Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

City of Prince Albert Isbister Settlement, "the Mission," "Porter Town," Prince Albert, District of Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories
Downtown Prince Albert, viewed from the Macintosh Mall
Flag
Motto: Gateway to the North, Hockey Town North
Location of Prince Albert in Saskatchewan
Country	Canada
Province	Saskatchewan
Census division	No. 15
Town	1885
City	October 8, 1904
Government
- City Mayor	Jim Scarrow
- Governing Body	Prince Albert City Council
- MPs	Randy Hoback
- MLAs	Darcy Furber Darryl Hickie
Area
- Total	65.68 km2 (25.4 sq mi)
Elevation	440 m (1,444 ft)
Population (2006)
- Total	34,138
- Density	512/km2 (1,326.1/sq mi)
- Demonym	Prince Albertan
	[1]
Time zone	CST (UTC−6)
Isbister Settlement	1862
SK HQ North-West Mounted Police	1886
Website	http://www.citypa.ca
[2][3]

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria namesake of the city chosen by Reverend Nisbet^[4]

Prince Albert is the third-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is situated in the centre of the province on the banks along the North Saskatchewan River. The city is known as the "Gateway to the North" because it is the last major centre along the route to the resources of northern Saskatchewan. Prince Albert National Park is located just 51 km north of the city and contains a huge wealth of lakes, forest, and wildlife. The city itself is located in a transition zone between the aspen parkland and boreal forest biomes. Prince Albert is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Prince Albert No. 461 and the Rural Municipality of Buckland No. 491.

History

The area was named by the Cree as kistahpinanihk a Cree word which translates to sitting pretty place^[5] a great meeting place^[6] or meeting place^[2] The first white man to come through the area that is now Prince Albert was Henry Kelsey in 1692. The first establishment in the area was a trading post set up by Peter Pond, which the area is now named after (1776).^[7][8]

James Isbister, an Anglo-Metis employee of the Hudson's Bay Company settled on the site of the current city in 1862. He farmed there until 1866, and had been joined by a number of families who called the site Isbister's Settlement. He later moved back to Prince Albert and lived out his remaining days there.^[7]

The community was founded in 1866, by Rev. James Nisbet, a Canada Presbyterian Church minister who came to establish a mission for the Cree. It was Nisbet who named the community after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Victoria, who had died just five years before. In 1879 the Presbyterian Church brought out Lucy Margaret Baker to run the mission school.^[9]

1879 also marks the year that local Freemasons established the first lodge in what is now the province of Saskatchewan: Kinistino Lodge No. 1, which still exists.^[10]

"The Mission" was the name given to the settlement which was centrally located, and "Porter town" was located to the west, it was these two which came together to finally form Prince Albert.^[3] The settlement east of Prince Albert was termed Goschen before finally amalgamated, however East Prince Albert still appears on a 1924 map.^[3][11]

In 1884, Honore Jaxon and James Isbister were involved in the movement which brought Louis Riel back to Canada. In 1884, 500 people turned up to hear Louis Riel speak. One month before this speech he had just returned from the United States following a political exile resulting from the Red River Rebellion in 1869 - 1870.

In the Northwest Rebellion of the following year, Prince Albert Volunteers bore the heaviest casualties of the fighting at the Battle of Duck Lake, and surrounding settlers took refuge with the North-West Mounted Police in a hastily improvised stockade at Prince Albert fearing an attack by Gabriel Dumont which never came.

After the Battle of Batoche, Major General Frederick Middleton marched on to Prince Albert to relieve the town.

1885 also marks the year that Prince Albert was incorporated as a town under its first mayor, Thomas McKay.

The first recorded stagecoach robbery in what is now Saskatchewan occurred in 1886, when a lone outlaw held up a carriage near Prince Albert.

In 1904, the settlement was incorporated as the city of Prince Albert. Its government is of a council-mayor type.

Prince Albert was the capital of the District of Saskatchewan, a regional administrative division of what then constituted the Northwest Territories. The District of Saskatchewan was formed on May 8, 1882.^[12] This ended in 1905 when Saskatchewan became a province and Regina was designated the provincial capital.

