Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of
http://www.mdspiritriver.ab.ca
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
Highways
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].
Trucking Firms
- 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
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
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Northern Winter Frolic [Rycroft] -- last weekend in February
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Valentine's Ball [Spirit River] -- February 14
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Rycroft and District Fashion Show [Rycroft] -- April
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Curling Club Dine and Dance [Spirit River] -- April
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June Jamboree [Spirit River] -- June
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Agricultural Society Bench Show [Rycroft] -- mid-August
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Rycroft Market Place Variety Market [Rycroft] -- May and November
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Craft Show [Spirit River] -- November
Accommodation
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49 Motel Ltd., Spirit River
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Spirit River Hotel Ltd., Spirit River
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Rycroft Hotel, Rycroft
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Crossroads Motel and Bed & Breakfast, Rycroft
-
Leprechaun Motor Lodge, Rycroft
Restaurants
Available in the communities.
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.
Post Secondary
Grande Prairie Regional College is located in Grande Prairie, while Fairview College is located in Fairview.
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.
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].
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
Google Map
Spirit River No. 133, M.D. of, Alberta, Canada