Brooks, Alberta

Brooks
City
City of Brooks

Brooks from the air

Logo
Nickname(s): Alberta's Centennial City[1]
Motto: Beautiful and Bountiful
Brooks

Location of Brooks in Alberta

Coordinates: 50°33′51″N 111°53′56″W / 50.56417°N 111.89889°W / 50.56417; -111.89889Coordinates: 50°33′51″N 111°53′56″W / 50.56417°N 111.89889°W / 50.56417; -111.89889
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Southern Alberta
Census division 2
Incorporated [2]
 - Village 
July 14, 1910
 - Town September 8, 1911
 - City September 1, 2005
Government[3]
 • Mayor Barry Morishita
 • Governing body
 • CAO Alan Martens
 • MP Martin Shields (Cons – Bow River)
 • MLA Derek Fildebrandt (WRP – Strathmore-Brooks)
Area (2011)[4]
 • Total 18.19 km2 (7.02 sq mi)
Elevation[5] 760 m (2,490 ft)
Population (2011)[4][6]
 • Total 13,676
 • Density 751.9/km2 (1,947/sq mi)
 • Municipal census (2015) 14,185[7]
 • Agglomeration 23,430
Time zone MST (UTC−7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC−6)
Postal code span T1R
Area code(s) +1-403, +1-587
Highways Trans-Canada Highway
Highway 36
Railways Canadian Pacific Railway
Website Official website

Brooks is a city in southeast Alberta, Canada, surrounded by the County of Newell. It is located on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and the Canadian Pacific Railway, approximately 186 km (116 mi) southeast of Calgary, and 110 km (68 mi) northwest of Medicine Hat. The city has an elevation of 760 m (2,490 ft).

History

The area that is now Brooks was originally used as a bison hunting ground for the Blackfoot and Crow. After Treaty 7 was signed in 1877, homesteaders moved into the area to begin farming. Before 1904, the area still did not have a name. Through a Postmaster General-sponsored contest, the area was named after Noel Edgell Brooks, a Canadian Pacific Railway Divisional Engineer from Calgary.[8]

Brooks incorporated as a village on July 14, 1910, and then as a town on September 8, 1911.[2] Its population in the 1911 Census of Canada was 486.[9]

In the 1996 Census, the population of Brooks reached 10,093[10] making it eligible for city status.[11] Brooks incorporated as a city on September 1, 2005[2] when its official population was 11,604.[12]

In 2010, Brooks celebrated its centennial as a municipality since originally incorporating as a village in 1910.[2][13]

Geography

Low hills covered in shortgrass prairie
Prairie southwest of Brooks

Brooks is located in the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta. The area surrounding Brooks is dry mixed grass/shortgrass prairie.[14]

Climate

Located in the steppe region known as the Palliser's Triangle, Brooks has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk).[15] Winters are dry and cold, with little snowfall compared to the rest of Canada.[16] Chinook winds, though less common than in areas west and especially southwest of Brooks, are not uncommon, and ameliorate the cold winter temperatures temporarily when they pass over. Wide diurnal temperature ranges are regular, due to the aridity and moderately high elevation. Low humidity is prevalent throughout the year. Most of the relatively scant annual precipitation occurs in late spring and summer, often in the form of thunderstorms. On average, the coldest month is January, with a mean temperature of −11.3 °C (11.7 °F), while the warmest is July, with a mean temperature of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F). The driest month is February, with an average monthly precipitation of 12.2 mm (0.48 in), while the wettest month is June, with an average of 58.8 mm (2.31 in). Annual precipitation is low, with an average of 348 mm (13.7 in).[17]

Demographics

The population of the City of Brooks according to its 2015 municipal census is 14,185,[7] a 4.4% change from its 2007 municipal census population of 13,581.[19]

In the 2011 Census, the City of Brooks had a population of 13,676 living in 5,037 of its 5,509 total dwellings, a 9.3% change from its 2006 adjusted population of 12,508. With a land area of 18.19 km2 (7.02 sq mi), it had a population density of 751.8/km2 (1,947.3/sq mi) in 2011.[4]

