Smoky Lake County
http://www.smokylakecounty.ab.ca
Area Overview
The County of Smoky Lake is located in northeast Alberta, approximately 120 km from Edmonton. It encompasses the Town of Smoky Lake, and the Villages of Waskatenau and Vilna.
The regional economy is based on agriculture and forestry. In addition, the County is home to some of the most impressive natural areas in the province. As such, the tourism industry, particularly eco-tourism, is seen as having significant potential in the area.
The County of Smoky Lake offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, from camping and fishing to hiking in the many natural areas in the County. Also, the County has a rich history back to the early 1900's and, as a result, there are many historical sites and points of interest throughout the County. Finally, each of the communities have many activities and events for residents and visitors alike, which attests to the strong community spirit of the County of Smoky Lake.
Location
The County of Smoky Lake is located approximately 120 km northeast of Edmonton.It is approximately a one hour drive to Edmonton's city limits to the southwest; the Town of Vegreville to the south; the Town of St. Paul to the east and the Town of Lac La Biche to the northeast.
Economic Base
Primary natural resources in the area include large deposits of natural gas, extensive areas of peat, some forested areas suitable for logging; a large number of lakes and natural areas attractive to vacationers and wildlife enthusiasts, and a 50 mile stretch of the north shore of the North Saskatchewan River, virtually undeveloped.
The major economic base of the County is agriculture. The area has grazing lands to the north, good quality flat crop lands to the west, a climate suitable for most crops, ready access to processing facilities, and a large domestic market in Edmonton.
Tourism is a significant growth industry for the County, with numerous small business enterprises starting to evolve as the large Edmonton market looks closer to home for vacation and recreation opportunities. The area is viewed as having significant potential for eco-tourism ventures.
The forest industry has a significant impact on the County as a result of the Alberta Government's Pine Ridge Forest Nursery, a world-scale facility providing tree seedlings for reforestation projects throughout the province. The location of this facility has encouraged development in a nearby rural location of a privately operated greenhouse producing nursery stock for reforestation purposes.
Economic Facts
The major industrial facility in the County is Holgerson Dairies Inc., a dairy processing plant which employs approximately 50 people and ships fluid milk and manufactured milk products throughout the north and north-central Alberta. The Town of Smoky Lake serves as a service centre for a large area in all directions.
A major industry in the rural area is a peat processing plant which harvests, dries and ships peat to Edmonton for containerization and distribution. Large areas of undeveloped peat lands are located in the regions to the north and east of the County.
Major Businesses Products/Services
- Holgerson Dairies Inc. Dairy Processing
Financial Institutions
Financial institutions that serve the area include the Toronto Dominion Bank [Smoky Lake, Vilna], Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce [Smoky Lake, Waskatenau], and Alberta Treasury Branch [Smoky Lake, Vilna, Waskatenau]. An office of the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and Farm Credit Corporation are also located in the County.
Utilities
Electrical Power
Alberta Power Ltd.
Box 400, #15 White Earth Street
Smoky Lake, Alberta
T0A 3C0
Tel: 403-656-3770
Natural Gas
County of Smoky Lake Natural Gas System
Box 310
Smoky Lake, Alberta
T0A 3C0
Tel: 403-656-3037 [emergencies only]
Telephone
A.G.T. Limited
Residential [Tel: 403-310-2255]
Business [Tel: 403-310-3100]
Water Supply
The Town of Smoky Lake and the Villages of Warspite, Vilna and Waskatenau administer their own water supply. The Hamlet of Spedden is supplied with a central "truck fill" facility with metred well water. All other residents are responsible for their own water service.
Waste Management
The Town of Smoky Lake, the Villages of Waskatenau, Warspite and Vilna, and the Hamlet of Bellis have community sewage treatment facilities [lagoons]. Sewage treatment in other areas is completed privately.
Weekly garbage collection is available in the Town of Smoky Lake and the Villages of Waskatenau, Warspite and Vilna. Garbage in other areas is privately hauled to landfill sites near Smoky Lake, Vilna, Spedden, Bellis and Waskatenau.
Taxation
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Municipal Tax Rate |
7.5100 |
14.2600 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
4.7340 |
7.5150 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.5950 |
.5950 |
Mill Rates [1995]
Residential - Public 26.036
Residential - Separate N/A
Non-Residential - Public 24.188
Non-Residential - Separate N/A
The pipeline mill rate is 26.118.
Transportation
Air Services
A grass air strip is located immediately to the east of the Town of Smoky Lake, which is maintained for casual summer use. National and international air service is available at Edmonton Industrial and Edmonton International Airports.
Rail Services
A major branch line of the CNR passes through the communities within the County, connecting Edmonton with Cold Lake and the miliary air base.
Highways
The County of Smoky Lake is located about an hour's distance from Edmonton, immediately beside Highway 28, the main highway connecting Edmonton with the Lakeland Tourism Region and the Cold Lake military air base.
Secondary Highway 855 provides access southward via Highways 45 and 16 to the Yellowhead Route to the more eastern provinces and to the south and east sectors of the province. A network of highways connects through to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat and the U.S. border bypassing the major population centres of Edmonton and Calgary.
Highway 36, about 25 minutes east of the Town of Smoky Lake, provides direct paved access to Lac La Biche and to Fort McMurray and the Athabasca Tar Sands developments.
