Grande Prairie News 2016 - ARCHIVED
DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com features some of the news that changed Grande Prairie during the year 2016. This was the year the Q99 radio was purchased by Jim Pattison Group who also owned Big Country FM. Also two new hotels were under construction: Service Plus Encore and the Hampton.
MORE: Grande Prairie NEWS - 2001 To Present VIEW
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2016
January 2016: The 2016 Grande Prairie Dream Home Opens early January in Taylor Estates subdivision east and south of Grande Prairie. See details and photos
January 2016: The City of Grande Prairie has expanded its boundaries by 6,316 hectares from the County of Grande Prairie. The annexation takes effect January 1, 2016. With the annexation brings about 800 people from the County to add to the City's population, which is now estimated to surpass 70,000.
January 2016: State & Main Kitchen & Bar will be opening in January 2016 at the former Blockbuster location on the south end of Grande Prairie.
January 2016: First baby born in Grande Prairie in 2016 was a baby girl (Ruby Amelia Hans) of parents Dina and Alex Hans.
January 2016: Trend Home Improvements has moved to a new building and location, a few blocks west of Ken Sargent GMC along 102 Street, Grande Prairie. enlarge photo
January 2016: Rising Above Ministry is going to move into the former Young Offenders Centre along 106 Street Grande Prairie (near Centre 2000 and Bypass) The building has been closed since 2009.
February 2016: The City of Grande Prairie will be spending $20 million for the downtown rehabilitation and streetscape project. Construction of Phase One is expected to begin in May and affect 101 Street from 98 Avenue to 102 Avenue. The 4 Phases will be complete by 2018
February 2016: Alberta wins the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts (curling) held in Grande Prairie Feb 20-28. Teams from all over Canada competed at the Revolution Arena, Grande Prairie.
February 2016: Q99 Radio has now moved downtown Grande Prairie to be in the same building as Big Country FM. Both stations are now owned by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. More info
February 2016: The Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce handed out the 2016 Awards. The Clem E. Collins Chamber Volunteer Award: April Weavell of Regatta Communications, the Business Citizen of the Year: Pat Carlson at Seven Generations Energy, the Dan H. Minchen Long Term Member Business Achievement Award: Oliver's Funeral Home, Above and Beyond Award: Bridget Hennigar of MNP.
March 2016: GP Brewing Company has opened in Grande Prairie with Grande Opening held March 12, 2016. More info
March 2016: Grande Prairie and County have won their bid to host the 2018 Alberta Summer Games. Athletes aged 11-17 will be competing for 3 days.
March 2016: TC Equipment, located south of the Redwood Inn, Clairmont has closed its doors because of the slow economy. It was a dealer for snowblowers, lawnmowers, small garden tractors, chainsaws etc, including service.
March 2016: Lionel Robins has been named Chair of the Host Committee for the 2018 Alberta Summer Games to be held in Grande Prairie.
March 2016: The Grande Prairie Storm announce that Murray Toews will be taking over as President and assistant coach Dennis Rix will be taking over as Business Manager.
March 2016: The $30 million senior complex is being built on the northeast side of Clairmont. It will contain 77 new senior lodge units and 73 affordable enhanced senior apartments. Currently in Grande Prairie there is a waiting list to get into the units as is the case in other communities. This should help ease the waiting time. It is scheduled to open in March 2017. Enlarge photo- more information
April 2016: Three new hotels are under construction in Grande Prairie and will be opening later this year with an additional 500 rooms coming on stream. Service Plus Encore,(enlarge photo) south of the Casino. The Hampton (enlarge photo) just north of Costco is under construction, plus another hotel is under construction next to the East Link Centre on the south of the City.
April, 2016: Winner of the Grande Prairie Dream Home is 23-year old oil patch medic, Pamerla Reesor. She is single and plans on moving in with a couple of roommates.
April, 2016: The Provincial Government announced its first Budget and has committed $54 million to finish the Highway 43X bypass on the northwest part of Grande Prairie. The 12 km will take 2 years to complete that will include a 4-lane divided highway with 3 bridges.
