Fox Creek

http://www.town.fox-creek.ab.ca

Welcome

On behalf of the residents and Council of the Town of Fox Creek, I welcome your
interest in our community. I appreciate the time and effort you are taking in assessing our community and hope that the information we have compiled is of benefit for you, whether you decide to locate a new business here or make Fox Creek your new home.

We are proud of our community and the people who live here. We are a young community, incorporated in July 1967, and that's why our motto is 'Canada's Centennial Community'.

Welcome and thank you for visiting Fox Creek.

Sincerely,

 

Mayor, Leora Mackinnon

Area Overview

The New Town of Fox Creek was founded on July 19, 1967 and became the Town of Fox Creek in 1983. It is located approximately 240 km [150 miles] northwest of Edmonton on Highway 43, which links central Alberta with the MacKenzie and Alaska Highway systems in the northwest part of the province.

Fox Creek is known to Albertans as a good place to raise a family. In addition to available urban amenities, town residents are quite outdoor-oriented and enjoy many recreational benefits associated with area lakes, streams and forests. Popular activities in the area are hunting, fishing in the nearby lakes and streams, camping and snowmobiling.

Along with our municipal RV Park, located near the downtown, the Town of Fox Creek maintains a campground at Iosegun Lake [11 km north of the town] and Smoke Lake [8 km south of the town].

There are snowmobile trails surrounding the community, at Iosegun Lake as well as "The Golden Triangle." This Golden Triangle is a network of clearly marked snowmobile trails which link Fox Creek, Swan Hills and Whitecourt.



Community Services

Municipal:
Town of Fox Creek
P.O. Box 149
Fox Creek, Alberta
T0H 1P0
Tel: 780-622-3896
Fax: 780-622-4247
Web: www.town.fox-creek.ab.ca

Public Works

  • Community Resource Centre
  • Municipal LIbrary

Provincial:

  • Fish & Wildlife
  • Forests
  • Provincial Court

Federal:

  • Canada Postal Outlet
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police



Community Lifestyle

Recreation
Fox Creek is located in a wilderness area that supports significant fish and wildlife resources. The area has an established reputation for its big game hunting and recreational fishing.

The proximity of the Town to the many lakes and streams, provides the residents of Fox Creek with a variety of recreational activities such as boating, water skiing/tubing, fishing, camping and hiking to name a few.

The Town's entertainment and recreational facilities and services include an outdoor swimming pool [adjacent to the school], a 4-sheet curling rink, indoor arena, 9-hole golf course with grass greens, driving range, community hall, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, picnic areas, a scout hall, and a number of playgrounds.

The Tourist Information Centre located on the North end of Town along Highway 43 has some newer picnic areas and also a children's playground area. The Tourist Information Centre has friendly staff on hand seasonally to greet and answer any questions from travelers.

Community Organizations
The community boasts of many local children's and adult organizations, some of which include:
- Archery Club
- Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
- C.H.I.P.S. [Children's Indoor Playground Society]
- Highland, Jazz and Ballet Dance
- Figure Skating Club
- Junior Curling
- Junior Golf
- Minor Sports Association [Ball & Hockey]
- Playschool
- Sparks, Brownies, Guides & Pathfinders
- Royal Canadian Legion
- Fox Creek Lions Club
- Historical Association
- Men's Basketball
- Mixed Volleyball
- Curling Club
- Golf Club
- Light Horse Association
- Men's Hockey
- Northland Sno Goers Snowmobile Club
- Slo-Pitch Association
- Golden Circle Seniors
- Food Bank
- The Friends of Fox Creek Health Care Auxiliary
- Chamber of Commerce
- Ladies Hockey
- Legion Darts
- ECHO Society
- Wilderness Volksport Club
- Homeschool Support Group
- AA and Alanon
- Municipal Library Board

As well as various other community boards and committees.

Religious Services

  • Fox Creek Evangelical Free Church
  • Fox Creek Pentecostal Assembly
  • Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church

Special Annual Events/Attractions
Annual events such as a Slo-pitch Tournament, golf tournaments, curling bonspiels and the Athabasca Raft Races are a big hit with the residents of Fox Creek. The Fox Creek Chamber of Commerce also hosts a Canada Day celebration and an annual Old Fashioned Christmas. Besides these events the RCMP host an annual ball [dinner and dance] and golf tournament.

