Viking (/ˈvaɪkɪŋ/) is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is at the intersection of Highway 14 (Poundmaker Trail) and Highway 36 (Veterans Memorial Highway), approximately 121 km (75 mi) east of Edmonton.
Viking | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Town of Viking | |
 Main Street | |
  Viking Location of Viking in Alberta | |
| Coordinates: 53°5′43″N 111°46′37″W / 53.09528°N 111.77694°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census division | 10 |
| Municipal district | Beaver County |
| Incorporated[1] | |
| • Village | 5 February 1909 |
| • Town | 10 November 1952 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | James Buttner |
| • Governing body | Viking Town Council |
| Area (2021)[3] | |
| • Land | 3.45 km2 (1.33 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 691 m (2,267 ft) |
| Population (2021)[3] | |
| • Total | 986 |
| • Density | 285.9/km2 (740/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Postal code | |
| Area code(s) | +1-780, +1-587 |
| Highways | Highway 14 Highway 36 |
| Railway | Canadian National Railway |
| Waterway | Thomas Lake |
| Website | www |
The town also lends its name to the Viking Formation, an oil bearing stratigraphical unit.
History
editViking was settled in 1909 by Scandinavian settlers Sivert Hafso and Ole Sorenson, from Norway.
On 7 July 2005, the community ice arena was severely damaged by fire.[5] Construction began on a new arena, called the "Viking Carena Complex" and was completed on 17 August 2007.
Viking celebrated its centennial in 2009.
Geography
editClimate
editViking experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summers are warm with moderate rainfall while winters are long and bitterly cold.
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Demographics
editIn the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Viking had a population of 986 living in 432 of its 490 total private dwellings, a change of -9% from its 2016 population of 1,083. With a land area of 3.45 km2 (1.33 sq mi), it had a population density of 285.8/km2 (740.2/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Viking recorded a population of 1,083 living in 460 of its 505 total private dwellings, a 4% change from its 2011 population of 1,041. With a land area of 3.7 km2 (1.4 sq mi), it had a population density of 292.7/km2 (758.1/sq mi) in 2016.[7]
Economy
editThe majority of economic activity is in the agriculture, oil and gas, textile, and manufacturing industries.
Arts and culture
editViking won the national Communities in Bloom contest in 2000.[8]
Attractions
edit
Many parks and flower gardens are maintained throughout the town. One of the most notable parks is Troll Park, which celebrates Vikings's rich Scandinavian history with native plants, trolls hidden throughout the park, and a giant troll mountain.
Infrastructure
edit
The Viking Airport is a small airport owned by the Town of Viking 4.8 kilometres (3.0 mi) west of the townsite, with the Transport Canada airport identifier of CEE8.[9]
As a flag stop, Via Rail's The Canadian calls at the Viking railway station.
Notable people
edit- Cory Clouston, former hockey coach
- Murray Dorin, Canadian politician, Progressive Conservative MP (1984–1993)
- Don Mazankowski, former politician
- Donald Sanderlin, Olympian
- Sutter family, a hockey family that includes Brent, Brian, Duane, Rich, Ron, and Darryl, all of whom formerly played professional hockey in the NHL
- Carson Soucy, professional NHL ice hockey player
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Location and History Profile: Town of Viking" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 7 October 2016. p. 709. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- ^ "Fire damages Viking arena; Sutter memorabilia saved". CBC News. 7 July 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
- ^ Environment Canada—[1]. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ Communities in Bloom Alberta Participants.Viking is year 2000 national winner[permanent dead link]
- ^ Canadian Owners and Pilots Association Places to Fly. Viking Airport Archived 24 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
External links
edit