January
Rising Above, a faith-based addictions treatment centre, broke ground at its Park Campus in Grande Prairie on Jan. 6, marking the beginning of construction of a $5 million four-story building that will expand its programming as well as its capacity – from 51 beds to 70.
The province required the County of Grande Prairie to pay for policing in Clairmont now that the hamlet’s population is above 5,000. The county will pay 70 per cent of the cost of four RCMP positions, a Corporal Supervisor and three Constable Investigators.
Work was continuing on the new Blueberry Mountain Fire Hall, marking the fourth fire hall replaced in Saddle Hills County since 2015.
An Alberta Health Services (AHS) pilot project in Beaverlodge is meant to ensure emergency services remain open by having physicians connect with patients by telephone or videoconference.
A transit bus from Spirit River has started picking up Sexsmith passengers on its route to Grande Prairie. The two-month pilot project was due to a partnership between the Town of Sexsmith and MD of Spirit River.
February
The Cool Aid Society in Grande Prairie announced Jan. 31 it may need to close its doors after 45 years of service due to an abrupt loss of provincial funding. The funding loss would leave about 300 families and 25 to 70 youths who drop in daily without the youth centre that offers mental health support, learning activities and a connection to their community.
United Way Alberta Northwest and the City of Grande Prairie decided to each give $30,000 in emergency funding to the Cool Aid Society to ensure its youth programming can continue.
The Alde family was named the 2025 Farm Family of the Year by the County of Grande Prairie.
Victim Services Units in Beaverlodge and Grande Prairie as well as more than 60 others in Alberta were disbanded as the province shifts to a new model that sees four regional units.
Patients of the Wembley Medical Clinic learned the clinic is closing on May 29. After five years of operating the clinic, Dr. Angela Luckham is moving back to her home province of Nova Scotia.
The City of Grande Prairie hit the brakes on the Rural Renewal Stream as it faced uncertainty of how many applicants it can accept as the federal government scales back immigration efforts.
The city announced it was moving forward with a FIFA-sized $16 million soccer dome in the Trader Ridge area.
March
The Hythe Heritage and Historical Society plans to move forward with disbanding following a low turnout at a Feb. 24 meeting scheduled to draw new members.
The provincial budget announced Feb. 27 contained little that was new for Grande Prairie region. Line items tagged for the South Peace were on health care and education. Some $189 million over three years has been allocated to the Beaverlodge Hospital replacement, the Mountview Health Complex.
After an eight-month investigation, a 43-year-old Grande Prairie man was charged in a double fatality crash on Hwy. 43 in 2024. Edward Cameron was charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and two counts of operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drug causing death.
A March 10 town hall hosted by Valleyview town council was mostly focused on the town’s library, but some residents were also frustrated with how the public forum was operated. Some of the over 150 people in attendance yelled their displeasure and continued to ask questions from the audience.
Jason Schilling was re-elected as the president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA).
The Clairmont and District Agricultural Society was moving forward with the sale of its arena after 15 members vote unanimously to sell the building. The arena has been closed since December of 2019 due to safety concerns involving a leaky roof.
A Municipal District of Spirit River councillor questioned sanctions that banned her from municipality properties. A motion from Reeve Tony Van Rootselaar that addressed Elaine Garrow’s “ongoing breach of the Council Code of Conduct and pattern of ongoing misconduct” was passed Jan. 15.
New change rooms were on the way at the Sexsmith Community Centre to accommodate an “influx” of new female footballers.
April
The provincial budget includes $18 million to fund furnishings, equipment and information technology infrastructure for the Mountview Health Complex in Beaverlodge as well as $170 million in capital lease costs.
A new initiative out of Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) hoped to create more jobs for local businesses by helping them grow and make connections around the world to ensure their businesses can thrive. The Side Family Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence was announced in 2024.
After more than 100 years of operating in the city, the Canadian Girls in Training group disbanded.
Homeowners in the Dimsdale area were mounting opposition to the County of Grande Prairie’s March 24 decision to rezone about 100 acres near the Wapiti River that will allow for a high-end $5 million tourism operation to be developed by Bildson Realty Ltd. The operation, Northern Roots Lodge, is slated to feature 12 two-bedroom cabins, as well as a 3,700 square foot administrative centre for programming and dining facilities.
The County of Grande Prairie confirmed it would donate a 30-foot passenger bus to the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum after the closure of its rural transportation pilot project.