April, 2016: The new Grande Prairie Hospital will see $337 million for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. At this time the exterior is about 90% complete and the interior is at the drywall stage.
April, 2016: Grande Prairie smashed a 73 year old weather record as it reached 29.4 degrees beating previous April 18th high of 21.1 set in 1943.
May 2016: Weyerhaeuser pulp mill near Grande Prairie was sold for $2.2 billion to International Paper. Weyerhaeuser employs more than 300 people with the pulp mill with an additional 300 with the timberlands and sawmill division.
May 2016: After 28 years Astro Annie has retired from Big Country 93.1FM radio. Each morning she featured the horoscopes and was also the Sales Manager of the radio station.
May 2016: Former Big Country FM sales and 2Day Fm general manager, Grant Berg has left radio to open the Grant Berg Gallery, located downtown Grande Prairie featuring original work of about 35 local artists.
May 2016: The Bed Shoppe has opened a 2nd temporary location on the west side of Grande Prairie, near the old Future Shop location.
May 2016: To kick off the 2016 Stompede there were a number of businesses in the City who had Pancake Breakfasts, as well on the day before all the action was a parade held right downtown Grande Prairie. View VIDEO> (5:35min)
June 2016: NEW videos have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com that includes a 360 VIEW of the Boat Launch and the Lake at Swan Lake Provincial Park BC.
OTHER NEW VIDEOS:
Swan Lake Provincial Park BC: view the Fish Ladder: View VIDEO> (:59sec).
Swan Lake Provincial Park BC: featuring the campsites View VIDEO> (4:13min).
Pouce Coupe: NEW 360 VIEW Video featuring downtown View VIDEO> (1:59min).
Video of Rolla BC featuring downtown and residential: View VIDEO> (2:55min).
Downtown Dawson Creek: View VIDEO> (3:20min).
Lac Cardinal Lake AB: View VIDEO> 2:32min.
NEW VIDEO Murals Alaska Highway House -10201-10 Street, Dawson Creek. The Alaska Highway House is one of the newest attractions with many displays and films showcasing the history of the Alaska Highway. 30,000 soldiers and civilians built the 2,288km highway in 9 months. There are many murals on the building.
January 2016: The 2016 Grande Prairie Dream Home Opens early January in Taylor Estates subdivision east and south of Grande Prairie. See details and photos
January 2016: The City of Grande Prairie has expanded its boundaries by 6,316 hectares from the County of Grande Prairie. The annexation takes effect January 1, 2016. With the annexation brings about 800 people from the County to add to the City's population, which is now estimated to surpass 70,000.
January 2016: State & Main Kitchen & Bar will be opening in January 2016 at the former Blockbuster location on the south end of Grande Prairie.
January 2016: First baby born in Grande Prairie in 2016 was a baby girl (Ruby Amelia Hans) of parents Dina and Alex Hans.
January 2016: Trend Home Improvements has moved to a new building and location, a few blocks west of Ken Sargent GMC along 102 Street, Grande Prairie. enlarge photo
January 2016: Rising Above Ministry is going to move into the former Young Offenders Centre along 106 Street Grande Prairie (near Centre 2000 and Bypass) The building has been closed since 2009.
February 2016: The City of Grande Prairie will be spending $20 million for the downtown rehabilitation and streetscape project. Construction of Phase One is expected to begin in May and affect 101 Street from 98 Avenue to 102 Avenue. The 4 Phases will be complete by 2018
February 2016: Alberta wins the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts (curling) held in Grande Prairie Feb 20-28. Teams from all over Canada competed at the Revolution Arena, Grande Prairie.
February 2016: Q99 Radio has now moved downtown Grande Prairie to be in the same building as Big Country FM. Both stations are now owned by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. More info
February 2016: The Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce handed out the 2016 Awards. The Clem E. Collins Chamber Volunteer Award: April Weavell of Regatta Communications, the Business Citizen of the Year: Pat Carlson at Seven Generations Energy, the Dan H. Minchen Long Term Member Business Achievement Award: Oliver's Funeral Home, Above and Beyond Award: Bridget Hennigar of MNP.