By coincidence, the federal constituency of Prince Albert has been represented by three prime ministers of Canada:

• John Diefenbaker, 13th Prime Minister (1957–1963), became the MP for Lake Centre in 1940, and when that riding was abolished in 1952, represented Prince Albert from 1953 until his death in 1979.^[13]
• William Lyon Mackenzie King 10th Prime Minister, represented Prince Albert from 1926 to 1945.^[14]
• Sir Wilfrid Laurier 7th Prime Minister, represented Prince Albert in the Saskatchewan provisional district (still part of Northwest Territories) in 1896, before returning to his Quebec East riding later that year.^[15]

Prince Albert was one of the rival candidates to house either the University of Saskatchewan or the Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary. The university was built in Saskatoon and the penitentiary was built in Prince Albert in 1911.^[16]

Royal visits

Prince Albert has welcomed the following members of Canada's Royal Family:

• Princess Margaret - 1958 and 1980
• The Duke and Duchess of York (Prince Andrew and Sarah) - 1989
• The Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) - 2003

Economy

Prince Albert is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River with rich agricultural land to the south and the boreal forest to the north. Although Prince Albert is centrally located in Saskatchewan it is the second most northerly city in the province after Meadow Lake. This physical location has led to the creation of the slogan "Gateway to the North."

After being established as a mission center, the main impetus for growth was speculation that the Transcontinental Railway would travel north from the Red River Valley along Hind's fertile belt through to Edmonton.^[17] When the Canadian Pacific Railway chose a more southerly route Prince Albert's community growth collapsed.^[18]

By 1914, Prince Albert had become the terminus of four railway branch

lines. However, neither the Hudson Bay and Pacific or the Canadian Northern had started any line to the north. In all, the city had not become the great gateway to north as it had planned

—^[16]

The La Colle Falls hydroelectric power dam under construction in 1916.

The La Colle Falls hydroelectric power dam project was an attempt to provide affordable electricity to attract industry.^[19]

By 1927, the project was abandoned as the city was just about bankrupt.^[20] In 1945, Prince Albert National Park was established, and the tourism sector helped to again revive Prince Albert's economy.^[18]

The city's location has benefited the community in many ways through the years as an agriculture, forestry, tourism, mining, retail, and service centre for the immediate market and the northern communities. Prince Albert has a total trade area of 140,000 people, including an additional 12,000 that can be included if Flin Flon and The Pas are accounted for. The major contributing factor to this is the role of Prince Albert as a retail and service centre to these northern communities.^[16]

There are a number of major developments that are happening around Prince Albert. Diamond exploration is currently going on east of the City in the Fort à la Corne region and it is expected a mine may go up around 2010-2011.^[21] Bio-fuels are also playing a significant role to the area. The Prince Albert region is one of the richest areas in the province for agriculture and with the current emphasis on bio-fuel technology from the provincial and federal governments, it is expected that this economic sector will only grow. Uranium is also expected to play a bigger role in the future development of Prince Albert. There is speculation that, because of the proximity to the uranium mining in northern Saskatchewan, that this area could be ideal for a value-added type of business.

The forestry industry is also a major contributor to the economy of Prince Albert. Prince Albert currently hosts the Provincial Forestry Centre, a building that hosts significant wood and forestry related types of businesses and associations. With the closure of the Weyerhaeuser mill, new opportunities will undeniably come from the availability of the forest. Prince Albert Pulp co. is the areas largest employer.^[18]

Prince Albert is also still heavily reliant on its government service sector, which accounts for about 11% of the workforce.

