find excellent fish and wildlife habitat.

Golfing is available at the Athabasca Golf and Country Club. Downhill and cross-country skiing are available at the Long Lake Ski Area and the Tawatinaw Ski Area .

A Tourist Information Centre [railroad caboose] is located on the Athabasca Riverfront. The TIC is open in the summer months.

Community Organizations

  • Athabasca Lions Club
  • Knights Of Columbus
  • Order Of The Royal Purple
  • Rotary Club Of Athabasca
  • Royal Canadian Legion
  • Royal Canadian Legion Women's AuxiliaryTawatinaw Masonic Lodge
  • Athabasca Agricultural
  • Society Athabasca & District
  • Seniors Society
  • Athabasca Fish & Game Association (Nrs)
  • Water Fish &Wildlife Parks
  • Athabasca Music Festival
  • Athabasca Native Friendship Centre Society
  • Athabasca Volunteer Fire
  • Athabasca Women Aglow
  • Catholic Women's League
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Foster Parents Association
  • Friends Of The Athabasca Environment Association
  • Full Gospel Businessmens Fellowship
  • International Hospital Volunteers Clubs & Associations
  • Athabasca Air Cadets
  • Athabasca District Guiding
  • Athabasca Co-Ed Volleyball League
  • Athabasca Canoe Club
  • Athabasca Curling Club
  • Athabasca Dance Society
  • Athabasca District Minor Hockey Association
  • Athabasca Figure Skating Club
  • Athabasca Flips Gymnastics Club
  • Athabasca 4-H Beef Club
  • Athabasca Gun Club
  • Athabasca Metis Nation Of Alberta
  • Athabasca Hockey Parents Association
  • Athabasca Minor Ball Association
  • Athabasca Nordic Ski Club
  • Athabasca Oldtimers Hockey
  • Athabasca Players
  • Athabasca Pottery Club
  • Athabasca Red Army Hockey Club
  • Athabasca River Runners Snowmobile Club
  • Athabasca Slow Pitch Association
  • Athabasca Soccer Association
  • Scouts Canada 1st
  • Athabasca Scouts
  • Cubs & Beavers
  • Athabasca Toastmasters
  • Athabasca Teen Centre Society
  • Athabasca Ukrainian Folk Dance Club
  • Junior Forest Wardens' Camp Ladies' Fastball
  • Northern Light Junior Forest Wardens

            Religious Services

  • Zion Lutheran Church
  • Aspen Ridge Christian Fellowship
  • Athabasca Missionary Church
  • United Church of Canada
  • Anglican Church of Canada
  • Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
  • Ukrainian Catholic Church
  • Athabasca Ukrainian Orthodox Church
  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
  • Riverview Community Church
  • Shiloh Tabernacle United Reformed Church
  • St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Special Annual Events/Attractions
The Performing Arts Centre, a multi-use theatre created in 1981 with the renovation of a wing of the Brick School, provides Athabascans with entertainment and cultural activities ranging from the Athabasca Live Arts Society season to special events.

An active community theatre and music program tells a lot about how much Athabascans love to get into the act themselves.  

  •  Athabasca & District Music Festival -- March/April
  • Annual Open House and Pottery Sale -- May
  • Ladies Open Golf Tournament -- June
  • Athabasca University Convocation -- June
  • Chamber of Commerce Retail Promotion -- June
  • Canada Day Celebrations -- July 1
  • Men's Open Golf Tournament -- July
  • Junior Open Golf Tournament -- August
  • Athabasca Fair and Rodeo -- June
  • Senior Open Golf and Tournament -- August
  • Harvest Gold Old Time Fiddler Contest -- September
  • Whispering Hills Country Music-Talent Show -- October
  • Ducks Unlimited Supper & Auction -- November
  • Chamber of Commerce Moonlight Madness -- November

Hospitality
Accommodations

 

  • Athabasca Hillside Motel Ltd.
  • New Western Athabasca Inn  
  • Athabasca Lodge Motel
  • Super 8
  • Union Hotel

Restaurants

  • Happy Gardens Restaurant
  • Athabasca Burger Bar
  • Neighbours Pub
  • Greenspot Restaurant
  • Egans Restaurant
  • Golden Fountain
  • 49th Street Grill 
  • Mike's Pizza & Restaurant
  • Riverhouse 
  • Elsa's
  • The Fox Den 
  • Subway
  • A & W
  • Heritage Grill 

Education

The Educational Systems is under the jurisdiction of the Aspen View Regional Division #19, headquartered in Athabasca Telephone: (780)675-7080

Daycare/Nursery 
Whispering Hills Day Care

Private day homes in Athabasca

Public schools located in Athabasca include:

  • Whispering Hills Primary School [K-3]
  • Landing Trail Intermediate School [4-7]
  • Edwin Parr Composite High School [8-12]

Post Secondary

Athabasca University has an international reputation for distance education, and is a model for the future. With more than 150 staff, Athabasca University offers several undergraduate degree programs, and credit transfer arrangements can be made to and from other institutions.

