Alberta Beach

Alberta Beach is a village in central Alberta, Canada, west of Edmonton. It is located on the southeast shore of Lac Ste. Anne, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Highway 43 and 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Highway 633.

Alberta Beach
Village
Village boundaries
Village boundaries
Alberta Beach is located in Lac Ste. Anne County
Alberta Beach
Alberta Beach
Location in Lac Ste. Anne County
Alberta Beach is located in Alberta
Alberta Beach
Alberta Beach
Location in Alberta
Coordinates: 53°40′36″N 114°21′00″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionCentral Alberta
Municipal districtLac Ste. Anne County
Incorporated[1] 
 • Summer villageAugust 23, 1920
 • VillageJanuary 1, 1999
Government
[2]
 • MayorJim Benedict
 • Governing bodyAlberta Beach Village Council
Area
 (2021)[3]
 • Land2.02 km2 (0.78 sq mi)
Elevation
740 m (2,430 ft)
Population
 (2021)[3][4]
 • Total864
 • Density427.7/km2 (1,108/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
HighwaysHighway 33
Highway 43
WaterwayLac Ste. Anne
WebsiteOfficial website

Alberta Beach's economy it is centred on tourism and recreation. The village is the site of the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage, an event having key significance to Aboriginal people, including Cree, Dene, Blackfoot and Métis Roman Catholics. It is also notable as being one of Edmonton, Alberta's main cottage weekend retreats.

Alberta Beach is the only urban municipality (city, town, village, and summer village) in Alberta that does not include its municipal status in its official legal name.[5] Its official name is simply Alberta Beach instead of Village of Alberta Beach like the convention used by other urban municipalities.[5] Alberta Beach changed from this convention at the time it changed its municipal status from summer village to village on January 1, 1999.[6]

History

In 1912 the Canadian Northern Railway built its Edmonton–Vancouver line through what is now Alberta Beach. It brought its employees out for company picnics and holidays. By 1920 the area had incorporated as a summer village,[7] built a dance pavilion, a large wooden pier, and several cabins. Other companies such as Marshall Wells and Woodward's then began to bring their employees out for the same relaxing and beautiful atmosphere.

There was such a demand for this atmosphere that the Moonlight Express was started. The railway picked people up in Edmonton on Saturday mornings, took them to Alberta Beach, then picked them up Sunday night to take them back to Edmonton.

Soon people began purchasing and building their own cabins and small businesses. On January 1, 1999, the summer village of Alberta Beach became a village.[6] It now has 884 year-round residents and can swell to over 3,000 people during long weekends.[8] A hotel and many small businesses operate within the village.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Alberta Beach had a population of 864 living in 417 of its 743 total private dwellings, a change of -15.1% from its 2016 population of 1,018. With a land area of 2.02 km2 (0.78 sq mi), it had a population density of 427.7/km2 (1,107.8/sq mi) in 2021.[3]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Alberta Beach recorded a population of 1,018 living in 479 of its 743 total private dwellings, a 17.7% change from its 2011 population of 865. With a land area of 2.01 km2 (0.78 sq mi), it had a population density of 506.5/km2 (1,311.7/sq mi) in 2016.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Location and History Profile: Alberta Beach" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 14, 2016. p. 8. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  2. "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 9, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  4. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  5. "2011 Municipal Codes". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  6. "Order in Council (O.C.) 490/98" (PDF). Province of Alberta. 1998-11-25. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  7. "The History of Summer Villages". The Association of Summer Villages of Alberta. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  8. "Welcome to Alberta Beach". Alberta Beach. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  9. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
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