Chief Joseph Custer, Kistapinanihk 231, Northern Lights 220 and Wahpeton 94B Indian Reserves are within 20 kilometers (12 mi) of the city.^[22]

Geography

Prince Albert is located on the White Fox Plain of the Saskatchewan River lowlands. These lowlands are located in the physiographic region of the Saskatchewan Plains Region of the Central Lowlands Province.^{[23]:40, 41} The natural vegetation consists of aspen parkland to the south and southern boreal forest to the north of the North Saskatchewan River.^[23] These two ecoregions also have differing soil types, the northern forested soils are brunisolic and sandy whereas south of the the river are black chernozemic soils.^{[23]:131, 131} The North Saskatchewan River runs through the centre of Prince Albert. The main soils of the city of Prince Albert are those of the valley complex consisting mainly of regosolic soils which produce natural vegetation which are not forest nor grassland but a complex of the two.^{[23]:70, 71} It is here that the treeline of Saskatchewan begins, and to the north of the city begins the forested growth of Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), as well as other boreal forest growth in the Prince Albert National Park, and Nisbet forest.^{[23]:92, 93} The agricultural soils around Prince Albert have some limitations and about 25% of the land is covered with sloughs or potholes.^{[23]:106, 107} The land use is divided into the southern woodland area north of Prince Albert, and to the south is cropland.^{[23]:110, 111}

The Quaternary glacial geology precludes the region to have been covered by a large glacial lake.^[24] The bedrock geology is a part of the phanerozoic basin and belongs to the Lea Park and Milk River Formation.^{[23]:76, 77}

Climate

Prince Albert experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). The coldest month on average is January with an average low of −25.2 °C, and July is the hottest month with an average high of 23.9 °C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Prince Albert was 39.4 °C on July 19, 1941. Meanwhile, the coldest temperature ever recorded in Prince Albert was −56.7 °C on February 1, 1893.^[25]

Demographics

The city of Prince Albert ranked as the 122 largest Census subdivision (municipality) in the country of Canada. Prince Albert has one of the highest obesity rates in the country. In 2005, 32.37% of the residents were considered obese. This is nearly twice the national average. The 2006 Sask Health Population was recorded at 40,140.^[27]

According to the Canada 2006 Census:^[28]

^[1]

Infrastructure

The first hospital was constructed in 1899 followed by a maternity home built in 1945 which lasted a dozen or so years only.^[23]:63

Historic trails

In 1866, Prince Albert was established as a mission post, and a trail to Fort Carlton arose. This trail connected the growing community to the Carlton Trail, the main land transportation route in Western Canada of the 19th century. The trail followed along the current Lily Plain grid road in Saskatchewan to the ferry service at Lilly Plain post office.

The Qu'Appelle (Troy) - Prince Albert Trail was in use from 1883 transporting mail and freight goods from the rail depot at Qu'Appelle (Troy) across the ferry at St.Louis to Prince Albert.^[17] Besides these two trails, Prince Albert was also served by Montreal Lake-PA, Green Lake-PA, Fort à la Corne - PA, trails.^[24]:11

Railways

Canadian Northern & Grand Trunk Pacific

OmniTRAX Diesel -Hudson Bay Railway- behind it Carlton Trail Diesel (GP10), PA yards

Qu'Appelle, Long Lake and Saskatchewan Railroad and Steamboat Company or (QLSRSC) arrived in Prince Albert October 1890, as a means to link the three major cities of Saskatchewan through one railroad. For the next few years the line was seldom used, and in order to raise capital, QLSRSC leased the line out to the Canadian Pacific.^[29] The Canadian Pacific soon realized the economic uncertainty of the line, and the lease was cancelled after only a few years of service. By 1906, less than twenty years after the line was completed, it was sold to the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR). The Canadian northern also crossed the North Saskatchewan River, heading west towards Shellbrook. Prince Albert was to become a northern hub for rail service into the north, however with little economic activity in the area, no branch lines were ever extended into the north except for the Paddockwood spur which was subsequently abandoned during the 90s as a grain-dependent branch line. Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) also serviced Prince Albert through a branch line that headed north from Young, through St. Louis and North into Prince Albert. Later both the CNoR and GTP were nationalized, eventually becoming the Canadian National Railway (CN).^[30]

