Valleyview, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valleyview
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Town
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| Town of Valleyview | |||
Town Hall
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| Motto(s):
Portal to the Peace
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Location in the MD of Greenview No. 16
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 Valleyview
Location in Alberta
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| Country | Canada | ||
| Province | Alberta | ||
| Region | Northern Alberta | ||
| Planning region | Upper Peace | ||
| Municipal district | Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 | ||
| Incorporated | |||
| • Village | 1 January 1955 | ||
| • Town | 5 February 1957 | ||
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 9.17 km2 (3.54 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 700 m (2,300 ft) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 1,673 | ||
| • Density | 182.4/km2 (472/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) | ||
| Postal code span |
T0H
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| Area code(s) | +1-780 | ||
| Highways | Highway 43 Highway 49 |
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| Waterways | Sturgeon Lake | ||
Valleyview is a town in northwest Alberta, Canada. It is surrounded by the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16.
The town is located where Highway 43 and Highway 49 meet. It sits between the Little Smoky River and Sturgeon Lake. Because it's at the start of two main roads into the Peace Region, Valleyview's motto is "Portal to the Peace."
Contents
History of Valleyview
The area around Valleyview has been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. They came here because of the good hunting and fishing. The local Cree people have lived in this region since at least the 1700s.
Early Settlers and Trading
In the early 1800s, the first visitors arrived. They wanted to trade goods for furs with the local people. Trading went well, and the Hudson's Bay Company set up a trading post on Sturgeon Lake in 1877. Another trading post was also built nearby.
In 1900, the area was surveyed for a possible new settlement. Not much happened then, but in 1901, another survey found a great spot near Sturgeon Lake. By 1916, the first pioneers settled here because the soil was rich for farming.
How Valleyview Got Its Name
The community that grew to serve these new settlers was first called Red Willow Creek. In 1929, when the first post office opened, the community changed its name to Valleyview.
Growth and Development
In late 1950, oil was found near the town. A big road project, the Whitecourt Cutoff, was finished in 1955. This road made travel much faster between the Peace Country and Edmonton. In 2020, the town renamed a part of the highway to celebrate the road's 65th anniversary.
By the late 1950s, Valleyview was growing very fast, becoming a "boomtown." It became a village in 1954 and then a town just three years later in 1957.
Geography and Climate
Valleyview is in the southern Peace Region. It is located between the Little Smoky River and Sturgeon Lake. As its name suggests, the town is on high ground. It offers views of the valleys around it.
Natural Surroundings
Sturgeon Lake is about 15 kilometers west of Valleyview. It is home to Young's Point Provincial Park. This park is a popular place for outdoor fun. The town is also next to the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation reservation #154. This land is part of Treaty 8.
Valleyview is located above the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. This area is famous for having some of the world's largest deposits of coal and oil. The Duvernay Formation nearby is also rich in natural gas and oil. The town is also in an area with active geothermal energy.
Valleyview's Climate
Valleyview has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers with cool nights. The winters are long and very cold.
| Climate data for Valleyview | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.0 (60.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
28.0 (82.4) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.3 (91.9) |
34.8 (94.6) |
34.0 (93.2) |
32.0 (89.6) |
29.0 (84.2) |
18.0 (64.4) |
14.5 (58.1) |
34.8 (94.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −6.3 (20.7) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
2.9 (37.2) |
10.6 (51.1) |
16.7 (62.1) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.6 (72.7) |
21.6 (70.9) |
16.3 (61.3) |
9.4 (48.9) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
8.9 (48.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −11.5 (11.3) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−3 (27) |
4.5 (40.1) |
10.1 (50.2) |
14.2 (57.6) |
16.3 (61.3) |
15.2 (59.4) |
10.3 (50.5) |
4.3 (39.7) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−9.5 (14.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −16.7 (1.9) |
−14 (7) |
−8.8 (16.2) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
3.5 (38.3) |
7.9 (46.2) |
9.9 (49.8) |
8.8 (47.8) |
4.2 (39.6) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−8.9 (16.0) |
−14.3 (6.3) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −43 (−45) |
−40 (−40) |
−42 (−44) |
−27 (−17) |
−15 (5) |
−4 (25) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−1 (30) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
−29 (−20) |
−32.2 (−26.0) |
−46.1 (−51.0) |
−46.1 (−51.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 33.8 (1.33) |
18.3 (0.72) |
19.2 (0.76) |
24.4 (0.96) |
48.8 (1.92) |
79.4 (3.13) |
92.4 (3.64) |
62.9 (2.48) |
48.2 (1.90) |
24.7 (0.97) |
28.2 (1.11) |
27.0 (1.06) |
504.8 (19.87) |
| Source: Environment Canada | |||||||||||||
Population and Demographics
| Valleyview's Population History | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1956 | 973 | — |
| 1961 | 1,077 | +10.7% |
| 1966 | 1,827 | +69.6% |
| 1971 | 1,732 | −5.2% |
| 1976 | 1,716 | −0.9% |
| 1981 | 2,061 | +20.1% |
| 1986 | 1,987 | −3.6% |
| 1991 | 1,980 | −0.4% |
| 1996 | 1,906 | −3.7% |
| 2001 | 1,856 | −2.6% |
| 2006 | 1,725 | −7.1% |
| 2011 | 1,761 | +2.1% |
| 2016 | 1,863 | +5.8% |
| Source: Statistics Canada |
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In 2021, Statistics Canada counted 1,673 people living in Valleyview. This was a decrease from its 2016 population of 1,863. The town has a land area of 9.17 square kilometers. This means about 182 people live in each square kilometer.
