Barrhead

Welcome

Welcome to Beautiful, Bountiful Barrhead...It's big enough to share with everyone. Our community is located in one of the best agricultural areas in Alberta, surrounded by the oil, gas and forestry industries. We also have a prosperous manufacturing sector. The community provides a quality of life that offers something for everyone in an environment full of beautiful lakes, scenic byways and special events.

Welcome to our community. We hope the information contained within this profile is useful. We encourage you to visit our website at www.barrhead.ca to obtain additional information about Barrhead. You may also contact our Town office at (780)674-3301 or any representative from the "Key Contacts" section.

Barrhead's Mascot - The Great Blue Heron is situated next to the Community Gazebo that marks the Town Centre. These elegant, long-legged birds are often spotted along the shores of local lakes.

Community Gazebo that marks the Town Centre.

Area Overview

The Town of Barrhead was named after Barrhead, Scotland, the birthplace of James McGuire, one of the area's earliest settlers. Moved from its original townsite in 1912 to meet the expanding railway lines, Barrhead has continued to grow and prosper at its present location. Today, Barrhead has grown to a community of approximately 4,200 people.

The Town of Barrhead is part of the historic Klondike Trail and is the centre of one of Alberta's richest agricultural and forestry areas. Oil and gas, manufacturing, and the retail trades make up the balance of the economy of the town.

There is ample camping, golfing, swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing and hiking in the area. Barrhead also offers a terrific array of shopping outlets and restaurants to appeal to the most discriminating shopper. It offers a progressive range of community services while retaining its small town charm.

 For more complete information about the advantages of life in Barrhead, please visit our website at http://www.barrhead.ca

Climate

Barrhead enjoys a full four seasons. The approximate hours of sunshine per year totals 2264 hours. The annual precipitation is estimated to be 52 cm of rain and 47 cm of snow.

Community Services

Municipal

Barrhead Town Office
5014 - 50 Avenue
Box 4189
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1A2
Tel: 780-674-3301
Fax: 780-674-5648
Email: town@barrhead.ca
http://www.barrhead.ca

Barrhead Public Library
5304 - 49 Street
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1N5
Tel: 780-674-8519

Town of Barrhead Recreation, Parks and Tourism
5607-47 Street
Box 4112
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1A1
Tel: 780-674-2532
Fax: 780-674-2554
Email: trec@telus.net

Provincial

• AADAC
• Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
• Alberta Agriculture Development Corporation
• Alberta Distance Learning Centre
• Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance
• Attorney General - Provincial Court
• Family and Community Support Services
• Barrhead Regional Employment Centre
• Aspen Health Services
• Family and Social Services
• Forestry, Lands and Wildlife
• Mental Health Clinic
• Medical Examiner-Coroner
• Public Works, Supply and Services
• Transportation and Utilities
• Recreation and Parks (Thunder Lake Park)

Federal

• Farm Credit Corporation
• Canada Post
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

Barrhead has a wide variety of recreational facilities, including the Barrhead Agrena, Barrhead Sportsground (ball diamonds, rodeo grounds, tennis courts, RV park area), Kinsmen Aquatic Centre (pool, sauna and whirlpool), Barrhead Curling Rink, Blue Heron Bowling Alley, Rotary Park (camping), and the Paddle River and Barrhead Golf Courses. There are 8 playgrounds and numerous other green areas throughout the town.

Thunder Lake Park is located west of town, and offers fishing, boating, swimming, 127 camp sites, group camping, boat rentals, boat launch, mooring, sandy beaches, campers beach, playgrounds, activity programs, farmer's market, sewage dumping station, Park Ranger security, cross-country ski trails and winter camping. Other camping facilities are available at the Killdeer Beach Resort, Peanut Lake, and Elks Beach.

The Misty Ridge Ski Hill provides opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. There is also the Homesteaders' Walking Trail, which goes from Barrhead along the Paddle River to the Barrhead Golf and Recreation Area.