Canadian National & Canadian Pacific

For years the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway dominated the city of Prince Albert, operating on both sides of 15th St. The Canadian Pacific Railway branched off at Lanigan moving north up to Hagen, then under trackage rights with CN curved towards the north east end of Prince Albert. This was CPR's principal northern site, with many of the branch lines feeding back to Prince Albert. These branch lines almost entirely served lumber mills and grain elevators as principal commodities. In 1991 CPR decided to shut down rail line operations in Prince Albert and area, including selling the Meadow Lake line to CN and abandoning the Meath Park branch up to Choiceland. Many small CN branch lines extended past Prince Albert hauling primarily grain, these lines proved ineffective due to larger more accessible grain elevators and through the 1990s many were abandoned. Lines that have been abandoned are: Paddockwood Spur (CN), CPR to Meath Park, CPR to Lanigan, CN to Shellbrook, and CN to St. Louis. As years went on grain was able to be stored and sorted in much larger elevators, and a state of the art Inland elevator was built, located north of Prince Albert. This was owned by Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (succeeded by Viterra) and the smaller elevator located in the CN yards - owned by United Grain Growers (succeeded by Agricore United which was succeeded by Viterra) - operated in P.A. until recently when Viterra announced its discontinuance of operations on April 1, 2008. Today only the Inland Terminal owned by Viterra located in White Star stands. In December 1997 CN announced the branch line was up for sale due to lack of productivity. The engines primarily used by CN were GMD1s for short haul and yard shunting, and EMD SD40-2W/EMD SD40-2s for long-haul trips. CP utilized switchers due in part to the light rail on many of their branch lines. These switchers were manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works (Bombardier) and were designated as RS-23.

Carlton Trail Railway

OmniTRAX, an American shortline railway company, bought the former CN line and named it Carlton Trail Railway (CTRW or CTR). Currently Carlton Trail Railway resides in the old CN yard, storing tank cars for CN, transporting grain, and refurbishing diesel engines for other OmniTRAX lines. Carlton Trail has recently discussed abandoning several parts of the shortline due to increasing costs and poor track condition^[31] In 2001 CTRW announced the abandonment of the Birch Hills branch line, but the City of Prince Albert intervened citing the possibility of an ethanol plant. In 2008 Carlton Trail announced the Meadow Lake line would be abandoned by April 1, 2009.^[32] Carlton Trail primarily operates EMD GP10s for switching and long-haul transport.

Highway

Prince Albert is located on SK 2, SK 3, SK 11, SK 55, and SK 302. Prince Albert demarks the change of name for SK 2. The stretch of Highway 2 from Moose Jaw to Prince Albert was designated in 2005 as Veterans Memorial Highway. The renaming coincided with Veterans Week 2005.^[33] 176.3 miles (283.73 kilometres) of Saskatchewan Highway 2 contribute to the CanAm Highway^[34] between Prince Albert and La Ronge.^[35] The CanAm highway south of Prince Albert is designated on SK 3 between Melfort and Prince Albert.^[35] SK 11 connects Saskatchewan's three largest cities: Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. On June 20, 2001 the entire length of Saskatchewan Highway 11 was re-named the Louis Riel Trail at a ceremony which took place at the Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre. The Louis Riel Trail connects major sites of the 1885 North-West Rebellion.^[36]

Transit

Prince Albert Transit is the local city bus service with Saskatchewan Transportation Company providing intercity service for passengers and freight throughout Saskatchewan, with connecting service to national bus routes.

Education

Anglican Bishop John McLean opened Emmanuel College on November 1, 1879, the first University of the District of Saskatchewan, NWT. A federal act incorporated Emmanuel college as the University of Saskatchewan.^[37] Emmanuel College moved to Saskatoon in 1907 to become a part of the provincial University of Saskatchewan, following the inception of Saskatchewan as a province in 1905.

The city has a total of five high schools. St. Mary High School, and Rivier Academy (private, all-girls) are part of the Prince Albert Catholic School Division, while Carlton Comprehensive High School (largest high school in Saskatchewan), Wesmor (Acronym of the rural elementary schools Wildrose, East Central, Spruce Home, Meath Park, Osborne, and Redwing), and P.A.C.I (Prince Albert Collegiate Institute) are in the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division.

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division operates 33 schools^[38] and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division operates nine schools.

Post-secondary schools found in Prince Albert include the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) Woodland Campus, First Nations University of Canada (Northern Campus), Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), and Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP).

Carlton Comprehensive High School was the first school in Prince Albert to create the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club in the city. The GSA has been functioning since 2005 and continues to sponsor local school events such as school dances.

