Cold Lake, Alberta Explained

Cold Lake
Official Name:City of Cold Lake
Settlement Type:City
Seal Type:Logo
Seal Size:200px
Blank Emblem Size:200px
Pushpin Map:Canada Alberta#Canada#CAN AB Bonnyville
Coordinates:54.45°N -120°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Alberta
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Northern Alberta
Subdivision Type3:Planning region
Subdivision Name3:Lower Athabasca
Subdivision Type4:Municipal district
Subdivision Name4:Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Craig Copeland
Leader Title1:Governing body
Leader Title2:CAO
Leader Name2:Kevin Nagoya
Leader Title3:MP
Leader Name3:Laila Goodridge
Leader Title4:MLA
Leader Name4:Scott Cyr
Established Title:Founded
Established Title1:Incorporated[1]
Established Date1: 
Established Title2: • Village
Established Date2:December 31, 1953
Established Title3: • Town
Established Date3:July 2, 1955
Established Title4: • City
Established Date4:October 1, 2000
Established Title5:Amalgamated
Established Date5:October 1, 1996
Area Footnotes: (2021)
Area Land Km2:66.61
Population As Of:2021
Population Total:15661
Population Density Km2:235.1
Population Blank1 Title:Municipal census (2022)
Population Blank1:16302
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:−07:00
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:−06:00
Elevation Footnotes:[2]
Elevation M:540
Postal Code Type:Postal code span
Postal Code:T9M
Area Code:780, 587, 825, 368
Blank Name:Highways
Blank Info:Highway 28
Highway 55
Blank1 Name:Waterways
Blank1 Info:Beaver River
Cold Lake

Cold Lake is a city in east-central Alberta, Canada and is named after the lake nearby. Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake (CFB Cold Lake) is situated within the city's outer limits.

History

Cold Lake was first recorded on a 1790 map, by the name of Coldwater Lake.[3] Originally three communities, Cold Lake was formed by merging the Town of Grand Centre, the Town of Cold Lake, and Medley (CFB Cold Lake) on October 1, 1996. Grand Centre was renamed Cold Lake South, and the original Cold Lake is known as Cold Lake North. Because of its origins, the area is also known as the Tri-Town.

Fossil record

Cold Lake preserves an extensive fossil and subfossil record from the Pleistocene after the Last Glacial Maximum to the Late Holocene. By the Middle Holocene, the mammalian biota in the region was essentially modern.[4]

Geography

The city is situated in Alberta's "Lakeland" district, 300km (200miles) northeast of Edmonton, near the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border. The area surrounding the city is sparsely populated, and consists mostly of farmland.

Climate

Cold Lake's climate is humid continental (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summers are generally warm with cool nights, and winters are very cold with moderate snowfall.

Demographics

The population of the City of Cold Lake according to its 2022 municipal census is 16,302,[5] a change of from its 2014 municipal census population of 15.736.[6]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Cold Lake had a population of 15,661 living in 6,114 of its 6,767 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 14,976. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[7]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Cold Lake had a population of 14,961 living in 5,597 of its 6,657 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 13,839. With a land area of 59.92km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[8]

About 8.7% of residents identified themselves as aboriginal at the time of the 2006 census.[9]

Almost 89% of residents identified English and more than 7% identified French as their first language. Almost 1% identified German, 0.5% identified Chinese, 0.4% each identified Dutch and Ukrainian, and 0.3% each identified Cree and Arabic as their first language learned.[10]

About 82 percent of residents identified as Christian at the time of the 2001 census, while more than 17 percent indicated they had no religious affiliation. For specific denominations Statistics Canada found that 40% of residents identified as Roman Catholic, 14% identified with the United Church of Canada, 5.5% identified as Anglican, 3% as Baptist, 2.5% as Lutheran, and 2% as Pentecostal.[11]

Economy

The city's economy is inextricably linked to military spending at CFB Cold Lake. The region also supports oil and gas exploration and production. The Athabasca Oil Sands project in Fort McMurray is having a growing influence in the region as well. The Cold Lake oil sands may become a significant contributor to the local economy.

Every year Cold Lake hosts military forces from around the world for Exercise Maple Flag, a training exercise where pilots and support staff of NATO allies can take advantage of the Air Weapons Range and relatively open rural air space. Running from 4 to 6 weeks and starting in May of each year, commercial accommodations in the entire region are left with little to no vacancy. This annual exercise contributes a substantial amount of capital into these industries and other hospitality-related businesses.

