Stony Plain, Alberta

History

The name of the town is believed to have come from one of two possible origins. The first is that the Stoney people camped in the area historically. The second possibility is that Dr. James Hector, a geologist on the Palliser expedition, noticed boulders scattered across the area. The official name for the settlement was adopted in 1892. Alex McNabb and McPherson were the first homesteaders in the area.

File:Stony Plain, Alberta (1910).jpg|Train station, 1910 File:Welcome to Stony Plain, Alberta (circa 1912).jpg|Circa 1912 File:Stony Plain, Alberta (circa 1912).jpg|Circa 1912 File:Stony Plain, Alberta (circa 1925).jpg|Circa 1935

Geography

Climate

Stony Plain has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) It falls into the NRC Plant Hardiness Zone 4a.

|Jan record high C = 13.5 |Feb record high C = 14.5 |Mar record high C = 17.8 |Apr record high C = 28.9 |May record high C = 31.5 |Jun record high C = 35.7 |Jul record high C = 34.8 |Aug record high C = 35 |Sep record high C = 33.9 |Oct record high C = 29 |Nov record high C = 19.4 |Dec record high C = 17.5 |year record high C = 35.7 |Jan record low C = -40 |Feb record low C = -39 |Mar record low C = -32.2 |Apr record low C = -24 |May record low C = -6 |Jun record low C = 0 |Jul record low C = 2.5 |Aug record low C = -0.6 |Sep record low C = -6.7 |Oct record low C = -25.5 |Nov record low C = -36.5 |Dec record low C = -40 |year record low C = -40 | access-date = February 10, 2014}}

Demographics

population history

|1911|505 |1916|293 |1921|360 |1926|456 |1931|497 |1936|499 |1941|566 |1946|720 |1951|878 |1956|1098 |1961|1311 |1966|1397 |1971|1770 |1976|2717 |1981|4839 |1986|5802 |1991|7226 |1996|8274 |2001|9589 |2006|12363 |2011|15051 |2016|17189 |2021|17993

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Stony Plain had a population of 17,993 living in 7,134 of its 7,475 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 17,189. With a land area of 35.45 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

The population of the Town of Stony Plain, according to its 2019 municipal census, is 17,842, a change of from its 2015 municipal census population of 16,127.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Stony Plain recorded a population of 17,189 living in 6,641 of its 6,954 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 15,051. With a land area of 35.72 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Arts and culture

Stony Plain is home to many colourful murals that depict important figures and events of local history. The Town held a mural project in 2006 where artists were selected through open competition to paint two murals. The Parkland Potters Guild & Crooked Pot Gallery is also located within Stony Plain.

Cultural institutions in the town include the Stony Plain Public Library, the Multicultural Heritage Centre, and the Stony Plain Pioneer Museum.

Stony Plain celebrates Farmers' Days in the first week of June each year, complete with the Farmers' Days Parade, the Kinsmen rodeo, a pancake breakfast and fair grounds. The town also plays host to the Great White North Triathlon in the first week of July.

In the summer, Stony Plain hosts two major festivals: the Blueberry Bluegrass and Country Music Festival, which is held in early August and is the largest bluegrass event in western Canada, and the Cowboy Poetry and Country Music Gathering held in late August.

In December, the town sets up a large Christmas tree on Main Street and is lit throughout the Christmas season. To celebrate New Year's Eve, the town holds its Family Fest event at Heritage Park. Family Fest features outdoor ice skating, hot chocolate and fireworks.

Attractions

The Town of Stony Plain jointly owns and operates the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre sports complex located within neighbouring Spruce Grove. The town is also home to the Multicultural Heritage Centre, the Pioneer Museum, and multiple parks including Shikaoi and Rotary, a skate park, a BMX park and a green path system running through town.

Government

The town is governed by one mayor and six councillors.

Infrastructure

;Health care Stony Plain is home to the WestView Health Centre, a 68-bed public hospital.

Education

Parkland School Division operates five schools and an outreach centre within the town. Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 2 operates a school for students in kindergarten through grade 8. There are also a variety of small private schools and home schooling organizations.

Sports

The Stony Plain Eagles of Allan Cup Hockey West play out of Glenn Hall Arena.

Media

Newspapers covering Stony Plain include the Stony Plain Reporter and the Tri Area News. On the radio 88.1 The One'

Notable people

• Brett Kulak – ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins
• Cornelia Lucinda Railey Wood - politician, Social Credit MLA (1959–1967) and former mayor of Stony Plain

Sister town

Stony Plain is twinned with Shikaoi, Hokkaido, Japan.

Notes

References

References

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2. {{AMOS
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