Delia, Alberta Explained

Delia
Official Name:Village of Delia
Other Name:Highland (1914–1915)
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Canada Alberta
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Alberta
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Southern Alberta
Subdivision Type3:Census division
Subdivision Name3:5
Subdivision Type4:Municipal district
Subdivision Name4:Starland County
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Jordan Elliott
Leader Title1:Governing body
Leader Name1:Delia Village Council
Leader Title3:MLA
Established Title:Founded
Established Title1:Incorporated[1]
Established Date1: 
Established Title2: • Village
Established Date2:July 20, 1914 (as Highland)
Established Title3: • Name change
Established Date3:December 9, 1915
Area Footnotes: (2021)
Area Land Km2:1.33
Population As Of:2021
Population Total:152
Population Density Km2:114.4
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:−7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:−6
Coordinates:51.6333°N -134°W
Elevation M:910
Postal Code Type:Postal code span
Blank Name:Highways
Blank Info:Highway 9
Highway 851

Delia is a village in southern Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 45km (28miles) northeast of Drumheller, 1.6km (01miles) south of Highway 9. It is named for Delia Davis, wife of Alvin L. Davis, a local merchant, and was originally known as the Village of Highland between 1914 and 1915,[2] though the post office was called Delia from its inception in 1912.[3]

In 1920, Delia became the first community in Alberta to be governed by a female reeve, Violet Barss.[4] She was selected and appointed internally by her colleagues on the village council, not directly elected to the position by the voters.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Delia had a population of 152 living in 76 of its 96 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 216. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[5]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Delia recorded a population of 216 living in 103 of its 115 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 186. With a land area of 1.33km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[6]

Arts and culture

Delia was one of several Canadian filming locations used in the 2001 film Knockaround Guys, starring Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, John Malkovich and Dennis Hopper.[7]

Amenities

School:

Delia offers a kindergarten to grade 12 school, with approximately 15 educational staff, plus educational assistants, and about 130 students attending. There are many extracurricular athletic and scholastic programs available. Operating under the Prairie Land Regional School Division. CTS trailer available beginning 2009–2010 school year. Video conferencing courses available.

Recreational facilities:

Skating/hockey arena (with winter figure skating program and public skating hours), curling rink (3 sheets of ice, with winter curling programs and bonspiels available), a dance hall and exercise room, municipal library, and 3 baseball diamonds.

Community hall capable of seating 300 people, Village Office, 2 banks, general store, hair salon and massage parlor, book-keeping and clerical services, Delia Agricultural Society, post office, Viterra; agricultural input supplier and grain dealer, historical museum and grist mill, 2 churches (with youth group programs), campground with 8 sites and tenting area, and seniors drop in centre.

Dining:

Mother Mountain Tea House and Gift Shop, Luke's Cafe

Activities and events

Canskate/Figure Skating:During the winter months, from late October or early November until late March or early April, young skaters between the ages of three and a half and eighteen take to the ice to improve their skating skills. Canskaters are taught by the certified starskate coach, as well as her program assistants ("junior coaches"). The really young skaters skate only on Mondays, while the slightly more advanced skaters take lessons on both Mondays and Thursdays. Senior skaters (those that have received at least their level seven badge) skate two to three times a week. Approximately once a month, a dance partner comes from Calgary to partner the girls in their dances, which will be tested.

Junior/Senior High School Curling:Students attending Delia School have the opportunity to join a curling team over the winter.

Events

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Location and History Profile: Village of Delia . . 225 . October 14, 2016 . October 17, 2016.
  2. Web site: Location and History Profile: Village of Delia . . June 14, 2013 . June 19, 2013.
  3. Book: Battle, Lester. Delia - Craigmyle Saga. 1970. Delia and District Historical Society. Delia. 1.
  4. Book: Sanderson, Kay. 200 Remarkable Alberta Women. 1999. Famous Five Foundation. Calgary. 40.
  5. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) . . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022.
  6. 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.
  7. Web site: Knockaround Guys (2001) - Filming locations . IMDb. IMDb. 2007-06-30.