City Profile
Community Services
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Community Services
Grande Prairie offers a quality of life second to none! The municipality is committed to an extremely high level of community services that provide recreational and cultural opportunities for all, as well as a safe environment in which to live and do business.
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RECREATION, PARKS, and CULTURE
Leisure services are considered essential in Grande Prairie! Leisure is not limited to but does include recreational, artistic, cultural, sport, and heritage pursuits. These pursuits have created a strong sense of community for Grande Prairie citizens.
Residents utilize a tremendous assortment of recreational facilities and activities due to the strong alliance between governments, business, schools, community groups, and an incredible volunteer corps! Here is just a small sampling of what this city has to offer:
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Programs and activities at the Dave Barr and Coca-Cola Centre arenas, indoor pool at the Leisure Centre and outdoor pool in Muskoseepi Park, golf courses, curling rink, multi-purpose facility, natural arenas, playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and an athletic park;
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Fitness, skating, and swimming, preschool and school holiday programs, outdoor activities;
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Cultural programs at the Centre for Creative Arts and the Grande Prairie Art Gallery
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1,100 acres in Muskoseepi Park - the City's urban park features 22.5 kilometres of scenic trails winding virtually from the north end of the city to the south;
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A very active theatre community with two homes - the Grande Prairie Regional College Theatre (487 seats) and Second Street Theatre (186 seats);Heritage programs and displays at the Grande Prairie Pioneer Museum and the Heritage Centre in Centre 2000;
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Fishing at numerous lakes and rivers, abundant natural areas with cross-country and downhill ski trails, snowshoeing, bird-watching and wildlife observation opportunities;
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Racquetball, squash, bowling, skiing, martial arts, and a host of other activities offered at both private and public recreational facilities.
THE CRYSTAL CENTRE
The Crystal Centre, located in Grande Prairie's city centre, features the Canada Games Arena and the Bowes Family Crystal Gardens. The number of trade shows, concerts, banquets, dances, parties, hockey games and other special events continues to increase as awareness of this spectacular multi-purpose facility grows. Crystal Centre boasts 43,400 square feet of space: Canada Games Arena 20,870 sq. ft. (2,557 seats), Bowes Family Crystal Gardens 18,030 sq. ft. and a common concourse 4,500 sq. ft. CRYSTALLIZE AT THE CRYSTAL CENTRE!
THE COCA-COLA CENTRE
Opened in September 2003. The Centre has two ice surfaces. 750 Grande Prairie Minor Hockey players will play an estimated 50% of their games at the Twin Arenas. The facility will also be well used by Grande Prairie’s figure skaters. The Coca-Cola Centre also hosts old-timer and commercial hockey leagues and is available for private bookings, and public events. Hockey tournaments will reign here as having 2 ice surfaces means even larger events may be held under one roof. The north surface has seating for 1,000 with room for an additional 600 seats. The south surface has seating for 350.
The Photo Gallery also contains pictures relating to Recreation, Parks and Culture themes.
Go to the Photo Gallery, its Overview, or its Summary of Thumbnail Indexes.
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GRANDE PRAIRIE PUBLIC LIBRARY
9910 - 99 Avenue
Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 0R5
Telephone: (780) 532-3580
Fax: (780) 538-4983
Email: gplib@gppl.ab.ca
Web Site: www.gppl.ab.ca
Where does one go to borrow books, magazines, cassettes, CDs and video tapes? How about a place where you can read newspapers, consult reference materials, attend programs for all ages and access CD-ROMs and the Internet, all for free? Why, the Public Library, of course.
The Grande Prairie Public Library has over 100,000 items in its collection and more than 150 newspaper and magazine subscriptions. As well, five public internet terminals and word processors are available to access the Internet and a there is a growing list of CD-ROM titles. Over 260,000 items were circulated in 2000 and over 153,0000 people visited the Library.
Information services are available at the library in person, by telephone, and by email. The library provides information and inter-library loan services as the resource centre for the Peace Library System. Through the Provincial resource sharing network and using the library’s print and electronic resources, Peace Country residents can obtain information and materials from around the world.
