Grande Prairie 2024 News - ARCHIVED
DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com features some of the news that changed Grande Prairie during the year 2024.
MORE: Grande Prairie NEWS - 2001 To Present VIEW
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2024
January 2024: Alberta drivers have been benefiting from not paying the Fuel Tax at the pumps in 2023, but Daniel Smith and the UCP will be bringing it back as of January 1st, 2024. Prices could go up as high as 13¢ a litre but will start with an increase of 9¢ a liter. (Photo: day before the increase in Grande Prairie same day the average price in Edmonton was $1.18/Liter)
January 2024: The new year also brings changes to the annual limit for the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). The Canada Revenue Agency has raised the annual contribution limit from $6,500 to $7000 in 2024.
January 2024: Effective January 1st, "No Dogs Are Allowed" at Canadian Tire in Grande Prairie. After many complaints of dog fights in the isles, dogs relieving themselves with the owners not picking up after them, it was decided that dogs would not be allowed in the store anymore with the exception for Service Animals.
January 2024: Cool Aid Society announced it would be closing their "Red Barn" Hillside location on January 19th, 2024. The organization stated financial challenges as one of the main reasons to close the facility. The no-cost after school and evening care programs cater to youth aged 5 to 18, with special programs for Tweens and Teens. The Cool Aid Society still will have a Southside location open: Head Office 9645- Prairie Road.
January 2024: Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) officially welcomed Dr Vanesas Sheane as its 11th president at an installation ceremony held at the Douglas J Cardinal Performing Arts Centre. Minister of Advanced Educations Rajan Sawhney was on hand along with 300 attendees
.
February 2024: Work continues on the remodeling of the old SEARS building near Superstore in Grande Prairie. Hollis Developments are transforming the old Sears building into a number of new Commercial Retail Units.
February 2024: The Alberta Winter Games took place February 17 to 19, 2014 in Grande Prairie. Athletes competed in Curling, Fencing, Skiing both Alpine and Freestyle, Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing, Archery, Artistic Swimming and Judo, Hockey, Ringette, Volleyball and Wrestling, Speed Skating, Curling and more. more photos
February 2024: Another Grande Prairie business is closing at the end of of February 2024 or sooner if all stock is gone. Sticky’s Candy has been located at 10310-111 Street Grande Prairie (west of Walmart) for a number of years.
February 2024: Just when everyone was feeling winter was over with warmer temperatures than normal and little snow, Grande Prairie and area received a record amount of snow on February 23rd with 7.6cm of snow with very strong winds.
March 2024: The former Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter located in the Mountview area was purchased by the Wapiti Community Support Association, renovated and turned into a sober living centre that can support up to 10 residents.
March 2024: Modern Decore moved to a new location, the former Daily Herald Tribune Building. Modern Decore has been at the 10404-100 Street location since 1984. (archived photo just before the move a few blocks north).
March 2024: At the end of March Mark's moved to their new location (former Bed & Bath location, north side of 100 ave and 116th Street). For many years Mark's were located on the south side of 100 avenue near Best Buy and Winners.
April 2024: Oriental Wok located at the far east side of Grande Prairie (along 100 Ave) closed their doors at the end of March. The owners Operated Oriental Wok while having full time jobs elsewhere and decided to close to be able to have more personal time. A different type of restaurant might be opening there.
April 2024: Construction of the new Maskwa Medical Centre is planned for later this year near the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The three story building will be a facility to train new doctors, also a place where people can visit specialists. At the same location will be a daycare and restaurant for hospital staff. The total cost is $35 million with construction to start in August or September with completion hoped for mid 2026.
April 2024: The renovations of the old Stonebridge Hotel in Grande Prairie are now complete, which is now known as Cedar Point located along 100 street. The City of Grande Prairie By-law officers and staff have just moved here that includes over 20 officers plus a few staff. Also this is now home for the new Grande Prairie Police force including the office of the new Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta. Mobile Outreach, Community Social Development, Housing and Homeless Initiative and GPREP (Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership) also occupy the rest of the location. The new Police Force eventually will be moving to the current RCMP location. The RCMP will transition to a new location in the next 3 years. (photo of Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta beside the new Grande Prairie Police Car).