Downtown there is a clothing store, craft and gift stores, hardware, furniture, Sears catalogue outlet, jewelry store, hair salons, grocery store, laundromat, drug store and pharmacy, video rentals, The Source, insurance sales, and liquor store. Gas stations include a Winks, Petro-Canada, Husky, Esso card lock, UFA card lock and Petro-Canada card lock. The Friends of Fox Creek Hospital Auxiliary also run a thrift shop, and other businesses you will find are the local tire shop and auto repair as well as a rental shop to name a few. Many other services or goods are provided by home occupations.

Hospitality
Accommodation:
Fox Creek has over a 330 rooms available, in a variety of price-ranges, in the following hotels:

  • Alaskan Motel               780-622-3073
  • Grizzly Motor Hotel        780-622-3792
  • Fox Creek Inn              780-622-3821
  • Regal Motor Inn            780-622-3333
  • Bedrock Inn                 780-622-2223
  • Western Inn                 780-622-8333
  • Foxwood Inn & Suites    780-622-2280

Restaurants:

  • Suzy Q's
  • Tops Restaurant
  • A & W Restaurant
  • Ernie O's Restaurant and Pub
  • Grizzly Lounge
  • Shangri-la Restaurant
  • Norm's Planet Burger
  • K's Soup and Sandwiches
  • Husky House Restaurant
  • Subway
  • Mitchell's 2 for 1 Pizza



Economic Base

The economic base of Fox Creek is focused on the oil, gas and forestry industries. Approximately 3/4 of the principal wage earners in the community have jobs related to the operation of the nearby oil & gas fields and gas processing plants, or the provision of oil fields services [construction, well servicing]. There are considerable timber
resources in the Fox Creek area as well.

The Town's commercial sector is located immediately adjacent to Highway #43, and the community's industrial properties are situated beyond the commercial zone further removed from the highway. The local business community caters primarily to the needs of Fox Creek residents, oilfield workers, other resource workers temporarily based in the Fox Creek area, and the highway commercial traffic. There are approximately 230 businesses [both home occupation and commercial/industrial retail] in the community.

Economic Facts

There are large gas processing plants near the community operated by Chevron-Texaco, B.P. Amoco and Paramount. These provide significant local employment. In addition, Mostowich Lumber Ltd. operates a sawmill, and is the largest local employer in the
forest sector.

Major Businesses Products/Services

  • B.P. Amoco Canada Petroleum Co. Oil and Gas
  • Chevron-Texaco Canada Resources Oil and Gas
  • Paramount Resources Oil and Gas
  • Mostowich Lumber Ltd. Forestry

Financial Institutions

  • Alberta Treasury Branch
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Education

Fox Creek is part of the Northern Gateway Regional School Division, headquartered in Whitecourt [Tel: 780-778-2800].

Daycare/Nursery
Playschool and C.H.I.P.S. [Children's Indoor Playground Society] programs are also offered in the community. Local boards run these programs which are available to pre-kindergarten aged children where students learn through play and interaction with other children to reinforce appropriate behaviour skills [manners, sensitivity towards others, sharing, etc.] The Trinity Day Care offers a variety of childcare options.

Public
Fox Creek School provides education from Grades K to 12.

The Town also has an Adult Community Learning Centre which supplies credit and non-credit courses for adults ages 18 and up. Correspondence, teleconference and safety programs are also offered as well as adult upgrading including one on one tutoring, grades 0-12. New in 2002 is an Outreach School geared towards non-traditional learning for students unable to attend regular classes. Contact the Community Resource Centre for details (780-622-3758).

Separate

  • Fox Creek falls in the Living Waters Separate School Division, but no Separate school operates at present.

Private

  • N/A

Post Secondary Education
Post-secondary education is available in the City of Edmonton, e.g. The University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan Community College, and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT]. Some credit courses are also available through the Community Resource Centre.



Emergency Services

In 2002, 9-1-1 service was made available. Based from Grande Prairie, 9-1-1 has linked Fox Creek residents to a widely available emergency services network.

Fire Protection
Fox Creek is served by a 24-member volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. It has two pumper trucks and one rescue vehicle [Tel: 780-622-3777].

