Grande Prairie News 2013 - ARCHIVED
DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com features some of the news that changed Grande Prairie during the year 2013. Peoples Automotive was sold and became part of the GP Auto Group, RONA now has replaced Totem, as well Phase One of the Westgate Centre has a number of stores finally opening here like Bedbath & Beyond and Home Sense and also Target has opened in the Prairie Mall.
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GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2013


January 2013: It is now official that GP Auto Group has purchased People's Automotive (Grande Prairie) from Kevin and Darlene Bathgate. Kevin started with People's Auto in 1980 as a mechanic, became a partner in 1995 and was full owner of the company since 2001.
January 2013: There were 92 tickets handed out in Grande Prairie in 2012, for parking in Handicapped Parking Zones. The year before there were only 26 tickets handed out. The current fine is $150 but that will be going up soon to $250.

January 2013: County of Grande Prairie SPORTSPLEX opens just west of the County Administrative Building, 7407-108 Street, Clairmont. Includes two rinks, field-house, track, lobby, fitness area, lounge, cafe and outdoor fields. Some parts are still under construction. View Photos: Front Entrance, Reception, Arena-2, Players Box, Access to upper level, Soccer Field house.

January 2013: The new sign of RONA now replaces the Totem sign to indicate the store has now officially changed its name in Grande Prairie. (enlarge photo)
Tile Ideal is now open in a brand new building along the Highway Bypass Grande Prairie, just behind Mr. Mikes.

February 2013: A new A&W opened (Wed Feb 20) north of Grande Prairie across the highway from the County of Grande Prairie Offices and right next to the Redwood Inn & Suites. The Restaurant 's drive-thru will be open 24 hours. The restaurant has a Retro look to it. (enlarge picture)
February 2013: In only 4 hours (Feb 13) Police in Grande Prairie handed out 157 tickets in 2 check-stops. 51 of those were for distracted driving, 83 for not wearing a seat belt, 23 for speeding - no insurance - unregistered - stop sign violation.
February 2013: Peter Teichroeb (Happy Trails RV) has purchased the radio station 96.3 Shine FM in Grande Prairie. The radio station will now be an independent and the only changes that will be made is to the Shine FM name February 15th became 96.3 Reach FM.
February 2013: White Orchid Bridal Boutique as opened downtown Grande Prairie. The new Bridal Store is owned by Nadine Stewart.

February 2013: Grande Prairie Dream Home. This year the Dream Home was located in the Carriage Lane Estates. This subdivision is located east along 100 Avenue on the outskirts of the City. More information - prizes: CLICK HERE.
March 2013: Sound Waves, music store in Grande Prairie (108 Ave, 101 St) closes after 24 years at the end of the month. Vic Mark was the owner.

March 2013:The Spirit River Rangers are now the 2012-2013 NPHL Champions. (North Peace Hockey League) They defeated the Lakeland Eagles in 4 straight games. See the NPHL highlights of the final game CLICK HERE

March 2013: The Quality Hotel in Grande Prairie was purchased by a group of local businessmen and now it has officially changed its name to the Paradise Inn & Conference Centre. Located along 100 Avenue. There are plans on having some renovations. Years ago this hotel was known as the Golden Inn.
March 2013: The Daily Herald Tribune celebrated 100 years this year. A special get-together took place with staff and clients.

March 2013:The County Of Grande Prairie Farm Family of the Year 2013. The Everton Family of Hythe were honored at the Agri Show, Evergreen Park Grande Prairie. View VIDEO> (3:54min)


March 2013: The Honorable Verlyn Olson, Alberta's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Officially Opened the 2013 Agri Show featuring many displays, bull sale, including Big Jim of Big Country FM. Ag Classic Video VIDEO: View VIDEO> (2:30min)
March 2013: Byron Johnson passed away at the age of 75 years. He was the man behind BJ's Q Club which closed earlier this year after 20 years of operation.

May, 2013: Target has opened in Grande Prairie, one of 10 stores in Alberta. There will be 9 stores in BC and and it is expected that a total of 125 to 135 new locations across Canada. (enlarge picture)
April 2013: Walter Paszkowski is retiring. He was the Economic Development Officer with the County of Grande Prairie for many years. He served as MLA from 1989-2001 and before that was Mayor of Sexsmith for 6 years.
April 2013: Recent survey shows Grande Prairie tops the list in throwing away the most recyclable beverage containers in Alberta (study of 9 landfills) 3 times more than Calgary or Lethbridge.

April 2013: Swan Festival at Saskatoon Lake Provincial Park west of Grande Prairie. Hundreds of people of all ages took part in the 15th Annual Swan Festival. Many exhibits were on hand while bus tours took groups to see swans in the surrounding lakes and fields . View VIDEO> (4:43min)
April 2013: Sears in Grande Prairie has undergone some major renovations and it won't be that long before Target will open in the old Zellers location.
April 2013: Evergreen Park Campground has changed its name and is now officially known as McGovern's RV Campground.

