Grande Prairie 2022 News - ARCHIVED
DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com features some of the news that changed Grande Prairie during the year 2022. With Covid-19 stili in the picture, it has again affected some businesses to close and a number of regular events not going ahead as in previous years. At the same time, there has been a number of businesses opening.
MORE: Grande Prairie NEWS - 2001 To Present VIEW
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2022
January 2022: Extreme Cold Temperatures were the cause of the cancellations of NY Eve Activities at Ernie Radbourne Pavilion at Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie. The only activities that went ahead were the Fireworks at 10pm. For a number of weeks temperatures were -30 to -40 and the snow fall was more than normal. On December 27th, Grande Prairie reached minus 44.4 degrees Celsius, a record.
January 2022: The new Omicron variant is now one of the most contagious Covid-19 viruses in Canada and in January the positive cases are spiking putting a strain on the entire medical system. Surgeries are again being postponed. Children 5 and up are now included in getting a vaccination and many people are getting their 3rd booster dose to help fight the virus and people are wearing their masks when entering buildings in Grande Prairie and surrounding area. At this time 85.6% of the population of Alberta have received two doses.
January 2022:The Grande Prairie Dream Home opened December 31st and is open to the public this year. The Dream Home is again located in Taylor Estates which is southeast of Grande Prairie. You can view photos of the Dream Home CLICK HERE.
January 2022: Grande Prairie hosted the Provincial Curling Playdowns that started January 3rd at the Bonnetts Energy Centre. There were 12 mens and 8 women’s teams competing for the right to represent Alberta at the 2022 Time Horton’s Brier for the men and 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts for the women. Laura Walker’s team won the women’s final while Kevin Koe’s rink from Calgary won the men’s provincial championship while Laura Walker’s team won the women’s final.
January 2022: A new Activity and Reception Centre has now opened in the Smith subdivision in Grande Prairie (9401 Park Road, far east side of City). The facility has both drop-in and recreational activities. More info - more photos: CLICK HERE.
February 2022: Soho Buffet Carvery & Bar is now closed at 12309-100 Street, Grande Prairie according to a sign posted on their door. A number of people were commenting on Facebook that Sunday was their last day in operation. They were in operation since June 2020. Previous to Soho Buffet Carvery & Bar it was the location of Mama Panda’s for many years.
February 2022: Burger King Canada has opened another location across the street from KFC on 108 Avenue, Grande Prairie. It was the former Auto Canada Used Car Superstore building 10804-100 Street. Also another Wok Box location has opened on the south end of Grande Prairie at #106-6829 Kateri Drive.
February 2022:After 50 years of serving Grande Prairie and area, Don’s Mens Wear will be closing their doors at the end of the month. Don Smith has finally decided to retire after all these years. This independent store featured mens suits, sport coats, shirts, sweaters, slacks, outerwear, etc at 9899 112 Ave, Grande Prairie.
March 2022: New Car Shortage continues into 2022 across the country. (photo of car lot that usually is full with brand new vehicles but is now empty). Many new car customers have to wait 6-8 months before they can get their new vehicle as the Auto Dealers in Grande Prairie don’t have the stock they had before the pandemic. The delays are largely due to a shortage of semiconductor microchips. Normally, cars lose between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of their value in the first year but with the demand for used cars, a one year old vehicle often sells close to the price of a new one.
March 2022: Panda Garden Asian Cuisine opens where Soho Buffet Carvery & Bar was most recently located along 100 Street, Grande Prairie. More food outlets have also opened including Quesada Burritos & Tacos located in South 40 Grande Prairie (10706-79 Avenue). Also the family business of Towne Centre Liquor Store (9845-99 Avenue, Grande Prairie) is closing their doors after many years in business.
April 2022: The Grande Prairie Storm hockey team hires a new General manager Mark Bomersback. Mark was the Grande Prairie Storm's general manager from 2017 to 2020. Previous to that he was an elite player in the AJHL and most recently finished his career in Europe.
April 2022: Health Hut is closing their doors in the Prairie Mall at the end of June after 43 years in business in Grande Prairie. more info
April 2022: Tenille Townes returned home for the 12th edition of Big Hearts for Big Kids and helped raise over $450,000 for Grande Prairie’s Sunrise House. The fundraiser took place April 2nd, 2022 at the Tara Centre, Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie. Big Hearts for Big Kids is an annual concert third party fundraiser for the Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter.