Police Services
Fox Creek is served by a 5-member local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Emergency 9-1-1, Office Tel: 780-622-3580]. The Fox Creek
detachment is responsible for an area extending from Little Smoky in the north to Two Creeks in the south.

Ambulance Services
Combined paramedic/BLS service is provided to Fox Creek through a contracted ambulance service company [Emergency 9-1-1, Office Tel: 780-622-2838].

Health Care

The Fox Creek Hospital offers 4 acute care beds and also houses the Medical Clinic and Public Health Care Office.

Fox Creek offers the service of two doctors. There are replacement locum physicians when the local doctors are unavailable.

A public health nurse from the Peace Country Health region provides preventative health services in Fox Creek each week. These services include immunizing children in the community and prenatal classes.

A dental office provides care to residents on a full time basis. 622-2525

Massage therapy, reflexology, and psychology and personal counselling services are also available to Fox Creek residents.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal
Town of Fox Creek
P.O. Box 149
Fox Creek, Alberta
T0H 1P0
Tel: 780-622-3896
Fax: 780-622-4247

Leora Mackinnon - Mayor

Farrell O'Malley - Town Manager (780) 622-3896 (Work)

Fox Creek Chamber of Commerce

Sheila Beloin - Office Assistant
780-622-2670

Provincial: (May 2006)
Mel Knight
Member of Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Grande Prairie Smoky Constituency

Constituency Office
#105, 9804 - 100 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 0T8
Phone: (780) 513-1233
Fax: (780) 513-1247
grandeprairie.smoky@assembly.ab.ca

Legislature Office
#132 Legislature Building
10800-97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-1879
Fax: (780) 415-0968

Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry
Tammy Powell, Regional Director
tammy.powell@gov.ab.ca
Christine Lockhart, Information Officer
chris.lockhart@gov.ab.ca

111 Provincial Building
111 - 54 Street
Edson, Alberta
T7E 1T2
Tel: 780-723-8229
Fax: 780-723-8240

Federal (May 2006)
Rob Merrifield
Member of Parliament [MP]
Yellowhead Constituency

Parliamentary Address
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-1653
Fax: (613) 992-3459
E-Mail: Merrifield.R@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Address
119 - 50th Street, PO Box 7887
Edson, Alberta
T7E 1V9
Telephone: (780) 723-6068 1-800-268-7117
Fax: (780) 723-5060
TTY:
E-Mail:
5023 - 50 Avenue, P.O. Box 1495
Whitecourt, Alberta
T7S 1P3
Telephone: (780) 706-2067
Fax: (780) 706-2085
TTY:
E-Mail:

Location

The Town of Fox Creek is located 240 km northwest of Edmonton on Highway #43, which links central Alberta with the MacKenzie and Alaska highway systems in the
northwest part of the province. It is also approximately 197 kilometers southeast of Grande Prairie. Its closest neighbouring communities are Valleyview, located 85 km north, and Whitecourt, located 74 km south of Fox Creek.



Post Secondary Education

Post-secondary education is available in the City of Edmonton, e..g. The University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan Community College, and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT].

Taxation

Residential/Farmland Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate 13.4330 15.1030
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate 4.4340 6.4611
Education Opted Out Tax Rate 4.4340 6.4611
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate .1373 .1373


Mill Rates [2002]

Residential - Public N/A
Residential - Separate N/A
Non-Residential - Public N/A
Non-Residential - Separate N/A

Municipal
School Requisition Residential
School Requisition Non-Residential
Commercial/Industrial Linear – 22.177
Residential Single Family – 18.060

Residential Multi-Family – 25.763

The Town of Fox Creek does not levy a business tax. We do, however, have a yearly license fee for all businesses. Businesses must apply for a yearly license at the Town Administration Office. Peddlers and other temporary businesses must also contact the Town Administration Office for their Business Licenses.



Transportation

Air Service
Fox Creek has a paved and lighted airstrip, which is used for private and charter aircraft.

Rail Service
There are two Canadian National spur lines south of Smoke Lake, which are used to transport sulphur produced from gas plants in the area to external markets.

Highways
Highway #43 is a major connector to the northwest from the province's urban centres in the south. The current twinning of Highway 43 has increased significantly the tourism
and business traffic passing Fox Creek. Access to some portions of the region's hinterland is provided by roads that have been developed by oil companies and forestry related industry operating in the area.

