Spotlight Items

The city of Grande Prairie has recently annexed 896 hectares of land from the County of Grande Prairie and is undergoing the zoning change of these lands to reflect municipal zoning.  The recently annexed properties are emphasized in dark grey on the map below will be zoned to UR - Urban Reserve.

The City of Grande Prairie’s Fire Department is hosting a number of recruitment sessions in early September for people interested in a career as a firefighter. The first is Wednesday Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Pete Eagar Fire Station on Resources Road.

Grande Prairie Enforcement Services and RCMP would like to remind residents that school resumes next week (September 02, 2008).  Enforcement Services and the RCMP will be active carrying out enforcement in school zones.  This includes both conventional and photo enforcement.

Mayor Dwight Logan officially opened the extension of 102 Street today, a project that will improve traffic flow in the northern section of the city.

The street was extended between 113 Ave. and 116 Ave. at a cost of $1.7 million. Work began in May.

The City of Grande Prairie has begun recruiting for its vacant Community Services Director position.

Responsible for the Arenas Group, Aquatics and Wellness, Community Development, Family and Community Support Services, Heritage Resources, Parks, and Recreation and Culture, the opportunity was made available when former Director Greg Scerbak became City Manager on July 1.

The City of Grande Prairie has begun recruiting for its vacant Community Services Director position.

Family and Community Support Services is partnering with the Prairie Art Gallery and the Cool Aid Society to present the 50th Anniversary Youth Art Mural at the Grande Prairie Museum on Thursday, August 21, 2008.  The event begins at 5 p.m. and continues until 6:30 p.m.

Facility maintenance is scheduled for The Leisure Centre from August 24 (9pm) to September 22 (5:30am), 2008.

See details for information on facility closure and schedule changes.

If you are looking for ways to stay active and busy this fall the new Fall issue of Community Connections will be out in Wednesday's Daily Herald Tribune.  There are programs for adults and youth, preschoolers and Seniors including fitness, education, arts and much, much more.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at J.C. Mackie Park, named in honour of the Mayor in office when Grande Prairie became a City 50 years ago.

Grande Prairians had their cake and ate it, too!

The City’s 50th Anniversary Homecoming festivities concluded Sunday with a re-enactment of the delivery of its charter 50 years ago, a Homecoming Heroes parade and an 8-foot cake enjoyed by hundreds of City residents and visitors, who also took in the Heritage Festival in Muskoseepi Park.

The Government of Alberta has approved an annexation of land by the City of Grande Prairie from the County of Grande Prairie that will provide the municipality another 896 hectares of land comprising various lot sizes surrounding the community.

Get ready to rock’n roll, Grande Prairie!  

Who is Grande Prairie’s best Elvis? What lady looks most like Barbie? Who can hula-hoop the best?

Share information and learn from others, across northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia, about how we can prepare our communities for an emergency.

This Forum will create:

§ Opportunities for networking

§ Enhanced partnerships

§ Essential connections for planning and responding to an emergency

Please see web link for more information:

http://www.pchr.ca/Events/CommunityEmergencyPreparednessResiliencyForu/tabid/831/Default.aspx

Muskoseepi Park will have trail access interruptions in the Mission Heights area today, tomorrow, and Thursday between 8am and 5pm.  A FireSmart project is being carried out in this location in partnership with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.  This involves men and equipment clearing out accumulated deadfall and underbrush which may pose a fire hazard. Please exercise caution when walking in this area.

The City of Grande Prairie is asking for input on this question:

“Should the City stop performing dandelion control on City lands?”

For more information and to give us your input please fill out our survey which can be obtained by one of the following methods:

The City of Grande Prairie advises motorists that a four-phase roadway improvement project may cause delays over the next two months in the 68th Ave. and 90th/92nd Street area by Countryside subdivision.

Check out the Summer Edition of the CAMA Connection newsletter with a special on the Municipal Literacy Project.  CAMA President, Barry Carroll, presented the 2008 Awards of Excellence to several municipalities including the City of Grande Prairie.  Joyce Mearon and Josy Burrough were in Quebec City to accept our award.

 http://www.camacam.ca/downloads/cama-newsletter-2008-summer-e.pdf

Judges for the national Communities in Bloom program, Odette Sabourin-Dumais and Evelyn Alemanni, will arrive in our community this afternoon. Both Odette and Evelyn have volunteered extensively with the Communities in Bloom program and have judged communities around the world.

The Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness (ASAH) is visiting several cities who are underway with plans to address homelessness. Representatives were in Grande Prairie Thursday and Friday and among the stops they made was a tour of Hearthstone Manor, the City’s 40-unit affordable housing complex, due for opening in September.

The City of Grande Prairie is partnering with the DavTee Society to provide educational materials to children in Ethiopia. From left, society co-founder Teresa Plante, Leo Frey of Cat Rentals, Mayor Dwight Logan, and David Plante, co-founder, are shown with a 40-foot canister donated by Cat Rentals. It is located at the Zeller’s Lot at Prairie Mall for collecting textbooks and school supplies to send to Ethiopia in the fall.

From left, Mayor Dwight Logan and Ald. Bill Given welcomed Marcelo da Luz (far right) to Grande Prairie on Saturday. The Toronto resident is attempting a world distance record attempt by driving from Buffalo, N.Y. to Inuvik, N.W.T and back in a solar-powered car that he built himself.  In the process, da Luz is promoting the use of clean and sustainable energy through the project called The Power of One. Also shown in the photo are volunteers Carrie McKellar of Vancouver, Moritz Noster from Göttiugen, Germany, and Tippy Agogo from Edmonton.

The City of Grande Prairie is holding a big party on the August long weekend and everyone is invited!

In fact, residents attending Tuesday’s Canada Day Parade will be handed an invitation in the shape of a record album that provides every detail of the four days of festivities.

Prompt action is crucial!  Alberta Sustainable Resource Development confirms that local populations of adult Mountain Pine Beetles have emerged and are now looking for new pine trees to attack.

Grande Prairie RCMP and the City of Grande Prairie Enforcement Servicest partners, in support of the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan and Road Safety Vision 2010, will be involved in a joint effort to reduce the harm that results from motorcycle collisions. In addition, the RCMP & GPES aims to increase awareness of positive aspects of this sport in Grande Prairie. A speed enforcement campaign will also be a focus from June 26 to July 1, combining the efforts of the RCMP Traffic Services in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

The shovel will go into the ground by the end of September to begin construction on Grande Prairie’s Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex.

During the month of July, Enforcement Services’ Bylaw and Animal Control Officers will be carrying out enforcement and awareness of animal control issues, especially as it relates to the City’s park system.

The City of Grande Prairie has begun a strategic planning process to update its Municipal Development Plan and residents have opportunities to provide input through a newspaper and online survey as well as upcoming open houses.

Greg Scerbak is the new City Manager.

The current Director of Community Services, Scerbak accepted City Council’s offer Wednesday. His new position will be ratified at Monday’s Council meeting.

Alberta has remained free of Dutch Elm Disease and it’s important residents here continue their vigilant to avoid an outbreak, the City’s Integrated Pest Management Co-ordinator says.

Mayor Dwight Logan was presented with a Hometown Heroes vest at City Council Monday night by Ald. Gladys Blackmore, Council’s representative on the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone Board. The DownTown Association and the City’s Heritage Resources Department co-sponsored the Hometown Heroes program which honoured 80 Hometown Heroes, including Mayor Logan, Ald. Rice and Protective Services Director Bill Walker.

Residents can have input into the VLA/Montrose Area Redevelopment Plan Thursday, June 19 at a public meeting.

The Grande Prairie Fire Department is hosting an open house Tuesday, June 17 aimed at encouraging local residents to consider a career in fire fighting.

It’s Frank Sinatra … no … it’s Nat King Cole …or is that Jerry Lee Lewis? Or Tommy James?

The foyer of City Hall is alive with the sights of Grande Prairie.

Twenty-two paintings, mostly watercolours, adorn the walls of the first floor of the building. They form an exhibition by the Guild of Artists honouring the 50th Anniversary of Grande Prairie as a city. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the guild.

City Council will vote Monday on how it will provide the Prairie Gallery with new premises to replace its building which collapsed in March 2007.

Music … machines … munchies … municipal Olympics and much more!