April 2022: Maurices is a new women store that has recently opened in Grande Prairie on the far west side of the City (Westgate Shopping Plaza). It is a women's clothing chain for current fashions in a range of sizes, plus footwear & accessories. There are 37 Maurices location in Canada.
April 2022: After 52 years the Golden Star Restaurant in Grande Prairie will be closing their doors on April 30th, 2022. Things were not the same after Ken Wong restaurant manager and business owner passed away in December 2021. Wally’s Kitchen has purchased the Golden Star location and have plans to re-open the restaurant.
April 2022: Well known Grande Prairie Manager/owner of The Lions Den, Todd Zahorodniuk died at the age of 57 on April 22, 2022. He passed away at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, AB, due to complications after cancer surgery. He started working at the Crown and Anchor in 1991 and then became owner of the Lions Den in 1999.
May 2022: The Grande Prairie Stompede took place May 24th downtown Grande Prairie to kick off the Stompede. This was the first parade people were able to attend in a number of years. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the event on a 5.33 minute video. PLAY VIDEO>
June 2022: Ten new Street Videos featuring the downtown areas have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry as well as many new photos. This road trip included: Dixonville, Manning, High Level, Rainbow Lake, Fort Vermilion, La Crete and Peace River. This gives a first hand look at these communities.
January 2022: Extreme Cold Temperatures were the cause of the cancellations of NY Eve Activities at Ernie Radbourne Pavilion at Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie. The only activities that went ahead were the Fireworks at 10pm. For a number of weeks temperatures were -30 to -40 and the snow fall was more than normal. On December 27th, Grande Prairie reached minus 44.4 degrees Celsius, a record.
January 2022: The new Omicron variant is now one of the most contagious Covid-19 viruses in Canada and in January the positive cases are spiking putting a strain on the entire medical system. Surgeries are again being postponed. Children 5 and up are now included in getting a vaccination and many people are getting their 3rd booster dose to help fight the virus and people are wearing their masks when entering buildings in Grande Prairie and surrounding area. At this time 85.6% of the population of Alberta have received two doses.
January 2022:The Grande Prairie Dream Home opened December 31st and is open to the public this year. The Dream Home is again located in Taylor Estates which is southeast of Grande Prairie. You can view photos of the Dream Home CLICK HERE.
January 2022: Grande Prairie hosted the Provincial Curling Playdowns that started January 3rd at the Bonnetts Energy Centre. There were 12 mens and 8 women’s teams competing for the right to represent Alberta at the 2022 Time Horton’s Brier for the men and 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts for the women. Laura Walker’s team won the women’s final while Kevin Koe’s rink from Calgary won the men’s provincial championship while Laura Walker’s team won the women’s final.
January 2022: A new Activity and Reception Centre has now opened in the Smith subdivision in Grande Prairie (9401 Park Road, far east side of City). The facility has both drop-in and recreational activities. More info - more photos: CLICK HERE.
February 2022: Soho Buffet Carvery & Bar is now closed at 12309-100 Street, Grande Prairie according to a sign posted on their door. A number of people were commenting on Facebook that Sunday was their last day in operation. They were in operation since June 2020. Previous to Soho Buffet Carvery & Bar it was the location of Mama Panda’s for many years.
February 2022: Burger King Canada has opened another location across the street from KFC on 108 Avenue, Grande Prairie. It was the former Auto Canada Used Car Superstore building 10804-100 Street. Also another Wok Box location has opened on the south end of Grande Prairie at #106-6829 Kateri Drive.
February 2022:After 50 years of serving Grande Prairie and area, Don’s Mens Wear will be closing their doors at the end of the month. Don Smith has finally decided to retire after all these years. This independent store featured mens suits, sport coats, shirts, sweaters, slacks, outerwear, etc at 9899 112 Ave, Grande Prairie.
March 2022: New Car Shortage continues into 2022 across the country. (photo of car lot that usually is full with brand new vehicles but is now empty). Many new car customers have to wait 6-8 months before they can get their new vehicle as the Auto Dealers in Grande Prairie don’t have the stock they had before the pandemic. The delays are largely due to a shortage of semiconductor microchips. Normally, cars lose between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of their value in the first year but with the demand for used cars, a one year old vehicle often sells close to the price of a new one.
March 2022: Panda Garden Asian Cuisine opens where Soho Buffet Carvery & Bar was most recently located along 100 Street, Grande Prairie. More food outlets have also opened including Quesada Burritos & Tacos located in South 40 Grande Prairie (10706-79 Avenue). Also the family business of Towne Centre Liquor Store (9845-99 Avenue, Grande Prairie) is closing their doors after many years in business.
