Grande Cache, Alberta
Encyclopedia
Grande Cache is a town in west-central Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, located 145 kilometres (90.1 mi) northwest of Hinton
Hinton, Alberta
Hinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.It is located in Yellowhead County, northeast of Jasper and about west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.-History:...
and 435 kilometres (270.3 mi) west of Edmonton. It is located in the Municipal District of Greenview
Greenview No. 16, Alberta
The Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 is a municipal district in northwest Alberta, Canada.It covers the full extent of Census Division 18. The municipal seat is in Valleyview.- Demographics :...
, between Highway 40 and the Smoky River
Smoky River
Smoky River is a river in western Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Peace River. The descriptive name refers to the presence of "smouldering beds of coal in the riverbank" noted by the Cree Indians....
, at the northern border of Alberta's Rockies
Alberta's Rockies
Alberta's Rockies comprises the Canadian Rockies in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is a region on the southwestern part of the province, along the British Columbia border. It covers all but the south of Census Division 15....
. The town is the gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park
Willmore Wilderness Park
Willmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometre wilderness area adjacent to the world famous Jasper National Park...
.
It is the birthplace of hockey player Dean McAmmond
Dean McAmmond
Dean McAmmond is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. McAmmond has played in the National Hockey League since 1991 for several teams and is currently a free agent.-Pre-NHL career:...
and home of the Canadian Death Race
Canadian Death Race
The Canadian Death Race is an annual adventure race held in and around Grande Cache, Alberta. It consists of 125 km of hiking and running within a 24 hour time period...
.
History
The New Town of Grande Cache was created by the Order in Council 1605/66 of the Alberta Government 1966-09-01. The purpose of creating a new town was to open the area for the development of coal mines. New Town status allowed the town to use the Alberta Government as a guarantor for debt.Construction of the town began in 1969. By 1971 a hospital, schools, stores, and the first homes were built.
Grande Cache received Town status by the Order in Council 749/83 on September 1, 1983.
The town suffered a boom-bust
Boom and bust
A credit boom-bust cycle is an episode characterized by a sustained increase in several economics indicators followed by a sharp and rapid contraction. Commonly the boom is driven by a rapid expansion of credit to the private sector accompanied with rising prices of commodities and stock market index...
cycle due to the dependence on a single employer that depended on a single commodity: coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
. In an attempt to diversify the economy additional industries were encouraged to develop in the area. This included a wood chip plant and a Corrections Canada facility. In recent years, wilderness tourism is an increasing industry.
Demographics
According to Canada 2006 CensusCanada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
:
- Population: 3,783 (4,441 in 1996)
- Land area: 35.48 km² (13.7 sq mi)
- Growth rate (2001–2006): -1.2%
- Median family income: $79,923
- Average value of private dwelling: $224,231
Infrastructure
HighwaysGrande Cache is connected to Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Grande Prairie is a city in the northwestern part of the province of Alberta in Western Canada. It is located on the southern edge of the Peace River Country . The city is surrounded by the County of Grande Prairie No...
and Hinton
Hinton, Alberta
Hinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.It is located in Yellowhead County, northeast of Jasper and about west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.-History:...
via Highway 40.
Geography
The town is built on a plateau that is just below the subalpine level of the Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
. The town site is surrounded by three valleys: to the north is the Smoky River; to the west is the Sulphur River; to the south is Victor Lake and Grande Cache Lake. To the east of town is Grande Mountain.
Climate
Grande Cache experiences a subarctic climateSubarctic climate
The subarctic climate is a climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. It is found on large landmasses, away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50° to 70°N poleward of the humid continental climates...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfc).
Recreation
- Akasaka Recreation Centre
- Canadian Death Race
- Grande Cache Golf and Country Club
- Willmore Wilderness ParkWillmore Wilderness ParkWillmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometre wilderness area adjacent to the world famous Jasper National Park...
The Canadian Death Race
Canadian Death Race
The Canadian Death Race is an annual adventure race held in and around Grande Cache, Alberta. It consists of 125 km of hiking and running within a 24 hour time period...
takes place in Grande Cache in August.
Education
Local Schools:- Sheldon Coates Elementary School (K-3)
- Summitview School (Grades 4-8)
- SonRise Christian School (K-8)
- Grande Cache Community High School (Grades 9-12)