May
Chris Warkentin said he was looking forward to returning to Ottawa to “fight for Peace Country residents” after being re-elected in the April 28 federal election. After some back and forth, it was determined the Liberals under Prime Minister Mark Carney would form a minority government. Also running were Liberal Maureen Mcleod, New Democratic Party Jennifer Villebrun, People's Party of Canada Shawn McLean, Parti Rhinocéros Party Donovan Eckstrom and Independent Elliot McDavid.
The Grande Prairie Golden Age Centre changed its name to the 55 North Community Centre after a public naming contest.
Residents and businesses were evacuated May 4 after a wildfire near Deer Ridge Estates started south of Grande Prairie and an evacuation order was in place for Sunrise Estates, Sunrise Estates 2 and Core 40 Industrial Park.
With a lack of necessary funding going forward, The Cool Aid Society said it will close its doors and services at the end of June after provincial cuts to funding.
Lead in the ventilation system of the Grande Prairie Provincial Building has led to the temporary relocation of the Grande Prairie Public Health Clinic to the Queen Elizabeth II Ambulatory Care Centre.
The Maskwa Medical Center broke ground outside the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital on May 20. The centre hopes to change the medical landscape in the region by offering a Mayo-style clinic with a 10-day turnaround treatment plan for patients. The project – with expected costs around $35.5 million – will be housed in a 100,000-square-foot three-storey building.
May 27 saw the sod-turning for the replacement of the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital. Premier Danielle Smith headlined a panel of dignitaries on hand for the signal of the start of construction of a state-of-the-art replacement for the aging hospital. The 9,000-square-metre facility is the result of a P3 partnership between the Town of Beaverlodge and Landrex Inc. and is expected to open in 2028.
An additional $7 million in funding from the province was allocated towards the municipal police transition in Grande Prairie. The province now has provided the city with $16.7 million to transition to a municipal police service from the RCMP.
Another sod-turning ceremony May 29 marked the beginning of construction for a $13 million residence that will provide accommodation for out-of-town patients and their families near the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The Ken Sargent House, south of the hospital, will offer 21 suites for patients and their families.
June
An ambitious $105.8 million regional water project in the Central Peace is moving ahead. In late May, Saddle Hills County awarded its largest tender ever - $40.3 million – for the first phase of the Central Peace Regional Water Project that will see completion of the river intake and a raw water transfer station on the south bank of the Peace River near the Dunvegan Bridge.
The Town of Sexsmith unveiled refreshed branding at the annual Chautauqua Day celebrations June 7.
Residents of the Swanavon neighbourhood in Grande Prairie brought concerns about the feral rabbit population in their neighbourhood to city council on June 2. They are frustrated with the destruction that the rabbits have unleashed upon the neighbourhood.
The 26.6 hectare Kiskatinaw River wildfire forced several evacuations in the area north of Twp Rd 710 to 740, east of the provincial border to Rge Rd 132.
Local residents brought their concerns directly to the Premier Danielle Smith on June 20 at a town hall event in Grande Prairie hosted by the United Conservative Party. Separation, disability funding, education, utility bills, and homelessness were key issues.
The MD of Spirit River closed its council chambers to the public after receiving threats to its staff and councillors.
Grande Spirit Foundation marked 65 years of service on June 28. From starting with two homes in Spirit River and Grande Prairie, today GSF oversees 475 sites and homes,providing housing for over 2,000 individuals. From those two lodges, the GSF now has sites and homes in 11 municipalities, including the city and county of Grande Prairie, the M.D. of Greenview, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Wembley, Rycroft, Birch Hills County, Saddle Hills County and the M.D. of Spirit River.
July
19-year-old Nicole Troyer of Grande Prairie completed a massive 790-km journey at the beginning of July, running across the province from Lloydminster to the B.C. border near Demmitt. She ran, walked and cycled in a trek that logged 42-km days, across a total of 19 days, all in the name of mental health.
The beach volleyball courts may be doubling in size as city council decided to commit $200,000 towards the expansion and enter into a construction agreement with the Grande Prairie Beach Volleyball League.
Rainfall was too little, too late for most cattle producers in the Grande Prairie region. The MD of Greenview declared an agricultural disaster for the livestock industry on July 8; the County of Grande Prairie followed on July 18, both citing drought conditions.
The Town of Sexsmith was sending a pair of letters with traffic safety concerns regarding the Emerson Trail intersection on Hwy. 2 to the County of Grande Prairie and Alberta Transportation this month.
