User:Audra Kropielnicki at Minburn County/be bold

History of the County of Minburn

The County of Minburn was formed through the amalgamation of the Municipal Districts of Buffalo Coulee No. 453, Melberta No. 483, Birch Lake No. 484 on January 30, 1942. The newly formed municipal district was designated the Municipal District of Minburn No. 453. The Province of Alberta renumbered all municipal districts throughout the province on April 1, 1945 and the Municipal District of Minburn No. 453 was renumbered to Municipal District of Minburn No. 72. On January 1, 1946, the Village of Ranfurly dissolved and became a part of the Municipal District of Minburn No. 72. On January 1, 1965 the Municipal District of Minburn No. 72 and Vegreville School Division No. 19 were amalgamated, thereby establishing the Municipal District as a County, with the new name County of Minburn No. 27.

The first meeting of the County of Minburn Council took place at the Municipal Office in Mannville, Alberta on January 4, 1965. In April 1965, a motion was made to build a County Office in Innisfree, being the central point in the County. The motion was lost. Instead, it was decided to amalgamate the Vegreville and Mannville offices to Vegreville. In 1991, the County of Minburn No. 27 moved its Administrative Complex to a building acquired from the provincial government (old Court House 1930) and renovated it. Located at 4909-50 Street, Vegreville, the building preserves a historic link to the past.

In 1994, the County of Minburn lost jurisdiction over the school division, thereby reverting back to municipal district status effective January 1, 1995. Although it is now a municipal district, it still retains the title of County of Minburn No. 27.

Changes continued in the County with the Village of Lavoy dissolving on April 30, 1999 and the Village of Minburn dissolving on July 1, 2015 with both designated as hamlets in the County.

On June 10, 2015, the County of Minburn No. 27 celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the Innisfree Recreation Centre, Innisfree, Alberta.

Demographics

'''The County of Minburn has a population of 3,188 and is located in east-central Alberta in the parkland area east of Edmonton. The County covers an area of approximately 55 miles (88 km) east to west and 30 miles (48 km) north to south, encompassing 41 townships.'''

About the County

The County Administration complex is located in Vegreville with Public Works Shops in Vegreville, Lavoy, Innisfree and Mannville. Seven elected divisional Councillors work with the Chief Administration Officer to direct the provision of municipal services. The County has put an emphasis on developing an infrastructure that is poised for future growth and dedicated to providing services to all its citizens.

Communities in the County

The County offers residents a relaxed, yet vibrant lifestyle as a result of both urban and rural influences. Two major centres – Vegreville in the west and Mannville in the east – and smaller communities spread throughout the County.

Hamlet of Lavoy is located approximately 14 km east of Vegreville on the Trans Canada Highway 16. This peaceful community offers features such as Skyline Greenhouse, Marushka’s Bed & Breakfast & Tea Room and Lavoy Antiques & Collectibles.

Hamlet of Ranfurly is located approximately 30 km east of Vegreville on the Trans Canada Highway 16. This small community features a Recreation & Agricultural Complex which houses the Visitor Centre, the Senior Citizen Club and a small museum that is located in an old classroom.

Hamlet of Minburn is located approximately 54 km east of Vegreville on the Trans Canada Highway 16. Minburn experienced its boom in 1906 when the railway station was built there. A peaceful community which boasts a community hall and an active agricultural society.

Village of Innisfree is located approximately 39 km east of Vegreville on the Trans Canada Highway 16. The Bank of Commerce Museum is located in Innisfree, Birch Lake campground is 1 km south of Innisfree and the Innisfree Fish and Game Trout Pond is just west of town on Highway 16. In 2013, a Hollywood Film Crew filmed the movie "Cut Bank". A faithful reproduction of a 27-foot-tall Talking Penguin statue in Cut Bank, Montana stands here.

Village of Mannville is located an hour and a half east of Edmonton at the crossroads of the Trans Canada Highway 16 and Secondary Highway 881. Attractions include the Mannville Riverview Golf Course, and a large gazebo on Main Street that is used for many community and family functions.

Town of Vegreville is located approximately one hour east of Edmonton on Highway 16A and Secondary Highway 857. Vegreville is a bustling town full of sites and services.

Tourist Attractions

The County of Minburn is home to many tourist attractions from beautiful scenery and miles of peaceful County roads to pristine parks, golf courses and museums. Wherever you go the County has something for everyone.