March 2016: GP Brewing Company has opened in Grande Prairie with Grande Opening held March 12, 2016. More info
March 2016: Grande Prairie and County have won their bid to host the 2018 Alberta Summer Games. Athletes aged 11-17 will be competing for 3 days.
March 2016: TC Equipment, located south of the Redwood Inn, Clairmont has closed its doors because of the slow economy. It was a dealer for snowblowers, lawnmowers, small garden tractors, chainsaws etc, including service.
March 2016: Lionel Robins has been named Chair of the Host Committee for the 2018 Alberta Summer Games to be held in Grande Prairie.
March 2016: The Grande Prairie Storm announce that Murray Toews will be taking over as President and assistant coach Dennis Rix will be taking over as Business Manager.
March 2016: The $30 million senior complex is being built on the northeast side of Clairmont. It will contain 77 new senior lodge units and 73 affordable enhanced senior apartments. Currently in Grande Prairie there is a waiting list to get into the units as is the case in other communities. This should help ease the waiting time. It is scheduled to open in March 2017. Enlarge photo- more information
April 2016: Three new hotels are under construction in Grande Prairie and will be opening later this year with an additional 500 rooms coming on stream. Service Plus Encore,(enlarge photo) south of the Casino. The Hampton (enlarge photo) just north of Costco is under construction, plus another hotel is under construction next to the East Link Centre on the south of the City.
April, 2016: Winner of the Grande Prairie Dream Home is 23-year old oil patch medic, Pamerla Reesor. She is single and plans on moving in with a couple of roommates.
April, 2016: The Provincial Government announced its first Budget and has committed $54 million to finish the Highway 43X bypass on the northwest part of Grande Prairie. The 12 km will take 2 years to complete that will include a 4-lane divided highway with 3 bridges.
April, 2016: The new Grande Prairie Hospital will see $337 million for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. At this time the exterior is about 90% complete and the interior is at the drywall stage.
April, 2016: Grande Prairie smashed a 73 year old weather record as it reached 29.4 degrees beating previous April 18th high of 21.1 set in 1943.
May 2016: Weyerhaeuser pulp mill near Grande Prairie was sold for $2.2 billion to International Paper. Weyerhaeuser employs more than 300 people with the pulp mill with an additional 300 with the timberlands and sawmill division.
May 2016: After 28 years Astro Annie has retired from Big Country 93.1FM radio. Each morning she featured the horoscopes and was also the Sales Manager of the radio station.
May 2016: Former Big Country FM sales and 2Day Fm general manager, Grant Berg has left radio to open the Grant Berg Gallery, located downtown Grande Prairie featuring original work of about 35 local artists.
May 2016: The Bed Shoppe has opened a 2nd temporary location on the west side of Grande Prairie, near the old Future Shop location.
May 2016: To kick off the 2016 Stompede there were a number of businesses in the City who had Pancake Breakfasts, as well on the day before all the action was a parade held right downtown Grande Prairie. View VIDEO> (5:35min)
June 2016: NEW videos have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com that includes a 360 VIEW of the Boat Launch and the Lake at Swan Lake Provincial Park BC.
OTHER NEW VIDEOS:
Swan Lake Provincial Park BC: view the Fish Ladder: View VIDEO> (:59sec).
Swan Lake Provincial Park BC: featuring the campsites View VIDEO> (4:13min).
Pouce Coupe: NEW 360 VIEW Video featuring downtown View VIDEO> (1:59min).
Video of Rolla BC featuring downtown and residential: View VIDEO> (2:55min).
Downtown Dawson Creek: View VIDEO> (3:20min).
Lac Cardinal Lake AB: View VIDEO> 2:32min.
NEW VIDEO Murals Alaska Highway House -10201-10 Street, Dawson Creek. The Alaska Highway House is one of the newest attractions with many displays and films showcasing the history of the Alaska Highway. 30,000 soldiers and civilians built the 2,288km highway in 9 months. There are many murals on the building.
