HIGH PRAIRIE

Located approximately 200 km north-east of Grande Prairie, Alberta or 100 km southeast of Peace River, is the Town of High Prairie at the junction of Highway 2A and Highway 749. High Prairie has a population of 2820 people (2006 stats) and serves a trading area of more than 17,000.

High Prairie was first inhabited by the Beaver Nation and was named after the river in the area. Muskatayosipi in Cree meant Prairie River. The first post office opened in 1910 with W. McCue the first postmaster. When the railway came in 1914 a lot of people left Grouard, a short distance from High Prairie, even moving some buildings to this new settlement. The highway was completed in 1928 and later High Prairie was incorporated as a village in 1945. It reached town status in 1950. High Prairie was originally part of the staging route to the Klondike Gold Rush. It has become a major tourist centre.

High Prairie is on the eastern boundary of the Peace Country. The main industries of High Prairie are agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, and service industry.

The High Prairie and District Amateur Rodeo Associations Annual Spring rodeo is held mid May at the Elks Stampede Grounds, approximately 2 km north of High Prairie. It is a two day event. The Elks Pro Rodeo is held in July. It is the biggest event of the summer for this area. Includes pony chariots, rodeo events, chuckwagon races and midway. The Agriculture Fair is held in August at the Stampede Grounds. Includes exhibits, pancake breakfast, and Little Britches Rodeo, petting zoo, log sawing, horseshoe tournament.

Buchanan Lumber, located on the west side of High Prairie produces over 75 million board feet of product each year. Operations include logging, trucking, a sawmill, a planer mill and finger joint plant. In 1965 the operation relocated to High Prairie from the Valleyview area. Today it employs 200-300 people seasonally. (780) 523-4544.

One of the main employers of the area is the Tolko OSB Mill which was built in 1995. Located 10 km west of High Prairie on Highway 2. Has approximately 170 staff and produces 500 million sq. ft. of OSB each year. (780) 523-2101. Other major employers include the Government of Alberta, Buchannan Lumber, Town of High Prairie and Allan's Welding. Feb 2007- Tolko closes its plant putting more than a 100 employees out of work also Ainsworth-Footner OSB Mill in High Level shut down its operation in December.

Events: High Prairie Aboriginal Heritage Days is held at Jaycee Park on the 3rd weekend in June. Native dancers and musicians. - North Country Fair is held in June, at Joussard 35 km east of High Prairie. Draws over 5000 people and features a wide range of entertainers. - High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo held in August is a Canadian Professional Rodeo Association sanctioned event. Pro and amateur Rodeo events, Pony Chuckwagons & Chariots, Novelty Acts, Midway, Beer Gardens, Food Booths, Dance, Fireworks, Parade. - Sled Dog Races are held each February in High Prairie.

2009 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

The Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre officially opened on April 4, 2008. Next to it is the Sports Palace Arena. There are special events held throughout the year. 5409-49 Street. (780) 523-4044. High Prairie Curling Association. (780) 523-3588.

The Sports Palace Arena is home of the High Prairie Regals (senior hockey team) NPHL , that challenges other teams in the Peace Country including the Grande Prairie Athletics, Falher Pirates, Peace River Stampeders, Fort St John Flyers, Hythe Mustangs, Valleyview Jets, Fairview Kings, Lakeland Eagles (from McLennan) and the Spirit River Rangers.
2008-2009 NPHL Hockey Schedule

The FOX, CKVH Radio Classic Hits/Oldies (780) 523-5120
YL Country AM Radio. 610 Peace River.
Kix 106.9 FM High Prairie and Fairview.

Schools: Holy Family Cyberhigh. 4723-53 Avenue. (780) 523-5237. School Website.
St Andrew's School,4617-53 Avenue, Kindergarten to grade 12. (780) 523-4595. School Website.
High Prairie Elementary, 5701-48 Street, Kindergarten to grade 6, (780) 523-4531. Prairie River School,Grade 7 to 9, 5701-48 Street. (780) 523-4531.
EW Pratt High School, Grade 10-12, 5000-56 Avenue, (780) 523- 3813. Bishop Routhier School (780) 523-2216
Northern Lakes College, High Prairie Campus. (780) 523-6690.
Prairie View Outreach, Grades 7-12. (780) 523-4200.

Pomeroy Inn & Suites Featuring 79 Spacious Rooms that include Coffee Maker, Microwave, Fridge, Iron and Ironing Board. Complimentary High Speed Internet, Business Center, Fitness Facility and In-door Pool, Hot Tub and Water slide. Complimentary Local Calls and Deluxe Continental Breakfast. Come sleep in our Hypnos Beds and cozy up in the Opulence Sheets!

3905-51 Ave. High Prairie 780-523-2398 1-877-523-2398

pomeroygroup.ca pomeroyinnandsuites.com

High Prairie District Museum was established in 1967. Contains Native and pioneer artifacts. View the Burley Collection of arrowheads, scrapers and two rare ancient macroblades believed to be 9.000 years old. Open June to September. 53 Avenue and 49 Street. (780) 523-2601.

High Prairie and District Tourist Information Centre located on the north side of Highway 2 at the east end of town. Open during the summer months. 4828-53 Avenue. (780) 523-2751.

Town of High Prairie Office. (780) 523-3388. Located in the same building is the School Division Office No. 48. 4806-53 Avenue. For more information on High Prairie visit the
Town of High Prairie website.

High Prairie has a small airport located 5 km west of the town. (780) 523-3698.

High Prairie Health Complex providing health care to High Prairie and the surrounding communities. (780) 523-6440.
May 2008- Sod turning of the future High Prairie Health Complex took place May 30th. It will be located east of the Pomeroy Inn and completed in 2011.

Public Library. 5301-49 Street. (780) 523-3838.

Skiing:
Only a short distance is the Little Smoky Ski Hill for downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing. (780) 837-8144.