The City of Grande Prairie’s seventh annual Municipal Government Day on June 18 at the Canada Games Arena west parking lot will have a 1950s flavour in honour of the City of Grande Prairie’s 50th anniversary as a city.

Throughout the month of June, officers from the City of Grande Prairie Enforcement Services will be patrolling seeking vehicles that are parked in disabled parking spaces without displaying a handicapped placard.

Nearly 60 Hillside Community School students toured City Hall on Thursday and then visited with Mayor Dwight Logan who talked to them about his job.

Grande Prairie recorded a 28 per cent participation rate in the May 22 Alberta Active Living Challenge Day, with 14,218 people registering their activity. That means the City once again outdistanced Red Deer on a per capita basis once again in our annual competition. Grande Prairie has outdistanced Red Deer in the level of participation four years in a row.

Are you wondering who the winners of the photo contest are?  Find out who placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each of the eight contest categories and who the winner of the Grand Prize is.

View the brochure that was mailed out with the 2008 tax notices.

Tax notices were mailed out May 23, 2008.  The due date for taxes is June 30, 2008. 

If you have not received your tax notice by June 15, 2008, please contact the Assessment / Taxation department @ (780) 538-0315.

The City of Grande Prairie’s Pursuit of Excellence Committee is proud to support the top level athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers developing their skills in programs in and around the City of Grande Prairie by providing grant funding for travel and development and scholarship funding. 

The City of Grande Prairie has qualified for an Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) 2008 Municipal Demonstration Grant to install a fully accessible playground surface at J.C. Mackie Park.

The Red Light Cameras are going “live” on Monday, May 19, 2008.  For the first 30 days, warning notices will be sent out to the owners of vehicles found in violation.  These notices will be clearly identified as warning notices. 

Mayor Dwight Logan was the guest speaker on Thursday as part of the Grande Prairie Public Library’s 50th Anniversary Speaker Series.

The City of Grande Prairie has started re-inspections of improved residential properties with Crystal Heights, Crystal Lake Estates, Royal Oaks, and Pinnacle Ridge being covered this summer to wrap up a five-year cycle that started in 2003.

The City of Grande Prairie has won the 2008 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) award for Organizational Commitment to Creating a Positive Learning Culture for All Employees.  

Flying High, The City of Grande Prairie, 1958-2008, a book published by the South Peace Regional Archives, in collaboration with the City of Grande Prairie, is now available for sale.

May is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.  David Olinger, Manager of Marketing and Communications, delivered a proclamation at Crystal Park School on Thursday on behalf of Mayor Dwight Logan.

The City of Grande Prairie will have a key role in the Disaster Social Services Province Wide Forum next week in Edmonton.

Mayor Dwight Logan and long-time Alderman Helen Rice will share their perspectives May 8 on how the local political landscape has changed over the years to create the growing, vibrant community we enjoy.

Ald. Lorne Radbourne, Chair of the Protective Services Committee, brought greetings on behalf of Mayor Dwight Logan and Council Sunday at the launch of Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4-10) at the Grande Prairie Museum. 

From left, Laurie Fisher, Chair of the Grande Prairie and District SPCA, Mayor Dwight Logan and County of Grande Prairie Reeve Everett McDonald, participated in an April 30 sod-turning ceremony for the new animal pound, a co-operative project between the County of Grande Prairie and the City, in collaboration with the Grande Prairie and District SPCA and the Municipal District of Greenview.

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4-10! Visit our launch at the Grande Prairie Museum on Sunday May 4 at 2 p.m. to enter a draw for your chance to win an emergency kit.

A cheque was presented to the Red Cross for their Malaria Bites campaign to help prevent malaria around the world.

Following the passage of the City of Grande Prairie’s 2008-2010 Budget, a three-year Financial Plan Document was prepared for distribution to the public.

City Council will give third reading Monday to a 2008 property tax bylaw that provides an additional $2.9 million to reduce the debt required to build the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex.

Grande Prairie has changed a lot over the past 50 years. Here is your chance to test your knowledge of various sites in our community and how they have changed over time.

The City of Grande Prairie has become the first organization in Canada to receive approval of a standard licence to operate the 4.9 GHz public safety band on a permanent basis.