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2016
June 2016: The Street Performers took to the streets of Grande Prairie and performed. A new video captured some of the action. View VIDEO> (2:32)
June 2016: Red Light Cameras are back in Grande Prairie at four intersections. (100 St and 132 Ave, 100 St and 116 St, 100 St and 84 Ave, 100 Ave and 116 St. They are four high volume collision locations.
June 2016: The City of Grande Prairie will be developing shallow outdoor pool with small waterslide at Bear Creek Park. It is expected to be completed by summer of 2018. City Manager Greg Scerbak announced his retirement after 10 years as City Manager and 40 years of public service.
June 2016: Grande Prairie is no longer the most crime-ridden city in Canada as overall crime was down and the City slipped to 6th spot.
July 2016: Paulette Patterson from Grande Prairie has received the Alberta Order of Excellence award for her work for local charities. There has been 3 other people who have won the award in northern Alberta in the past which include Walter Paszkowski, Bill Bowes and a person from Fairview.
July 2016: Fifteen NEW VIDEOS have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com. 2 Videos of the Mainstreets of Fort St John: Traveling 100 Street north: View Video, and 100 Avenue east: View Video, FSJ Holograms at Pomeroy Sports Centre: View Video, Tumbler Ridge: View Video, Hudson's Hope: View Video, Pouce Coupe: View Video, Chetwynd Carvings: View Video, Peace Canyon Dam Bridge: View Video, Taylor Bridge: View Video, Gwillim Lake: View Video. Also Gwillim Lake 360 view: View Video. Moberly Lake: 360 View Beach Area, and Moberly Lake: Boat Launch Video, Charlie Lake: 360 View Boat Launch Video, Beatton Park: 360 View Boat Launch Video.
July 2016: Rainbow Automotive closed its doors as a result of the downturn in the economy.
July 2016: The Grande Prairie Canada Day Parade was captured on VIDEO. View Video>
July 2016: New businesses are opening in Grande Prairie. RPM Marine (a division of Risley Machining) is a boat shop located at 9036A-108 Street. It can build boats right from scratch.
July 2016: Husband and wife, Audrey and Henry Martens opened a new Meat Shop just north of the north A&W on 100 Street, Grande Prairie.
August 2016: Editor In Chief and Associate Publisher of the Daily Herald Tribune, Grande Prairie, Fred Rinne, passed away from liver and kidney failure complications at the age of 51. He spent the last 19 years at the DHT. He worked along side his wife Diana who is City Editor. (enlarge photo)
August 2016: Wing "N It Restaurants is coming soon to Grande Prairie and also Red Deer. This is the first for the restaurant to branch out to Western Canada.
August 2016: Rising Above is now located in the former young offenders centre near the Grande Prairie Tourism Facility. Rising Above has a 19 bed facility for addiction recovery and personal development.
September 2016: Tilted Kilt Restaurant is now open in the former Township 71 Bar and Grill Location, 10622-99 Avenue Grande Prairie, and Ramona Pizza has opened its 2nd location in the Lakeland Subdivision, NE part of Grande Prairie. Phone 780-830-0940.
September 2016: SkipTheDishes, a restaurant delivery service is now open in Grande Prairie that works with a number of Grande Prairie restaurants.
September 2016: Ben Moss Jewellery Stores are going out of business at all locations including the one in the Prairie Mall, Grande Prairie.
September 2016: Escapes Restaurant has also closed its doors. It was located just south of 214 Place, Grande Prairie.
September 2016: Pembina Pipeline Corporation started construction of a new Grande Prairie office on the west side of Grande Prairie. (120 street and south of 100 Avenue). The 2 story 40,000 sq ft building is expected to open in the fall of 2017.
September 2016: Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi visited Grande Prairie visited the Charles Spencer High School, and attended the Nourish the North Wine & Auction event.
September 2016: Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine was in Grande Prairie and spoke at the revolution Place and included traditional dancers and hand drummers.
October 2016: The Grande Prairie Chamber Awards were announced. There were 12 local businesses recognized. See List.
October 2016: Logan Chow has been appointed the Chief Editor of the Daily Herald Tribune, Grande Prairie. He was sports reporter at the DHT for the past 3 years, and also worked at the Fairview Post and Peace River Record-Gazette.