The “Pysanka”, the world’s largest Ukrainian easter egg is located in Vegreville with a pond, park, playground, and picnic area adjoining it.

Wapasu Lake Conservancy Park is known for its preservation and protection of the wildlife habitat around the Lake. Wapasu Lake (Cree for white swan) is a known migratory stop for white swans, and countless wildlife species with 4 km of multi-use nature trails, bird viewing sites, and restored native botanical sites. The trails are developed to the summit of the natural elevation that provides a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding area. A beautiful lake, beach and playground, day-use, and recreational area. Located 4 km south of Yellowhead Highway 16 on Range Road 115 near Ranfurly and Innisfree.



Rotary Peace Park features a “Peace Grove” of 12 trees dedicated to promoting world peace through tourism. The park has a large picnic area and shelter with a fireplace and covered barbeque area. Located approximately 1 km east of Vegreville on Highway 16A.

Akasu Lake and Akasu Hill historically was a rest stop for native tribes. Akasu is the Cree Indian word meaning “sick”. It is believed the name originates from natives who got sick drinking the water from the lake and the hill was where they came to perish. Akasu (Sickman Hill) is the highest geodetic elevation between Edmonton and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Museums

There are 3 museums located in the County. The Vegreville Regional Museum is located 1 km east of Vegreville on Highway 16A, chronicles Vegreville and area’s history since 1890, includes Rt. Hon. Donald Mazankowski, PC Collection and the Vegreville and District Sports Hall of Fame. The Mannville Historical Telephone Exchange is located on Main Street in Mannville in the former AGT Building. Built in 1917 it was the first AGT Building in Northern Alberta and is the only one of its kind in the province. The telephone exchange still boasts a working 1240 Northern Electric switchboard. The Historic Bank of Commerce Museum is located on Main Street Innisfree. Established in 1908 when the President of the Canadian Bank of Commerce visited and said that he would build a bank if they changed the name of the village from Delnorte to Innisfree. The tourist information centre is also housed in the bank.

Golf Courses

The County of Minburn is home to two magnificent golf courses. The Mannville Riverview Golf & RV Resort 9-Hole course offers natural terrain with an intriguing layout throughout the Vermilion River Valley. Located 3.5 km north of Highway 16 on Highway 881 and 1.75 km east on Twp Rd 510A with overnight and seasonal camping available. The Vegreville Kinsmen Golf Course is located just north of Vegreville and offers a 9-hole course with fantastic greens, challenging fairways and water hazards that come into play on 5 of the nine holes.

Infrastructure

Given its location, the County is a natural centre for road, railway, and air transportation services, and all these are provided within its borders.

Highway 16 (Yellowhead Trans Canada Highway), Highway 36 (Veterans Memorial Highway) and the network of high-quality secondary highways and local roads provide all residents with easy access to any of their destinations. Edmonton is less than an hour away, the Saskatchewan border is less than an hour, and the Edmonton International Airport is approximately one and a half hours away.

Economic Development

The County consists of 694,304 acres, 75% is cultivated land. Wheat, canola, barley and oats are the major commodities. The farming community represents a skilled and hard-working labour force with expertise in assembly line work, welding and metal fabrication. The County is also a highly productive livestock area with grazing reserve of over 20 sections of land. Beef producers are mainly cow-calf operators.

Shallow low pressure gas lies underneath most of the County, and a large heavy oil field with over 400 wells is located in the southeast. With lower land costs, excellent infrastructure and an educated labour force, the County of Minburn is an excellent choice for investment.

There are industrial areas and prime downtown office space located within the County, making Minburn a prime business development location.

The Viterra grain terminal opened in 2018 and is located west of Vegreville off Hwy 631.

The GrainsConnect Canada terminal located east of the Town of Vegreville on Highway 16 and Range Road 143 was opened for operation in 2019.

Tingley's Harvest Center located south of Vegreville on Highway 16 and Range Road 144 opened in 2017.

Education

The County of Minburn has both Public and Catholic School Districts: Elk Island Public Schools, Buffalo Trail Public Schools, Elk Island Catholic School and the East Central Catholic School. Students have access to a varied curriculum with a full range of vocational programs including food preparation, beauty culture, automotives, electronics and business.

Medical Services

Residents have access to two hospitals – St. Joseph's Hospital in Vegreville (west side of the County) and Mannville Municipal Hospital (east side of the County). The County is served by two health units:  Vegreville and Minburn-Vermilion.