Local media

In February 2007, Prince Albert was selected as one of four cities in Saskatchewan to provide free-of-charge wireless Internet access. The free Internet access, made possible through the Government of Saskatchewan's " The Saskatchewan Connected Initiative", will be available to the City's downtown area, as well as the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) Woodland Campus].^[39]

• Radio
  • AM 540: CBK, CBC Radio One
  • AM 900: CKBI, country music "Today's Country 900 CKBI"
  • FM 88.1: CJLR-3, MBC Radio
  • FM 89.1: CBK-1, CBC Radio 2
  • FM 90.1: CKSF, Première Chaîne
  • FM 99.1: CFMM, contemporary hit radio "Power 99FM"
  • FM 100.1: CIAM-FM, Community Radio
  • FM 101.5: CHQX, active rock "Mix 101FM"

There is also an internet based radio station based in Prince Albert known as "Life Radio". Life Radio is a Christian based website designed to appeal towards Christian youth.

• Television

Currently five local television channels are provided to the city. Channel 2 CBKFT-2, SRC which is a French language television station; Channel 6 - CBKST-9, CBC (formerly CKBI-TV); Channel 8 - CIPA, CTV; Cable 9 - Saskatchewan Communications Network; and Cable 10 - Shaw Cable which is a community channel.

• Newspapers
  • Prince Albert Daily Herald
  • Prince Albert Shopper
  • Rural Roots

Arts and entertainment

Music scene

Metal

One of the first metal bands of the Prince Albert area were known as "The Blood Sucking Pigeons From Hell". The group released three albums on the independent Heavy Metal Connection label. The first, self-titled album was released in 1986 and was followed up in 1988 by Boy You Gotta Big C*** and finally by Brutallica Live in the same year. The group never officially disbanded but has been relatively inactive since the early 1990s.

Prince Albert has housed a steady metal scene that has been consistent for the past few years. Although, it remains primarily a teenage gathering, the metal scene continues to gain steam due to the efforts of local production groups (Built Low and another unnamed production). Some of the more prominent bands are Cessate,^[40] Dead Like God^[41], Symbiote^[42], and The Never Was^[43]. Because of this steady growing metal scene, Prince Albert has the chance to see many struggling underground bands of the genre from all throughout the country.

Punk rock

In the 1990s the local punk band Oswald's Walking Connection enjoyed some prominence being featured on a continental compilation CD and releasing a few independent recordings before breaking up. For a short time, the punk band Counter-State emerged, playing only once to a small crowd. Before the band's demise in late 2005, they were able to release the EP Fighting For Our Lives. Basing heavy influences on bands like Aus Rotten and Leftöver Crack, 2 Minute Hate is also a well known punk band in the later 1990s that rocked the punk music scene in Prince Albert. They did a number of shows in the city sharing the stage with other bands such as Shed. 2 Minute Hate had some of the biggest turnouts at their shows in Prince Albert, hitting the scene when the punk fashion/genre was really getting popular. Members of 2 Minute Hate still reside in Prince Albert (Will Yannacoulias and Barrett Prokopie) and are working on other projects, while lead singer/guitar Trevor Bremner now resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is working on a CD release. Another up and coming Punk/Metal band one the rise is The Never Was, who blend styles of Metal and hardcore Punk bands such as Pennywise and Propaghandi.

Rave/electronic

In the late 1990s and early turn of the century Prince Albert had a relatively vibrant electronic dance music scene. Local groups such as 3thos Productions (pronounced 'ethos') and Da Funk Squad (DFS) were responsible for the majority of events put on in the city during this period. The scene began to dwindle after public perception of these events began to emerge in favour of a viewpoint that 'raves' were facilitating the use of illicit substances. The combination of this viewpoint and changing trends in society played a role in the highly decreased prevalency of these events in Prince Albert and elsewhere.

Alternative rock

Two members of former Prince Albert band "Inches Away", Steve Adams and Rob Macintosh, helped form Saskatoon rock band "Black Book Value" in 2007. They recorded a full album in 2009 with Ryan Andersen (Nickelback, Hinder, Theory of a Deadman) entitled "Breach the Silence". On January 18, 2010, Rock 102FM (Saskatoon) announced that they were the regional winners of the Radio Star National Songwriting Contest with their single "My Way".