May 2024: London Drugs in Grande Prairie has been closed since Sunday April 28, 2024 but is open for filling prescriptions at the Pharmacy and post office. Staff are manning the door and escorting people to just those areas. As of Sunday May 5th, staff in Grande Prairie say they still don’t know when the rest of the store will be open. London Drugs was a victim of Cybercrime and closed all their 79 stores on Sunday April 28, 2024. In its investigation, no evidence has been found that any customer databases were compromised, including those of pharmacy patients and LD Extras members databases. On Saturday May 4th, London Drugs in Western Canada began the gradual re-opening of stores.
May 10, 2024: Two wildfires were reported near Grande Prairie late Friday afternoon. One was between the Spring Lake road and northwest of Valhalla Centre moving eastward with three homes being evacuated. Another fire out of control at the same time was located just east of Teepee Creek moving eastward. A number of homes were also evacuated in that area including the Riverstone Golf Course. By Saturday morning it was reported the wildfire had jumped the Smoky River. Strong winds with gusts up to 60kmph spread the fire rapidly. Saturday morning there were now reports that extreme smoke (10+) that covered a large portion of the northwest part of the province
January 2024: Alberta drivers have been benefiting from not paying the Fuel Tax at the pumps in 2023, but Daniel Smith and the UCP will be bringing it back as of January 1st, 2024. Prices could go up as high as 13¢ a litre but will start with an increase of 9¢ a liter. (Photo: day before the increase in Grande Prairie same day the average price in Edmonton was $1.18/Liter)
January 2024: The new year also brings changes to the annual limit for the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). The Canada Revenue Agency has raised the annual contribution limit from $6,500 to $7000 in 2024.
January 2024: Effective January 1st, "No Dogs Are Allowed" at Canadian Tire in Grande Prairie. After many complaints of dog fights in the isles, dogs relieving themselves with the owners not picking up after them, it was decided that dogs would not be allowed in the store anymore with the exception for Service Animals.
January 2024: Cool Aid Society announced it would be closing their "Red Barn" Hillside location on January 19th, 2024. The organization stated financial challenges as one of the main reasons to close the facility. The no-cost after school and evening care programs cater to youth aged 5 to 18, with special programs for Tweens and Teens. The Cool Aid Society still will have a Southside location open: Head Office 9645- Prairie Road.
January 2024: Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) officially welcomed Dr Vanesas Sheane as its 11th president at an installation ceremony held at the Douglas J Cardinal Performing Arts Centre. Minister of Advanced Educations Rajan Sawhney was on hand along with 300 attendees
.
February 2024: Work continues on the remodeling of the old SEARS building near Superstore in Grande Prairie. Hollis Developments are transforming the old Sears building into a number of new Commercial Retail Units.
February 2024: The Alberta Winter Games took place February 17 to 19, 2014 in Grande Prairie. Athletes competed in Curling, Fencing, Skiing both Alpine and Freestyle, Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing, Archery, Artistic Swimming and Judo, Hockey, Ringette, Volleyball and Wrestling, Speed Skating, Curling and more. more photos
February 2024: Another Grande Prairie business is closing at the end of of February 2024 or sooner if all stock is gone. Sticky’s Candy has been located at 10310-111 Street Grande Prairie (west of Walmart) for a number of years.
February 2024: Just when everyone was feeling winter was over with warmer temperatures than normal and little snow, Grande Prairie and area received a record amount of snow on February 23rd with 7.6cm of snow with very strong winds.
March 2024: The former Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter located in the Mountview area was purchased by the Wapiti Community Support Association, renovated and turned into a sober living centre that can support up to 10 residents.