Celebrate with the Grande Prairie Public Library and discover why Grande Prairie is “the greatest place to be!” as our speaker series continues into May. Longtime members of the community will speak on sports, theatre, business and politics.

Adventurous, Exciting, Active – check out our fabulous city programs

 Designed for children ages 3 to 11 years!

Calling all former Grande Prairians!

We encourage all Grande Prairie residents to reach out to family, friends and former neighbours and invite them to return for this August long weekend event.

100 Avenue Westbound, between 96 Street and 97B Street

As a reminder during the busy summer season, residents need to apply for a "U-Lot access permit" to obtain vehicular access to the public utility lots (sometimes called "easements" or "grassed lanes") that run behind many homes in the City.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for coming to the State of the City Luncheon. My sincere appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for hosting this event.

The Government of Canada announced funding in Council Chambers at City Hall Thursday to assist families and individuals in the community working to break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty and build a stronger future for themselves.

Grande Prairie became a city 50 years ago last month when district guide and hunter Henry McCullough delivered its charter on horseback. With tribute to Henry’s trusty steed, Diamond, the City has long since surpassed its one horse-town status and is ready to hit the information superhighway at full speed.

On March 29, 2008, cities across Canada, and around the world will turn off their lights for Earth Hour, a WWF event to raise awareness about climate change and symbolize that, working together the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Mayor Dwight Logan has proclaimed 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday March 29 as Earth Hour.

EarthHourproclamation.pdf

The City of Grande Prairie will proceed with a risk assessment on the entire alignment of Bear Creek to enhance public safety, guide upcoming development and provide protection for existing and future infrastructure.

Mayor Dwight Logan selected the winning ballot in the first monthly draw of the City of Grande Prairie 50th Anniversary Photo Contest at City Council Monday night.

Mayor Dwight Logan received the Arctic Winter Games torch from Debbie Reid, President of the Grande Prairie 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society Monday.

Yellowknife – The City of Grande Prairie will contribute $500,000 over the next two years to the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, Mayor Dwight Logan told a reception hosted by the municipality last night in Yellowknife, NWT.

Financial Services Director Ken Anderson will serve as Interim City Manager while recruitment efforts continue to replace the retiring Dave Gourlay.

City Council Monday voted unanimously to create a Grande Prairie Regional College bursary in the name of retiring City Manager Dave Gourlay.

24 hour Road Restrictions in place, 50% of legal axel loading.

The City of Grande Prairie will be closing 102 Street from 99 Avenue to 97 Avenue for moving of the Historical Church on March 6, 2008 from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm. Please use alternate routes.  The City of Grande Prairie thanks you for your patience and cooperation.

Dan Lemieux is the new City of Grande Prairie Fire Chief, effective March 11.

Currently a Senior Deputy Fire Chief, Lemieux assumes the post from Bill Walker, who retains his position as Director of Protective Services.

They came as business associates. They left as friends.

Those were the words of Licenciado Jorge Abel Lopez Sanchez, Presidente Municipal of Mazatlan, Mexico Sunday afternoon in a farewell brunch at the Holiday Inn for the visiting Mexican delegation.

During the month of March the Grande Prairie RCMP and Enforcement Services will be launching a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for seatbelts and other occupant restraints, such as child car seats. 

Grande Prairie’s Sister City Agreement with Mazatlan, Mexico will be officially ratified Saturday when its mayor is in our community as part of a three-day visit by a five-member delegation. 

The City will play host to the group throughout the weekend with tours of venues profiling economic development, educational and cultural opportunities.

The purpose of this study is to identify the City of Grande Prairie’s growth needs and potential growth areas in advance of development. The study assumes a 50 year timeframe as well as a 30 year increment for projection purposes.

The nomination was announced late last week and came in the category of Major Facility of the Year under 8,000 capacity.  General Manager Jane Cada-Sharp says, “This is a first and an incredible surprise to the entire staff.”

The City of Grande Prairie has released the list of events and projects it has funded for the 50th Anniversary during the proclaimation of "I Love Grande Prairie Day" on February 14, 2008.

A team of HazMat specialists have determined that the unknown substance found at the Canada Post mail sorting station is non-hazardous and the facility has reopened.