Country

Prince Albert's Country North Show has featured such local performers as Jessica Robinson^[44] and Donny Parenteau^[45]. After a stint as a Neal McCoy fiddle player, Parenteau returned home to launch his own solo career. Other artists stay in the city and become well known throughout the local country music scene. Heidi Munro, Rick Martin (sometimes alongside his band Country Connection), Steppin' Out, among others. But Steppin' Out has been known to play rock also and not just country.

• Parenteau and country/gospel artist Rick Martin have won Saskatchewan Country Music Awards in their respective categories.

Concerts

• The Northern Lights Casino also helps to bring in many small independent and major country and native bands to the city. Some artists include Freddy Fender, Donny Parenteau, Michelle Wright, among others.
• In the summer of 2005 Tom Cochrane did a live free show as part of the province's Centennial Celebrations. It was held in Prime Ministers Park.
• 12th Street Station is a venue at the Prince Albert Winter Festival. It showcases a variety of genres such as blues, rock, jazz, among others. It has grown in popularity each year.
• Since the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts^[46] was built, Prince Albert is now able to bring in bigger more well known acts. The first show at the Rawlinson Centre was on April 2, 2003 and Chantal Kreviazuk was the headliner. Other acts to perform in the Rawlinson Centre include Adam Gregory, Colin James, Rita MacNeil, Theresa Sokyrka, Arrogant Worms, Canadian Brass, Doc Walker, David Usher, Girlicious, among others.

Drama

Carlton High School is known for its productions dealing with topics such as Nazism, dark Gothic romances and light hearted children's plays. Every year, three productions are put on with one being the children's play that tours the public elementary schools in November. The next play is put on in early March and is a contestant in the region 7 drama festival. The final play is often presented in early May, consisting of a large cast and crew. Most often this play is of Shakespearean orient but with a strange modernized twist. As well, the drama club often does a short film to complement the final play.^[47]

Carlton High School also has a French drama group called Les Solipsistes, directed by Michael Bowden, a French immersion and core French teacher. The group performs two plays every year, one Christmas play, directed towards children, and a competition play for the drama festival.

Prince Albert is also home to the Odyssey Dinner Theatre, which puts on two or three plays a year, which are always accompianied by a dinner.^[48]

Over the last three years Shakespeare in the Park has been performed in in Kinsmen Park, and produced by Prince Albert's ShortStuff Productions. ShortStuff Productions is a local theatre group started by Joan and Desmond Short. Their past shows have included Jesus Christ Superstar, Baba & Gido's 50th Wedding Anniversary and The Rocky Horror Show.

Festivals

Every year Prince Albert has a variety of festivals, fairs, shows, etc. Different times of the year yield different festivals.

• Aboriginal Music & Arts Festival - October 4–8, 2007- Music & Performing Arts & Artist Showcases - Industry Trade Show - followed by major international pow wow.^[49]
• Canada Day celebrations - July 1 - Prince Albert in the park.^[50]
• Canadian Challenge International Sled Dog Race - The longest all-Canadian sled dog race - January 31-February 4, 2007^[51]
• Downtown Street Fair - Prince Albert - held in June^[50]
• Farm Fair^[52]
• Focus on Women- Annual Trade Show -^[53]
• Founder's Day- June - on the North Saskatchewan river bank - Prince Albert.^[54]
• James Smith Annual Pow Wow- James Smith Cree Nation - first weekend of August.
• Kidzfest - held in July
• Prince Albert International Childrens Festival
• Lifestyles Annual Trade Show -900 CKBI - held late October.
• Metis Fall Festival - 3 Day Festival honoring Metis Heritage - held in September
• Muskoday Rodeo & Chuckwagon Races- Muskoday First Nations - Held in June
• Muskoday Pow Wow- Muskoday First Nation - held in August.
• Prince Albert Exhibition & Summer Fair^[55]
• Prince Albert Winter Festival - February 7–25, 2007 - Largest in Western Canada.^[56]
• SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival - Holds concerts in conjunction with this provincial event^[57]
• Shakespeare in the Park- Kinsmen Park - by Short Stuff Productions of Prince Albert.^[58]
• Sturgeon Lake Pow Wow- Sturgeon Lake First Nations - held in July.^[55]
• Taste of Prince Albert - Restaurants provide samples of their cuisine for a small price - Entertainment - held in the Kinsmen Park.^[59]
• Thanksgiving Annual International Pow Wow- October 5–8, 2007 - More than 1500 dancers.^[55]
• Vintage Power Machines Threshing Festival- held in July.^[60]
• Waskesiu Festival- Waskesiu - PA National Park - held in July.^[61]