Both the Town and County of Barrhead offer programs for a wide range of recreational pursuits, including hockey, figure skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, luge, tennis, ball hockey, swimming, aerobics, fitness, tai chi, yoga, ballet, jazz, tap, archery, shooting, hunting, water skiing, sailing, sail boarding and bird-watching. For more information on the Town of Barrhead's recreational programs, please contact Cindy Bowie at (780)674-2532.

Within the FCSS Building, there are a wide range of sports and activities to meet the needs of those wishing to participate in individual activities such as dancing, judo, boxing, workshops, board meetings and youth groups. Their modern complex is situated in Downtown Barrhead. For more information, please contact (780)674-3341.

Community Organizations

• Barrhead & District Agricultural Society
• Barrhead & District Chamber of Commerce
• Barrhead Grizzly Trail Fire and Rescue Association
• Barrhead Elks Club
• Barrhead Light Horse Association
• Barrhead Kinsmen Club
• Barrhead Senior Versatiles
• Barrhead Twinning Society (with Tokoro, Japan and Drouin, Australia)
• Country Opry Association
• Girl Guides of Canada
• Lazy Dazy Light Horse Club
• Lions and Lioness Clubs of Barrhead
• Madrigal Singing Group
• Meals on Wheels
• Order of Royal Purple Ladies
• Rejoicing Voices
• Rotary Club of Barrhead
• Royal Canadian Air Cadets
• Royal Canadian Legion No.75
• Scout Group Cubs and Beavers
• Wildrose Rodeo Association

Recreation and special interest clubs include the Barrhead Archery Club, Barrhead Art Club, Barrhead Arts Council, Barrhead Centennial Museum Society, Barrhead Gem Seekers, Barrhead Judo Club, Barrhead Tai Chi, Barrhead Boxing Club, Blue Heron Bowl, and the Town and Country Art Club.

Religious Services

Barrhead has 12 churches, serving a wide range of denominations.

Special Annual Events/Attractions

The town also has a number of active arts groups. The Barrhead Arts Council brings national and international entertainment at least 5 times a year to Barrhead, while the Barrhead Community Theatre also offers a number of productions throughout the year. Other groups include the Barrhead Art Club, Potters Guild, Spinners and Weavers and Gem Seekers.

• Figure Skating Carnival -- March
• Volunteer Appreciation Activities -- April
• Antique Car Run -- May
• Terry Fox Run -- May
• Blue Heron Street Festival -- June
• Soap Box Derby -- June
• Toxic Round Up -- June
• Canada Day Celebrations -- July 1
• Summer Programs -- July & August
• Blue Heron Fair Days -- August
• Wildrose Rodeo Finals -- September
• Christmas Light-Up -- November
• Christmas Parade -- December
• New Year's Eve Activities -- December 31

Hospitality

Accommodations

Barrhead Neighbourhood Inn...(780)674-3300 or 1-800-216-7210
Barrhead Red Baron Inn...(780)674-2336
Dallas Hotel...(780)674-2444
Sunset Cove Motel...(780)674-4400

Intown campground accommodations are located at the south entrance of town on Highway 33, at the Rotary Park. For more information call the Recreation Department at (780)674-2532 or the Town Office at (780)674-3301.

Restaurants

• A & W Restaurant
• Barrhead & District Coop Cafeteria
• Barrhead Golf & Recreation Area Cafeteria
• Barrhead Pizza & Spaghetti House
• DJ's Burger Baron
• Freddy's 2 for 1 Pizza 
• Garden Court Cafe located in the Barrhead Neighbourhood Inn
• Hong Kong Restaurant
• IGA Meeting Place
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Neil's Steak and Pizza
• Paddle River Golf Course Cafeteria
• Pepper's Family Restaurant
• Picture This Alberta Coffee Shop
• Prairie Chef Restaurant
• Ramzi's Burger & Pizza Restaurant
• Red Baron Inn Restaurant
• Reid's Kitchen
• Spring Sun Restaurant
• Subway
• 2 for 1 Pizza Express

Economic Base

Agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy -- diversification is prevalent, with numerous mixed farming enterprises including grain, peas, hogs, beef, dairy, poultry, elk, sheep, goats, ostrich, rhea, purebred cattle, purebred hogs, alpaca and seed growers. Diversification has expanded to ventures in market gardens, greenhouse vegetables, field vegetables, rhubarb, spice growing, garden nurseries and tree nurseries.

