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The following is an excerpt from
“The Next Place” by Rebecca Dika
SWAN HILLS
A Community That Personifies the West.
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Born in the legends of the native Indians and developed through the discovery of oil, the story of Swan Hills is an echo of the story of Alberta.
Situated over the third largest oilfield deposit in Canada estimated to contain four billion barrels of oil, Swan Hills’ future is bright. Four major oil companies supply nearly one third of all Alberta’s oil needs through operations here.
An oil boom can build a town over night, and Swan Hills is one of many Alberta Communities that owe its existence and prosperity to oil. Those early years as a base camp quickly exploded into a town site as homes, schools, new technology, new amenities, and recreational facilities.
Almost half the population has an average house hold income of $50,000.00 or more. Combined with its young demographics and relatively undeveloped industrial sector, Swan Hills is a perfect place for investors to start new service businesses.
Perhaps the jewel in the crown might be a multi-million-dollar, state of the art special waste treatment facility owned by the provincial government. The plant processes hazardous waste from throughout Canada, and employs approximately 120.
With such a secure and diverse economic toehold, Swan Hills’ residents appreciate the pristine beauty and natural recreational opportunities that abound here.
Just northwest of the town is the 5,780-hectare Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve, home to 16 plat species rare in Alberta, including orchids. At 1,180 meters above sea level, this is the highest point in the province and as such allows for this pocket of extraordinary flora.
Health care and recreational facilities that included an arena, indoor pool, curling rink and skateboard-park are second to none here. Swan Hills is full of new, quality housing that can be purchased at much lower than in other towns of similar size.
In addition to the recreation facilities in town, hundreds of kilometer of marked forest trails are in close proximity allowing ATV’ers, snowmobilers, and horseback riders to explore thousands of hectares of wilderness in the Swan Hills area.
Its claim to fame might just be that it is the nearest settlement to the geographical center of Alberta. Take Highway 33 out of Swan Hills for approximately 30 kilometers and take a short trial in to the cairn that marks the center of the province.
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Upcoming Events
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Adventure
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Lakes In The Area
With the numerous streams, rivers and lakes, the Swan Hills' Area provides fishing opportunities for all skill levels.
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Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve
Just northwest of the Town of Swan Hills lies the Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve - home to 16 plant species rare to the province of Alberta, including orchids.
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Big Game Hunting
Enjoy year-round hunting and fishing. Whether ice-fishing or bow hunting is your favorite way to spend a weekend, Swan Hills has a wide diversity of big game.
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Recreation
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Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Latitude Deg (N) 54