Wembley residents enjoyed a soft opening of a new $180,000 bike park July 15. Developed by Hoots Inc. in the town centre sports field, about 45 youth attended the opening and were invited to do some test rides.
The Helping Hands food pantry was adopting a unique approach to addressing food security in the city. The food pantry offers a choice model, where people can enter the grocery store-style pantry and select what they need for their family.
Saddle Hills County joined the County of Grande Prairie as well as the MD of Greenview in declaring an agricultural disaster due to the “severe nature of the ongoing drought conditions occurring throughout our region.”
August
Wembley residents learned they would have a second licensed daycare with the opening of the Early Explorers Child Development Centre on Aug. 5.
A new pilot program was extending the hours that alcohol is served at the Great Northern Casino in Grande Prairie. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis began a trial run on July 1 at 12 select casinos in the province that would allow alcohol service at all times slot machines are operational.
A report released in early August by the Fraser Institute says the County of Grande Prairie spent $5,413 per person in 2023, the most compared to 25 other Alberta municipalities. County of Grande Prairie manager Joulia Whittleton said a significant expense in 2023 was incurred due to wildfires, including the Dunes West fire and the creation of a fire break south of the city.
Readers learned the historic building that was Sexsmith Grocery and a part of the town’s streetscape for a century may be demolished. The store has been closed since a fire Nov. 3, 2024.
The County of Grande Prairie announced plans to create its own Municipal Policing Committee.
Saddle Hills County committed $3.5 million towards the construction of the Maskwa Medical Center.
The city and county broke ground on a $16.4 million recreational centre in the Trader Ridge area on Aug. 18. The 135,000 square foot dome structure is expected to open in September 2026.
Certified, registered and insured therapy dogs were now able to enter Town of Sexsmith buildings after council made amendments to its pet policy after public feedback.
A long-awaited cafeteria opened its doors at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital during the waning days of August.
September
The Northern Alberta Medical Program celebrated the first day of classes with its first cohort of 30 students at NWP.
Nearly 23,000 kg of potatoes were free for the taking across the South and Central Peace. Thanks to Second Harvest Food Rescue, Veterans Memorial Gardens and dozens of local volunteers, hundreds of residents showed up to help themselves to some spuds. In addition, volunteers helped distribute 12 900-kg totes to Saddle Hills County, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, as well as Elmworth, Hythe, Rio Grande, Riverview Pines, Saskatoon Lake and Silverpointe.
News’ readers learned Northern Alberta’s first standalone nurse practitioner led practice would open its doors in Wembley in November. Nurse practitioners (NP) Chantelle Gray and Tegan Ruether are set to take over operations of the medical clinic with a third expected to join the practice next summer.
A new $17 million state-of-the-art instrumentation lab opened Sept. 3 at NWP; the province announced an additional $1 million to support the planning phase of further trades expansions at the school.
Nearly 900 files reporting spousal abuse in Grande Prairie to date this year were causing concern. A recent report from RCMP says there have been 897 files of spousal abuse and 1,886 files with a victim service unit referral.
Sexsmith mayor Kate Potter told the News its new economic development officer position is critical in attracting and retaining business. Kathleen Connolly stepped up as the town’s Economic Development Officer.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team recommended no charges for Grande Prairie RCMP officers after an investigation into the death of a 30-year-old man in their custody. Addison Hartzler, 30, was arrested after calling police to his home in the early hours of June 3, 2022.
About 500 people turned out to the Grande Prairie stop of the Alberta Next Panel on Sept. 17 at Evergreen Park’s Tara Centre.
Saddle Hills County welcomed new communications co-ordinator Fran Haughian. She is filling in for Monica Rogers who will commence maternity leave later this year.
October
Classrooms sat empty on Oct. 6 as the provincewide teacher strike took effect. Growing class sizes, dwindling support and resources in the classroom, and government policies are among key concerns, according to the ATA.
October saw a celebration to mark a new chapter at Grande Prairie’s child and youth advocacy centre continued to grow. Caribou Child & Youth Centre celebrated its grand re-opening at the PACE Centre on Oct. 21. The $278,000 renovations saw the centre develop two additional family rooms and a new interview space, as well as a court preparation room.
Days after the premier's Alberta Next Panel was in town, provincial opposition leader Naheed Nenshi brought his – dubbed “Better Together” – to the city. About 200 people attended the Sept. 23 event, where participants were asked to vote on the top three topics they wanted to discuss.