March 2024: Modern Decore moved to a new location, the former Daily Herald Tribune Building. Modern Decore has been at the 10404-100 Street location since 1984. (archived photo just before the move a few blocks north).
March 2024: At the end of March Mark's moved to their new location (former Bed & Bath location, north side of 100 ave and 116th Street). For many years Mark's were located on the south side of 100 avenue near Best Buy and Winners.
April 2024: Oriental Wok located at the far east side of Grande Prairie (along 100 Ave) closed their doors at the end of March. The owners Operated Oriental Wok while having full time jobs elsewhere and decided to close to be able to have more personal time. A different type of restaurant might be opening there.
April 2024: Construction of the new Maskwa Medical Centre is planned for later this year near the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The three story building will be a facility to train new doctors, also a place where people can visit specialists. At the same location will be a daycare and restaurant for hospital staff. The total cost is $35 million with construction to start in August or September with completion hoped for mid 2026.
April 2024: The renovations of the old Stonebridge Hotel in Grande Prairie are now complete, which is now known as Cedar Point located along 100 street. The City of Grande Prairie By-law officers and staff have just moved here that includes over 20 officers plus a few staff. Also this is now home for the new Grande Prairie Police force including the office of the new Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta. Mobile Outreach, Community Social Development, Housing and Homeless Initiative and GPREP (Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership) also occupy the rest of the location. The new Police Force eventually will be moving to the current RCMP location. The RCMP will transition to a new location in the next 3 years. (photo of Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta beside the new Grande Prairie Police Car).
May 2024: London Drugs in Grande Prairie has been closed since Sunday April 28, 2024 but is open for filling prescriptions at the Pharmacy and post office. Staff are manning the door and escorting people to just those areas. As of Sunday May 5th, staff in Grande Prairie say they still don’t know when the rest of the store will be open. London Drugs was a victim of Cybercrime and closed all their 79 stores on Sunday April 28, 2024. In its investigation, no evidence has been found that any customer databases were compromised, including those of pharmacy patients and LD Extras members databases. On Saturday May 4th, London Drugs in Western Canada began the gradual re-opening of stores.
May 10, 2024: Two wildfires were reported near Grande Prairie late Friday afternoon. One was between the Spring Lake road and northwest of Valhalla Centre moving eastward with three homes being evacuated. Another fire out of control at the same time was located just east of Teepee Creek moving eastward. A number of homes were also evacuated in that area including the Riverstone Golf Course. By Saturday morning it was reported the wildfire had jumped the Smoky River. Strong winds with gusts up to 60kmph spread the fire rapidly. Saturday morning there were now reports that extreme smoke (10+) that covered a large portion of the northwest part of the province
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2024
May 2024: After a number of months of renovations, U-Haul Moving and Storage has moved into the old Canadian Tire location (11311-99 Street). With more trucks and trailers parked on their parking lot, it appears it will be more of a U-Haul Super Centre with more truck rental options, more trailers, tow dollies, auto transports and more.
May 2024: The Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting took place on Wednesday May 22nd for the South Peace Regional Archives who have moved to the lower level of the Centre 2000, 11330-106 Street, Grande Prairie. The South Peace Regional Archives gathers, preserves, and share records of Alberta’s South Peace River Region. These records come in various forms, including textual records, paper artifacts, photographs, maps, sound recordings, and film.
June 2024: The Annual Chautauqua Day took place with many activities including the Parade that ended up downtown Sexsmith. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com was there to capture this event. Play VIDEO
July 1st, 2024: Grande Prairie Canada Day Parade took place with over 60 entries. Great weather, great crowds and a great parade to remember captured in this video. Play VIDEO
July 2024: Grande Prairie’s Leigh Goldie has been inducted into the Alberta Volleyball Hall of Fame. His career spanned over 50 years and now serves as Board Director of the Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connection. He began his coaching career as Head Coach of the GP Regional Men’s Volleyball team in 1975, founded the Wolves Volleyball team in 1984 and has had many accomplishes through-out his career. (photo of Leigh Goldie leading the Olympic Torch Run 2009)
July 2024: The Grande Prairie Air-show took place at the Grande Prairie Regional Airport July 27-28th featuring performances from Geronimo Skydiving Team, Insanity Jet Car, Undaunted Air-shows, and many more. The show had many non-flying acts and activities including the Canadian Army, Freestyle Motocross Show, Bouncy Castles, Food Trucks, and a Farmers Market/Vendor Area.