In 2006, Brooks had a population of 12,498 living in 5,051 dwellings, a 7.7% increase from 2001. The city has a land area of 17.70 km2 (6.83 sq mi) and a population density of 706.0/km2 (1,829/sq mi).[20]

A multicultural community, Brooks has been referred to as "The City of 100 Hellos" as a result of a documentary by Brandy Yanchyk profiling the community's significant immigrant, refugee and temporary foreign worker populations. The documentary was called Brooks – The City of 100 Hellos and was created in 2010 for Omni Television.[21] The community's multicultural character was also the subject of a 2007 National Film Board of Canada documentary, 24 Days in Brooks, directed by Dana Inkster.[22]

Population history
YearPop.±%
1911486—    
1916290−40.3%
1921499+72.1%
1926511+2.4%
1931708+38.6%
1936697−1.6%
1941888+27.4%
19461,091+22.9%
19511,648+51.1%
19562,320+40.8%
19612,827+21.9%
19663,354+18.6%
19713,986+18.8%
19766,339+59.0%
19819,421+48.6%
19869,464+0.5%
19919,433−0.3%
199610,093+7.0%
200111,604+15.0%
200612,498+7.7%
201113,676+9.4%
Source: Statistics Canada
[9][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]
[33][34][35][36][37][38][10][39][40][4]
Visible minorities and Aboriginal population
Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total Population
Visible minority group
Source:[41] 		South Asian 175 1.4%
Chinese 195 1.6%
Black 1,110 8.9%
Filipino 75 0.6%
Latin American 55 0.4%
Arab 80 0.6%
Southeast Asian 265 2.1%
West Asian 55 0.4%
Korean 40 0.3%
Japanese 70 0.6%
Other visible minority 0 0%
Mixed visible minority 20 0.2%
Total visible minority population 2,135 17.1%
Aboriginal group
Source:[42] 		First Nations 155 1.2%
Métis 135 1.1%
Inuit 10 0.1%
Total Aboriginal population 310 2.5%
White 10,050 80.4%
Total population 12,495 100%

Economy

The base of the economy of the City of Brooks is energy (oil and gas) and agriculture,[43] with other sectors including metal manufacturing,[44] food processing and construction.[43] It is also a retail and service centre for the surrounding area.[43]

Canada's second largest beef-processing facility, owned by JBS Canada,[45] is located in Brooks and ships meat across the country and internationally. In 2012, while the plant was owned by XL Foods, it released meat contaminated with E. coli, and was shut down for a month.[46][47] The plant has over 2000 employees.[48]

Arts and culture

Brooks has won the Communities in Bloom competition four times in a row. Brooks has won Tidiness and Community Involvement Awards at a national level.

The Brooks Public Library, with a collection of over 50,000 items, serves both the City of Brooks and the County of Newell.

Attractions

The Lakeside Leisure Centre is the area's main recreation centre. It includes one arena, a curling rink, an aquatic centre with a waterslide and wave pool, a gymnasium, a fitness centre, and multipurpose rooms. The complex was renovated in 2005.

In 2010, the Duke of Sutherland Park was redeveloped. It features baseball diamonds, a soccer field, a playground and a 3,200 ft (980 m)² waterpark with spray features for toddlers and a play structure for older children.

Also in 2010, the Centennial Regional Arena was completed after nearly a decade of planning and 18 months of construction. The multi-purpose facility seats 1,704 people. It includes corporate boxes, a running track, concessions, and a 200 ft × 85 ft (61 m × 26 m) surface. The arena is home to several user groups, including the Brooks Bandits.

There are three provincial parks in the area: Dinosaur Provincial Park, a World Heritage Site, to the northeast, Tillebrook Provincial Park to the east and Kinbrook Island Provincial Park to the south. In addition, there are several other recreational sites in the area including the Rolling Hills Reservoir, Crawling Valley Reservoir, and Emerson Bridge.

The Brooks Aqueduct southeast of Brooks was built to transport irrigation water across the Eastern Irrigation District. It spans across a 3.2 km (2.0 mi) valley, about 20 m (66 ft) above the ground.

