FOCUS AREA:
Grande Prairie is a beautiful, sustainable City. We are an internationally connected, leading Northwest Canadian centre. Our community is growing, safe, caring and active.
1. LEADING NORTHWEST CENTRE
The City of Grande Prairie is a regional centre for Northwestern Alberta, Northern British Columbia, the Yukon and Northwest Territories serving a trading population of over 250,000. Our strong, diverse economy is bolstered by a variety of sectors including the forest industry, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, housing and the commercial and entertainment industries. Grande Prairie is able to capitalize on the Alberta Advantage of lower tax rates and no provincial sales tax.
The strength of our region is reflected in our facilities. Some of our most notable regional facilities are: the Crystal Centre, Community Knowledge Campus, Airport, College, and Queen Elizabeth II Hospital. Social service facilities and agencies have a strong regional focus such as our Northern Addictions Centre. Centre 2000 is the hub of trade and tourism. Grande Prairie provides national level public and private educational opportunities.
City Council enhances and reinforces our role as a Northern Regional Centre. We actively encourage improved land and air based transportation links, tourism, economic development activities, partnership opportunities with other municipalities and activities designed to further growth of our trading and entertainment area. Council continues to promote strong ties with senior governments.
We are a Smart City with a modern and technologically advanced infrastructure to meet the demands of the information age. Partnerships with other municipalities, public and private agencies accelerate our progress in the information age and create tremendous economic development opportunities and growth.
We are meeting citizen and visitor on-line demands for e-business and instant communication. Our presence on the World Wide Web provides citizens and the world with another method to interact with us when it is most convenient for them. Our leading edge technology enables access to timely and accurate information by staff and policy makers. Our City is positioned with the foundations that support success; Smart People, Smart Agencies, Smart Business and Smart Infrastructure.
GOAL:
1.1 Actively lead in the improvement of the region’s transportation links through participation with inter-municipal initiatives and other orders of government.
1.2 Initiate and participate in opportunities to market and profile trade and commerce in our community.
1.3 Promote regional collaboration.
1.4 Work with the Community to attract sports, entertainment, and cultural events.
1.5 Support health care and educational initiatives.
1.6 Encourage other orders of government to establish and increase their presence in Grande Prairie and the region.
1.7 Regularly meet with our Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament.
1.8 Support and encourage organizations and programs promoting Grande Prairie as a visitor destination.
1.9 Support the continuous learning of our staff and council.
1.10 Continue the development of the Community Knowledge Campus in partnership with local school boards and community groups.
1.11 Maintain and enhance our world class e-infrastructure.
1.12 Council and staff are encouraged to participate in community events and initiatives.
1.13 Develop and implement a corporate communication plan.
1.14 Council business is conducted on the principles of openness and accessibility.
1.15 Define and implement our participation in regional economic development.
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2. MEETING THE NEEDS OF A GROWING COMMUNITY
The City of Grande Prairie will continue to be fiscally responsible. We have pursued an aggressive course of debt reduction and sound financial management for the past ten years. Capital projects have been funded on a pay-as-you-go basis while the City has become very efficient in its operations to obtain this level of fiscal responsibility. The realities of becoming a Northern Regional Centre have placed tremendous pressure upon the infrastructure and facilities to the point where serious examinations must be undertaken to balance need with ability to pay. Property tax growth is not keeping pace with the needs of our growing regional centre. By supporting the policies of Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association , the City will aggressively pursue a new revenue deal with the other orders of government.
BMO Financial says the City of Grande Prairie is the third fastest growing of the 111 mid-sized cities in Canada. KPMG International has determined the cost of doing business in Grande Prairie is 12% less than American cities and 14% less than the City of Vancouver. The City is recognized as one of the top locations in Alberta for investment. Population growth and construction continue at a rapid pace.
We balance our desire to keep taxes fair with the demands created by our growing community. We are committed to providing appropriate levels of service, systems and infrastructure.
GOAL:
2.1 Participate in regional, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties and Federation of Canadian Municipalities initiatives to obtain new revenue sources to ensure our community’s sustainability.
2.2 Work with our local Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Province to restructure the Alberta Capital Finance Authority to transfer control and management to municipalities.
2.3 Provide services on a regional basis using cost sharing or revenue sharing agreements that are equitable.
2.4 Review our tender and request for proposal evaluation criteria and process.
2.5 Provide adequate resources through financial planning and capital project prioritization to ensure development, maintenance and replacement of infrastructure in a timely manner.
2.6 Implement a three year budget with a process to review emergent needs.
2.7 Provide quality customer service to the development industry through service improvements, education and communication.
2.8 Work together with our neighbours on regional initiatives and regional planning.
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3. SAFE COMMUNITY
Crime is not welcome here. Our citizens enjoy peace of mind. We place high importance on ensuring that our families and visitors can walk our streets, play in our parks, shop and work in safety. The RCMP, Enforcement Services and Fire Department provide us with protection to meet community needs. To reduce crime, we are committed to community based crime prevention and enforcement solutions.