In 2016, the population was 1,863 people. This was an increase from 1,761 people in 2011.
Economy and Jobs
Valleyview's economy mainly relies on natural resources. The biggest industry is oil and gas. Many oil and gas companies work in the area. There are also several pipelines nearby.
Local Businesses
A company called Tervita started in Valleyview in 1979. It still has operations here today. Pembina Pipeline also has an office in Valleyview. They manage a terminal facility south of town. The oil and gas industry supports many other related businesses.
Travel and Tourism
The travel industry is also very important in Valleyview. The town is located on the CANAMEX Corridor. This is a major trade route. It is also where two main highways meet. Because of this, many services for travelers have grown up here. You can find hotels, motels, gas stations, and fast food restaurants. These are located along Highway 43 and Highway 49. This area is called Crocus Hill Gasoline Alley.
Other Major Employers
The Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 is another big employer. Its main office and several departments are in Valleyview. The town is also a central place for medical services in the region.
Fun Things to Do
Valleyview hosts the Crocus Hill Stampede every year. This is a rodeo and agricultural show. It takes place at the Valleyview and District Agricultural Society grounds. Each summer, a fair is held on the town's Main Street (50th Ave).
Sports and Recreation
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Valleyview is home to the Greenview Regional Multiplex. This is a large recreation center. It opened on February 9, 2018. It has swimming pools, a fieldhouse, a play area, a kitchen, and a fitness center.
The main place for ice sports in Valleyview is the Polar Palace ice rink. This is where the Valleyview Jets hockey team plays its games. They are part of the Peace Region league. The ice rink also has a curling rink. Next to the Polar Palace is the local swimming pool. It is on the same grounds as the Legion picnic area and water park.
Sturgeon Lake is nearby and offers many outdoor activities. Two provincial parks are on its shores: Young's Point Provincial Park and Williamson Provincial Park. Both parks offer beaches, boating, fishing, and camping.
Town Services
Getting Around
Valleyview is located at the meeting point of two important highways. Highway 43 leads to British Columbia and Alaska through Grande Prairie. Highway 49 goes north and south towards Donnelly and Highway 2 towards Peace River.
The town also has the Valleyview Airport (TC LID: CEL5). It is located south of the community. The airport is mainly used for air ambulance flights. It also serves recreational pilots and charter flights. There are no regular passenger flights. The airport is currently being upgraded.
Health Care
The Valleyview Health Centre provides emergency care and other services. It is managed by Alberta Health Services. Alberta Health Services also offers immunizations and classes for young children. These are available at the Valleyview Community Health Services office. The Valleyview Medical and Dental Clinic has doctors' offices and dental services.
Education in Valleyview
Valleyview has three public schools. They are run by Northern Gateway Public Schools. These schools serve students from Kindergarten all the way to Grade 12. Valleyview also has St. Stephen's, a Catholic school. It serves students from Kindergarten to Grade Nine. This school is run by the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division.
Northern Lakes College offers college-level education. It has a campus right in Valleyview.
Famous People from Valleyview
- David Werklund, a successful business person
- Rona Ambrose, a politician
- Todd Loewen, a politician
- Wyatt McIntyre, a politician
- Colin Krieger, a political party leader