August 2024: The Heritage Day Celebration took place on Saturday August 3rd at the Grande Prairie Museum. There were booths displaying their cultures, entertainment, demonstrations and a free day to visit the Grande Prairie Museum. Play VIDEO
August 2024: FIREHOUSE SUBS has opened a location on the far west part of Grande Prairie while La PRODERA TACOS will be opening soon at the Four Mile Corner location on the far north side of the city. Middle of August DADDIO'S PIZZERIA announced they would be closing their doors permanently and a new Pizza Shop would open shortly. And on August 24th, LIL AVA'S PZZA opened at that location on the south part of the city near 68 Avenue.
August 2024: A Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening celebration took place for the Veterans Association Food Bank Grande Prairie. The location is 110920-84th Avenue (south of OK Tire), Grande Prairie.
August 2024: Experience Grande Prairie Outdoor Concert took place on August 30th at the corner of 101st Avenue and 101st Street with a number of performers entertaining including the Brass Tactics, Hey Driver and recording artist Kim Mitchell to name a few.
September 2024: County of Grande Prairie declares an agricultural disaster due to poor crop yields due to hot, dry conditions in the area. Many producers have indicated that yields were well below average.
October 2024: The Grande Prairie Athletics are back in again in the North Peace Hockey League. This year there are nine teams competing. Falher Pirates, Valleyview Jets, Manning Comets, High Prairie Regals, Fox Creek Knights, Dawson Creek Canucks, Fort St John Flyers, Spirit River Rangers and the Grande Prairie Athletics. For scores, game summaries, stats, photos and videos: NPHL on DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com.
October 2024: One of the most decorated homes for Halloween was this one in Carriage Lane in the subdivision just all lit up. On October 20th, Grande Prairie and area had a big snow storm dumping a number of inches of snow creating havoc on the streets and highways in the area. A few days later most of the snow melted with temperatures back up to plus 5 and 6.
October 2024: The Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce announced the 2024 Chamber Awards of Distinction. Nine awards were given out. Small Business of the Year (Ten or More Employees): Aztec Engineering Inc. Small Business of the Year (Under Ten Employees): Koolios Rolled Ice Cream. Greatest Impact: Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention – RCSP, Young Entrepreneur: Cedar CPA, Diversity Equity and Inclusion: The Work Place, Legacy Business: Hi-Tech Business Systems Ltd., Marketing: Sideworx Connect Inc. Leading Edge: The Homestead. Emerging Business: Koolios Rolled Ice Cream.
November 2024: Extreme R/C Hobby has moved into the old Daily Herald Tribune building along 100 Street, Grande Prairie. They are located just left of Modern Decore who takes up the right side of the old DHT building.
November 2024: 19 year old Grande Prairie local athlete has signed a three year $2.6 million deal with the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Gracyn Sawchyn was selected 63rd overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. More recently he was an Oil Kings Forward during the 2024-2025 season and already had eight goals and 12 assists.
November 2024: GNC - General Nutrition Centre located at the strip mall near Winners will be closing their doors at the end of November after being open for close to 15 years in Grande Prairie. GNC plans to close 192 corporate-owned and franchise stores by the end of 2024. The supplement retailer has faced declining sales and increased competition, putting the chain at risk of disappearing within the next few years.
November 2024: Canada Post went on strike on Friday November 15th, with 55,000 workers walking off the job over demands for fair wages and safer working conditions. Mail deliver has come to a complete stop in Grande Prairie and surrounding area. The last timer they were on strike was 2018.