April 2022: The Grande Prairie Storm hockey team hires a new General manager Mark Bomersback. Mark was the Grande Prairie Storm's general manager from 2017 to 2020. Previous to that he was an elite player in the AJHL and most recently finished his career in Europe.
April 2022: Health Hut is closing their doors in the Prairie Mall at the end of June after 43 years in business in Grande Prairie. more info
April 2022: Tenille Townes returned home for the 12th edition of Big Hearts for Big Kids and helped raise over $450,000 for Grande Prairie’s Sunrise House. The fundraiser took place April 2nd, 2022 at the Tara Centre, Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie. Big Hearts for Big Kids is an annual concert third party fundraiser for the Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter.
April 2022: Maurices is a new women store that has recently opened in Grande Prairie on the far west side of the City (Westgate Shopping Plaza). It is a women's clothing chain for current fashions in a range of sizes, plus footwear & accessories. There are 37 Maurices location in Canada.
April 2022: After 52 years the Golden Star Restaurant in Grande Prairie will be closing their doors on April 30th, 2022. Things were not the same after Ken Wong restaurant manager and business owner passed away in December 2021. Wally’s Kitchen has purchased the Golden Star location and have plans to re-open the restaurant.
April 2022: Well known Grande Prairie Manager/owner of The Lions Den, Todd Zahorodniuk died at the age of 57 on April 22, 2022. He passed away at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, AB, due to complications after cancer surgery. He started working at the Crown and Anchor in 1991 and then became owner of the Lions Den in 1999.
May 2022: The Grande Prairie Stompede took place May 24th downtown Grande Prairie to kick off the Stompede. This was the first parade people were able to attend in a number of years. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the event on a 5.33 minute video. PLAY VIDEO>
June 2022: Ten new Street Videos featuring the downtown areas have been added to DiscoverThePeaceCountry as well as many new photos. This road trip included: Dixonville, Manning, High Level, Rainbow Lake, Fort Vermilion, La Crete and Peace River. This gives a first hand look at these communities.
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2022
July 2022: Thousands of people lined the streets for the Grande Prairie CANADA DAY PARADE held July 1st, 2022. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the entire parade on VIDEO. The edited version is close to 20 minutes long and includes the names of each entry as they appear. PLAY VIDEO>
July 2022: The Grande Prairie Storm have named Eric Thurston as their new head coach for the 2022-2023 season. Thurston has more than 30 years of coaching experience including with the University of Alberta Golden Bears and more recentely head coach and general manager of the Drayton Valley Thunder for the past four years.
July 2022: City of Grande Prairie Councilor John Lehners suddenly passed away. He was elected to City Council in Octobert of 2021 and previous to that was a trustee for the Grande Prairie Public School Board for 20 years. He was a partner of Beairsto Lehners Ketchum Engineering for 21 years before starting Design Works Engineering.
August 2022: The Great Northern Casino in Grande Prairie has undergone some major renovations that include the outside of the building and inside. It features live bands, stand-up comedy, VLTs, slots and gaming tables.
August 2022: H&M Meats is closing their doors after almost 50 years in business. The owners are retiring and the store will close once all the meat is sold. As one of the employees said “it won’t be that long as there isn’t much left”. H&M Meats is located at 15025-100 Street, between Happy Trails and the new Nor-lan Chrysler location in Grande Prairie.
September 2022: Nor-Lan Chrysler has moved to a new building along 100 Street, Grande Prairie. The new location is at 14809-100 Street. Archived Photos of the Dealership at the old location: Main and Used.
September 2022: The new Grande Prairie Composite High School opened in September as grade 9-12 students returned to the classroom. The new location, 10501-112 Avenue, Grande Prairie, is a bit south and west of the old school. In 1963 the High School first opened named the Vocational High School then changed its name to Grande Prairie Composite High School in 1970.
September 2022: Grande Prairie’s Tenille Townes takes home FIVE WINS at the 2022 CCMA Awards. She won Entertainer of the Year, Album of the year (Masquerades), Female Artist of the Yea, Single of the Year and Songwriter of the year for “Girl Who Didn’t Care”.