Sports

The city is home to the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. The Raiders, who won the Memorial Cup in 1985, play out of the 3,571 seat Art Hauser Centre.^[62]

The city is also home to the Prince Albert Mintos of the Midget AAA Hockey League. They won the 2006 and 2007 Telus Cup. They also play out of the Art Hauser Centre.^[63]

A few of the sporting events of the Prince Albert area include the Bull Riders Challenge, Canadian Challenge Dog Sled Race, Canoe tours on the North Saskatchewan, Celtic Games (By McDowell), Chuck wagon and Chariot Races, Fresh Air Experience Road Race, Potash Golf Tournament, Rotary Club Ice Fishing Derby, and Sask-Loppett.^[6] The Sports Hall of Fame honours Prince Albert and area athletes, builders and teams of notable merit.

The Alfred Jenkins Soccer Field House budgeted at 11.1 million dollars, should be operational in 2009.^[64]

Museums and points of interest

The St. Louis Light is a commonly visited, supposedly paranormal, phenomenon occurring south of the city.

Prince Albert is a short distance west of Fort de la Corne, the furthest westward post of the French Empire in North America (see New France).

The Prince Albert Sanitorium was completed in 1930 and treated tuberculosis patients.^[65] There are three historical museums in Prince Albert. The combined The Evolution of Education Museum and Rotary Museum of Police and Corrections are located at the tourist information centre just off of Highway #2 South. The second museum, the Historical Society Museum, is located in an old Fire Hall at the north end of Central Avenue on River Street. The John G. Diefenbaker house is a historic site open to the public and is found on 249 19th Street West. The Prince Albert Heritage Museum (c. 1911) is a Municipal Heritage Property on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.^[66] Across from the Historical Society Museum, is the site of Diefenbaker's constituency office that is not open to the public. Among the other heritage, historic and protected sites of Prince Albert are the Blockhouse from the 1885 Rebellion & First Presbyterian Church/School, Historic St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Honeywood (Dr. A.J. Porter) Heritage Nursery, Keyhole Castle, La Colle Falls Dam, Oldest Downtown Store, and The Cathedral Church of St. Alban the Martyr.^[58]

The Buckland Wildlife Management Unit is within 4 kilometers (2 mi) of the city.^[22]

Notable Prince Albertans

Fabulous people from Prince Albert include athletes, politicians, authors, actors, etc..

See also

• List of communities in Saskatchewan
• Prince Albert City Council
• Saskatchewan Rivers School Division
• Prince Albert Catholic School Division
• Carlton Trail Railway
• List of neighbourhoods in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

References

Book references

• Abrams, Gary W. D. (1966). Prince Albert: The First Century. Modern Press, Saskatoon. 

External links

• Carlton Comprehensive High School
• E.A. Rawlinson Centre Official Site
• NASA balloons launched from Prince Albert - History of the use as stratospheric balloon launch base of the Grass Field airport between 1985 and 1990
• Prince Albert on Google Maps
• Prince Albert Historical Society
• Prince Albert Airport
• Prince Albert Mintos (midget AAA hockey)
• Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
• Prince Albert National Park
• Prince Albert Patriot Website
• St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
• Virtual Prince Albert - Interactive 360 panorama imagery and more!
• Waskesiu - in Prince Albert National Park
• Map of Prince Albert at Statcan

		Redwing Spruce Home Prince Albert National Park
	Shellbrook		Birch Hills
		Prince Albert
		Red Deer Hill

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