December 2024: CIRB ordered Canada Post employees back to return to work on December 17th. ALSO a GST/HST Tax Break was introduced by the Government of Canada that provided a two month tax break starting December 14th on certain grocers, restaurant meals, drinks, snacks and children’s clothing.
December 2024: CIty on 99 will be the location for the new Emergency Dispatching Centre in Grande Prairie. It is the old Library builing at the corner of 99 Avenue and 99 Street. The facility would answer 911 calls, Mobile Outreach, Peace Officers, Fire and Police. The facility is expected to be operational by early 2026.
December 2024: Gordon Graydon, former Grande Prairie mayor has died at the age of 81. He was a councillor from 1983 to 1992 and mayor from 1992 to 2001. He was part of the opening ceremonies of the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie. He also was the member of Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie Wapiti from 2001-2008.
December 31, 2024: SNOWFALL this winter: So far this winter Grande Prairie had 112.2cm or 44.1 inches of snow. Like that is 3 1/2 feet of just snow for Oct to Dec. Beginning of the year last year (Jan, Feb, Mar, April) there was below normal amounts of snow, but if you just add that total (51.2cm or 20.15 inches) this winter we could end up with 163.cm or 64.3 inches of snow. That is over 5 feet of snow.
May 2024: After a number of months of renovations, U-Haul Moving and Storage has moved into the old Canadian Tire location (11311-99 Street). With more trucks and trailers parked on their parking lot, it appears it will be more of a U-Haul Super Centre with more truck rental options, more trailers, tow dollies, auto transports and more.
May 2024: The Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting took place on Wednesday May 22nd for the South Peace Regional Archives who have moved to the lower level of the Centre 2000, 11330-106 Street, Grande Prairie. The South Peace Regional Archives gathers, preserves, and share records of Alberta’s South Peace River Region. These records come in various forms, including textual records, paper artifacts, photographs, maps, sound recordings, and film.
June 2024: The Annual Chautauqua Day took place with many activities including the Parade that ended up downtown Sexsmith. DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com was there to capture this event. Play VIDEO
July 1st, 2024: Grande Prairie Canada Day Parade took place with over 60 entries. Great weather, great crowds and a great parade to remember captured in this video. Play VIDEO
July 2024: Grande Prairie’s Leigh Goldie has been inducted into the Alberta Volleyball Hall of Fame. His career spanned over 50 years and now serves as Board Director of the Grande Prairie Regional Sports Connection. He began his coaching career as Head Coach of the GP Regional Men’s Volleyball team in 1975, founded the Wolves Volleyball team in 1984 and has had many accomplishes through-out his career. (photo of Leigh Goldie leading the Olympic Torch Run 2009)
July 2024: The Grande Prairie Air-show took place at the Grande Prairie Regional Airport July 27-28th featuring performances from Geronimo Skydiving Team, Insanity Jet Car, Undaunted Air-shows, and many more. The show had many non-flying acts and activities including the Canadian Army, Freestyle Motocross Show, Bouncy Castles, Food Trucks, and a Farmers Market/Vendor Area.
August 2024: The Heritage Day Celebration took place on Saturday August 3rd at the Grande Prairie Museum. There were booths displaying their cultures, entertainment, demonstrations and a free day to visit the Grande Prairie Museum. Play VIDEO
August 2024: FIREHOUSE SUBS has opened a location on the far west part of Grande Prairie while La PRODERA TACOS will be opening soon at the Four Mile Corner location on the far north side of the city. Middle of August DADDIO'S PIZZERIA announced they would be closing their doors permanently and a new Pizza Shop would open shortly. And on August 24th, LIL AVA'S PZZA opened at that location on the south part of the city near 68 Avenue.
August 2024: A Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening celebration took place for the Veterans Association Food Bank Grande Prairie. The location is 110920-84th Avenue (south of OK Tire), Grande Prairie.