In popular culture

Cold Lake is the home of Marvel comic book character Wolverine.[12]

Sports

Cold Lake has a variety of sports, including:

Government

Mayors:

The last local election was held in October 2021. As of 2021, the councillors of Cold Lake are Bob Mattice, Chris Vining, Vicky Lefebvre, Adele Richardson, Ryan Bailey, and Bill Parker.

At the provincial level, the city is in the district of Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul. Its current representative is Scott Cyr, from the United Conservative Party.

At the federal level, the city is in the district of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake. Its current representative is Laila Goodridge, from the Conservative Party of Canada.

Education

Portage College operates a campus at Cold Lake. Program offerings include academic upgrading, accounting, community social works, nursing, power engineering and university studies among others.[18] Lakeland Catholic School District No. 150 and Northern Lights School Division No. 69 operate public schools within Cold Lake.[19] [20] Cold Lake also hosts a Francophone school named École Voyageur that offers French programming for kindergarten through grade 12, as well as the Cold Lake Cadet Summer Training Centre.

Lakeland Catholic School District No. 150
Northern Lights School Division No. 69

Recreation

Cold Lake is situated near many campgrounds due to its proximity to the lake. The M.D. campground has powered sites, shower facilities with flush toilets, and a covered camp picnic area. The Cold Lake Provincial Park has many sites, and is more secluded than the M.D. site (which is surrounded by development). The Provincial campground boasts a wilderness trail system, a beach, boat launch and a powered section. Nearby Meadow Lake Provincial Park to the east, across the border in Saskatchewan, has facilities similar to Cold Lake Provincial Park.Kinosoo Beach is a favorite destination during the hot summer months between June and August.

The Iron Horse Trail, a recreational trail situated on a former railway line (see rail trail) has its easternmost terminus in Cold Lake.

Recreational pastimes include, among others:

Museums

Air Force Museum

See main article: Cold Lake Air Force Museum.

The Air Force Museum preserves and exhibits the history of CFB Cold Lake and of 42 Radar Squadron. 42 Radar was on this site from 1954 to 1992, so Cold War era technology is mostly on display in their exhibit. An example of this is the General Electric Height Finder Radar on display.

The Museum has much 4 Wing history on display. The current 4 Wing standing squadrons such as 409 Squadron, 410 Squadron, 419 Squadron, 1 Air Maintenance Squadron, Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment and others are displayed in the Museum. There are a few exhibits of purely historic nature, such as displays on 441 and 416, Squadrons which stood down in 2006 to be amalgamated into 409 Squadron.

The Museum also has four aircraft on display outside, including the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, CT-133 Silver Star, the CT-114 Tutor and the CT-134 Musketeer. The newest addition to the air park is a CF-188 Decoy.[36]

Oil and Gas Museum

This exhibit was designed, researched and constructed by Grand Centre High School students. This museum explains the history of Oil and gas in the Cold Lake area from Paleolithic times to the present.

Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum exhibits a time line of life in Cold Lake, both domestic and commercial. The museum also boasts some impressive murals.

Aboriginal Museum

The Aboriginal Museum displays the history of the Dene, Cree and Metis peoples in time lines, maps, crafts and cultural displays. There are also bears on display.