The City of Grande Prairie today announced the list of events and projects it has funded for the 50th Anniversary during a proclamation as part of festivities that included a free community breakfast and a new park opening.

GP Transit is asking everyone, customers & non-customers, to complete the Transit Survey. Your input will help us build a better Transit system for the future. Here's your chance to make your comments count.

With temperatures dipping to the minus 40 range, factoring in wind chill, the City of Grande Prairie urges motorists to take extra time and precautions when driving in the community and on area highways.

The official launch of Grande Prairie’s 50th Anniversary as a city on Feb. 14 will give residents plenty of reasons to embrace their community.

Grande Prairie Mayor Dwight Logan, left, and County of Grande Prairie Reeve Everett McDonald shook hands Friday after signing an extension to the existing fire services agreement between the two municipalities, which was due to expire at the end of the year. The extension runs through 2010, and paves the way for development of a regional fire service.

Grande Prairie Mayor Dwight Logan is flanked by Margaret Tardif, Mayor of the Town of Falher, and Tim Stone, Saddle Hills County Reeve, at the Northwestern Alberta Mayors, Reeves, CAOs, Chiefs and Chairperson’s Group meeting at the TEC Centre at Evergreen Park Friday. Tardif and Stone were elected Vice Chair, Urban and Vice Chair, Rural, respectively, of the organization.

The City of Grande Prairie is holding an Open House on Wednesday for anyone who may be impacted by a proposed Transportation Levy.

Know someone who has been a driving force in the development of our community?

Valentine’s Day is a special day to demonstrate affection to others. In Grande Prairie this year, it will also be a reason to embrace our community. Fifty years ago on that date, Grande Prairie received its charter, officially making it a city.

The City of Grande Prairie and surrounding communities will soon see improvements to their water system and fire protection services.

City Council Monday approved a 2008-2010 budget that significantly increases snow removal and road maintenance expenditures, provides greater fire and police protection, additional crime prevention, and higher investments in arts, culture and recreation.

A drier start to winter has enabled Public Works crews to get a jump on clearing the snowfall to date.

The 2008-2010 budget recommended to City Council Monday will significantly increase snow removal and road maintenance expenditures while providing greater fire and police protection, additional crime prevention, and higher investments in arts, culture and recreation – for about $14 extra a month for a typical home owner living in a house assessed at $295,000.

Preparations are well underway for the 2009 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards, including the selection of a theme – Iskoteo.

City Council is seeking community input on establishing a Boxing, Wrestling and other Combative Sports Commission before considering adopting a proposed bylaw to enable its creation.

The Honourable Mel Knight, MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky, left, and Gordon Graydon, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, presented Crime Prevention Program Manager Karen Gariepy, a cheque for $15,000 Friday on behalf of the Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. The funds will support the Building Families – Creating a Safe and Caring Community One Family at a Time Initiative.

The City of Grande Prairie will continue to have a strong voice for municipalities at the provincial level. Ald. Helen Rice was re-elected Friday as a Director and Vice-President, Cities up to 500,000, with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).

City of Grande Prairie positions calling for Internet voting to be allowed and a monthly 911 call answer fee to be levied to cell phone subscribers will be forwarded to the province after being approved by the delegates at the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Convention in Calgary Friday.

The City and County of Grande Prairie and the Town of Sexsmith have received an Honourable Mention through the Minister’s Awards for Municipal Excellence program for the creation and operation of Aquatera Utilities Inc.

Approximately 50 new affordable housing units will be developed in Grande Prairie with the help of funding from the Province’s Municipal Sustainability Housing Program and Capital Enhancement Program.

The Winter 2008 issue of Community Connections can be found in the Wednesday November 28 issue of the Daily Herald Tribune and at many locations throughout the city.

Mayor Dwight Logan, right, helped launch the Salvation Army Christmas Fundraising Campaign on Nov. 16. The goal for this year is to collect $280,000, about one third of which would come from the recognizable kettles that residents will find at various locations in Grande Prairie. From left are: Captain Gordon Taylor, Captain Karen Taylor, Paul Rathke, and Mayor Logan.

The City of Grande Prairie will seek other opportunities to deliver dispatch services following a decision by Peace Country Health to develop its own system.

