Woodlands County

Welcome

Welcome to Woodlands County

Not only does Woodlands County contain the geographical center of Alberta , it also has several diverse communities and industries. Within its boundaries are the communities of Whitecourt, Blue Ridge , Anselmo, Goose Lake, and Fort Assiniboine.

There is something for everyone in Woodlands County , from scenic drives to historic landmarks, along with a variety of activities including fishing, snowmobiling, baseball, rodeos, and festivals. The forestry, petroleum, farming, and tourism industries are very active in Woodlands County.

Fort Assiniboine was an official venue for the 2005 World Masters Games Orienteering competitions. The World's Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe stands in Fort Assiniboine. The wagon wheel is 24 feet and the pick axe is 20 feet.  We hope you'll find our site informative and helpful.
Contact us at 1- 888-870-6315 or check our website at:www.woodlands.ab.ca

Area Overview

Woodlands County is very diverse in geographical features making it a very popular location for parks and recreational activities. Several streams and rivers flow through Woodlands County including the Athabasca River , the Freeman River, and the McLeod River.

Hard Luck Creek falls is an example of nature’s beauty waiting to be discovered. Major Lakes such as Goose Lake and Carson lake are popular recreational spots and Whitecourt Mountain is a natural protected area in the Alberta/British Columbia Foothills ecoregion.

Carson Pegasus-Provincial Park is a popular full service provincial recreation area, located 15 km North East of Whitecourt off Highway #32. Enjoy excellent year round trout fishing in the clear waters of McLeod or Pegasus Lake. The trails are used by hikers in the summer and are groomed for skiers throughout the winter.

Also located on Highway #32 North, approximately 13 km from Whitecourt, is the Eric S. Huestis Demonstration Forest; a 10 square kilometer forest area that demonstrates how a forest can sustain recreation, wildlife habitat, and resource harvesting over a long period of time. Twenty-six interpretive sites along a 7-kilometer trail provide information on the various stages of forest life where the impacts of forest management practices can be viewed first hand. To book a tour of the Demonstration Forest, contact the Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce at: (780) 778-5363. Tours are held between May and August.

Located along the Athabasca River in Woodlands County is Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Park, spanning 79.03 km²(pdf info map and link) and is home to a diversity of wildlife, wetlands and lush forests. The park harbour species such as: pileated woodpeckers, various wood warblers, flying squirrels and, sandhill cranes.  

The Terrain around Fort Assiniboine was chosen as one of the ideal venues for the 2005 World Masters Orienteering Championships. For those who want to step back in time, Horse Creek Ranch, nestled between the beautiful Sand Hills Wildland Park and the Athabasca River, offers a wondrous vacation spot.

View a video about Fort Assiniboine.

Registered as the second oldest fort in Alberta, the community of Fort Assiniboine, which is situated in Woodlands County, holds a very important place in Alberta’s history. Its name is presumably derived from the Assiniboine Natives and records dating back to the Hudson’s Bay era indicate that Fort Assiniboine was once used as transportation and supply point.

To commemorate the early history of the Hudson’s Bay era (between 1823 and 1877), a museum was constructed, which reflects the fur trade and houses historical artefacts from the area. The Fort Assiniboine Hudson’s Bay Style Building was officially opened on October 4, 1980. These buildings are now referred to as the Fort Assiniboine Museum and Friendship Club Drop-in Centre. The Fort Assiniboine Friendship Club Book Committee published an historic account of the area in its 1982 publication, Echo’s Of Fort Assiniboine and District. Today the Museum is a very popular tourist attraction.

The World's Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe stands in Fort Assiniboine. The wagon wheel is 24 feet and the pick axe is 20 feet. It was constructed by Studio Y Creations, out of Calgary, Alberta, of hand carved EPS foam, hard coated with SYC weather coat and painted with an enamel finish. The frame is engineered steel. The grand opening was July 20th, 2005 and this roadside attraction has already become a tourist favorite.

Part of the famous Klondike Trail also passes through Woodlands County . The Gold Rush seekers camped at Klondike City (about 10 miles north of Fort Assiniboine ) in the winter of 1898-1899

During the Klondike Gold Rush, the N.W.T.’s government dispatched T.W. Chalmers to cut a trail from Klondike City to Lessor Slave Lake . This trail was used during the 1897-1898 Klondike Gold Rush and was promoted by the Edmonton Bulletin, Edmonton merchants, and the Government of Canada, as an all-Canadian route to the easy gold of the Yukon .

