It is with a great deal of pride that we present this web page to you. Whether you are moving to this area or just visiting, I am sure that you will enjoy all that Whitecourt has to offer. Located just 177 km northwest of Edmonton, we are a growing community that strives to meet the needs of all residents.
A federal census completed in 2001 shows our population to be 8,334, up 3% from the 1999 municipal census figure of 8,008. Housing starts continue to be strong in Whitecourt, with 47 permits issued in 2001 and 44 in 2000. The total value of development permits issued in 2001 was $57,899,200, which included a $40M sawmill and $11,052,395 in 2000. Whitecourt is home to a diverse group of industries. Forestry plays a major role with such companies as Millar Western, Alberta Newsprint Company and Blue Ridge Lumber located in our area. As well, many oil and gas companies have offices in the Whitecourt area. To complement our forestry sector, the Whitecourt and District Heritage Society opened a Museum and Forestry Interpretive Centre in September 2000.
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We are located in the middle of miles of forested lands, which
create many recreation opportunities to participate in. Summer months
bring out avid hunters, fisherman, mountain bikers, hikers, and
all-terrain vehicles. The Whitecourt and District Agricultural Society’s
site is the home of area horse clubs, riding trails, a future hall
and indoor riding arena. Those who enjoy snowy wonderlands can ice
fish, cross-country ski and snowmobile on miles of trails, as Whitecourt
is the snowmobile capital of Alberta. For all alpine enthusiast
Whitecourt Offers a snowboard hill and a toboggan hill within Town
limits. For golfers there is the Graham Acres Golf and Country Club,
a beautiful 18-hole course. |
 Williard Strebchuk |
We are home to the Whitecourt Twin Arenas which offers two ice surfaces, one of which has ice year round, depending on need, and the RCMP Century Swimming Pool which has a 25m pool, wading pool, hot tub, sauna, racquetball and squash courts for year round enjoyment. Other facilities include a four-sheet curling rink, multi-purpose recreation area (Graham Acres) with slow pitch diamonds, fastball diamonds, football fields and soccer fields. Rotary Park is the host site of our yearly rodeo and features our newest addition a four-acre pond ideal for skating in the winter and family fishing in the warmer months, right in the heart of Whitecourt’s downtown area.
Culturally, our community also has a great deal to offer, with a theatre group, a community choir, and an active arts council. Whitecourt is a twin town with Kamiyubetsui, Japan, which offers a lot of exciting cultural exchanges and opportunities. It is interesting to note that many of our town's facilities were constructed or funded by volunteer groups.
Whether you are interested in recreation, culture, or just plain leisure opportunities, you are likely to find something in Whitecourt that appeals to you. Thank you for your interest in our community. We look forward to welcoming you when you arrive.
Sincerely,
Williard Strebchuk
Mayor