Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of

Welcome

Welcome to our community

The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 was incorporated in December 11, 1916. The Municipal District of Spirit River is located approximately 356 miles north and west of Edmonton, Alberta. Located in the beautiful Peace River Region of northwestern Alberta, the Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 offers breath-taking scenery.

The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 is a predominantly farming area surrounding the Town of Spirit River and the Village of Rycroft. There are 302 dwellings with a population of 824 (2001 Census) in the Municipal District. The total land base of the Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 is 169,412 acres. Most of the people in the Municipal District are involved in the primary agricultural sector industry of growing crops or raising livestock. There is an average of 83 "frost free" days and 108 " growing" days in the Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133. The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 receives 20 inches of annual precipitation.

Located in the beautiful Peace River Region of northwestern Alberta the Municipal District of Spirit River offers breath-taking scenery. The mighty Peace River, which forms part of the northern boundary, and the Birch Hills and Saddle Hills to the south, are some of the natural features that contribute to the appeal of the Municipal District of Spirit River. We encourage you to come and visit with us.

Area Overview

The Municipal District of Spirit River is a small municipality located in northwest Alberta. The main communities are the Town of Spirit River and the Village of Rycroft.

The topography of the M.D. is mainly flat, broken by valleys of the Spirit and Burnt Rivers. The Spirit Ridge area in the southwest has the highest elevations.

Community Services

Municipal

Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133
Box 389
Spirit River, Alberta
T0H 3G0
Tel: (780) 864-3500
Fax: (780) 864-4303
Email: mdsr133@mdspiritriver.ab.ca
Website: www.mdspiritriver.ab.ca

Provincial

Provincial departments such as Alberta Agriculture, Forestry Lands and Wildlife, and Mental Health have offices in Spirit River.

Federal

Canada Post Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

Spirit River and Rycroft have recreation/cultural facilities such as artificial ice arenas, gymnasiums, community halls, libraries, curling rinks, soccer fields, etc. Also, the Sylvan Meadows Golf Course is located near Spirit River. Municipal recreation and tourism areas include Rotary Park and Spirit River.

Community Organizations

Several community organizations, sports clubs and service groups are active in the M.D.

Religious Services

Most major denominations are represented in the M.D.

Special Annual Events/Attractions

• Northern Winter Frolic [Rycroft] -- last weekend in February
• Valentine's Ball [Spirit River] -- February 14
• Rycroft and District Fashion Show [Rycroft] -- April
• Curling Club Dine and Dance [Spirit River] -- April
• June Jamboree [Spirit River] -- June
• Agricultural Society Bench Show [Rycroft] -- mid-August
• Rycroft Market Place Variety Market [Rycroft] -- May and November
• Craft Show [Spirit River] -- November

Accommodation

• 49 Motel Ltd., Spirit River
• Spirit River Hotel Ltd., Spirit River
• Rycroft Hotel, Rycroft
• Crossroads Motel and Bed & Breakfast, Rycroft
• Leprechaun Motor Lodge, Rycroft

Restaurants

Available in the communities.

Economic Base

The main economic base of the M.D. is agriculture, and oil & gas extraction. Up to 55% of the population is employed in the primary sector.

Economic Facts

Economic Facts

There are 171, 557 acres of land defined as agricultural.

There are estimated reserves of 2,313,600 cubic metres of light medium grade oil, 1,253,000 cubic metres of natural gas, 454,000 cubic metres of oil sands reserves, and 29,200 hectares of oil sands deposits.

Financial Instutions

Available in Spirit River and Rycroft.

Education

Education

The M.D. is part of the Peace Wapiti Regional Division No. 33, headquartered in Grande Prairie [Tel: (780) 532-8133], and the Grande Prairie Roman Catholic Separate School District No. 28, headquartered in Grande Prairie [Tel: (780) 532-3013].

Public

Schools are located in Spirit River [K-12] and Rycroft [K-9].

Separate

Ste. Marie Roman Catholic Separate School, located in Spirit River, provides education for Grades K to 8.

Emergency Services

Fire Protection

The M.D. is served by a volunteer fire department [Tel: (780) 864-4111 or 911 for emergencies only]. The Village of Rycroft and the Town of Spirit River have their own volunteer fire departments.

Police Services

The M.D. is served by the Spirit River detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Tel: (780) 864-3533].

Ambulance Services

The M.D. is served by the Central Peace Ambulance Service [Tel: (780) 864-2453].