Today, the Chalmers portion of the Klondike Trail is being mapped and preserved by The Klondike Trail Society . The Klondike Trail Society is a group of local residents who are interested in locating, mapping, and marking the first 250 miles of the trail from Edmonton , Alberta to Dawson City , Yukon .

Highway #43 , which passes through Woodlands County , also extends to Alaska . Known as the Canamex Corridor , as it is a north south trade corridor, the Canamex Corridor links Alaska to Mexico and facilitates the movement of people, information, goods, and services across national and international borders.

Woodlands County is a diverse and growing community. The forestry companies of Alberta Newsprint Company , Millar Western Forest Products, and Blue Ridge Lumber have important partnerships within the community and contribute to the local economy, along with the other main industries of tourism, agriculture, and petroleum.

Woodlands County Councillors can be contacted by e-mail by typing their first name dot last name @woodlands.ab.ca

Climate

Current Weather Information:Environment Canada Website:weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/forecast/canada/ab_e.html

Community Services

Woodlands County services the communities of Blue Ridge, Fort Assiniboine, Timeu, Topland, Rural Whitecourt and Goose Lake.For local community events or for facility bookings please contact the following:
Anselmo Agricultural & Recreation Society
Anselmo Communty Hall - contact Sandra at 786-4467

Blue Ridge Community League
Blue Ridge Community Hall, Outdoor Skating Rink, Ball Diamonds - Contact Lois at 648-3933

Fort Assinibione Agricultural Society
Arena and Rec Hall - contact Dale at 584-2610 or 584-2100

Fort Assiniboine Curling Club
Contact: Irene at 584-2320

Fort Assiniboine Legion
Legion Hall - Contact Maureen at 584-2594 or Carol at 584-3760

Goose Lake Recreation Society
Goose Lake Community Hall - contact Jean at 584-2277

Topland Recreation Society
Topland Community Hall - contact Peggy at 584-3903

Timeu Recreation Society
Timeu Community Hall - contact Bernie at 584-2114

Whitecourt & Distict Agricultural Society
Westward Community Center - Contact Katherine at 779-4343

Whitecourt Community Services - Contact Jay at 778-6300

Approximately 15 km north of the Town of Whitecourt on Highway #32 is the Eagle River Staging Area. It is the take off point for over 80 kilometers of groomed snowmobile trails completed by the dedicated volunteers of the Whitecourt Trailblazers. It is the start of the 300 kilometer Golden Triangle. This mapped trail system, supplemented by hundreds of ungroomed cut, attract hundreds of winter visitors to the area.

The map is located on the County website at www.woodlands.ab.ca/tour/eagle.htm. More information on the Golden Triangle can be found on this site as well, www.snoriderswest.com

Community Lifestyle

Not only does Woodlands County contain the geographical center of Alberta there are many hot spots waiting to be discovered. Woodlands has something for everyone from scenic drives to historic landmarks. There are many great activities including fishing, snowmobiling, baseball,rodeos and festivals.

Anselmo Community Hall

Blue Ridge Community Hall and Baseball Diamond

Agriculture is an important part of Woodlands County.

Fort Assiniboine Hamlet Hoedown

Fort Assiniboine Museum, Fort Assiniboine is registered as the second oldest Fort in Alberta.

Goose Lake recreation area has been home to a music festival.

Heritage Centre at Whitecourt

Part of the famous Klondike Trail is found in Woodlands County. A mural on the Fort Assiniboine Museum depicts Gold Rush Seekers crossing the Athabasca River.

Whitecourt Mountain, great snowmobile trails are found within Woodlands County

Economic Base

Timber and petroleum are the major industries in Woodlands County, along with agriculture. Timber companies include:Millar Western Forest Products, Alberta Newsprint Company (www.albertanewsprint.com), Blue Ridge Lumber, and Timeu Forest Products.

There are several petroleum companies in the area, which include: Central Alberta Midstream, Exxon-Mobil Oil, and Alliance Pipelines. The main products comprise: oil, gravel/sand, pulp, agricultural products, medium-density fibreboard, newsprint, gas, clay, sulphur, lumber and wood shakes.