September 2022: CBC News has established a full-time permanent bureau in Grande Prairie to expand news coverage in the northwestern part of the province. The Grand Opening took place on Thursday September 15th at the Grande Prairie Library Building main floor area. (The CBC studio has been set up on the second floor.) CBC Edmonton AM Radio hosts Mark Connolly and Tara McCarthy were broadcasting live from Grande Prairie that included a number of local interviews with Dennis Vobeyda Principal of the new Composite High School, Grant Berg City Councillor and business owner, Louisa Robison CEO of the Peace Library System, Jared Gossen Project lead for the Wapiti House and Saint Lawrence Centre and many others. They also introduced Luke Ettinger, the CBC Correspondent now based out of Grande Prairie. Enlarge photo plus another photo
September, 2022: Grande Prairie breaks 61 year old Rainfall Record on Saturday September 17th with 31.4 millimetres of rain. Another 14.3 millimetres fell the day before on Friday September 16th. That totals 45.7 millimetres of rain in just 2 days. This summer there was less rain than normal with a total of 26.9 millimetres in June, 33.1 millimetres in July and 27.2 millimetres in August.
September, 2022: The Grande Prairie Storm are back again this year. A new VIDEO features the players being introduced as they come onto the ice. PLAY VIDEO>
October 2022: Wade Pilat won the seat on the Grande Prairie City Council. The Grande Prairie By-Election took place October 17th to fill a seat left vacant after the passing of John Leaners. Pilat had 669 votes. Former councillor Kevin McLean came in second with 432 votes. Solomon Okifoh received 407 votes, Erik Gault 318, Robin Rochon 242, Tammy Brown 232, Frank Skolly 101, and Bryan Petryshyn 21.
October 2022: Daniel Smith won the Alberta UCP leadership race and has become the Premier of Alberta. She won by only 53.7% of the vote while Grande Prairie’s Travis Toews was second with 46.2%. Brian Jean, Rebecca Schulz, Todd Loewen, Rajan Sawhney and Leela Aheer were all eliminated in earlier rounds.
November 2022: The Grande Prairie Athletics are back on the ice after not played for 2 years because of the pandemic. Here is a video featuring the team, the GM (Mike Rappel) Coach (Glen Bauer) and some of the hockey action in the NPHL (North Peace Hockey League) PLAY VIDEO>
November 2022: Grande Prairie has the cheapest rent out of 35 Canadian cities in October, 2022. Grande Prairie’s average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment was $968 while a two bedroom was $1,173. Vancouver had the most expensive rent as a one bedroom was $2,576 while Toronto’s average price was $2,478.
November 2022: The Peace Country felt the earth shake from earthquakes from the area northeast of Reno, near Peace River. The first earthquake measured at 5.2 on the richter scale on Tuesday Nov 29 then over an hour later the same area record another at 5.8. It was felt in Grande Prairie, eastern BC, Whitecourt and even Fort McMurray. There were a number of after shocks.
December 2022: Grande Prairie’s City Centre has a new sign as part of the rebranding of the downtown area next to 214 place. Enlarge photo
December 2022: The new DynaLIFE Medical lab has opened Decembeer 5th in the Lipon Building just north of Walmart in Grande Prairie. It replaces where you go to get lab work done. (No longer at Alberta Precision Laboratories at Junction Point and the one at the College). It also does not take walk-in patients and everyone will have to book by phoning or by booking on-line. Information for that will be on the lab requisition given to patient by the Doctor.
July 2022: Thousands of people lined the streets for the Grande Prairie CANADA DAY PARADE held July 1st, 2022. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the entire parade on VIDEO. The edited version is close to 20 minutes long and includes the names of each entry as they appear. PLAY VIDEO>
July 2022: The Grande Prairie Storm have named Eric Thurston as their new head coach for the 2022-2023 season. Thurston has more than 30 years of coaching experience including with the University of Alberta Golden Bears and more recentely head coach and general manager of the Drayton Valley Thunder for the past four years.
July 2022: City of Grande Prairie Councilor John Lehners suddenly passed away. He was elected to City Council in Octobert of 2021 and previous to that was a trustee for the Grande Prairie Public School Board for 20 years. He was a partner of Beairsto Lehners Ketchum Engineering for 21 years before starting Design Works Engineering.
August 2022: The Great Northern Casino in Grande Prairie has undergone some major renovations that include the outside of the building and inside. It features live bands, stand-up comedy, VLTs, slots and gaming tables.