Other economic bases include lumber, oil and gas, manufacturing and retail trades.

Economic Facts

Major manufactured products in the Barrhead area include lumber, animal feeds, souvenir wood products (hockey sticks, baseball bats), machining, trophies, cabinetry and frames, wooden windows, furniture, concrete, fabricated steel buildings, signs, meat products, flour, oats, barley, honey, hot house vegetables, custom cowboy boots, pottery and lottery ticket printing.

Major Businesses Products/Services

Champion Feed Service Ltd. - Processes animal feed and pet food.
Pollard Banknote - Generates lottery tickets.
 Agricore - Fertilizer, grain sales and service, chemicals and herbicides.
Westglen Milling - Barley and oat processing.
Breal Metal Buildings & Industrial Insulation Ltd. - Metal buildings and industrial insulation.
Barrhead Plastics - Produces plastic containers and products.
Barrhead Custom Meat Packers - Meat and meat products.
Adelman Cabinets & Millwork Ltd. - Furniture, cabnets and millwork.
Sepallo Industries - Processes health food supplement ingredients.

Financial Institutions

Bank of Nova Scotia...(780)674-8400
Toronto Dominion Bank...(780)674-2216
Barrhead Savings & Credit Union...(780)674-3345
Alberta Treasury Branch...(780)674-2243

Education

Barrhead is a part of the Pembina Hills Regional School Division #7, headquartered in Barrhead. (Telephone: 780-674-8500).

Daycare/Nursery

Barrhead Family Day Homes
Children's World Daycare

Public

Public schools located within the Town of Barrhead include Barrhead Elementary School (K-6) and Barrhead Composite High School (7-12).

Other schools include Dunstable School (K-6), and Meadowview School (K-6). Also, Neerlandia School, located in Neerlandia, is a publicly funded school with a philosophy based on biblical principles.
The school offers education from Grades K-12.

Separate

N/A

Private

The Canadian Reformed School is located in the County of Barrhead near Neerlandia.

Barrhead Composite High School, Public Library and the Elementary School, all are located along 53 Avenue.

Emergency Services

A strong sense of safety and security make this an ideal place to live, the community is well prepared for any emergency.  The Town has a strong contingent of RCMP officers who are valued members of the community.  The Town and County of Barrhead are members of the 911 Emergency Services System.  Fire protection and ambulance services have dedicated personnel who can quickly respond to any call for help.  The Town and County of Barrhead have a joint Emergency Response Centre located in the Industrial Park at 4635-61 Avenue.

Fire Protection/Emergency Response Services

Through a Fire Authority Board the municipalities of the Town and County of Barrhead provide Fire & Rescue services to a 1538 sq. km region, (956 sq. mi.). With 3 pumper trucks, 1 tanker truck, 1 rescue truck, 1 rapid response mini pumper and an aerial truck. Our well-trained, 32 member volunteer fire department is equipped for all emergencies, under the direction of our full-time Fire Chief.
Tel: 780-674-2087 or Email: bfsl@telus.net

The Fire Authority also provides public education and fire prevention programming, inspections and investigations.

Ambulance Services

The Barrhead Ambulance Service has 2 modern ambulance units and numerous emergency personnel that deliver a combination of advanced and basic life support to the Community.  Access is available to Stars Air Ambulance, with landing facilities on the hospital grounds. (Tel: 780-674-2264).