Petroleum, Agricultural and Forestry Industries

Economic Facts

• Woodlands County has a population of 4158 (2006 census).
• Approximately 60% of the population over 20 years of age has a high school certificate or greater.
• The median family income is $56,491 (2001 census).
• In 2006, building permits valued 31.7 million dollars.
• As of March 2004, infrastructure and institutional projects totalled 8.75 million dollars.

Education

Woodlands County supports the students of Fort Assiniboine & area whom attend Fort Assiniboine High School to pursue their post secondary education by offering a scholarship. More information was be found on the Woodlands County website (note: link opens a pdf document).

Northern Gateway Divisional School Board (Public schools)
Phone: (780) 778-2800
Fax: (780) 778-6719
E-mail: learning@northerngateway.ab.ca

Public Schools in Whitecourt include:
Pat Hardy Elementary School - Contact 778-6266 (K to Grades 5)
Central School - Contact 778-2136 (Grades K to Grades 5)
Percy Baxter School - Contact 778-3898 (Grades 6 to 8)
Hill Top High School - Contact 778-2446 (Grades 9 to 12)

Living Waters Catholic Regional School Board #42 (Separate)
Phone: 778-5666
Fax: 778-2727
Website: www.livingwaters.ab.ca/

Separate Schools in Whitecourt include:
St. Mary School - Contact 778-2050 (Grades K to Grade 3)
St. Joseph School - Contact 778-2345 (Grades 4 to Grade 12)

Pembina Hills School Board Division #7
Phone: (780) 674-8500
Fax: (780) 674-3262
E-mail: info@phrd.ab.ca

Fort Assiniboine School (Public) Contact - 584-3751 (Grades K to 12)
Contact the school directly to learn of the scholarships available to students who complete their high school at Fort Assiniboine.

Emergency Services

Woodland County provides outstanding emergency services and all can be reached for emergency assistance by calling 9-1-1.

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stations out of Swan Hills, Barrhead, Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt.
• Swan Hill RCMP Administration Office 333-4450
• Barrhead RCMP Administration Office 674-4848
• Mayerthorpe RCMP Administration Office 786-2291
• Whitecourt RCMP Administration Office 778-2238

Ambulance service provided by Associated Ambulance (Whitecourt) (Mayerthorpe). Main office contact 786-2223, and Barrhead Ambulance for the North East portion of our County, main office contact is 674-2264.

Fire stations are located in Fort Assiniboine, Goose Lake, Blue Ridge, Anselmo and Whitecourt. For a profile on Fire Protection in our County check our website at www.woodlands.ab.ca/admin/fire.htm.

The information contained on this site will show the fire response zones, the dedicated volunteers, the fire pumpers and contact information including information for new recruits!

Many dedicated volunteers serve the communities within Woodlands County. Fire stations are located in Fort Assiniboine, Goose Lake, Blue Ridge, Anselmo and Whitecourt.

Health Care

Aspen Regional Health Authority
Phone: (780) 349-8705
Fax: (780) 349-4879

The Whitecourt Health Care Center (Hospital) has 24 acute care beds, 10 Doctors, 2 Surgeons and several visiting Specialists. Contact 778-2285

The Mayerthorpe Health Care Center (Hospital) Contact 786-2261 or 2294

The Barrhead Health Care Center (Hospital) Contact 674-2221

Hospitals: Whitecourt, Mayerthorpe, Fox Creek
Health Units: Whitecourt, Mayerthorpe, Onoway, Fox Creek

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Woodlands County
Box 60
1 Woodlands Lane
Whitecourt AB T7S 1N3
PHONE: 780-778-8400
TOLL FREE: 1-888-870-6315
 FAX: 780-778-8402
E-Mail: admin@woodlands.ab.ca
Website: www.woodlands.ab.ca

Jim Rennie, Mayor jim.rennie@woodlands.ab.ca
Luc Mercier, Chief Administrative Officer luc.mercier@woodlands.ab.ca

Provincial (Updated December 2004)

George VanderBurg
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Whitecourt-Ste. Anne Constituency
348 Annex
9718 - 107 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1E4
Tel: 780-415-9473
Fax: 780-422-1671
george.vanderburg@assembly.ab.ca

Ken Kowalski
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Barrhead-Westlock Constituency
Box 4576, 5110 - 50 Avenue
Barrhead, AB T7N 1A4
Tel: 780-674-3225
Fax: 780-674-6183
email: Barrhead.Westlock@assembly.ab.ca