Library hours of operation are as follows:
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MONDAY - THURSDAY |
10:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. |
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FRIDAY & SATURDAY |
10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. |
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SUNDAY |
2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. |
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Grande Prairie is home to approximately thirty places of worship representing major denominations.
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Alliance Church |
532-8836 |
Ivy Lake Baptist |
532-0445 |
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Anglican Church |
532-2093 |
Kingdom Hall of Johovah's Witness |
532-3775 |
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Believer's Full Gospel Assembly |
532-0444 |
McLaurin Baptist |
532-2823 |
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Bethel Baptist |
532-5933 |
Mission Heights Community |
532-2660 |
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Christ Community
- Pentecostal |
538-9452 |
Native Bible Fellowship |
532-9001 |
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Christian Fellowship Assembly – Pentecostal |
538-1350 |
North Country Community Church of Nazarene |
532-0704 |
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Church of Christ |
538-4211 |
People's Full Gospel Assembly |
539-0572 |
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Church of God of Prophecy |
538-9908 |
Q.E.II Hospital/Chapel Pastoral Care |
538-7347 |
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Mormon |
532-3609 |
St. Joseph's Catholic Church |
532-2351 |
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The Oasis Fellowship of Grande Prairie (P.A.O.C.) |
539-6179 |
St. Paul's United |
532-2415 |
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Faith Lutheran |
532-7612 |
Salvation Army Community Church |
538-2848 |
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First Apostolic Church |
532-0649 |
Seventh Day Adventist |
532-3808 |
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Forbes Presbyterian |
539-5125 |
Sikh Temple |
538-1921 |
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Grande Prairie Independent Baptist Church |
402-0112 |
Trinity Lutheran |
532-4978 |
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Hillcrest Mennonite |
532-1164 |
The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Catholic Church |
518-0756 |
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Victory Church on The Rock |
532-2350 |
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POLICE SERVICES
www.telusplanet.net/public/rcmp
email:rcmp@telusplanet.net
The City of Grande Prairie and the County of Grande Prairie are policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The boundaries are as follows:
West to approximately two kilometres west of Highway 724 to LaGlace
South to where Highway 40 intersects with the Kakwa River
North to the County of Grande Prairie Boundary Sign - approximately three kilometres south of Woking
East to Crooked Creek
The Grande Prairie Detachment operates on a 24 hour basis with four 12 hour shifts. Each shift operates with an average of nine uniformed personnel, with two members assigned specifically to the rural area. In addition, there are five Municipal Traffic members and three Highway Patrol. The Detachment is supplemented by seven records personnel. There are also two public servants and eleven other municipal employees who act as stenos, front counter personnel, and court liaison officers. Radio telecoms and dispatch operates out of Edmonton. Policing is provided on a "zone policing post concept". All city complaints are taken by a city designated member. The concept is the same for rural complaints. The response time to any location within the City of Grande Prairie is 3 to 5 minutes.
Policing Units
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· City Traffic Section
· Crime Prevention Unit
· Forensic Identification Section
· General Investigation Section
· Grande Prairie Municipal Detachment |
· Police Dog Section (PDS) 1 member, 1 dog
· Provincial Highway Patrol
· Provost Unit, Provincial
· Summer Bicycle Patrol Unit
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Community Policing Programs
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· Auxiliary Police Program
· Block Parents
· Camp Little Buffalo
· Child Identification Program
· Citizens On Patrol
· Cop Card Program
· Crimestoppers
· DARE Program |
· Emergency & Protective Services Youth Group
· Neighborhood Watch Program
· Restorative Justice
· Rural Crime Watch
· School Liaison Program
· Victim Services Program
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Trained volunteer advocates provide direct assistance, support, and information referral to victims of crime or tragedy in Grande Prairie. Services include involved person support, 24 hour crisis intervention, home security surveys, delivery of the Alberta Solicitor General Victim Impact Statement program, and information about the criminal justice system and court procedures.
For more information on police services, please contact (780) 830-5701.
