Grande Prairie News Archive

Grande Prairie businesses and organizations are ensuring no one has to spend Christmas alone this year. The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre (GPFC) and Major’s Family Restaurant are offering free Christmas dinners to anyone who wants one on Christmas Day.  “We understand a lot of people's families are far, and it's a hard time to travel; […]

Aquatera is looking at reducing power costs with the installation of solar panels at one of its reservoir and pump stations.  The solar panels are expected to produce about 80 per cent of the power required at the Zone 3 reservoir and pump station. “What led to the idea of doing this was the inflationary […]

The City of Grande Prairie will enter negotiations with Métis Local 1990 about transferring the land on which its elder caring centre sits.  The building is owned by the Métis local, but the city owns the land.  “It's been a long time coming,” said Métis Local 1990 president Shannon Dunfield. She said transferring the land […]

Grande Prairie Technical Search & Rescue (TSR) is looking for volunteers. The organization is currently looking for aid for its operational and support teams.  “Our team is really diverse, anyone from lawyers to farmers to stay-at-home moms,” can volunteer, said Darren Sherk, TSR vice president.  The all-volunteer team has room for people with many different […]

There’s a twinkle in his eye as Klaus Gabriel talks about his volunteer work. His moustache curls with a smile as he remembers Christmases gone by. It’s a face you could believe belongs to the real Santa Claus, and this reporter isn’t convinced he isn’t. For four years, Gabriel has served as the Santa Claus […]

A First World War veteran's 106-year-old watch was returned to his 98-year-old son, a Second World War veteran, in Grande Prairie.  Bill Bessent Sr. was presented with his father's watch on Nov. 24 by his son Bill Jr. It started with a voicemail son Bill initially thought might have been a scam. “If you're the […]

The City of Grande Prairie’s Public & Protective Services committee was given an update on possible amendments that can be made to the Alberta 911 program to better serve the local community at the Dec. 5 meeting.  One idea proposes to the Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) to increase the 911 cell phone levy from $0.95 to […]

Grande Prairie regional youth may be eligible for up to $750 from the City of Grande Prairie’s Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF) microgrant launched earlier last week (Dec. 5).  The new grant is available to youth aged 13 to 30 who may be facing barriers to education or entering the workforce.  “I'm not evaluating anyone's […]

The city is amending its parkland bylaw to allow the use of e-bikes and other “wheeled conveyances” within city parks.  City council approved the amendments to the bylaw C1310A (parkland bylaw) at the Dec. 11 regular council meeting. “This is about helping people be safe and recognizing that there are other people, and you have […]

The Grande Prairie Firefighters Association (GPFA) is asking city council to reconsider its decision to cut a position from the Grande Prairie Fire Department (GPFD) as part of the city’s 2024 operational budget.  Ian MacDonald, GPFA spokesperson, told city council on Monday (Dec. 11) that the fire department has seen an increase in its services […]