We support over 3000 skilled medical professionals and employees of Peace Country Health who provide general and specialized quality health care. The state-of-the-art regional Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, advanced life support ambulance service and regional fire medical co-response ensure our emergency and ongoing medical needs are met. 911 is available to all.
Aquatera Utilities Inc., our regional utility, ensures a safe supply of drinking water and an efficient sewage and solid waste system. Our award-winning transportation system is well maintained and adds to our feeling of safety and security.
GOAL:
3.1 Develop a community-based crime prevention and enforcement strategy.
3.2 Review the joint management of operations between the RCMP and Bylaw Enforcement.
3.3 Maintain emergency response services to meet community needs.
3.4 Improve and expand roads, sidewalks and bike routes.
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4. ACTIVE AND CARING COMMUNITY
Grande Prairie is a natural playground. Our backyard is the world famous Peace Country. We enjoy an abundance of recreational and sports programs for all ages. Muskoseepi Park is the jewel of our urban park system featuring miles of nature trails, a fishing pond, bird watching, amphitheatre, museum, baseball, tennis, basketball, an outdoor pool, picnic areas and playgrounds. Just minutes from the City, Evergreen Park provides exciting sports entertainment such as rodeos, pari-mutuel racing, agricultural shows, equestrian events and much more. The region boasts the highest number of golf courses per capita in Alberta.
Every year, over 300,000 people are entertained at the Crystal Centre, our premier entertainment and recreation venue. We are proud of our other facilities. We support and encourage local groups to be self-reliant success stories. The Grande Prairie Regional College boasts the only performing arts auditorium in Northern Alberta. The Prairie Art Gallery, our Class A art gallery, adds to our cultural enjoyment.
Our $11 million social housing program is a national model. In partnership with other orders of government, helping agencies and the private sector, we continue to develop solutions for people with all types of social housing needs.
We empower disabled people in our community. Grande Prairie is home to North America’s first fully integrated K-9 school offering on-site health care. Grande Prairie is the only city in Canada that provides free public transit for disabled people. We promote barrier-free access to all facilities. We initiated and piloted changes to provincial accessibility legislation.
We value our Seniors. The Grande Spirit Foundation manages and expands quality housing and care for seniors throughout the region. A growing number of “aging in place” communities will see our City well positioned to meet future demographic needs. Our seniors can take advantage of many recreational and social opportunities.
GOAL:
4.1 Partner with other orders of government, social delivery agencies and the private sector to meet the social needs of our community.
4.2 Implement projects and programs identified by our community housing plan, including the City’s global housing initiative.
4.3 Promote the development of palliative care services including a hospice.
4.4 Partner with other orders of government, community organizations and the private sector to meet the recreation and culture needs of our community.
4.5 Develop with area partners a regional archives management and program delivery model.
4.6 Partner with disabled people in the design and delivery of services to remove barriers.
4.7 Support projects and programs that enhance the quality of life for our seniors.
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5. BEAUTIFUL AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
The City of Grande Prairie manages our eco footprint and the growth of our community. Our vision of sustainable community development is founded on social, environmental and economic principles. We are committed to policies which encourage high quality, sustainable development.
Physical development protects the quality and integrity of ecosystems, conserves natural resources, preserves cultural heritage and uses infrastructure practices and building design to reduce the consumption of water, energy, and materials. We are committed to providing a protected environment for the endangered Trumpeter Swan. Our City continues to be the regional leaders in energy, water and waste management and environmental stewardship.
Grande Prairie is colourful, clean and attractive in all seasons. Our community includes healthy, natural areas. We demonstrate efficient use of resources, land, transportation, and servicing in our planning and development. Wherever possible, we encourage areas to reflect our sense of place. Our Urban Park system features over 1,000 acres of parkland and continues to expand. Parks, trails and natural areas provide space to enjoy nature, ensure ecological beauty, maintain clean air and water, and help preserve plant and animal wildlife. The trail network has become an important corridor linking the community and encouraging leisure activity.
Community pride is exhibited through partnerships and participation in programs such as Communities in Bloom, Downtown Beautification, and facilities such as Centre 2000, Community Knowledge Campus and the Eco Centre.
The City’s core is a vibrant community with a progressive mix of commercial, cultural and residential development. Through our Downtown Enhancement Plan, we provide a framework to guide continued improvement and redevelopment in the heart of our City.
We celebrate our history. Our colourful past provides educational, tourism and economic development opportunities.
GOAL:
5.1 Continue to minimize the use of chemicals and their impact on our environment.
5.2 Continue our commitment to responsible energy use and climate protection.
5.3 Ensure our development plans incorporate sustainable community principles.
5.4 Support the implementation of a local district heating system.
5.5 Promote the beautification of Grande Prairie.
5.6 Support the enhancement of the Downtown.
5.7 Continue the removal of overhead power lines.
5.8 Improve the cleanliness and appearance of the City.
5.9 Design and construct attractive entry features and signage promoting the City.
5.10 Encourage innovative subdivision designs to improve snow removal and storage practices.
5.11 Develop healthy sustainable neighbourhoods that maximize land use.
5.12 New growth to be balanced between residential, commercial and industrial uses.
5.13 Partner in and promote historical projects and programs.
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