Highways 855, 45, 15 and 21 provide paved access to the Edmonton International Airport, avoiding the congestion of Edmonton city traffic.
A network of primary and secondary highways serve the County region, providing access to the western regions of the province and Peace River Country, without the need of dealing with restrictions of traffic in a large population centre.
Trucking Firms
Several trucking firms serve the County, providing general and specialized transportation services, including livestock hauling.
Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines operates a twice daily passenger and courier service within the County and Cold Lake, and between the County and Edmonton. In addition, Carson Tours operates a luxury bus charter service from the area.
Couriers and Taxis
National and international couriers such as Loomis and Purolator supply daily service to the County. In addition, Greyhound Courier Express offers twice daily courier service, and Canada Post offers daily courier service.
Community Lifestyle
Recreation
The Town of Smoky Lake and the communities have a wide range of recreational facilities including curling rinks, ice arenas, dance halls, gymnasiums, ball diamonds, campgrounds, kid's playgrounds and senior citizens drop-in centres.
Nearby resort areas include the Smoky Lake Campground, Victoria Picnic Grounds, Hanmore Lake Campground [west][east], Warspite Picnic Grounds, Island Lake Campground, Mons Lake Campground, Bellis Lake Campground, Garner Lake Provincial Park, Bonnie Lake Campground, Vilna Lions Club Rest Area, and the Village Park [day use].
Other points of interest include the Bellis Natural Area, Smoky Lake Golf Course, Holgerson Dairies, Kalyna Country Ecomuseum, Waskatenau Trestle, Victoria Trail, Pine Creek Post Office and General Store, Fort Victoria, Pine Ridge Forest Nursery, World's Largest Mushroom, Vilna Pool Hall, Vilna Golf Course and the Kubasa Canyon.
Community Organizations
There are a wide range of community organizations, sports clubs and service groups that are active throughout the County.
Religious Services
Most religious denominations are represented in the County.
Special Annual Events/Attractions
Local cultural facilities include the Smoky Lake Museum, Smoky Lake. Also the Historic CNR Station is a museum that also houses the Tourist Information Booth and the White Earth Art Gallery.
A wide range of annual events take place throughout the County, including:
- Smoky Lake Stampede and Heritage Days [Smoky Lake, long weekend in August]
- Great White North Pumpkin Fair and Weigh-off [Smoky Lake, October]
- Victoria Trail Agricultural Society Annual Fair [Waskatenau, August]
- Vilna Fair Days [Vilna, 3rd weekend in August]
- Warspite Farmers Day Weekend Celebration [Warspite, second weekend in June]
- Bellis 9th Annual Slow Pitch Tournament [Bellis, May long weekend]
- 11th Annual Fort Victoria Days [Fort Victoria, August]
Hospitality
Accommodation
Overnight accommodation is available in the Town of Smoky Lake, Vilna, Waskatenau, Warspite and Spedden. There are also two bed & breakfast establishments in the Smoky Lake area.
Restaurants
Dining establishments are available in Smoky Lake, Vilna, Waskatenau and Spedden.
Education
The County is part of the Aspen View Regional Division, headquartered in the Town of Athabasca [Tel: 403-675-2273].
Daycare/Nursery
Day cares and nurseries are located throughout the County.
Public
Public schooling is available in Smoky Lake [K-12], Vilna [K-12], Waskatenau [K-8], and Bellis [K-6].
Separate
N/A
Private
N/A
Post Secondary
Post-secondary institutions in Edmonton such as The University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan College and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT], are approximately 1 hour's drive from the County of Smoky Lake.
Health Care
Hospital care is available at the George McDougall Memorial and Auxiliary Hospital in Smoky Lake [10 acute care beds, laboratory and diagnostic imaging, community-based services, respite and palliative programs], and Our Lady's Hospital in Vilna [continuing care beds, community-based services, laboratory and diagnostic imaging, respite and palliative programs]. Medical clinics and nursing homes are available in Smoky Lake and Vilna, while senior citizens homes are available in Smoky Lake, Waskatenau and Vilna.
The County is also served by the North Eastern Alberta Health Unit, which provides programs in home care, speech-language pathology, community health nursing, hereditary diseases, environmental health, nutrition, dental, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, family life and health promotion.
Emergency Services
Fire Protection
The County is served by a 15-member volunteer fire department based in Smoky Lake. It serves the area from Warspite to the River, east to Bellis and north past Hanmore Lake. There are also fire departments that serve the Town of Smoky Lake, Vilna and Waskatenau. The volunteer fire departments in Vilna and Waskatenau serve the residents in the eastern and western regions of the County.
Police Services
The County is served by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, based in Smoky Lake.
Ambulance Services
Paramedic and ambulance services are provided by Mystique Ambulance. An Advanced Life Support [ALS] level of service is available.
Community Services
Municipal
County of Smoky Lake No. 13
Box 310
Smoky Lake, Alberta
T0A 3C0
Tel: 403-656-3730
Fax: 403-656-3768
Provincial
Several provincial departments have offices in the County, including Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Financial Services Corporation, Fish & Wildlife, and the Pine Ridge Forest Nursery.
Federal
- Canada Post
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Farm Credit Corporation
Google Map
Smoky Lake County, Alberta, Canada