Health Care

Residents of the M.D. have access to the Central Peace General Hospital, located in Spirit River, which is a 45-bed facility. Other local medical services include the Central Peace Clinic, South Peace Health Unit, Spirit River Dental Clinic, a physiotherapist. Housing facilities for senior citizens is available.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133
Box 389
Spirit River, Alberta
T0H 3G0
Tel: (780) 864-3500
Fax: (780) 864-4303
Email: mdsr133@mdspiritriver.ab.ca
Website: www.mdspiritriver.ab.ca


Stanley Bzowy
Reeve


Ken Hollinger, CAO
Chief Administrator Officer
Email: khollinger@mdspiritriver.ab.ca

Provincial (Updated June 2001)

Robert Hall
Regional Manager
Alberta Economic Development
1401 Provincial Building
10320 - 99 Street
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 6J4
Tel: (780) 538-5230
Fax: (780) 538-5332
E-Mail: Email: bobhall@telusplanet.net

Hon. Hector Goudreau (December 2006)
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Dunvegan Constituency
229 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Tel: (780) 427-4928
Fax: (780) 427-0188

Federal (Updated October 2006)

Chris Warkentin
Member of Parliament [MP]
Peace River Constituency

Parliamentary Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Constituency Office:
#207, 10605 West Side Drive
Grande Prairie, Alberta  T8V 8E6

E-mail: warkentin.c@parl.gc.ca
Website: www.chriswarkentin.ca

Toll Free: 1-800-667-0456
(780) 538-1677
fax (780) 538-9257

Location

The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 is located in northwest Alberta. It is bordered by the M.D. of Fairview No. 136 to the north, Saddle Hills County to the south and west, and Birch Hills County to the east.

Post Secondary Education

Grande Prairie Regional College is located in Grande Prairie, while Fairview College is located in Fairview.

Taxation

Mill Rates [2004]

Basic Residential - 9.8

Farmland - 12.8

Non-Residential - 13.4

School Residential - 5.2

Farmland - 5.2

Non-Residential - 6.8

 

Transportation

Air Services

Spirit River has an airport which has a 914 metre runway and all-weather facilities. The nearest commercial services and air freight facilities are at Grande Prairie.

Rail Services

The M.D. is served by Canadian National Railways [east-west McLennan to Spirit River and north-south Rycroft to Grande Prairie].

Major highways include Highway 49 [east-west, Spirit River to Donnelly Corner, part of the Northern Woods and Water Route] and Highway 2 [north-south, Rycroft to Fairview and Grande Prairie].

• Allan Nooy Trucking
• CMC Water Hauling
• Polh's Oilfield Services Ltd.
• G. Richard Drilling Ltd.
• Diamond J Oilfield Hauling Ltd.
• Tall Tree Trucking
• D. Yanishewski Trucking
• P. Rawlek Trucking Ltd.
• Tobruk Trucking Ltd.

Bus Services

Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service.

Couriers and Taxis

Loomis and Purolator Couriers

Utilities

Electrical Power

ATCO Electric Tel: 1-800-668-2248

Natural Gas

ATCO Gas Tel: 1-888-511-7550

Telephone

TELUS General Customer Service for Residential Customers Tel: 1-888-811-2323 Business Customers Tel: 1-888-811-2828

Water Supply

The communities have communal water systems. In the rural areas, water is obtained privately.

Waste Management

The communities have communal sewage treatment facilities. Spirit River and Rycroft have a regular garbage pick-up service. Waste disposal is by sanitary landfill.