Trucking Firms

  • Trottier Trucking
  • Grimshaw Trucking
  • McClelland Oilfield Services
  • Gibson Energy
  • KOS Corp
  • Northwell Oilfield Hauling
  • 3 Boys Consulting

Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines offers passenger and freight service to the region traveling both north and south.

Couriers and Taxis
Greyhound Courier Express, Loomis and Purolator provide service to Fox Creek. The local taxi companies is Fox Cabs.

Utilities

Electrical Power
ATCO Electric
31 - 1st Avenue
Fox Creek, Alberta
Tel: 1-800-668-2248

Electrical Distributor - Direct Energy - 1-888-420-3181

Natural Gas
ATCO Gas
P.O. Box 419
Whitecourt, Alberta
T7S 1N5
Tel: 780-778-8481
Or toll-free 310-5678

Gas Distributor - Direct Energy - 1-866-420-3174

Telephone
Telus
Tel: (toll-free) 310-7353 or 310-2255

Water Supply
In 1983, the Town's water and sewer facilities were expanded to accommodate a population of 3,500. Municipal water comes from a community well. Water is subject to chlorination and iron control and is distributed by a piped system.

Waste Management
Sewage collection is by a piped system and disposal is by detention ponds.

Household garbage is picked up on a weekly basis, while businesses are responsible for their own garbage collection.

Fox Creek levies a flat monthly fee for water, sewage and garbage to residences. However, water is metered for businesses, with sewage rates calculated as a
percentage of consumption.

Population

Total Population    
Population 2006* 2,337
Population 2005* 2,337
Population 2004* 2,337
Population 2003* 2,337
Population 2002* 2,337
Population 2001** 2,335
Population 1996** 2,321
Population 1991** 2,260
Population % change 1991-1996 2.63%
Population % change 1996-2001 0.60%
Population % change 2001-2006 0.09%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs
** Source: Statistics Canada Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender  1996 
Male 		 1996 
Female 		 1996 
Total 		 2001 
Male 		 2001 
Female 		 2001 
Total 
Age 0 - 4 130 105 235 100 100 200
Age 5 - 14 225 210 435 215 195 410
Age 15 - 19 95 100 195 105 100 205
Age 20 - 24 105 70 175 105 90 195
Age 25 - 34 275 225 500 240 180 420
Age 35 - 44 240 195 435 250 215 465
Age 45 - 54 140 85 225 170 120 290
Age 55 - 64 45 40 85 60 45 105
Age 65 - 74 15 5 20 20 25 45
Age 75 and older 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total All Persons 1,275 1,045 2,320 1,265 1,075 2,340
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Fox Creek Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older  2001  % 
People without high school certificates 445 29.28%
People with high school certificates 210 13.82%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma 550 36.18%
People with post-secondary education (not completed) 215 14.14%
People with university diploma/certificate 15 0.99%
People with university degree 85 5.59%
Total Population 20 years and older 1,520 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Fox Creek Highest Level of Schooling 2001


Population with Post Secondary Qualifications  1996  %  2001  % 
Agriculture and biological sciences 25 3.65% 10 1.54%
Commerce, management and business administration 115 16.79% 70 10.77%
Educational, recreational and counseling services 55 8.03% 55 8.46%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades 365 53.28% 370 56.92%
Engineering and applied sciences 20 2.92% 15 2.31%
Fine and applied arts 25 3.65% 25 3.85%
Health professionals, science and technologies 40 5.84% 85 13.08%
Humanities and related fields 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Mathematics and physical sciences 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Social sciences and related fields 40 5.84% 20 3.08%
Other and/or no specialization 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications 685 100.00% 650 100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications 250 36.50% 220 33.85%
Males with post-secondary qualifications 435 63.50% 430 66.15%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity  1996  2001 
In the labour force, both sexes 1,330 1,490
Not in the labour force, both sexes 295 245
Total population 15 and over 1,620 1,740
Employed, both sexes 1,270 1,450
Unemployed, both sexes 60 40
Participation rate, both sexes 82.00% 86.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes 5.00% 3.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