October 2016: A new Sour Gas Plant has been announced to be built in the Gold Creek area, southwest of Grande Prairie. Construction is expected to begin in 2017 and to be online in 2019.
October 2016: Grand Opening of another restaurant in Grande Prairie took place as Memphis Blues Barbecue House opened at 10706-79 Avenue.
October 2016: Grande Prairie will be celebrating Canada's 150 years of Confederation throughout 2017. The City will be investing close to $400,000 on the celebration.
November 2016: With the Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum not meeting its financial goals there has been a number of staff cuts including CEO and President George Jacob has lost his job. The museum is now looking for extra funding from the Province.
November 2016:The Grande Prairie Regional Agriculture and Exhibition Society at Evergreen Park has also asked the City for donating funds, but that was rejected.
November 2016: The Grande Prairie Hospital is expected to open in 2019 and a recent study indicates it will create jobs for 507 healthcare workers which will include many specialists.
November 2016: A local couple, Barbara and Roy Borstand won the $1.3 million home part of the Alberta Cancer Foundation's Cash and Cars Lottery. As part of the prize packages they also won a new Toyota Rav4 and $5,000 cash.
November 2016: Grande Prairie's vacancy rate is now the highest it has been as it increased from 10.4 to 19.8 percent. The average rent is now falling. Rent for a two bedroom last year in Grande Prairie was $1,193 and last month was down to $1,022.
December 2016: A new school in the Whispering Ridge subdivision north of Grande Prairie, is under construction and is set to open in 2017. The Peace Wapiti School will have K-6 classes and will include grades 7 and 8, in later years.
June 2016: The Street Performers took to the streets of Grande Prairie and performed. A new video captured some of the action. View VIDEO> (2:32)
June 2016: Red Light Cameras are back in Grande Prairie at four intersections. (100 St and 132 Ave, 100 St and 116 St, 100 St and 84 Ave, 100 Ave and 116 St. They are four high volume collision locations.
June 2016: The City of Grande Prairie will be developing shallow outdoor pool with small waterslide at Bear Creek Park. It is expected to be completed by summer of 2018. City Manager Greg Scerbak announced his retirement after 10 years as City Manager and 40 years of public service.
June 2016: Grande Prairie is no longer the most crime-ridden city in Canada as overall crime was down and the City slipped to 6th spot.
July 2016: Paulette Patterson from Grande Prairie has received the Alberta Order of Excellence award for her work for local charities. There has been 3 other people who have won the award in northern Alberta in the past which include Walter Paszkowski, Bill Bowes and a person from Fairview.
July 2016: Fifteen NEW VIDEOS have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com. 2 Videos of the Mainstreets of Fort St John: Traveling 100 Street north: View Video, and 100 Avenue east: View Video, FSJ Holograms at Pomeroy Sports Centre: View Video, Tumbler Ridge: View Video, Hudson's Hope: View Video, Pouce Coupe: View Video, Chetwynd Carvings: View Video, Peace Canyon Dam Bridge: View Video, Taylor Bridge: View Video, Gwillim Lake: View Video. Also Gwillim Lake 360 view: View Video. Moberly Lake: 360 View Beach Area, and Moberly Lake: Boat Launch Video, Charlie Lake: 360 View Boat Launch Video, Beatton Park: 360 View Boat Launch Video.
July 2016: Rainbow Automotive closed its doors as a result of the downturn in the economy.
July 2016: The Grande Prairie Canada Day Parade was captured on VIDEO. View Video>
July 2016: New businesses are opening in Grande Prairie. RPM Marine (a division of Risley Machining) is a boat shop located at 9036A-108 Street. It can build boats right from scratch.
July 2016: Husband and wife, Audrey and Henry Martens opened a new Meat Shop just north of the north A&W on 100 Street, Grande Prairie.