Sports

Brooks is home to the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.[49] The team was awarded to Brooks in 1998 and embarked on its first season in 2000.[49] The Bandits won the league championship in 2012[50] and 2013.[51] After repeating as league champions, the team went on to win its first Royal Bank Cup championship in 2013.[51]

There are two football teams in Brooks: the Roadrunners and the Buffalos. The teams comprise players from the local junior and senior high schools respectively. The Buffalos represented Brooks at provincial championships in 1989, 1995, 1997, and 2009, winning in the title in its last three appearances. The Roadrunners appeared at provincial championships in 1995, 2004, and 2007.

Brooks is also home to a Western Major Baseball League franchise named the Brooks Bombers. They will begin play in May 2016 at Elks Field in the Quad Ball Diamond Complex. [52]

Government

Brooks City Council consists of one mayor and six councillors.[3] The last election was held in October 2013. A by-election for mayor and one city council post was held in January 2015.[53]

Education

Brooks has two high schools, two junior high schools, three elementary schools, two primary schools, and two alternative schools. Another elementary school is being built in the Upland area, and will be completed around 2015.[54] The schools are operated by Grasslands Public Schools and Christ the Redeemer School Division. Brooks also has a satellite campus of Medicine Hat College.

Health care

Acute medical care is provided at the Brooks Health Centre.

Media

Brooks is served by two radio stations, CIBQ-FM (Q105.7FM), and CIXF-FM (The One at 101.1). Both stations are owned by Newcap Broadcasting.

Brooks has two distinct newspapers. The Brooks Bulletin is published every Tuesday, and has served Brooks and the County of Newell since 1910. It has a weekly circulation of 4,332 and is a paid subscription product.[55]

