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Location
The
County of Smoky Lake is located approximately 120 km northeast of
Edmonton. It is approximately a one hour drive to Edmonton's city limits
to the southwest; the Town of Vegreville to the south; the Town of St.
Paul to the east and the Town of Lac La Biche to the northeast.
Area
Overview
The County of Smoky Lake encompasses the Town of Smoky Lake, the
Villages of Waskatenau and Vilna and numerous resorts and tiny hamlets.
The regional economy is based on agriculture and forestry. In addition,
the County is home to some of the most impressive natural areas in the
province. As such, the tourism industry, particularly eco-tourism, is
seen as having significant potential in the area.
The County of Smoky Lake offers a wide
variety of recreational opportunities, from camping and fishing to
hiking in the many natural areas in the County. Also, the County has a
rich history back to the early 1900's and, as a result, there are many
historical sites and points of interest throughout the County. Finally,
each of the communities have many activities and events for residents
and visitors alike, which attests to the strong community spirit of
Smoky Lake County.
Education
The
County is part of the Aspen View Regional Division, headquartered in the
Town of Athabasca [Tel: 780-675-2273]. Waskatenau is part of the
Lakeland Catholic School Division [Tel: 780-826-3235]. Public schooling
is available in Smoky Lake [K-12], Vilna [K-12] and Waskatenau [K-8].
Daycare/Nursery
Day cares and nurseries are located throughout the County.
Post Secondary Education
Post-secondary institutions in Edmonton such as the University of
Alberta, Grant MacEwan College and the Northern Alberta Institute of
Technology [NAIT], are approximately 1 hour's drive from the County of
Smoky Lake.
Housing
Whether it’s an acreage, weekend retreat, summer home, retirement living
or a new beginning, market shoppers will find something in their budget.
Rentals and housing purchases are incredibly affordable in the County
and its communities.
There
are also seniors self-contained apartment units available locally under
the management of the Smoky Lake Foundation for senior's housing. Each
one bedroom suite features a fridge, stove and washer and dryer. The
Foundation also has lodges and nursing homes.
[Tel: 780-656-4217]
Electrical Power
 For
Electrical Power call ATCO Electric [1-800-668-2248] for customer /
billing inquires. [1-800-668-5506] for 24hr emergency / power repair.
Please be safe and watch for over head lines.
Natural Gas
Smoky Lake County Natural Gas System.
Tel: 780-656-3730
[emergencies only] Tel: 780-656-3037
Be careful where you dig. Call and make sure it is safe. Please report
all suspected gas leaks.
Telephone
 For
Telephone home service call Telus [toll free] 310-2255. Call 411 for
directory assistance and 611 for repairs. For business service call
310-3100. For cellular phone service call 1-866-558-2273.
Water Supply
The Town of Smoky Lake and the Villages of Warspite, Vilna and
Waskatenau administer their own water supply. The Hamlet of Spedden
is supplied with a central "truck fill" facility with metered well
water. All other residents are responsible for their own water service.
Waste
Management
The Town of Smoky Lake, the Villages of Waskatenau, Warspite and Vilna,
and the Hamlet of Bellis have community sewage treatment facilities
[lagoons]. Sewage treatment in other areas is completed privately.
Weekly garbage collection is available in the Town of Smoky Lake and the
Villages of Waskatenau, Warspite and Vilna. Garbage in other areas is
privately hauled to landfill sites near Smoky Lake, Vilna, Spedden,
Bellis and Waskatenau.
Air
& Rail Services
A grass air strip is located immediately to the east of the Town of
Smoky Lake, which is maintained for casual summer use. National and
international air service is available at Edmonton Industrial and
Edmonton International Airports approx. 2hrs drive. Rail service runs as
far as the Village of Waskatenau from Edmonton.
Highways
The Smoky Lake County is located about an hour's distance from
Edmonton, immediately beside Highway 28, the main highway connecting
Edmonton with the Lakeland Tourism Region and the Cold Lake military air
base.
Secondary Highway 855 provides access southward via Highways 45 and 16
to the Yellowhead Route to the more eastern provinces and to the south
and east sectors of the province. A network of highways connects through
to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat and the U.S. border bypassing the major
population centers of Edmonton and Calgary.
Highway 36, about 25 minutes east of the Town of Smoky Lake, provides
direct paved access to Lac La Biche and to Fort McMurray and the
Athabasca Tar Sands developments.
Highways 855, 45, 15 and 21 provide paved access to the Edmonton
International Airport, avoiding the congestion of Edmonton city traffic.
A network of primary and secondary highways serve the County region,
providing access to the western regions of the province and Peace River
Country, without the need of dealing with restrictions of traffic in a
large population centre.
Trucking Firms
Several trucking firms serve the County, providing general and
specialized transportation services, including livestock hauling.
Bus &
Courier Services
 Greyhound
Bus Lines operates a twice daily passenger and courier service within
the County and Cold Lake, and between the County and Edmonton. In
addition, Carson Tours operates a luxury bus charter service from the
area. National and international couriers such as Loomis and Purolator
supply daily service to the County. In addition, Greyhound Courier
Express offers twice daily courier service, and Canada Post offers daily
courier service.
Recreation
The communities have a wide range of recreational facilities including
curling rinks, ice arenas, dance halls, gymnasiums, ball diamonds,
campgrounds, kid's playgrounds and senior citizens drop-in centers.
Nearby resort areas include the Smoky Lake Campground, Victoria Picnic
Grounds, Hanmore Lake Campground, Warspite Picnic Grounds, Island Lake
Campground, Mons Lake Campground, Bellis Lake Campground, Garner Lake
Provincial Park, Bonnie Lake Campground, Vilna Lions Club Rest Area, and
the Village Park [day use].
Other points of interest include the Bellis Natural Area, Smoky Lake
Golf Course, Vilna Golf Course, Kalyna Country Ecomuseum, Waskatenau
Trestle, Victoria Trail, Pine Creek Post Office and General Store, Fort
Victoria, Pine Ridge Forest Nursery, World's Largest Mushroom, Vilna
Pool Hall, Vilna's Historic Main Street and the Kubasa Canyon.
Community Organizations
There are a wide range of community organizations, sports clubs and
service groups that are active throughout the County.
Religious Services
Most religious denominations are represented in the County.
Special Annual Events /
Attractions
Local cultural facilities include the Smoky Lake Museum, Smoky Lake.
Also the Historic CNR Station is a museum that also houses the Tourist
Information Booth and the White Earth Art Gallery.
A wide range of annual events take place throughout the County,
including the Smoky Lake Stampede and Heritage Days [Smoky Lake, long
weekend in August], Great White North Pumpkin Fair and Weigh-off [Smoky
Lake, first Saturday in October], the Victoria Trail Agricultural
Society Annual Fair [Waskatenau, August], Vilna Fair Days [Vilna, 3rd
weekend in August], Warspite Farmers Day Weekend Celebration [Warspite,
second weekend in June, Bellis 9th Annual Slow Pitch Tournament [Bellis,
May long weekend], and the 11th Annual Fort Victoria Days [Fort
Victoria, August].
Accommodation & Restaurants
Overnight accommodation is available in the Town of Smoky Lake, Vilna,
Waskatenau, Warspite and Spedden. There are also bed & breakfast
establishments in the area. Dining establishments are available in Smoky
Lake, Vilna, Waskatenau and Spedden.
* For more information visit
www.smokylakeregion.ca
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