The County of Grande Prairie will be contributing up to $2.8 million towards the city’s multisport dome structure as part of a newly signed contribution agreement between the two municipalities. Additionally, the county and the city have signed a new agreement to ensure that projects with regional benefits are reviewed collaboratively.
The pond at Muskoseepi Park will be a bit brighter this winter with the launch of a new $20,000 pilot project. City council approved funding that will light up 12 large trees on the west side of the pond with multicoloured lights, on Oct. 6 during a council meeting.
Albertans went to the polls Oct. 20 and in the South and Central Peace, newcomers joined experienced incumbents at council tables across the region. Changes to the Elections Act have caused all ballots to be hand-counted, unlike previous years, which used tabulators.
Over 800 people gathered in support of teachers at the Fight For Education Rally at CKC field in Grande Prairie.
The $3.9 million Sargent Family Kidney Care Centre opened at the Queen Elizabeth II Ambulatory Care Centre on Oct. 23. The centre will now offer multiple services in one spot in Grande Prairie, including hemodialysis, home peritoneal dialysis, the Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention clinic and the Chronic Kidney Disease clinic.
NWP announced Oct. 29 it was transitioning to single campus after an “extensive review of operations and finances shows the Fairview campus is not financially sustainable and no longer meets the needs of students or industry.” It said the Fairview campus would close at the end of the school year in April 2026.
About 100 Grande Prairie Composite High School students walked out of class Oct. 30 to protest the government's treatment of their teachers; they were some of hundreds across the province staging similar protests. Teachers were ordered back to work by the provincial government's use of the notwithstanding clause in the Charter, ending the three-week strike. Students returned to the classroom Oct. 29.
November
A petition to recall Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck was approved and later joined by another for Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Ron Wiebe.
Peace region residents are paying up to five times more for their electricity than fellow Albertans and the City of Grande Prairie is championing efforts to change that. The city is pushing the province for a review of its electricity distribution regulations, asking for an equalization model that would eliminate the disparity in pricing across Alberta.
Northern MLAs were coming together to seek changes to the proposed electoral divisions from the Electoral Boundaries Commission. The proposed boundaries would involve the resizing of electoral divisions, including the merger of Saddle Hills County with the Grande Prairie-Wapiti riding, and the removal of the Lesser Slave Lake riding.
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie will be temporarily relocated during building work on the Montrose Cultural Centre for most of 2026. The gallery will be delivering programming out of the Grande Prairie Museum and its permanent collection of over 850 artworks will be stored at South Peace Regional Archives.
A Grande Prairie local was seeking the support of local municipalities and Legions to bring the Canadian Military reserves back to the city. In September 2023, Lt.-Col. Christopher Barr, commanding officer of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, said the military was looking at Grande Prairie as a possible place to reestablish its primary reserves.
The Hythe Athletic Association was waiting on news on a provincial grant to help support its 75-year-old arena. It will form an integral part of a $1.03 million project to replace the Hythe Memorial Arena’s brine lines.
A devastating fire put the livelihoods of Grande Prairie Farmers Market vendors in jeopardy last this month. Firefighters responded to a fire at the facility about 8:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Excessive heat and smoke made a response from inside the burning structure impossible so crews worked to contain it from the exterior. Cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
A $3 million fundraising campaign is underway for a full-body MRI machine in the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital. The hospital is expected to open in spring 2027.
Members of the Grande Prairie Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 were frustrated with the theft of at least 13 of its poppy boxes by an individual claiming to be a volunteer. The RCMP investigation is ongoing.
December
Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen ws coming under fire for what the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is calling ethics violations. The AWA and Exposed Wildlife Conservancy asked the Ethics Commissioner to investigate Loewen’s conduct.
City residents could expect a 4.34 per cent tax increase - or about $12 per month for the average single family home - after council approved the 2026 budget .
A new 1,620-square-foot tool hub at NWP to support the training and development of skilled trades professionals in the north will bear the Ovintiv name after the company’s $500,000 investment there.
A second town hall in Fairview showed the pushback on NWP’s intention to close the Fairview campus. Citizens, businesses and municipalities were galvanizing to push hard for the campus’s future and said they intend to deliver a preliminary proposal to Advanced Education that would be see returning the campus to a community based model reflecting the college’s history.
Dignitaries from the MD of Greenview, as well as the county and city of Grande Prairie joined Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen, Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Ron Wiebe and Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck on Dec. 6 to mark the completion of the Hwy. 40 twinning project south of the city.
County of Grande Prairie residents were told to expect a 2.9 per cent tax rate increase in April after the county approved its 2026 interim budget Dec. 12.