Drayton Valley

Welcome

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Drayton Valley, a thriving and prosperous community situated within Brazeau County and surrounded by untouched wilderness and beauty.

Drayton Valley is ideally positioned atop a plateau between the North Saskatchewan and Pembina Rivers where the rolling agricultural lands of the east meet the forested foothills of the west. It is the largest community within the County and is the focal point for all essential services catering to a trading area of approximately 20,000. We are a progressive community and pride ourselves in being innovative as well as proactive. Many service industries based in Town have been leaders in their respective fields. The Town complements such economic activity by providing the necessary infrastructure to foster both business development as well as social and recreational activity.

The Town offers the perfect environment for a lifestyle that combines working, living and playing - a diversified economy, town and country living, parks, paths and the great outdoors! Come and discover the joys of working and living close to the great outdoors.

For more information on how we can be of service to help you become a part of our growing community contact any one of our Economic Development Committee Members or to request a copy of our Economic/Community Profiles send an email.

~ Creating Opportunity, Realising Potential ~

Area Overview

The Town of Drayton Valley, with a population of 6,893 (2006 Federal Census), is the largest community within Brazeau County. It is a major focal point for almost all essential services in the area. The surrounding trading area is approximately 20,000 people.

The area's economy started with the fur trade and progressed to lumber and mixed farming. In 1953 oil was discovered and it became the primary economic base of the community. The arrival of Weyerhaeuser in 1987, which operates a sawmill and an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plant, further enhanced the economic landscape. Today the economic base is very diversified with oil, forestry and agriculture being the most prevalent.

While pursuing economic development and a diversified economy, the Town has not forgotten the importance of a healthy and energetic lifestyle. Green space areas are in abundance throughout Drayton Valley. Neighbourhood parks, playgrounds, walkways and green areas contribute to Drayton Valley's healthy atmosphere. The urban centre is surrounded by a rural community which offers a variety of lifestyles for those who enjoy the wide open spaces of country living.

Urban living in a country environment is a reality in Drayton Valley. It's the place to work, raise a family and play!

Location

Latitude: 53^o 13' 22.82 N
Longitude: -114^o 58' 54.76 W
Elevation: 850 m (2,789 ft) above sea level

Located in west-central Alberta, nestled deep within in the North Saskatchewan River Basin and surrounded by forests of Aspen, Spruce and Pine lies the Town of Drayton Valley.

The rolling hills and vast farm lands, that Alberta is know for, can be seen when traveling west on Highway 39 into Drayton Valley from the City of Leduc. This leisurely country drive takes approximately 60 minutes and helps to illustrate much of our area's aesthetic qualities. Drayton Valley can also be accessed from Highway #16 (Yellowhead) and traveling south on Highway #22.

Additional information and specialized maps of the Town may be obtained from our GIS Administrator or by calling our town office at (780) 514.2200.

Economic Base

The primary economic base in the Drayton Valley area is oil and gas. The nearby Pembina Oilfield is Canada's largest and most prolific oilfield, encompassing more than 900 square miles. Drayton Valley is home to many local oilfield supply and service firms.

Forestry is also a major industry in Drayton Valley with Weyerhaeuser, the world's largest lumber company, operating both a sawmill and an OSB plant. The presence of Weyerhaeuser has led to many spinoff opportunities both in forestry operations or in servicing the forest industry. The two major forests nearby are-- Rocky-Clearwater and Whitecourt.

Agriculture is also an important part of the local economy. Most activities focus around the cattle industry and related support services, with cow/calf operations and custom grazing occupying a large portion of the efforts. Recently, diversification into other areas such as horse production, game farming, exotic animals, dairy and oilseeds has occurred.

Drayton Valley also has a thriving small business community. The strengths of Drayton Valley in retail, trade, service and manufacturing, supported by a resources base of oil, gas, lumber and agriculture, has provided the town with a very stable growth pattern over the years.