Population

Total Population
Population 2006*	824
Population 2005*	824
Population 2004*	824
Population 2003*	824
Population 2002*	824
Population 2001**	825
Population 1996**	809
Population 1991**	812
Population % change 1991-1996	-0.37%
Population % change 1996-2001	1.94%
Population % change 2001-2006	-0.12%
* 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	30	30	60	25	20	45
Age 5 - 14	70	70	140	85	65	150
Age 15 - 19	35	30	65	35	35	70
Age 20 - 24	10	10	20	15	15	30
Age 25 - 34	55	60	115	40	45	85
Age 35 - 44	70	55	125	75	75	150
Age 45 - 54	45	45	90	60	55	115
Age 55 - 64	55	45	100	30	40	70
Age 65 - 74	50	25	75	40	20	60
Age 75 and older	10	5	15	25	15	40
Total All Persons	425	380	805	440	385	825
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older	2001	%
People without high school certificates	220	39.29%
People with high school certificates	65	11.61%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma	155	27.68%
People with post-secondary education (not completed)	55	9.82%
People with university diploma/certificate	10	1.79%
People with university degree	60	10.71%
Total Population 20 years and older	560	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Population with Post Secondary Qualifications	1996	%	2001	%
Agriculture and biological sciences	15	9.09%	25	11.63%
Commerce, management and business administration	30	18.18%	20	9.30%
Educational, recreational and counseling services	10	6.06%	30	13.95%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades	40	24.24%	90	41.86%
Engineering and applied sciences	0	0.00%	10	4.65%
Fine and applied arts	10	6.06%	10	4.65%
Health professionals, science and technologies	35	21.21%	15	6.98%
Humanities and related fields	10	6.06%	10	4.65%
Mathematics and physical sciences	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Social sciences and related fields	0	0.00%	10	4.65%
Other and/or no specialization	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications	165	100.00%	215	100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications	80	48.48%	90	41.86%
Males with post-secondary qualifications	85	51.52%	125	58.14%
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	455	530
Not in the labour force, both sexes	155	95
Total population 15 and over	615	620
Employed, both sexes	440	515
Unemployed, both sexes	20	10
Participation rate, both sexes	74.00%	86.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes	4.00%	2.00%
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	155	33.70%	175	33.02%
Mining	50	10.87%	35	6.60%
Manufacturing	10	2.17%	20	3.77%
Construction	30	6.52%	50	9.43%
Transportation. & Utilities	50	10.87%	45	8.49%
Retail and Wholesale	70	15.22%	60	11.32%
Finance	0	0.00%	25	4.72%
Business & Community Services	80	17.39%	115	21.70%
Public Administration	10	2.17%	10	1.89%
Total All Industries	460	100.00%	530	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of Labour Force By Industry - 2001

 

Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups	1996	%	2001	%
Management occupations	15	3.30%	40	7.55%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations	35	7.69%	100	18.87%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Health occupations	15	3.30%	10	1.89%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion	25	5.49%	20	3.77%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Sales and service occupations	105	23.08%	80	15.09%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations	70	15.38%	85	16.04%
Occupations unique to primary industry	170	37.36%	170	32.08%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities	20	4.40%	20	3.77%
Occupations not elsewhere classified	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Total - All Occupations (major groups)	455	100.00%	530	100.00%
Females - All Occupations	180	39.56%	230	43.40%
Males - All Occupations	275	60.44%	300	56.60%
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	35	18.42%	15	7.50%
$20,000 - $39,999	45	23.68%	50	25.00%
$40,000 - $59,999	25	13.16%	45	22.50%
$60,000 and over	85	44.74%	70	35.00%
Total number of families	190	100.00%	180	90.00%
Average family income	$51,114		$68,085
Median family income	$53,180		$58,271
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	60	21.43%	45	16.07%
$20,000 - $39,999	80	28.57%	60	21.43%
$40,000 - $59,999	40	14.29%	60	21.43%
$60,000 and over	45	16.07%	120	42.86%
Total number of households	280	100.00%	280	100.00%
Average household income	$50,167		$63,444
Median household income	$41,165		$56,331
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type	1996	% of total	2001	% of total
Apartments	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Detached Duplexes	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Movable Dwellings	25	8.93%	30	10.53%
Other single attached house	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Row and semi-detached house	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Single-detached house	255	91.07%	250	87.72%
Total number of occupied private dwellings	280	100.00%	285	100.00%
Private dwellings, owned	250	89.29%	280	98.25%
Private Dwellings, rented	30	10.71%	0	0.00%
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	20	7.27%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960	35	12.73%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970	85	30.91%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980	45	16.36%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990	50	18.18%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001	40	14.55%
Total number of private dwellings constructed	275	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of Total Farm Area : 160 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)	# of Farms	% of total
Farms - Under 129 acres	8	4.91%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres	22	13.50%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres	37	22.70%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres	13	7.98%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres	29	17.79%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres	19	11.66%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres	18	11.04%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over	17	10.43%
Total number of farms reporting	163	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Farms by Total Gross Farm Receipts - 2001	# of Farms	% of total
Farms gross farm receipts - under $9,999	19	11.66%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999	51	31.29%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999	45	27.61%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999	31	19.02%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999	14	8.59%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over	3	1.84%
Total number of farms reporting	163	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Characteristics of Farm Operators	#	%
Age - Under 35 years	15	6.67%
Age - 35 to 54 years	120	53.33%
Age - 55 years and over	85	37.78%
Average age of operators	52
Number of operators - Female	55	24.44%
Number of operators - Male	165	73.33%
Total number of operators reporting	225	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Age of Farm Operators