The City of Grande Prairie is receiving a total of $8.7 million through a provincial/federal funding initiative for two affordable housing projects that will create a combined 104 units.

City Council voted unanimously Monday for the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex to move full steam ahead.

City Council and the Grande Prairie Regional College Board of Governors agreed Friday to explore ways to collaborate on future initiatives.

City of Grande Prairie Mayor Dwight Logan and Aldermen completed two days of 2008-2010 capital budget review Thursday and now turn their attention to operational budget presentations Nov. 21-23.

Budget presentations for the City of Grande Prairie begin this morning at the Sandman Inn.

The City and County of Grande Prairie have agreed to a two-year extension to their existing fire agreement, paving the way for development of a regional fire service.

The Development Services Department of the City of Grande Prairie recently completed a review of the sign regulations in the Land Use Bylaw. 

The City of Grande Prairie introduced a new tool today in its efforts to slow down drivers, particularly in school and construction zones.

Mayor Dwight Logan and City Manager Dave Gourlay met with Grande Prairie Regional College President Don Gnatiuk and Board Member Mike O’Connor today to discuss the college’s interest in partnering in the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex as well as other issues of mutual concern.

The City of Grande Prairie’s 50th Anniversary Committee today unveiled the logo for next year’s celebrations and revealed details of a $40,000 funding program that will help community groups stage events to participate in the festivities. 

The City has asked the County of Grande Prairie and Grande Prairie Regional College to meet to determine their interest in partnering on the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex.

The Community Group 50th Anniversary Sub-Committee is hosting a visioning meeting on Monday, Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Grande Prairie Museum.

Grande Prairie’s new city council was sworn in Monday night during a ceremony in council chambers.  

Mayor Dwight Logan proclaimed the launch of Small Business Week 2007 in Grande Prairie during an Oct. 22 breakfast hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at Centre 2000.

Aquatera, the City and the County of Grande Prairie have partnered with Project Porchlight to bring change to our community one household at a time. Project Porchlight will distribute one compact fluorescent light bulb to every home in the region.  

National Waste Reduction is a national event recognizing the importance of waste minimization and conservation.

November is Prevention of Family Violence Month

City of Grande Prairie officials met today with architects of the aquatics and wellness multiplex to begin the schematic design phase.

City Council gave the go-ahead Monday to the detailed design stage for the Aquatics & Wellness Multiplex.

Jubilee Park was re-dedicated as a Peace Park on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Grande Prairie joined with communities across the country in commemorating the 15th anniversary of the original dedication of Peace Parks during the Canada 125 celebrations in 1992.

A local centre will be open for two days next week to process claims from City and County of Grande Prairie residents who suffered property damage during flooding on July 17.

Jubilee Park will be rededicated as a Peace Park on Tuesday.

The City of Grande Prairie invested $65,000 Thursday in the 2010 Arctic Winter Games. A funding announcement was made at Muskoseepi Park as part of a ceremony to mark the signing of an agreement with the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

The City of Grande Prairie should pursue an operational partnership for emergency response that would include area municipalities, the Peace Country Health Authority, industry, and the regional airport, a consultant recommends in the Fire Master Plan.

The City of Grande Prairie can proceed with construction of an $80 million Regional Aquatics and Wellness multiplex with one field house without raising local property taxes.

The Protective Services Committee will recommend to City Council at its Oct. 9 meeting that the City approach the County of Grande Prairie with an integrated fire service proposal.

5 blooms! Alderman Gladys Blackmore, Chair of the local Communities in Bloom Committee, was on hand in Moncton as the Committee received the results of the evaluation completed by Nation Judges Chris Andrews and Dave Hilton last July.

A visioning session is set for Monday, October 1, 2007 to engage the community and generate additional ideas of potential events to help celebrate Grande Prairie’s 50th anniversary as a city.

Are you unable to vote at the Advance Vote or on Election Day?  Special Ballots (mail-in) are available.

Check out the list of Candidates for Mayor, Aldermen, Public and Separate School Trustees.

The section of 99 Street between 101Ave. and 103 Ave. (approximately in front of the RCMP building) will close Saturday for five days to allow utility connections for the new library/gallery complex.

