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    • 2023 Budget
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      • Hours of Operation
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      • 2021 Municipal Election
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      • Corporate Business Plan
      • Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes
      • Council Expenses
      • Council Videos
      • Inter-municipal Cooperation
      • Public Hearings & Notices
      • Town of Drayton Valley Boards & Committees
    • Mayor’s Gala and Community Recognition Awards Night
  • Services
    • Customer Service Portal
    • Permits
    • Child Care
      • Child Care FAQ
    • Community and Recreation Services
      • Accessible Housing
      • Adult Education and Employment Information
      • Family and Community Support Services
      • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
      • Drayton Valley Cemetery & Columbarium
      • Shelter Pods
    • Community Organizations and Groups
    • Community Grants
    • Customer Self Service Portal
      • E-Billing
      • Online Payments
    • Emergency Services
      • Fire Services
      • Associated Ambulance
      • Cardium Region Victims Services Society
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Pembina Crisis Connection Society
      • Winter Preparedness
    • RCMP
      • RCMP Survey
      • RCMP Crime Map
      • Bike Index
    • Enforcement Services
      • Community Standards
      • Animal Control
      • Traffic Safety
      • Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants
      • Good Neighbours
    • Health Services
    • Post-Secondary Education
      • Zero Fee Tuition
    • Schools
    • Sustainability
      • Community Sustainability Plan
      • Preserve Our Ultimate Resource (P.O.U.R) Program
      • Waste & Storm Water Disconnect
      • Drayton Valley Energy & Emissions
      • Energy & Emissions Reduction Initiatives
      • Clean Energy Improvement Program
      • Foodcycler Pilot Project
    • Town Maintenance
      • Snow Removal and Seasonal Parking Ban
      • Greenspace Maintenance
      • Spring & Summer Maintenance
      • Summer Greenspace Maintenance FAQ
      • Flowerpot & Flowerbed Sponsorships
      • Dust Suppression
      • Community Clean-Up Program
    • Water Treatment Plant
      • Water and Sanitary
      • Water and Sanitary FAQ
    • Waste Management
      • Waste Collection Services
      • Recycling
      • Recycling Depot
      • Aspen Waste Management Facility
      • Landfill Changes
      • Free Tipping Days
  • Business
    • Small Business Week
    • Economic Development
    • Business Licenses
      • Cannabis Legislation
    • Business and Industry
      • Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Profile
    • Planning and Development
      • Annexation Documents 2010
      • Area Structure Plans
      • Compliance Certificates
      • Intermunicipal Development Plan
      • Intermunicipal Dispute between the Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County
      • Land Use Bylaw
      • Municipal Development Plan
      • Permits and Information
      • Planning Authorities
      • Planning & Development Policies
      • Subdivision and Development Appeals
      • Subdividing and Rezoning
      • Planning and Development FAQ
    • Statistical Data
    • Tenders and RFPs
  • Things To Do
    • This is Drayton Valley
    • Accommodations
      • Hotels
      • Camping
    • Arts and Culture
      • MacKenzie Conference Centre
      • CETC
      • Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre
      • Event and Conference Centre
      • Drayton Valley Museum
    • Electronic Sign
    • Events
    • Library
    • Places of Worship
    • Outdoor Recreation
      • Golf Courses
      • Parks and Trails
      • Sports and Recreational Organizations
      • Pump Track
      • Splash Park
    • Parks and Recreation Map
    • Eagle Points Blue Rapids
    • Recreational Facilities
      • Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre
      • Omniplex
      • Total Works Health & Fitness Centre
    • Drayton Valley Industrial Airport
      • Drone Rules & Regulations
  • Pull Together

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The Boom

The boom was going within the year. Oil companies rushed in to purchase tracts of land and workers flocked into the area. The town grew from approximately 75 people in 1953 to 2,000 within a year of the discovery. People lived wherever they could— from trailer parks to the famous Drayton Valley skidshacks, which sprang up everywhere.

Along with the oil, inevitably came civilization. The infamous Wildcat Café opened, staffed by “ladies of the evening.” Two businessmen moved in and opened a 24-hour drinking establishment. Small town Alberta had become a boomtown almost overnight. Though the original residents in the area had mixed feelings about this transition, most thought it was a beneficial change. The oil provided jobs, money and services. The rural community was missed by some, but on the whole, the boom was greeted with approval.

With the rapidly increasing activity, the Alberta government created the Drayton Valley Townsite Act, setting out the conditions for subdivision. The act was passed retroactive to March 1st, 1954, and thus began the planning of Drayton Valley.

By May, 1954, $500,000 worth of building permits had been issued, including a $250,000 hotel. By the summer, work had begun on water and sewer lines after the development of two reservoirs—a 200,000 gallon underground unit and a 40,000 gallon elevated unit. The latter had to be expanded to 200,000 gallon capacity due to further growth.

Drayton Valley held the first elections of the town council on March 4th, 1957. The elected mayor was Robert Clarkson and the councilors were H. Pickup, H. Knight, D. Chow, D. Mackenzie, O. Williamson and J. Getzinger.H.W Pickup

H.W Pickup School in Drayton Valley

 

Over the years, construction has continued with the erection of a bridge over the North Saskatchewan River and a hospital. Schools, parks, motels, hotels, shopping facilities and many other projects soon followed.

The future of Drayton Valley is promising, with a steady population increase. The population was at 6,000 by the turn of the 21st century and it’s still rising.