The campus includes a library, archives, daycare centre, recreation area, and events such as films, seminars, workshops, and cultural activities.

Northern Lakes College Telephone: (780)675-9484
Other facilities include: a library and archives in the Historic Brick School Complex in Athabasca.

Health Care

The Athabasca Health Care Centre has 42 acute care beds, 23 long term auxiliary beds and 8 bassinettes. There are also 3 medical centres including: doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, dieticians, chiropractors, massage therapists, and optometrist along with public services provided by the Regional Health Unit [Aspen Health Services].

Senior services provided: a nursing home, a senior citizen lodge, and senior citizens housing complexes.

The Aspen Health Services [Athabasca office] is committed to the concept of "Healthy Albertans in a Healthy Alberta". Serving over 30,000 residents living in 60,000 square kilometres, it offers services which promote healthy lifestyles and independent living. Services include: adult health services, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, communicable disease control, rehabilitation services, dental services, early intervention program, environmental health, health education/promotion, Well Baby and immunization clinics, hereditary disease program, home care & hospital liaison, nutrition programs, prenatal classes, preschool screening, school health services, sexuality education, and speech language services.

Services to disabled/handicapped persons is supplied through Blue Heron Enterprises.
Contact: Arno Birkigt Telephone: (780)675-3891

Family and Community Support Services [FCSS] programs are offered through the entire region.
Contact: Terry Smith Telephone: (780)675-2623

Emergency Services

Fire Protection
Athabasca is served by a volunteer fire department

Mailing Address: 
4705 - 49 Avenue
Athabasca, AB 
T9S 1B7
Telephone: (780)675-2063
Fax: (780)675-4242

Police Services
Police Protection
R.C.M.P. (12 Person detachment) 
3402 - 48th Avenue
Athabasca, Alberta
T9S 1V1

Administration/Information
Telephone (780)675-5122
Complaints (24 Hours)
Telephone (780)675-4252
Fax: (780)675-4355
Emergency: 911
A By-Law officer serves the Town of Athabasca for 40 hours per week.

Community Services

Municipal Town of Athabasca 4705-49th Avenue Athabasca, Alberta T9S 1B7 Telephone: (780)675-2063 Fax: (780)675-4242 Provincial Alberta Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission Alberta Agriculture Development Corporation - Lending Division Family & Employment Support Services Community Corrections Alberta Sustainable Resources Forestry Family and Social Services Mental Health Clinic Provincial Court Public Lands Public Works Supply and Services Transportation and Utilities Federal Canada Post Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Key Contacts

Municipal
Town of Athabasca
4705 - 49th Avenue
Athabasca, Alberta
T9S 1B7
Tel: (780)675-2063
Fax: (780)675-4242 

Colleen Powell 
Mayor

Doug B. Topinka
Chief Administrative Officer 

Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce
Laurie Bissell
President
Box 3074
Athabasca, AB
T9S 2B9
Telephone: (780)213-4600


Provincial
Alberta Economic Development
Regional Development Branch
4th Floor,
Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5J 4L6

Contact: Audrey Alberecht-Lee
Telephone: (780)427-6075
Fax: (780)422-9127

(updated May 10, 2004)
Jan Couper,
Client Services Representative
Tel: 780-427-6291
E-Mail: jan.couper@gov.ab.ca

Mike Cardinal
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]

Athabasca-Redwater Constituency 
130 Legislature Building,
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Telephone: (780)422-0057
Fax: (780) 422-5385
(Athabasca)
Fax: (780)675-2396
Telephone: (780)675-3232

(Edmonton)
Federal Brian Jean

Member of Parliament [MP]
Fort McMurray - Athabasca
Athabasca Office:
5101 - 50 Avenue
Athabasca AB
T9S 1T2

Ottawa Office:
513 Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613)992-1154
Fax: (613)992-4603

Fort McMurray Office:
102-9912 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB
T9H 2K5
Telephone: (780)743-2201
Fax: (780)743-2287

Google Map

Athabasca, Alberta, Canada

Statistics

 

 

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