Redwater, Alberta

History

In the early 1900s, the area where Redwater stands was settled first by Ukrainian settlers, and followed by English and French settlers. The name Redwater is a reference to the nearby Redwater River, an ochre-coloured tributary that drains into the North Saskatchewan River.

The survey of the Redwater area was registered on September 7, 1906.

Originally, Redwater was primarily a farming community.

Geography

Redwater is surrounded by wide, flat expanses of some of the best farming soil in Alberta. Some of the major geographical features in the area are the Sturgeon River which travels roughly east-south-east about 15 km south of the town and flows into the North Saskatchewan River. To the east and south-east, there are vast areas of sandy soil known locally as sand hills, some of which support a thriving silica sand and gravel industry. These differing zones support two major types of forest; coniferous, including Jack Pine, Scots Pine, White Spruce, Black Spruce, and some Balsam Fir; broadleaf trees including Birch, Poplar and Aspen.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Redwater had a population of 2,115 living in 910 of its 1,000 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 2,053. With a land area of 19.93 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Redwater recorded a population of 2,053 living in 862 of its 946 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 1,915. With a land area of 20.03 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

The Town of Redwater's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 2,116. The census also counted 921 total dwellings within the town, 77 more than the 844 counted by Statistics Canada in 2011.

Economy

In addition to the farming industry that surrounds the town, numerous large industrial operations are located in the nearby Alberta's Industrial Heartland to the south. The largest industrial operation is the North West Redwater Partnership's (NWRP) Sturgeon Refinery, an 80000 oilbbl/d crude oil upgrader located near Redwater. The Sturgeon Refinery, also known as the NWR Sturgeon Refinery, built, owned and operated by NWRP, under a multi-year agreement with the Alberta provincial government, which has provided multi-billion dollar loans for the operation as well as a 30-year commitment to supplying the refinery with bitumen feed. On their website, NWRP estimated that the economic value of the Sturgeon Refinery to Alberta is about $CDN90 billion over 30 years".

Other notable operations include a fertilizer plant Agrium Inc, a chemical production plant Evonik Industries, a petrochemical plant Pembina, a pipeline storage and shipping facility Access Pipeline INC and the Shell Scotford upgrader and refinery. These industries have spawned an array of offshoot businesses such as shipping, oilfield services, heavy equipment and other support services.

Attractions

Redwater boasts many attractions for a community of its size such as: A nine-hole golf course with grass greens is located within Redwater, a multi use recreational facility Pembina place, an outdoor swimming pool, the sand hills natural area which is home to some of the best ATV trails in central Alberta, a public library, and the world's largest oil derrick.

Infrastructure

Health care

The town is home to the Redwater Health Centre.

Emergency services

Redwater has a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment, ambulance services and a volunteer fire department.

Education

Schools in Redwater include Ochre Park School and Redwater School; providing instruction for kindergarten through grade 4, and for grades 5 through 12 respectively.

Media

The Review is a local weekly newspaper that serves Redwater.

Notable people

• Todd Fedoruk, professional hockey player

References

References

1. (October 7, 2016). "Location and History Profile: Town of Redwater". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
2. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". [[Statistics Canada]].
3. (January 2012). "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)". Safety Codes Council.
4. "History of Redwater". Town of Redwater.
5. (2011-09-26). "Location and History Profile". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
6. (1950-12-15). "Proclamation". Province of Alberta.
7. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". [[Statistics Canada]].
8. (February 8, 2017). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
9. (April 2018). "Redwater occupied by 2,116 residents". Cowley Newspapers.
10. Leach, Andrew. (September 14, 2020). "This 'Bitumen Boondoggle' is costing Alberta taxpayers billions". CBC News.
11. (February 2018). "APMC Management of Agreement to Process Bitumen at the Sturgeon Refinery". Office of the Auditor General of Alberta.
12. "Communities". North West Redwater Partnership.
13. "Pembina - Our Operations".
14. "Wolf Midstream".
15. "Attractions".
16. "Pembina Place".
17. "Information & Facilities - Redwater Provincial Recreation Area | Alberta Parks".
18. "The Review". Cowley Newspapers.