Economic Facts

Advances in oil exploration forestry, and an emerging tourism industry provides exceptional opportunities for investment and industrial expansion. A recent Business License Inventory Program undertaken by the Town of Drayton Valley in the early stages shows that there are over 642 businesses operating, employing 4,146 full-time and 1,412 part-time employees creating a median family income of $66,000.00/yr and a median household income $63,000.00/yr.

Largest Employers:

Penn West Petroleum
Imperial Oil
ExxonMobil
D & Pumpjack Services
Dial Oilfield Services
National Oilwell
Brandette Well Servicing
KOS Corp Industries
Pembina Pipline
Bob Dale Oilfield Construction
Option Machine
Frey & Associates
Weyerhaeuser
IGA
Extra Foods
Canadian Tire
Wal-Mart

Financial Institutions

Scotiabank
Royal Bank
Servus Credit Union
TD Canada Trust
ATB Financial
BMO Bank of Montreal

Utilities

	Alberta 1st Call	(800) 242.3447
Electrical Power
	Fortis Alberta	310.WIRE, 310-9473
	Enmax	310.2010
	EPCOR	310.4300
	Direct Energy (gas) Direct Energy (electricity)	(866) 420.3174 (888) 420.3181
Natural Gas
	ATCO Gas	310.5678
	Evergreen Gas Co-op Ltd.	542.4808
Telecommunications
	Telus	310.2255, (800) 400.2598
Cable Vision
	Shaw Cable	(800) 400.9605
Internet
	Telus (ADSL/Dial-up)	310.2255, (800) 400.2598
	Shaw Cable	(800) 400.9605
	DVNet (ADSL/Dial-up)
Water/Wastewater Waste Management
	Town of Drayton Valley	(780) 514.2200

Taxation

Tax Rates	Residential		Farmland
	2007	2006	2007	2006
Municipal	6.0982	7.1744	14.3194	16.212
Education ASFF	2.9571	3.4617	4.8066	5.7419
Education Opted Out	2.9571	3.4617	4.8066	5.7419
Seniors Lodge Accommodation	0.0835	0.0998	0.0835	0.0998
Mill Rate	9.1388	10.7359	19.2094	22.1137

 

The society coordinates volunteer tutors one-on-one with adults who need help with upgrading, basic literacy skills or English as a Second Language. Family literacy and citizenship programs are also available.

Health Care

Medical services in the area revolve around the Drayton Valley Hospital and Health Centre. Opened in 1984, this 100-bed facility is equipped with 2 surgical suites, an obstetrical suite, full diagnostic capabilities and a 20 bed nursing home featuring a charming atrium. In addition there is a cancer clinic located onsite, and an Alzheimer's unit (Serenity House) adjacent to the hospital.

Other medical services include 11 doctors, 7 consulting specialists, 5 dentists, 2 chiropractors, several physiotherapists, an optometrist and two certified massage therapists. In addition to the health complex, there are 3 medical clinics, 2 dental clinics, a health unit and a denture clinic. Recently, a 2 bed dialysis unit opened to provide much needed service to kidney dialysis patients. Other medical services include 11 doctors, 7 consulting specialists, 5 dentists, 2 chiropractors, several physiotherapists, an optometrist and two certified massage therapists. In addition to the health complex, there are 3 medical clinics, 2 dental clinics, a health unit and a denture clinic. Recently, a 2 bed dialysis unit opened to provide much needed service to kidney dialysis patients.

Physicians intrested in working in Drayton Valley should check the RPAP physician recruitment website for new opportunities. In addition, the International Qualifications Assessment Service website compares educational qualifications from other countries to provincial educational standards.

Emergency Services

Fire Protection

Tel: (780) 514.2216
Fax: (780) 514.2244

Ambulance Service

Drayton Valley is served by a crew of 7 full-time and 20 part-time members, responding in three ambulances on a 24-hour on call service.

Tel: (780) 514.5118

Police Services

Drayton Valley is served by a 12-member local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) along with a Community Constable.

Wendell Reimer, Staff Sergeant

Community Services

Drayton Valley, being the largest trading centre in the region, provides a host of community services ranging from Employment counseling to Intervention services. Listed below are several community service groups in Drayton Valley. If you would like further information you can contact: Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
 

Climate