“Drayton Valley is an unusual town in many respects. The spirit of the community is exceptionally high, the participation in the affairs of the community on the part of citizens, as well as clubs and other organized groups, is equal to, if not higher than in other older centres. By which formula the town achieved this maturity in such a short space of time is difficult to say, however, it can be safely assumed that there must have been some outstanding citizens, both inside and outside the administration who provided the community with good leadership.”

That statement was taken from the town’s general plan for 1967 and planning certainly has led to the success of Drayton Valley as a cultural, social and business entity. Drayton Valley is truly a model town in every sense of the word.

Explore the site

Accessible Housing

One of the top priorities in The Town’s Social Development Plan, learn how housing is essential to our community’s economic growth.

Read More »

Block Party

Access the block party kit to help you plan your own block party.

Read More »

Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre

Learn about how this cultural building plays an important role in the Town’s history and is bringing more attention to the local arts scene.

Read More »

Employment Opportunities

Discover the benefits of working for the Town of Drayton Valley!  We are always interested in finding quality candidates.

Read More »

Health Services

General and contact information about the Drayton Valley hospital and health clinics.

Read More »

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  • Our Town
    ▼
    • 2023 Budget
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
      ▼
      • Hours of Operation
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Staff Directory
      • Organizational Chart
    • COVID 19
    • Drayton Valley Crest and Brand
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Financial Statements
    • History
    • Maps
    • Media Feed
    • Rural Renewal Stream
    • Taxation and Assessment
    • Town Council
      ▼
      • 2021 Municipal Election
      • Annual Reports
      • Chain of Office
      • Corporate Business Plan
      • Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes
      • Council Expenses
      • Council Videos
      • Inter-municipal Cooperation
      • Public Hearings & Notices
      • Town of Drayton Valley Boards & Committees
    • Mayor’s Gala and Community Recognition Awards Night
  • Services
    ▼
    • Customer Service Portal
    • Permits
    • Child Care
      ▼
      • Child Care FAQ
    • Community and Recreation Services
      ▼
      • Accessible Housing
      • Adult Education and Employment Information
      • Family and Community Support Services
      • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
      • Drayton Valley Cemetery & Columbarium
      • Shelter Pods
    • Community Organizations and Groups
    • Community Grants
    • Customer Self Service Portal
      ▼
      • E-Billing
      • Online Payments
    • Emergency Services
      ▼
      • Fire Services
      • Associated Ambulance
      • Cardium Region Victims Services Society
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Pembina Crisis Connection Society
      • Winter Preparedness
    • RCMP
      ▼
      • RCMP Survey
      • RCMP Crime Map
      • Bike Index
    • Enforcement Services
      ▼
      • Community Standards
      • Animal Control
      • Traffic Safety
      • Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants
      • Good Neighbours
    • Health Services
    • Post-Secondary Education
      ▼
      • Zero Fee Tuition
    • Schools
    • Sustainability
      ▼
      • Community Sustainability Plan
      • Preserve Our Ultimate Resource (P.O.U.R) Program
      • Waste & Storm Water Disconnect
      • Drayton Valley Energy & Emissions
      • Energy & Emissions Reduction Initiatives
      • Clean Energy Improvement Program
      • Foodcycler Pilot Project
    • Town Maintenance
      ▼
      • Snow Removal and Seasonal Parking Ban
      • Greenspace Maintenance
      • Spring & Summer Maintenance
      • Summer Greenspace Maintenance FAQ
      • Flowerpot & Flowerbed Sponsorships
      • Dust Suppression
      • Community Clean-Up Program
    • Water Treatment Plant
      ▼
      • Water and Sanitary
      • Water and Sanitary FAQ
    • Waste Management
      ▼
      • Waste Collection Services
      • Recycling
      • Recycling Depot
      • Aspen Waste Management Facility
      • Landfill Changes
      • Free Tipping Days
  • Business
    ▼
    • Small Business Week
    • Economic Development
    • Business Licenses
      ▼
      • Cannabis Legislation
    • Business and Industry
      ▼
      • Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Profile
    • Planning and Development
      ▼
      • Annexation Documents 2010
      • Area Structure Plans
      • Compliance Certificates
      • Intermunicipal Development Plan
      • Intermunicipal Dispute between the Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County
      • Land Use Bylaw
      • Municipal Development Plan
      • Permits and Information
      • Planning Authorities
      • Planning & Development Policies
      • Subdivision and Development Appeals
      • Subdividing and Rezoning
      • Planning and Development FAQ
    • Statistical Data
    • Tenders and RFPs
  • Things To Do
    ▼
    • This is Drayton Valley
    • Accommodations
      ▼
      • Hotels
      • Camping
    • Arts and Culture
      ▼
      • MacKenzie Conference Centre
      • CETC
      • Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre
      • Event and Conference Centre
      • Drayton Valley Museum
    • Electronic Sign
    • Events
    • Library
    • Places of Worship
    • Outdoor Recreation
      ▼
      • Golf Courses
      • Parks and Trails
      • Sports and Recreational Organizations
      • Pump Track
      • Splash Park
    • Parks and Recreation Map
    • Eagle Points Blue Rapids
    • Recreational Facilities
      ▼
      • Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre
      • Omniplex
      • Total Works Health & Fitness Centre
    • Drayton Valley Industrial Airport
      ▼
      • Drone Rules & Regulations
  • Pull Together