LA CRETE

LaCrete is located approximately 56 km southeast of High Level, Alberta. (800 km north of Edmonton) A Mennonite Community with a population of over 2,000 that serves a trading area of approximately 7,000.

There are many modern shops in the downtown area.

The name LaCrete came from what the early settlers described the ridge of land as resembling a rooster's comb (which in French is la crete.) The Rivard brothers came from Quebec during World War 1 and were the ones who filed for land in 1914 at the mouth of the small creek that flowed into the Peace River. The original landing is about nine kilometers to the southwest of the Hamlet and called La Crete's Landing. In the mid 1930's the first Mennonites moved here. The hamlet was created in 1955 with the first post office opening in 1956 with Mrs. Knelson as the first postmistress. Today 50% of La Crete residents are under the age of 25. The majority of the people speak "Plautdietsch" or "Low German" even though all businesses serve their customers in English.

LaCrete’s economy is fueled primarily by agriculture with logging a close second. The largest employer of La Crete is La Crete Sawmills Ltd. (located a few km southeast of LaCrete along Highway 697) It employs approximately 110 people. (780) 928-2292. It is located next to Evergreen Lumber that specializes in dimensional lumber, rough and planed, also cutting squares. (780) 927-3616. Aspen Point Sawmills Ltd. Specializes in Aspen Cants and dimensional lumber. (780) 928-3366.

LaCrete and Area Chamber of Commerce. (780) 928-2278
La Crete Chamber of Commerce website.

The Northern Pioneer is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday by Mackenzie Highway News. It has served the La Crete, Fort Vermillion area for over 25 years. (780) 928-4000. An advertising pamphlet called "The Big Deal Bulletin" also is a local publication.

Events: There are many activities held during the year in La Crete that brings the community together. Each spring the LaCrete Spring Trade Fair is held in April at the Northern Lights Recreation Centre. The Agriculture Society puts on 2 events each year. Farmer's Day held in June and Pioneer Days in September celebrate the history of LaCrete. Demonstrations are held on how farming was done many years ago. LaCrete Agriculture Society (780) 928-2817. LaCrete also hosts their own professional rodeo each year which brings in some of the same cowboys who participate in the Calgary Stampede. Also each year in March, the Northern Lights Recreation Centre hosts the annual Challenge Cup Hockey Tournament. There are many golf tournaments are held through-out the summer months at the La Crete Golf & Country Club.

2008 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

There is no hospital in LaCrete or an RCMP station. LaCrete's Medical facility is serviced by doctors from Fort Vermilion and High Level.

The Tompkins Landing is located 69 km southwest of LaCrete or 18km east of Highway 35. The Tompkins Ferry is one of only two ferries operating in Alberta. It crosses the Mighty Peace River and only takes a few minutes and there is no cost to travellers. Tompkins Landing was first used by the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement upstream from its present location. When Highway 697 was built, the landing was moved.

Mennonite Heritage Village is one of the main attractions built by the early settlers. Consists of many buildings and artifacts. A flour mill is still in running condition. A very old barn is also on display. Located 3km southwest of La Crete. Open May to October. (780) 928-2817.

Northern Lights Recreation Centre located in the centre of town. (780) 928-3066. Senior and minor hockey, old timer's hockey, women's hockey and figure skating takes place at the arena. Upstairs is a hall. Attached to arena is curling rink with 3 sheets of ice and a 4 lane bowling alley. Baseball diamonds and tennis courts.

Schools:

Ridgeview Central School. Grades 4-7, over 260 students. (780) 928-3100.
School website.

Reinland School, 10609-94 Avenue. Outdoor skating rink next to school. (780) 928-4757.

La Crete Public School. Grades 8-12, 350 students attend. 10001-99 Avenue. (780) 928-3913.

Sandhills Elementary. Kindergarten to grade 3 over 290 students attend. (780) 928-3947. Public Library is part of the school.
School website.

Bluenort Mennonite School. (780) 928-2242.

Hillcrest Community School. Kindergarten to grade 9. About 240 students. (780) 927-3203.
School website.

NAIT/Northern Lakes College Campus.
College website.