The Weekend Regional is a second paper the Bulletin established in 2004 and it is published on Fridays. As of January 2010, it became a total market coverage product with a weekly circulation of 11,235.[55]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History of Brooks". City of Brooks. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Alberta Municipal Affairs (September 17, 2010). "Municipal Profile – City of Brooks". Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  3. 1 2 "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  5. ↑ "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). Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for census agglomerations, 2011 and 2006 censuses". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
  7. 1 2 "2015 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. ISBN 978-1-4601-2630-1. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  8. ↑ Delday, Eva (1975). Brooks : between the Red Deer and the Bow. Brooks, Alberta. p. 30. ISBN 0-919212-60-3.
  9. 1 2 "Table I: Area and Population of Canada by Provinces, Districts and Subdistricts in 1911 and Population in 1901". Census of Canada, 1911. Volume I. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1912. pp. 2–39.
  10. 1 2 "Table 10: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) and Designated Places, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data". 96 Census. A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1997. pp. 136–146. ISBN 0-660-59283-5.
  11. ↑ "Types of Municipalities in Alberta". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  12. ↑ "2005 Official Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. November 28, 2005. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  13. ↑ "2010 Centennial". City of Brooks. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
  14. ↑ "Map: Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  15. ↑ "Köppen Climate Classification Map of North America". Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  16. ↑ "Atlas of Canada Map: Annual Average Snowfall in Canada". Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  17. 1 2 "Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000". Environment Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Canadian Climate Normals 1961–1990". Environment Canada. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Alberta 2009 Official Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. September 15, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  20. ↑ Statistics Canada. "Canada 2006 Census: Brooks – Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  21. ↑ "Brooks Hosts Premiere of Documentary". City of Brooks. August 26, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  22. ↑ "24 Days in Brooks" (48 min.). Documentary film. National Film Board of Canada. 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Table I: Population of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta by Districts, Townships, Cities, Towns, and Incorporated Villages in 1916, 1911, 1906, and 1901". Census of Prairie Provinces, 1916. Population and Agriculture. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1918. pp. 77–140.
  24. ↑ "Table 8: Population by districts and sub-districts according to the Redistribution Act of 1914 and the amending act of 1915, compared for the census years 1921, 1911 and 1901". Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1922. pp. 169–215.
  25. ↑ "Table 7: Population of cities, towns and villages for the province of Alberta in census years 1901–26, as classed in 1926". Census of Prairie Provinces, 1926. Census of Alberta, 1926. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1927. pp. 565–567.
  26. ↑ "Table 12: Population of Canada by provinces, counties or census divisions and subdivisions, 1871–1931". Census of Canada, 1931. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1932. pp. 98–102.
  27. ↑ "Table 4: Population in incorporated cities, towns and villages, 1901–1936". Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1936. Volume I: Population and Agriculture. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1938. pp. 833–836.
  28. ↑ "Table 10: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1941". Eighth Census of Canada, 1941. Volume II: Population by Local Subdivisions. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1944. pp. 134–141.
  29. ↑ "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1926–1946". Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946. Volume I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1949. pp. 401–414.
  30. ↑ "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1951". Ninth Census of Canada, 1951. Volume I: Population, General Characteristics. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1953. p. 6.73–6.83.
  31. ↑ "Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951". Census of Canada, 1956. Population, Counties and Subdivisions. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1957. p. 6.50–6.53.
  32. ↑ "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961". 1961 Census of Canada. Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961. Volume I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1963. p. 6.77–6.83.
  33. ↑ "Population by specified age groups and sex, for census subdivisions, 1966". Census of Canada, 1966. Population, Specified Age Groups and Sex for Counties and Census Subdivisions, 1966. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1968. p. 6.50–6.53.
  34. ↑ "Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971". 1971 Census of Canada. Volume I: Population, Census Subdivisions (Historical). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1973. p. 2.102–2.111.
  35. ↑ "Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976". 1976 Census of Canada. Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories. Volume I: Population, Geographic Distributions. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1977. p. 3.40–3.43.
  36. ↑ "Table 4: Population and Total Occupied Dwellings, for Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1976 and 1981". 1981 Census of Canada. Volume II: Provincial series, Population, Geographic distributions (Alberta). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1982. p. 4.1–4.10. ISBN 0-660-51095-2.
  37. ↑ "Table 2: Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Population and Occupied Private Dwellings, 1981 and 1986". Census Canada 1986. Population and Dwelling Counts – Provinces and Territories (Alberta). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1987. p. 2.1–2.10. ISBN 0-660-53463-0.
  38. ↑ "Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data". 91 Census. Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1992. pp. 100–108. ISBN 0-660-57115-3.
  39. ↑ "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  40. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. January 6, 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  41. ↑ , Community Profiles from the 2006 Census, Statistics Canada – Census Subdivision
  42. ↑ , Aboriginal Peoples – Data table
  43. 1 2 3 "City of Brooks Business & Community Profile: Economy". City of Brooks. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
  44. ↑ "City of Brooks Business & Community Profile: Manufacturing Industry". City of Brooks. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
  45. ↑ "JBS to buy XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alta.". CBC News. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  46. ↑ D'Aliesio, Renata (October 23, 2012). "XL Foods back in business with air of guarded optimism". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  47. ↑ McClure, Matt (October 25, 2012). "Operations to resume at XL plant next week". Calgary Herald. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  48. ↑ http://www.foodsafetyfirst.ca/2012/10/29/morale-good-as-2000-xl-foods-employees-go-back-to-work/
  49. 1 2 "The "Bandits" Beginning". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  50. ↑ "Brooks Bandits Win 2012 Enerflex Cup Finals". Alberta Junior Hockey League. April 12, 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  51. 1 2 "Bandits Win 2013 RBC Cup National Championship". Alberta Junior Hockey League. May 19, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
  52. ↑ brooksbombers.com
  53. ↑ http://www.brooks.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=495:election-2016&catid=39:services-and-departments
  54. ↑ Sanchez, Rose (October 25, 2012). "Progress being made on planning for new school in Brooks". Prairie Post. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  55. 1 2 "Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association". Awna.com. March 23, 2004. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
  56. ↑ "Sheri Forde official bio". TSN. November 8, 2009. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  57. ↑ "Ryan Peake". Perfect People. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
  58. ↑ "Schalm anything but calm after Olympic fencing loss". CBC Olympics. August 13, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2009-07-07.

External links

Calgary Duchess Dinosaur Provincial Park
Bassano Tilley
   Brooks  
Lomond Vauxhall Medicine Hat
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