See also Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment
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Grande Prairie Fire Department
The
Grande Prairie Fire Department p
rovides fire protection to the citizens of Grande Prairie and suppression services to a county area around Grande Prairie of 365 square miles. Department operations are delivered from the Eagar Fire Station located on the South Side (8111 Resources Road) and the Salmond Fire Station located on the North Side (11906 – 102 Street). The Fire Stations have a combined total of 55 full-time, 2 part-time, and 5 casual staff and 1 chaplain.
The mission of the Grande Prairie Fire Department is to make Grande Prairie the "safest place to be" through improvements to fire safety. In order to accomplish this mission, the Department is involved in a number of programs.
The Grande Prairie Fire Department is unique to Alberta full-time or combination departments since the full-time fire fighters are involved in many duties other than fire suppression. In addition to responding to fires, hazardous materials, and rescue emergencies, the Fire Department provides a number of public programs including:
· Public Education Program which includes delivering home education, supporting the Learn Not To Burn Program in the schools, providing a Fire Station Tour Program, and public lectures or demonstrations.
· Providing planning information and technical assistance with respect to design, construction, and maintenance; of buildings, infrastructure, and fire protection systems.
· Delivering fire inspection services to all commercial or industrial businesses and government agencies in Grande Prairie to ensure an acceptable level of public and property safety. Providing enforcement of the Alberta Fire Code to ensure a minimum accepted standard is met.
The Grande Prairie Fire Department provides an innovative planned approach to providing public fire protection in an efficient and effective manner. Since 1985 the Department has received numerous provincial awards. These awards recognize efforts such as a Smoke Alarm Giveaway program, promotion of residential sprinklers, and provision of a Fire Safety House to enhance the Public Education Program.
The Fire Department offers 911 service and a full emergency communications system including monitoring of fire alarms, dispatching Fire Department resources, answering after hours City of Grande Prairie complaints, and call out of City departments. The Department is also involved in disaster planning and preparation for major emergencies.
Through partnerships within the community such as Grande Prairie & Area Safe Communities and the Grande Prairie & District Burn Society; the Department strives to make Grande Prairie a safer place to be.
Note: Grande Prairie's Air Ambulance Service is covered on the EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES page - in the "Queen Elizabeth II Hospital" section.
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Grande Prairie Transit provides a fixed-route transit system within the City. For information, call 780-538-0337 or visit www.gptransit.ab.ca
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The information and communication needs of Grande Prairie are met by:
Daily Newspapers
· Daily Herald-Tribune
· Edmonton Journal
· Edmonton Sun
Community Newspaper(s)
Peace Country Extra
Radio Stations
Rock 97.7 – FM
Big Country – FM
CKUA – FM (Edmonton)
CBC – FM (Edmonton)
Q99 – FM
Shine 96.3 FM
Television
· Northern Cablevision broadcasts the major American networks, stations from other parts of the Canada, and a local cable station.
· Satellite service is available
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Family And Community Support Services (FCSS)
FCSS provides leadership for preventative services within the City of Grande Prairie by continuing to develop and support the ability and commitment of the individual, the family and the community to make decisions that will improve the quality of life within our community through community development, voluntarism and advocacy.
Internal services offered:
Home Support Services
In-home, affordable support provided to individuals and families experiencing undue stress (or are in need) due to illness, loss of a parent, age or disability. We also enable people to influence their own well- being by providing them with information and education that builds self-esteem and allows them to make healthy life choices. Fee for services based on a sliding fee scale.
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Community-based Non-Profit Organizations:
- Cool-Aid
- Community Information Line
- Family/Community Liaison
- Grande Prairie and Area Council on Aging
- Grande Prairie and District Golden Age Centre
- Grande Prairie Women's Residence Association - Project Awareness
- Tot's Time Out Society
- P.A.C.E.
- Society for Physically Handicapped - Handi Van
- Volunteer Services Bureau
Our Agencies strongly value the principles of FCSS, which include:
- Prevention
- The important role of family and community
- Fair, consistent and equal access
- Affordability
- Volunteer participation
- Dignity and independence, client centred
- The strengthening of families in all their forms
- Partnerships and joint responsibility
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Telephone: (780) 538-5210 or toll-free 1-800-419-1149.