August 2016: Editor In Chief and Associate Publisher of the Daily Herald Tribune, Grande Prairie, Fred Rinne, passed away from liver and kidney failure complications at the age of 51. He spent the last 19 years at the DHT. He worked along side his wife Diana who is City Editor. (enlarge photo)
August 2016: Wing "N It Restaurants is coming soon to Grande Prairie and also Red Deer. This is the first for the restaurant to branch out to Western Canada.
August 2016: Rising Above is now located in the former young offenders centre near the Grande Prairie Tourism Facility. Rising Above has a 19 bed facility for addiction recovery and personal development.
September 2016: Tilted Kilt Restaurant is now open in the former Township 71 Bar and Grill Location, 10622-99 Avenue Grande Prairie, and Ramona Pizza has opened its 2nd location in the Lakeland Subdivision, NE part of Grande Prairie. Phone 780-830-0940.
September 2016: SkipTheDishes, a restaurant delivery service is now open in Grande Prairie that works with a number of Grande Prairie restaurants.
September 2016: Ben Moss Jewellery Stores are going out of business at all locations including the one in the Prairie Mall, Grande Prairie.
September 2016: Escapes Restaurant has also closed its doors. It was located just south of 214 Place, Grande Prairie.
September 2016: Pembina Pipeline Corporation started construction of a new Grande Prairie office on the west side of Grande Prairie. (120 street and south of 100 Avenue). The 2 story 40,000 sq ft building is expected to open in the fall of 2017.
September 2016: Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi visited Grande Prairie visited the Charles Spencer High School, and attended the Nourish the North Wine & Auction event.
September 2016: Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine was in Grande Prairie and spoke at the revolution Place and included traditional dancers and hand drummers.
October 2016: The Grande Prairie Chamber Awards were announced. There were 12 local businesses recognized. See List.
October 2016: Logan Chow has been appointed the Chief Editor of the Daily Herald Tribune, Grande Prairie. He was sports reporter at the DHT for the past 3 years, and also worked at the Fairview Post and Peace River Record-Gazette.
October 2016: A new Sour Gas Plant has been announced to be built in the Gold Creek area, southwest of Grande Prairie. Construction is expected to begin in 2017 and to be online in 2019.
October 2016: Grand Opening of another restaurant in Grande Prairie took place as Memphis Blues Barbecue House opened at 10706-79 Avenue.
October 2016: Grande Prairie will be celebrating Canada's 150 years of Confederation throughout 2017. The City will be investing close to $400,000 on the celebration.
November 2016: With the Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum not meeting its financial goals there has been a number of staff cuts including CEO and President George Jacob has lost his job. The museum is now looking for extra funding from the Province.
November 2016:The Grande Prairie Regional Agriculture and Exhibition Society at Evergreen Park has also asked the City for donating funds, but that was rejected.
November 2016: The Grande Prairie Hospital is expected to open in 2019 and a recent study indicates it will create jobs for 507 healthcare workers which will include many specialists.
November 2016: A local couple, Barbara and Roy Borstand won the $1.3 million home part of the Alberta Cancer Foundation's Cash and Cars Lottery. As part of the prize packages they also won a new Toyota Rav4 and $5,000 cash.
November 2016: Grande Prairie's vacancy rate is now the highest it has been as it increased from 10.4 to 19.8 percent. The average rent is now falling. Rent for a two bedroom last year in Grande Prairie was $1,193 and last month was down to $1,022.
December 2016: A new school in the Whispering Ridge subdivision north of Grande Prairie, is under construction and is set to open in 2017. The Peace Wapiti School will have K-6 classes and will include grades 7 and 8, in later years.
November 2016: The Grande Prairie Santa Parade was captured on VIDEO. View Video>
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2016
MORE: Grande Prairie NEWS PAGES - 2001 To Present VIEW
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Legal Notice - Terms and Conditions: All pictures, images, videos and information on DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com are protected by copyright which means it is unlawful to reproduce any picture, image or information in whole or part on any other media (that includes websites, facebook, twitter etc) without a licensing agreement. By using a copyright image without a licensing agreement, you agree to pay DiscoverThePeaceCountry.Ltd $10,000 per photo for the usage. © Copyright 2003-2024. Contact: PeaceCountryINFO@gmail.com