Canadian homeowners have been pushing the housing market to new heights, proving that the interest in home ownership throughout western Canada tops the results from other regions. This is a welcome surge coming out of 2013, which had a much spottier regional and national outlook.
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Fort Saskatchewan is one of the closest areas to Edmonton with ‘city’ rather than ‘town’ status. The larger region is home to about 21,000 citizens residing across 48 square kilometres. Highway 15, better known to locals as Manning Drive connects the city of Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan, about a 30 minute drive from city centre. Hardly rural, Fort Saskatchewan is bordered by the booming areas of Sturgeon County on its north and west corners , Strathcona County to the south and east sides, with Edmonton falling to the southwest of the city.
Historic Fort Saskatchewan Train Station. Image Credit: Winterforce Media
Historically, as the name suggests, the city was originally a fort established in 1875 by the North-West Mounted Police. Previously, the area which was rich in resources was used by the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North-West company to build canoes and some trade was established. However it wasn’t considered a residential area until 1899 when it became a village. By 1905 the Canadian Northern Railway would pass through Fort Saskatchewan, literally and figuratively putting it on the map. This long history has created deep cultural roots and strong economic foundations for the community to thrive.
Fort Saskatchewan circa 1916. Postcard from the Bruce Peel Collection, University of Alberta
A unique amenity of Fort Saskatchewan is the Dow Centennial Centre, a facility that accommodates both recreation and cultural activities, built to commemorate Alberta’s centennial. The recreational side of DCC includes a skating rink, gymnasium, field house, indoor track, and fitness centre. For the more artistically inclined the facility includes a 550 seat performing arts theatre, art gallery, banquet hall, and pottery guild.
Pavilion at the Dow Centennial Centre. Image Credit: Fort Saskatchewan Record
Additionally, there are two more recreation centres that house ice rinks, an indoor pool, and many outdoor amenities. Town infrastructure includes 30 kilometres of paved walking trails throughout over a dozen parks, including Legacy Park. This central gathering area hosts a majority of the city’s outdoor festivals. Elk Island is great nearby option for a day trip out of the city. The national park is just a stones throw from the city limits to the southwest, about a 30 minute drive.
Aerial View of Fort Saskatchewan. Image Credit: Edmonton Journal
The area is served by the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital, 7 elementary schools, 3 junior high, and 3 high schools. Many graduates choose to take post-secondary schooling in Edmonton and make the quick daily commute into the city. Two local newspapers report on the city, including The Fort Saskatchewan Record, and The Sturgeon Creek Post. As of 2012 the town officially was approved for their own radio station, 107.9 FM.
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Within the realm of Leduc County lies the growing community of Beaumont. Just 6 Kilometres south of Edmonton with a population of over 13,000 living in an area of 10 square Kilometres, Beaumont is the 7th fastest growing community in Canada.
St. Vital Parish. Image Credit: Raymond A. Van Der Woning via Flickr
The settlement was originally a french farming community, named for the “beautiful hill” ( beau mont) in the centre of town. To this day, Beaumont retains it’s strong sense of history through re-imagined city centre architecture and original historic structures. The downtown core is meant to resemble a French Village, right down to the red brick walkways. The town was named in 1895, upon petitioning for a post office, and the iconic St. Vital Parish was erected in 1919 on the hill for which the town was named.
Place Chaleureuse. Image Credit: Town of Beaumont
Beaumont is ideally located, with close proximity to Edmonton for access to large city amenities, yet just a stones throw from the Edmonton International Airport, the city of Leduc, and the hamlet of Nisku. The growing town is currently eligible for city status, as it has reached over 10,000 citizens as of 2011 when it’s population amazingly saw an increase of 48% over 6 years.
Rural Beaumont. Image Credit: photographi-ca
Around half the population are commuters, employed by the city of Edmonton but with a desire to live in a smaller community. However there are ever-increasing economic opportunities directly in town. Many large chain stores have franchises in the town, as well a whole host of owner operated and small business have cropped up as the town has expanded.
Amenities include a youth Centre, a library, and a multidude of indoor and outdoor recreational areas. Additionally the town is home to a public health centre, 6 public schools with french immersion programs, and the Beaumont News.
Crowd at the 2014 Blues and Roots Festival. Image credit: bbrf.ca
Beaumont is also home to the Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival, unique for its ALL Canadian Blues lineup, few similar festivals exist in the country so fans of the genre flock to the town every summer to enjoy the festivities.
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