Fax: (780) 538-6359.
Website: http://www.gov.ab.ca/aadac
Provides education/training on addiction issues, counseling services to adults and adolescents, two intensive treatment programs and detoxification services. Program areas include:
Training and Communication Services:
Provides counselling and programming for adolescents (and their families) experiencing problems as a result of substance abuse. Information, support, and counseling available for children and adolescents who live in families where substance abuse is or has been a problem. A library housing a range of print and audiovisual material on addiction related topics is open to the public Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.).
Offers training to addiction specialists, allied professionals, business groups and to the general public. Workshops on a variety of addiction-related topics are offered throughout the year. Training can also be contracted and tailored to specific group needs on a range of professional development topics.
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Treatment Services:
Provides a range of addiction treatment services including: a medically supervised detoxification unit, assessment and referral, individual and group counseling and a twenty-day intensive residential treatment program. To access these services intake is every Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. The detoxification unit is open 24 hours a day and can be accessed at any time. [Return to
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Business and Industry Clinic
This treatment program has been specifically designed to meet the business community's needs. It is based on the 12-Step approach to treatment and offers a thirty day residential program with a five month follow-up component. Workplace training is also available, providing information on dealing with the troubled employee and an overview of substance abuse issues. [Return to
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Telephone: (780) 538-5370.
The Grande Prairie Young Offender Centre is a 36 bed facility which primarily serves Northwestern Alberta. It is one of four young offender centres within the Alberta Justice Department. The centre, as instructed by Youth Court, holds young persons between the ages of twelve years and seventeen years. They may be temporarily remanded in custody waiting for a court appearance or sentenced on young offender charges.
The Grande Prairie Young Offender Centre provides an in-centre school program, life skills, drug and alcohol sessions, and a work experience program through in-centre/community work crew projects.
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Telephone: (780) 538-2820.
The Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie exists to encourage increased flow of resources to community needs, to create and manage permanent endowment funds to meet those needs, and to respond to emerging needs that come with changing times. The fund earnings will be directed toward the intended charitable objectives, and the reputation of the Foundation will reflect the good name of the donors.
A Unique Concept
A Community Foundation is a collection of individual charitable gifts. These gifts are pooled and invested and the interest income is distributed as grants to community causes/projects. The capital continues to grow with each new gift, generating income to meet local needs for years to come.
The Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie is registered with Revenue Canada as a Public Foundation. It is governed by a board of volunteers who are knowledgeable about local needs and recognized for their financial stewardship and leadership in the community. Assets are growing and each year the Foundation is able to support community-based organizations serving children, youth and seniors; and supporting health, arts and culture as well as education, recreation and the environment.
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Who Benefits?
THE COMMUNITY. Organizations apply for grants to fund local projects. The Foundation has established broad and flexible criteria, enabling it to support innovative activities that might not be funded any other way.
The Foundation acts as a catalyst for local action, seeking out worthy causes and projects.
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Alberta is on Mountain Time: Eastern -2 hrs; Pacific +1 hr.
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City Hall Administration Offices-10205 – 98 Street, P.O. Bag 4000, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 6V3 |
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General Inquiries |
(780) 538-0300
Fax: (780) 539-1056 |
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Assessment/Taxation |
(780) 538-0315 |
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Aquatera Utilities Inc |
(780) 538-0348 |
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Aquatera Customer Billing |
(780) 538-0340 |
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Bylaw Enforcement 10202 - 99 Street |
(780) 830-5790 |
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City Clerk's Office |
(780) 538-0300 |
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Commissioner of Oaths |
(780) 538-0300 |
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City Manager's Office |
(780) 538-0313 |
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Community Services |
(780) 538-0380 |
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Crystal Centre 10017 - 99 Avenue |
(780) 538-0334 |
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Dave Barr Arena 9535 Prairie Road |
(780) 538-0469 |
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