Labour Force by Industry Division  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Agriculture 40 3.02% 0 0.00%
Mining 470 35.47% 475 31.88%
Manufacturing 80 6.04% 55 3.69%
Construction 70 5.28% 100 6.71%
Transportation. & Utilities 130 9.81% 95 6.38%
Retail and Wholesale 120 9.06% 225 15.10%
Finance 30 2.26% 50 3.36%
Business & Community Services 320 24.15% 485 32.55%
Public Administration 25 1.89% 20 1.34%
Total All Industries 1,325 100.00% 1,490 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Fox Creek Labour Force By Industry - 2001


 
Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups  1996  %  2001  % 
Management occupations 45 3.40% 155 10.40%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations 145 10.94% 140 9.40%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 80 6.04% 75 5.03%
Health occupations 20 1.51% 35 2.35%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion 45 3.40% 70 4.70%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport 15 1.13% 15 1.01%
Sales and service occupations 320 24.15% 345 23.15%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations 300 22.64% 400 26.85%
Occupations unique to primary industry 140 10.57% 65 4.36%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities 210 15.85% 185 12.42%
Occupations not elsewhere classified 10 0.75% 0 0.00%
Total - All Occupations (major groups) 1,325 100.00% 1,490 100.00%
Females - All Occupations 490 36.98% 590 39.60%
Males - All Occupations 835 63.02% 900 60.40%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)  1996  %  2001  % 
less than $19,999 20 3.57% 10 1.96%
$20,000 - $39,999 85 15.18% 60 11.76%
$40,000 - $59,999 130 23.21% 100 19.61%
$60,000 and over 325 58.04% 330 64.71%
Total number of families 560 100.00% 500 98.04%
Average family income $71,872   $80,347  
Median family income $65,052   $79,655  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)  1996  %  2001  % 
less than $19,999 55 7.24% 40 5.00%
$20,000 - $39,999 120 15.79% 130 16.25%
$40,000 - $59,999 175 23.03% 135 16.88%
$60,000 and over 105 13.82% 490 61.25%
Total number of households 760 100.00% 800 100.00%
Average household income $66,942   $74,131  
Median household income $61,154   $74,252  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Family Expenditure

Expenditure Category  1992  % of total  1996  % of total 
Food and Shelter $9,380,420 36.14% $12,215,298 35.47%
Clothing $1,854,565 7.14% $2,421,574 7.03%
Education and Reading materials $608,230 2.34% $829,956 2.41%
Health and Personal care $1,580,110 6.09% $2,266,761 6.58%
Hshld. operations and furnishings $2,875,695 11.08% $3,802,597 11.04%
Recreation $2,300,490 8.86% $3,366,028 9.77%
Transportation $5,314,020 20.47% $6,610,961 19.20%
Miscellaneous $2,042,390 7.87% $2,925,979 8.50%
Total Current Consumption $25,958,555 100.00% $34,439,154 100.00%
Total # of Households 740   760  
Average Consumption per Household $35,079   $45,315  
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Fox Creek Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
Building Permits Value, Commercial $605,000 $1,226,000 $1,092,000 $365,000 $400,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial $76,000 $55,000 $1,455,000 $520,000 $510,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional $0 $361,000 $155,000 $6,000 $0
Building Permits Value, Residential $1,354,000 $1,913,000 $953,000 $2,098,000 $3,006,000
Building Permits Value, Total $2,035,000 $3,555,000 $3,655,000 $2,989,000 $3,916,000
Total Housing Starts 10 10 7 9 32
Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Apartments 135 17.76% 160 20.00%
Detached Duplexes 0 0.00% 5 0.63%
Movable Dwellings 130 17.11% 145 18.13%
Other single attached house 10 1.32% 0 0.00%
Row and semi-detached house 35 4.61% 20 2.50%
Single-detached house 450 59.21% 470 58.75%
Total number of occupied private dwellings 760 100.00% 800 100.00%
Private dwellings, owned 520 68.42% 555 69.38%
Private Dwellings, rented 240 31.58% 245 30.63%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction  # of Dwellings  % of total 
Period of construction, before 1946 0 0.00%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960 10 1.25%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970 150 18.75%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980 440 55.00%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990 95 11.88%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001 105 13.13%
Total number of private dwellings constructed 800 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

 

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