Police Services

Barrhead and District is served by a detachment of 9 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).  Additional police services are readily available from the neighboring communities of Morinville, Mayerthorpe and Westlock detachments.  The officer in charge is Sgt. Randy Hindy.  (Tel: 780-674-2696).

Health Care

Barrhead Health Care Centre has 35 active treatment beds and offers a wide range of services from obstetrics, surgery, general medicine, auxiliary care, emergency, x-ray, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, dietetic counselling and education programs.

Aspen Regional Health serves the Barrhead area, and provides services in the following departments: dental, environmental health, family health services, health promotion, home care, medical officer of health, nutrition and speech and language.

Other medical services include 2 medical clinics staffed with 12 physicians, an optometry clinic, orthodontist clinic, 3 dental clinics staffed with 3 dentists, a physiotherapy clinic, dental laboratory, medical laboratory, massage therapist, chiropractor and psychologist.

The Keir Care Centre is a 100-bed extended care facility offering individualized care programs for seniors.

Senior Living Facilities

There are two lodge accommodation facilities for seniors. The Hillcrest contains 91 rooms and Klondike Place contains 40 suites. Residents of the lodges are encouraged to maintain their personal wellness and independence.

There is also three self contained manors which offer independant senior living. Pembina Court has 24 self contained units. Jubilee Manor is a self contained facility and contains 16 units and Golden Crest has 32 apartments. Both Jubilee Manor and Golden Crest are connected to the Hillcrest and Klondike Place lodges by pedways.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Town of Barrhead
5014 - 50 Avenue
Box 4189
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1A2
Tel: 780-674-3301
Fax: 780-674-5648
Email: town@barrhead.ca
http://www.barrhead.ca

Brian Schulz
Mayor

Farrell O'Malley
Municipal Manager
Email: fomalley@barrhead.ca
 

Barrhead & District Chamber of Commerce
Box 4524
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1A4
Tel: 780-674-4600

Provincial (Updated December 2004)

David Pattison
Director, Edmonton
Region Regional Development Branch
Alberta Economic Development
5th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4L6
Tel: 780-427-6648
Fax: 780-422-5804
Email: david.pattison@gov.ab.ca
(updated May 10, 2004)
Jan Couper, Client Services Representative
Tel: 780-427-6291
Email: jan.couper@gov.ab.ca

Kenneth Kowalski
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Barrhead-Westlock Constituency 
325  Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-2464
Fax: 780-422-9553

Constituency Office:
5110 - 50 Avenue, Box 4576
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1A4
Tel: 780-674-3225
Fax: 780-674-6183

Federal (Updated May 2001)

Robert Merrifield
Member of Parliament (MP)
Yellowhead Constituency
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-992-1653
Fax: 613-992-3459

Constituency Office:
Box 7887
Edson, Alberta
T7E 1V9
Tel: 780-723-6068 or 1-800-268-7117
Fax: 780-723-5060

Yellowhead East Business Development Centre
Sangudo, Alberta
Tel: 780-785-2900

Location

The Town of Barrhead is centrally located within the County of Barrhead #11, in north-central Alberta (Midnight Twilight Country). It is 122 km northwest of Edmonton following Highway 33, and ideally situated on a major provincial corridor at the junction of Highways 33 and 18. Highway 33...named the Grizzly Trail...is the shortest route to Peace River Country.

Post Secondary Education

Barrhead is within commuting distance of Edmonton. Edmonton provides us with post-secondary institutions such as the University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Grant McEwan College. Satellite campuses in Barrhead exist for Alberta Vocational College, NAIT and Grant McEwan College.

Taxation

	Residential/	Non-Residential
2008
Municipal Tax Rate	6.3500	13.213
Allowance for Non-Collection of Requisitioned Taxes	0.0287	0.0287
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	2.2138	4.5489
Barrhead Public Library	0.1701	0.1701
Total	8.7626	17.9607