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 (Updated June 2001)

Rob Merrifield
Member of Parliament [MP]
Yellowhead Constituency
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-992-1653
merrir@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Office:
Box 7887
Edson, Alberta T7E 1V9
Tel: 780-723-6068 or 1-800-268-7117
Fax: 780-723-5060

Location

Woodlands County is located 150 km North West of Edmonton and is surrounded by the municipalities of:

• Barrhead County
• The Municipal District of Greenview
• Lac Ste. Anne County
• The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River
• Westlock County
• Yellowhead County

Woodlands County contains “the geographical center of Alberta”

Woodlands County contains the geographical "Center of Alberta."

Post Secondary Education

Pembina Educational Consortium
Phone: 780-778-2000
Website: www.pec.ab.ca/
Post-secondary education is available at The University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology [NAIT], and Grant MacEwan Community College, all located 180 km away in Edmonton.

Taxation

For Current Mill Rates contact:
Maurice Gushta, Director Corporate Services
maurice.gushta@woodlands.ab.ca

Woodlands County
Box 60, 1 Woodlands Lane
Whitecourt  AB  T7S 1N3

Phone:  780.778.8400
Fax:  780.778.8402
Woodlands County Website

2007	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
Municipal Tax Rate	3.5089	6.4488
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	2.9531	4.7132
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	2.9531	4.7132
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.1189	.1189

Transportation

The Whitecourt Airport owned and operated by Woodlands County
www.woodlands.ab.ca/
provides: all weather facilities [paved, lighted, Non Directional Beacon (NDB), Variable Omni Receiver (VOR) a 1,770 metre Charter carriers including:

Highland Helicopters
Phone: 778-4246
Fax: 778-6554
Website: www.highland.ca/

Taiga Helicopters
Phone: 778-3674
Fax: 778-3854
Website: www.taigahelicopters.com/

Airbourne Energy Solutions
Phone: 1-888-496-3222
Fax: 778-6652
Website: www.airbornesolutions.com
The nearest International Airport is Edmonton International Airport approximately 150 km Southeast.

Canadian National Railway branch line from Edmonton serves Whitecourt, Blue Ridge and travels to just south of Fox Creek. Industrial spurs and yards available. Intermodal services are provided at Edmonton and Calgary. More information can be obtained from the CNR website at www.cn.ca/

Greyhound Bus
After Hour Passenger Information 1-800-661-8747
Whitecourt Depot 780-778-2850
Fort Assiniboine Depot 780-584-3883
Website: www.greyhound.ca/

Charter Bus:
Cardinal Coach Lines Ltd. - Whitecourt 780-778-2850
cclwct@telusplanet.net
Break-A-Way Charter Service - Barrhead 780-913-2566
abvs@telusplanet.net

Rental Cars/Trucks:
Visa Truck Rentals - Whitecourt 780-779-522
Website: www.visatrucks.com/

National Car & Truck Rentals - Whitecourt 780-778-3775
Website: www.nationalcar.ca/

Rent-A-Wreck - Whitecourt 780-778-2346, 778-2525
Website: www.rentawreck.ca/

Thrifty Car Rental - Whitecourt 780-706-1016

Canada Post services the communities in Woodlands with Post office boxes in Whitecourt, Blue Ridge General Store, Lone Pine Store and Fort Assiniboine.
Purolator and DHL(Loomis) couriers transport freight throughout Woodlands County.

Whitecourt Airport
Flight Services Phone 780-778-5333

Utilities

Power:
Epcor
Toll free: 310-4300
Website: www.epcor.ca/
Propane:
Superior Propane (Whitecourt)
Phone: (780) 778-3090
Website: www.superiorpropane.com/

Mac's Agri Services Ltd.
Barrhead, Alberta
Phone: (780) 674-6265
macsagri@telusplanet.net

Natural Gas:
ATCO Gas
Whitecourt, Alberta
Phone: 310-5678
Website: www.atcogas.com/

TRL Gas
Blue Ridge, Alberta
Phone: (780) 648-2172
trgadmin@telusplanet.net

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Woodlands County Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Woodlands County Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Woodlands County Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Farming

Woodlands County Total Farm Area : 320 acres

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Age of Farm Operators