Notable people

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Location and History Profile: City of Cold Lake . . 36 . June 17, 2016 . June 18, 2016.
  2. Web site: 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 . PDF . 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229) . January 2012 . October 8, 2013 . October 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016085027/http://www.safetycodes.ab.ca/Public/Documents/PSSSOP_Handbook_Version_12_Online_Feb_21_2012b.pdf . dead .
  3. Book: Sanders, Harry. The Story Behind Alberta Names How Cities, Towns, Villages and Hamlets Got their Names. Red Deer Press. 2003. 92. 978-0-88995-256-0.
  4. Jass . Christopher N. . Caldwell . Devyn . Barrón-Ortiz . Christina I. . Beaudoin . Alwynne B. . Brink . Jack . Sawchuk . Matthew . 29 November 2017 . Underwater faunal assemblages: radiocarbon dates and late Quaternary vertebrates from Cold Lake, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada . Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences . en . 55 . 3 . 283–294 . 10.1139/cjes-2017-0131 . 0008-4077 . 13 August 2024 . Canadian Science Publishing. 1807/82470 . free .
  5. Web site: City of Cold Lake Municipal Census 2022 Report . City of Cold Lake . September 15, 2022 . September 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915094400/https://coldlake.ic11.esolg.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Census-Data-and-Statistics/2022-Municipal-Census-Report---Final.pdf . dead .
  6. Web site: Census shows more than 9 per cent growth over two years . City of Cold Lake . July 9, 2014 . July 9, 2014 . dead . https://archive.today/20140711103925/http://www.coldlake.com/municipal/coldlake/webcms.nsf/AllDoc/F7FE7892B9EA848687257D1000704517?OpenDocument . July 11, 2014 .
  7. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) . . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022.
  8. Web site: Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) . . February 8, 2017 . February 8, 2017.
  9. Web site: Cold Lake . Aboriginal Identity (8), Sex (3) and Age Groups (12) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data . Statistics Canada . 2008-01-15 . 2008-02-06 . 2008-06-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080612220406/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89122&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&Theme=73&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838058 . dead .
  10. Web site: Cold Lake . Detailed Mother Tongue (186), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 and 2006 Censuses - 20% Sample Data . Statistics Canada . 2007-11-20 . 2008-02-06 . 2008-06-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080612220801/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89201&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=701&Temporal=2006&Theme=70&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838058 . dead .
  11. Web site: Cold Lake . Religion (95A), Age Groups (7A) and Sex (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 and 2001 Censuses - 20% Sample Data . Statistics Canada . 2007-03-01 . 2008-02-06 . 2008-06-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080612220402/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55822&APATH=3&METH=1&PTYPE=55440&THEME=56&FOCUS=0&AID=0&PLACENAME=0&PROVINCE=0&SEARCH=0&GC=99&GK=NA&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&FL=0&RL=0&FREE=0&GID=431644 . dead .
  12. News: Brisebois, Dan. July 27, 2020. Celebrating a super hero's roots. Cold Lake Sun. Postmedia Network. June 2, 2024. July 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200731140326/https://www.coldlakesun.com/news/local-news/a-statue-fit-for-a-super-hero. live.
  13. http://www.lakelandlacrosse.ca/ Lakeland Lacrosse
  14. Web site: Jesse Nesvold . CLMSA . CLMSA . 2017-02-25 . 2017-04-30.
  15. Web site: Cold Lake Figure Skating Club (CLFSC). Cold Lake Figure Skating Club.
  16. Web site: Pirouette School of Dance. Pirouette School of Dance. 2010-10-06. 2011-07-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706193633/http://www.pirouettedance.ca/. dead.
  17. Web site: 502 Bad Gateway. www.marlinsswim.com.
  18. Web site: Cold Lake Campus . Portage College . July 2, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130622215509/http://www.portagecollege.ca/Campus_Locations/Cold_Lake.htm . June 22, 2013 .
  19. Web site: Lakeland Catholic Schools . Lakeland Catholic School District . 2012-08-29.
  20. Web site: Welcome . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29.
  21. Web site: Holy Cross Elementary . Lakeland Catholic School District . 2012-08-29.
  22. Web site: St. Dominic Elementary School . Lakeland Catholic School District . 2012-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120915063303/http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/st-dominic . 2012-09-15 .
  23. Web site: Assumption Jr/Sr High School . Lakeland Catholic School District . 2012-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120915063223/http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/assumption-jrsr-high . 2012-09-15 .
  24. Web site: Cold Lake Elementary: Staff Directory . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29.
  25. Web site: Ecole North Star Elementary School: Programs . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29.
  26. Web site: Nelson Heights School: Programs . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29.
  27. Web site: Cold Lake Middle School: Programs . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29.
  28. Web site: Cold Lake High School: Programs . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29.
  29. Web site: Bridges Outreach School: Programs . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150604062501/http://www.bridgesoutreach.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 . 2015-06-04 .
  30. Web site: Cold Lake Outreach School: Programs . Northern Lights School Division No. 69 . 2012-08-29 . dead . https://archive.today/20130115093242/http://www.coldlakeoffcampus.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 . 2013-01-15 .
  31. Web site: Home. Cold Lake Minor Hockey Association. 2019-04-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402042810/https://www.clmh.com/page/show/904127-home. 2019-04-02. dead.
  32. Web site: Lakeland Lacrosse Association : Website by RAMP InterActive. www.lakelandlacrosse.ca.
  33. Web site: Cold Lake Sailing Club. 2010-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090302075554/http://www.sailcoldlake.com/. 2009-03-02. dead.
  34. http://www.kinosooridge.ca/ Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort
  35. Web site: Lakeland Ladykillers Roller Derby League. Lakeland Ladykillers Roller Derby League.
  36. James Knaus Curator Cold Lake Air force Museum
  37. Web site: René Richard: Cold Laker, Québécois, and the Tom Thomson of the North – Respect . 2023-03-22 . en-US.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Cold Lake, Alberta".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.