August 2024: Experience Grande Prairie Outdoor Concert took place on August 30th at the corner of 101st Avenue and 101st Street with a number of performers entertaining including the Brass Tactics, Hey Driver and recording artist Kim Mitchell to name a few.
September 2024: County of Grande Prairie declares an agricultural disaster due to poor crop yields due to hot, dry conditions in the area. Many producers have indicated that yields were well below average.
October 2024: The Grande Prairie Athletics are back in again in the North Peace Hockey League. This year there are nine teams competing. Falher Pirates, Valleyview Jets, Manning Comets, High Prairie Regals, Fox Creek Knights, Dawson Creek Canucks, Fort St John Flyers, Spirit River Rangers and the Grande Prairie Athletics. For scores, game summaries, stats, photos and videos: NPHL on DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com.
October 2024: One of the most decorated homes for Halloween was this one in Carriage Lane in the subdivision just all lit up. On October 20th, Grande Prairie and area had a big snow storm dumping a number of inches of snow creating havoc on the streets and highways in the area. A few days later most of the snow melted with temperatures back up to plus 5 and 6.
October 2024: The Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce announced the 2024 Chamber Awards of Distinction. Nine awards were given out. Small Business of the Year (Ten or More Employees): Aztec Engineering Inc. Small Business of the Year (Under Ten Employees): Koolios Rolled Ice Cream. Greatest Impact: Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention – RCSP, Young Entrepreneur: Cedar CPA, Diversity Equity and Inclusion: The Work Place, Legacy Business: Hi-Tech Business Systems Ltd., Marketing: Sideworx Connect Inc. Leading Edge: The Homestead. Emerging Business: Koolios Rolled Ice Cream.
November 2024: Extreme R/C Hobby has moved into the old Daily Herald Tribune building along 100 Street, Grande Prairie. They are located just left of Modern Decore who takes up the right side of the old DHT building.
November 2024: 19 year old Grande Prairie local athlete has signed a three year $2.6 million deal with the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Gracyn Sawchyn was selected 63rd overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. More recently he was an Oil Kings Forward during the 2024-2025 season and already had eight goals and 12 assists.
November 2024: GNC - General Nutrition Centre located at the strip mall near Winners will be closing their doors at the end of November after being open for close to 15 years in Grande Prairie. GNC plans to close 192 corporate-owned and franchise stores by the end of 2024. The supplement retailer has faced declining sales and increased competition, putting the chain at risk of disappearing within the next few years.
November 2024: Canada Post went on strike on Friday November 15th, with 55,000 workers walking off the job over demands for fair wages and safer working conditions. Mail deliver has come to a complete stop in Grande Prairie and surrounding area. The last timer they were on strike was 2018.
December 2024: CIRB ordered Canada Post employees back to return to work on December 17th. ALSO a GST/HST Tax Break was introduced by the Government of Canada that provided a two month tax break starting December 14th on certain grocers, restaurant meals, drinks, snacks and children’s clothing.
December 2024: CIty on 99 will be the location for the new Emergency Dispatching Centre in Grande Prairie. It is the old Library builing at the corner of 99 Avenue and 99 Street. The facility would answer 911 calls, Mobile Outreach, Peace Officers, Fire and Police. The facility is expected to be operational by early 2026.
December 2024: Gordon Graydon, former Grande Prairie mayor has died at the age of 81. He was a councillor from 1983 to 1992 and mayor from 1992 to 2001. He was part of the opening ceremonies of the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie. He also was the member of Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie Wapiti from 2001-2008.
December 31, 2024: SNOWFALL this winter: So far this winter Grande Prairie had 112.2cm or 44.1 inches of snow. Like that is 3 1/2 feet of just snow for Oct to Dec. Beginning of the year last year (Jan, Feb, Mar, April) there was below normal amounts of snow, but if you just add that total (51.2cm or 20.15 inches) this winter we could end up with 163.cm or 64.3 inches of snow. That is over 5 feet of snow.