August 2022: H&M Meats is closing their doors after almost 50 years in business. The owners are retiring and the store will close once all the meat is sold. As one of the employees said “it won’t be that long as there isn’t much left”. H&M Meats is located at 15025-100 Street, between Happy Trails and the new Nor-lan Chrysler location in Grande Prairie.
September 2022: Nor-Lan Chrysler has moved to a new building along 100 Street, Grande Prairie. The new location is at 14809-100 Street. Archived Photos of the Dealership at the old location: Main and Used.
September 2022: The new Grande Prairie Composite High School opened in September as grade 9-12 students returned to the classroom. The new location, 10501-112 Avenue, Grande Prairie, is a bit south and west of the old school. In 1963 the High School first opened named the Vocational High School then changed its name to Grande Prairie Composite High School in 1970.
September 2022: Grande Prairie’s Tenille Townes takes home FIVE WINS at the 2022 CCMA Awards. She won Entertainer of the Year, Album of the year (Masquerades), Female Artist of the Yea, Single of the Year and Songwriter of the year for “Girl Who Didn’t Care”.
September 2022: CBC News has established a full-time permanent bureau in Grande Prairie to expand news coverage in the northwestern part of the province. The Grand Opening took place on Thursday September 15th at the Grande Prairie Library Building main floor area. (The CBC studio has been set up on the second floor.) CBC Edmonton AM Radio hosts Mark Connolly and Tara McCarthy were broadcasting live from Grande Prairie that included a number of local interviews with Dennis Vobeyda Principal of the new Composite High School, Grant Berg City Councillor and business owner, Louisa Robison CEO of the Peace Library System, Jared Gossen Project lead for the Wapiti House and Saint Lawrence Centre and many others. They also introduced Luke Ettinger, the CBC Correspondent now based out of Grande Prairie. Enlarge photo plus another photo
September, 2022: Grande Prairie breaks 61 year old Rainfall Record on Saturday September 17th with 31.4 millimetres of rain. Another 14.3 millimetres fell the day before on Friday September 16th. That totals 45.7 millimetres of rain in just 2 days. This summer there was less rain than normal with a total of 26.9 millimetres in June, 33.1 millimetres in July and 27.2 millimetres in August.
September, 2022: The Grande Prairie Storm are back again this year. A new VIDEO features the players being introduced as they come onto the ice. PLAY VIDEO>
October 2022: Wade Pilat won the seat on the Grande Prairie City Council. The Grande Prairie By-Election took place October 17th to fill a seat left vacant after the passing of John Leaners. Pilat had 669 votes. Former councillor Kevin McLean came in second with 432 votes. Solomon Okifoh received 407 votes, Erik Gault 318, Robin Rochon 242, Tammy Brown 232, Frank Skolly 101, and Bryan Petryshyn 21.
October 2022: Daniel Smith won the Alberta UCP leadership race and has become the Premier of Alberta. She won by only 53.7% of the vote while Grande Prairie’s Travis Toews was second with 46.2%. Brian Jean, Rebecca Schulz, Todd Loewen, Rajan Sawhney and Leela Aheer were all eliminated in earlier rounds.
November 2022: The Grande Prairie Athletics are back on the ice after not played for 2 years because of the pandemic. Here is a video featuring the team, the GM (Mike Rappel) Coach (Glen Bauer) and some of the hockey action in the NPHL (North Peace Hockey League) PLAY VIDEO>
November 2022: Grande Prairie has the cheapest rent out of 35 Canadian cities in October, 2022. Grande Prairie’s average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment was $968 while a two bedroom was $1,173. Vancouver had the most expensive rent as a one bedroom was $2,576 while Toronto’s average price was $2,478.
November 2022: The Peace Country felt the earth shake from earthquakes from the area northeast of Reno, near Peace River. The first earthquake measured at 5.2 on the richter scale on Tuesday Nov 29 then over an hour later the same area record another at 5.8. It was felt in Grande Prairie, eastern BC, Whitecourt and even Fort McMurray. There were a number of after shocks.
December 2022: Grande Prairie’s City Centre has a new sign as part of the rebranding of the downtown area next to 214 place. Enlarge photo
December 2022: The new DynaLIFE Medical lab has opened Decembeer 5th in the Lipon Building just north of Walmart in Grande Prairie. It replaces where you go to get lab work done. (No longer at Alberta Precision Laboratories at Junction Point and the one at the College). It also does not take walk-in patients and everyone will have to book by phoning or by booking on-line. Information for that will be on the lab requisition given to patient by the Doctor.