May 2013: The Muskoseepi Park Pavilion is to get a face lift costing more than $700,000. The park is located in the centre of the City of Grande Prairie along 102 Street.
May 2013: Housing Starts in Grande Prairie are up with 59 starts during the month of April. So far this year, since January, there have been a total of 160 starts compared to only 87 for last year.
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2013


June, 2013: Phillip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum UPDATE. Many people took part in the Ground Breaking Event Ceremony at Wembley June 21, 2013. Brian Brake, executive Director of the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative, was on hand along with many dignitaries. Construction could take up to 14 months before the museum is completed. View VIDEO> (7:33min)
June, 2013:The Grande Prairie Dream Home draw was made June 5, 2013 and the winner was Carmen and Steven Brown. The 125 thousand dollar 50-50 Jackpot was won by Steve and Kathleen Kushneryk of Valleyview.
June, 2013: Rentco Equipment will begin construction of their new building very soon to be located along 116 Street, Grande Prairie, just south of Future Shop.

July, 2013: The Grande Prairie Canada Day Parade. One of the most attended Canada Day Parades in many years saw thousands line the streets to see the Parade. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the entire parade and you can view it right here. View VIDEO> (25.42min)<


July, 2013: Phase One of the Westgate Centre is to open in September on the west side of Grande Prairie. Some of the first stores will include Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Sense, Pier 1 Imports and Carters Osh Kosh.

August, 2013: Some of the new stores are now open in the Westgate Centre. Pier 1 Imports, Bulk Barn, OSH Kos, and Home Sense are now open with more opening soon. The Source will be opening a location here as well.
August, 2013: Grand Banks is a new subdivision being developed just south of St Joseph Catholic High School, and the Coca Cola Centre. Roads and services are being put in.


September, 2013: Long time resident Ernie Radbourne has passed away. He started Ernies Sports Experts in 1968 and served 2 terms on the Grande Prairie City Council.
September, 2013: New traffic lights will be installed in 2014 at the intersection to the Grande Prairie Airport along Highway 43.
September, 2013: September 12th temperatures reached 31.9 degrees in Grande Prairie which broke a record that stood for almost 70 years.

September, 2013: Long & McQuade Musical Instruments has moved to their new location at 10013-97 Avenue Grande Prairie. The building is the former BJ's Cue Club.
September, 2013: Louisiana Pacific has purchased all four of Ainsworth's Lumber manufacturing facilities, located in Grande Prairie, High Level, 100 Mile House, BC, and Barwick Ontario. Louisiana Pacific is a leading United States wood products giant.
September, 2013: Travellers in the area will be pleased to know the Tourist Information and Rest Stop located 1.6km south of Valleyview, will be remaining open year round. This is the first year they will be doing that as they normally close in September.

September, 2013: The TEC Centre at Evergreen Park has been renamed the ENTREC CENTRE as ENTREC Corporation acquired the naming rights for at least 5 years.
September, 2013: ATCO Electric has opened in a new building 9602-123 Street, far west side of Grande Prairie.


September, 2013: Duke's and Mingles on Main (99 St and 101 Ave) will close as the building will be torn down to make way for the SAWMILL Restaurant to open in the spring.
September, 2013: Stelious Vasileiou has returned to Acropolis with business partner Scott Sargent after both of them had a short retirement. Scott is the same person who was part of Sean Sargent Toyota.


October 21, 2013: Bill Given has been re-elected Mayor of Grande Prairie for the next 4 years and 8 Counselors elected are Lorne Radbourne, Chris Theissen, Helen Rice, Kevin O'Toole, Dwight Logan, Jackie Clayton, Kevin McLean and Rory Tarant. Defeated are John Croken and Justin Munroe.

November, 2013: Long term local businessman Orm Shultz passes away at the age of 81 years. He owned Warringtons Jewelery and Jonathan's Gold & Diamonds in the Prairie Mall, Grande Prairie. (one of the few non-franchise businesses in the City) At one time Mr Shultz was the sales manager of the Daily Herald Tribune.
November, 2013: Sterling Upholstery has moved to a new location, 11302-95 Avenue with ribbon cutting November 20th.
November, 2013: Countryside Motorsports is constructing a new building on the west side of Grande Prairie, just south of Peavey Mart/Princess Auto along 120 Street.
November, 2013: Another Dollarama has opened along 100 Street Grande Prairie, just west of Home Hardware near 108 Avenue.


December 1, 2013: Grande Prairie Santa Parade. It was a stormy Sunday afternoon as many people of all ages gathered downtown Grande Prairie for the Santa Parade. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com has again captured this event on video. View VIDEO> (9:26min)

December, 2013: Jack Wong, longtime resident of Grande Prairie passed away at the age of 86 years. He along with 3 partners opened the Golden Star Restaurant in 1971 and later the Golden Inn in 1981. (now known as the Paradise Inn and Conference Centre)
December, 2013: The Festival of Trees in Grande Prairie raised close to $350,000 for the QEII Foundation. The event takes place each year at Evergreen Park.

MORE VIDEOS have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com. Includes features on the Hamlet of Brownvale, Figure 8 Lake, Fort Vermillion, Notikewin Provincial Park, La Crete Ferry, and the Shaftesbury Ferry. Also 20 NEW VIDEOS have been added featuring the Downtowns of the many towns: Grimshaw, Berwyn, Fairview, Rycroft, Wanham, Eaglesham, Donnelly, McLennan, Falher, Girouxville, Peace River, Nampa, High Level, La Crete, Manning, Spirit River, Woking, High Prairie, Valleyview, Grande Prairie.




GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2013
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