Three members of City Council and economic development staff are part of a Peace Country delegation participating in Prospects North 2007 next week in Yellowknife.

City Council Monday approved a tender of $1.44 million for the 102nd Street extension, a project that will result in reduced traffic congestion at the intersection of 100th Street and 116th Ave.

The City of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Firefighters Association (the GPFA) have a new collective agreement.

It’s official! Grande Prairie has more than 50,000 residents.

Grande Prairie residents go to the polls to elect aldermen and a mayor on Monday, October 15.  Click here to connect to our Municipal Elections page.

The City and County of Grande Prairie representatives met Wednesday to discuss several planning and infrastructure issues as part of their ongoing inter-municipal dialogue.

Grande Prairie and area residents participating in recent Regional Aquatics and Wellness Centre surveys, which garnered a total of 667 responses, overwhelmingly support construction of the facility and proceeding with construction as soon as possible.

The City of Grande Prairie has initiated a red light camera program to get drivers to stop at red lights through awareness and enforcement. 

The City of Grande Prairie will apply this month to the Municipal Government Board to annex about 870 hectares of land comprised of various lot sizes surrounding the municipality.

The two maps show construction on both the North end and South end of Grande Prairie.

Residents and motorists in the 68th Ave. and Pinnacle Street area have been curious about a 400-metre section of poplar trees being removed.

There’s nothing like a favourite swimming spot in the summer. Storm ponds are dangerous and unhealthy places for this activity.

The City of Grande Prairie is rerouting traffic off 88th Street between 122nd Avenue and Lakeland Drive effective immediately until further notice.

The National Communities in Bloom Judges, Dave Hilton and Chris Andrews will be arriving in our city on Sunday, July 29. They will be completing their evaluation of our city on Monday, July 30. The tour map indicates the tour route that they will be taking.

The City of Grande Prairie’s Workplace Learning Committee was honoured at the July 16 City Council meeting for its recent receipt of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) award for Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy and Learning Achievements; Category 5.

The City of Grande Prairie recognizes the impact severe weather can have on individuals, families, and their properties.

Here is some basic information to help you and your family understand what to do in case of severe weather.

If you have any property damage, first call your insurance company. Should you experience sewer backup, call the Public Health Inspectors’ Office in Grande Prairie at 513-7517.

Residents, businesses and municipal personnel are assessing damage and making repairs following Tuesday night’s severe rainstorm that dumped over 75 millimetres of rain on the City, resulting in widespread flooding.

Local populations of adult Mountain Pine Beetles have emerged and are now looking for new pine trees to attack.

An Aquatera Utilities Inc. dividend payment of $1,980,200 to the City of Grande Prairie in 2006 is good news for taxpayers. It would take a 3.9 per cent tax increase to provide equivalent funds.

The City of Grande Prairie today distributed its Request for Proposal for the revitalization of the former Germaine Park site in downtown. Developers can submit bids until 2 p.m. on October 30.

The City of Grande Prairie is proud to be working with the Grande Prairie Roman Catholic Separate School District #28 (GPRCSSD28) in the construction of the Mother Teresa Catholic School by providing funding for two oversized gymnasiums.

Further signs of the severity of the past winter – 250 tonnes of cold mix were used to fill potholes this spring compared to 100 tonnes in 2006. Sand usage climbed from 2,100 tonnes to 6,100 tonnes.

Glenda Farnden, Major Gifts Manager for the STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) Foundation, accepts a cheque for $35,978, the City’s contribution toward completion of the $433,300 Queen Elizabeth II Regional Hospital helipad project, from Mayor Wayne Ayling Monday.

Mayor Wayne Ayling was among the guests June 18 when Hector Goudreau, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation, and Culture, to his left, announced a $1.5 million contribution toward the operating costs of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, to be held in Grande Prairie. Joining them were members of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

Graffiti is a serious crime that impacts all members of our community.  

About 70 Grande Prairie and area residents attended an open house Thursday night at the Coca-Cola Centre to learn proposed details of the new regional aquatic centre.

Jim Donnelly the Integrated Pest Management coordinator with the City of Grande Prairie says, “We believe that beetle flight will occur sometime in July so people should be prepared to protect their pine trees in June.”

