McLENNAN

Located approximately 187 km north-east of Grande Prairie, Alberta is the Town of McLennan located on Highway 2 or 76 km southeast of Peace River, or 438 km northwest of Edmonton Alberta. McLennan has a population of 1000 people. (2006 stats)

In the early 1900's homesteaders arrived in the area. The first settlement was named in 1914 after Dr. John.K. McLennan who was involved with the Edmonton, Dunvegan, and British Columbia Railway. McLennan was originally established as the major railway centre in northwestern Alberta. The first post office also opened in 1915 with E.E. Appleton the first postmaster. The first Hospital was opened in Dec of 1929 and was called the Sacred Heart Hospital. It had 21 patient beds and later in 1952 it was expanded to include 37 beds. A new hospital was built in 1955 with a 62-bed capacity and many modern facilities. McLennan's strategic location along the railway and Highway 2 made the community important during the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942. Over the years the community grew. It became a village in 1944 and shortly after in 1948 McLennan was incorporated as a town.

McLennan is a mixed farming area. Also about 4,000,000 pounds of honey is produced annually in the area.

Events: Winter Family Fun Festival, held each year on the 3rd week in January. Annual Figure Skating Carnival held on the 3rd Sunday in March. Many ball tournaments are held during the summer as well as golf tournaments. Northern Woods and Water Route Caravan held in August.

2009 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

Kimiwan Birdwalk (Birdwalk Interpretive Centre) located on the west side of town adjacent to Highway 2 is open May to October. Opened in 1992 and is visited by over 400 people a month to see the more than 200 species of birds. 300 meters of paths and wooden walkways. Scenic Kimiwan Lake is recognized by the Alberta Province as an important waterfowl bird nesting and staging habitat and is now classed as a Natural Area. (780) 324-2004. www.kimiwanbirdwalk.com

Archidiocese Grouard-McLennan Church. 210-1st Street west. (780) 324-3002.	Sacred Heart Health Centre has a 20 bed acute and 45 long term medical facility. (780) 324-3730.	Smoky River Regional Golf Course. 9 holes. Par 36 course, rentals, pro shop and club house. Located 1 km south of McLennan. Open middle of April to late October, 7 days a week. (780) 324-3661.

Sept 2006- A $1.4 Billion Crude Separator called the Bluesky Project will be constructed in 4 phases to be located 10 km south of McLennan. 2000-3000 people will be required for the construction of the project. Each phase will provide employment at the separator for about 100 people. After the 4th phase is completed, there will be between 300-400 employed. This will have a substantial boost to the local economy and there is plans for a 23 lot subdivision in McLennan for the spring of 2007.

Northern Alberta Historic and Railroad Museum. A railway museum with artifacts from the early days. Includes a caboose on display the "Golden Coach" which was the last passenger train service on this rail line. Open May to August 31. Located next to the Kimiwan Birdwalk. (780) 324-2004.

H.W./ Fish Arena. Home of the Lakeland Eagles (senior hockey team) NPHL , that challenges other teams in the Peace Country including the Grande Prairie Athletics, High Prairie Regals, Falher Pirates, Hythe Mustangs, Fairview Kings, the Spirit River Rangers and the Valleyview Jets. (780) 324-3849..
2008-2009 NPHL Hockey Schedule

Outdoor tennis court located next to arena.

McLennan Curling Rink. Curling Bonspiels are held all winter. (780) 324-2129.

McLennan Municipal Library. 019-1 Avenue NW. (780) 324-3767.

Town of McLennan. (780) 324-3065.
Town of McLennan website.

Schools:

Ecole Providence. 151-3 Avenue. Catholic School. ECS to Grade 9. (780) 324-3832.
Schools website.

Northern Lakes College, Smoky River Campus. (780) 324-3737.

Skiing:

Little Smoky Ski Hill located 30 km southwest of McLennan. (780) 837-8744.