Site preparation work is under way at the location of Hearthstone Manor, the city’s new affordable housing complex.

Mayor Wayne Ayling and Alderman Bill Given, members of the City's Affordable Housing Committee, checked out the site for the future home of the Hearthstone Manor on June 11 with Jake Simons, President of JM General Contractors Ltd and Lindsay Gurevitch, Interior Designer with Manasc Isacc Architects.

Dutch Elm Disease has never been detected in Grande Prairie and Jim Donnelly is determined it won’t happen on his watch.

The City of Grande Prairie expects to invest nearly $22 million this summer in capital works projects, overlaying, road and sidewalk rehabilitation efforts, and traffic signal timing upgrades.

Over 1600 people participated in Municipal Government Day events this year.

May 25th marked the official commencement of work on the new Regional Library/Gallery Project with a sod-turning event.

The Minister announced that communities looking to plan, upgrade or build major public-use facilities will be able to access funding from a new, two-year $280-million program created by the Alberta government. Minister Goudreau was at the Coca-Cola Centre in Grande Prairie on April 23 to unveil the initiative.

Photo (from left to right):  Hector Goudreau, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation, and Culture, Wayne Ayling, Mayor and Gord Graydon, MLA, Grande Prairie Wapiti

Grande Prairie's Economic Development Plan centers around three program areas: promotions, business retention and business attraction.  City Council will develop the long-term vision and “big picture” priorities of the program, while the plan will be implemented by our Economic Development Team.  To this point, the actions and priorities identified in the plan represent primarily public input from two workshops and a stakeholder review of a draft plan with some direction by City Council.

The City of Grande Prairie’s Public Works Department has followed through on geotechnical engineer recommendations to ensure resident safety after concerns were identified behind the Southview Point Mobile Home Park and Coachman Village Trailer Park in the Bear Creek corridor.

The delivery method for Community Connections, the City of Grande Prairie’s recreation and leisure guide, has changed. Community Connections is now distributed in the Saturday issue of GP Ink!

City Council invites Recreation and Culture Community Groups to submit an application for operational or capital funds to be considered for the 2008, 2009, and 2010 budget years.

A ceremony marking the start of work on the new $28.8-million Cultural Centre will be held on Friday with an official sod turning.

City Council voted Tuesday to offer the County of Grande Prairie a one-year extension of the current fire services agreement.

A web page has been created for the Aquatics and Wellness Centre that is currently in the planning and design phase. 

Darlene Framption, Executive Director of the Compassion House Foundation was in the city on May 2 to approach various agencies in the City to gain support for building a second Compassion House in Edmonton. Compassion House provides accommodation for women receiving breast cancer treatment.

Left to right: Alderman Given, Mitra Zarei, Darlene Framption, Alderman Croken, and Alderman Eckhardt

City of Grande Prairie officials met Friday with the Honourable Ray Danyluk, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to discuss a variety of regional capacity and planning issues.

Music … machines … munchies … municipal Olympics and much more!

Site preparations have started and excavation work enabling a foundation to be laid for Grande Prairie’s new library/gallery is expected to begin by early next week.

The amount of planned summer construction project work will eclipse the total completed over the same period in 2006.  And if additional potential projects can proceed, it will be an extremely busy season.

What a difference a few helping hands can make.  The City Scrub and Rotary Green a thon have made a big difference in the view around the city thanks to the over 4000 participants. 

April 29 - May 5 is the week of the third annual City Scrub.  Alderman Blackmore, Chair of the Communities in Bloom Committee and Mayor Ayling will kick of the week's activities by picking up garbage in the overflow parking lot, south of City Hall.  Alderman Blackmore will provide information regarding activities occuring during the City Scrub campaign.

City Council today voted in favour of a new two-year contract negotiated with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 787.

Grande Prairians can learn details about their new aquatic centre at an open house this Thursday.

Thirty Grande Prairie ice user groups are being surveyed this month to determine their organization’s interest in funding a second ice pad at the Dave Barr Community Centre.

The Prairie Gallery is now closed off following the successful removal last week of all artwork and the organization’s properties still in the building, which collapsed on March 19.

ISL Engineering and Land Services, on behalf of the City of Grande Prairie Parks Department,