Redcliff, Alberta

Redcliff
Town
Town of Redcliff
Seal
Motto: Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies
Redcliff Location of Redcliff in Alberta
Coordinates: 50°04′45″N 110°46′42″W / 50.07917°N 110.77833°WCoordinates: 50°04′45″N 110°46′42″W / 50.07917°N 110.77833°W
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Southern Alberta
Census division	1
Municipal district	Cypress County
Incorporated	1906
Government[1]
• Mayor	Ernie Reimer
• Governing body	Redcliff Town Council
• MP	LaVar Payne (Cons-Medicine Hat)
• MLA	Drew Barnes (WRP- Cypress-Medicine Hat)
Area (2011)[2]
• Total	16.20 km^2 (6.25 sq mi)
Elevation[3]	745 m (2,444 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
• Total	5,588
• Density	344.9/km^2 (893/sq mi)
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
Postal code span	T0J
Area code(s)	+1-403
Website	Official website

Redcliff is a town in southern Alberta, Canada within Cypress County. Bordering the City of Medicine Hat to the south and east, the town is bisected by Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and is located on the north bank of the South Saskatchewan River.

Situated at a high elevation relative to the surrounding landscape, the Town of Redcliff offers views of the South Saskatchewan River valley, the City of Medicine Hat, and Cypress Hills. The cliffs that overlook the river valley resemble badland formations.

History

Redcliff's history began in the 1880s with the discovery of abundant coal and natural gas reserves. Access to this inexpensive resource led to Redcliff being promoted as the "Smokeless Pittsburgh of the West". This drew industries that manufactured diverse products such as shoes, gloves, cigars, trucks, bricks, glass, and flour among others. In June 1915, a tornado (at the time called a cyclone) ravaged several of these businesses, thus starting a decline in Redcliff's economy. World War I and a flu epidemic ended the economic prosperity. The community experienced a resurgence in growth following World War II.

The name of the town originated from the elevated red shale banks of the South Saskatchewan River.

Demographics

In the 2011 Census, the Town of Redcliff had a population of 5,588 living in 2,083 of its 2,195 total dwellings, a 9.2% change from its 2006 adjusted population of 5,116. With a land area of 16.2 km² (6.3 sq mi), it had a population density of 344.9/km² (893.4/sq mi) in 2011.^[2]

The town had a population of 4,372 in 1,618 dwellings, a 6.5% increase from 1996. On a surface of 10.48 square kilometres (4.05 sq mi) it had a density of 417.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,080/sq mi).^[4]

In 2006, Redcliff had a population of 5,096 living in 1,968 dwellings, a 16.6% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 10.51 km² (4.06 sq mi) and a population density of 485.1/km² (1,256/sq mi).^[5]

Economy

The primary industries that support the local economy relate to oil and gas and the climate of southern Alberta. Numerous businesses in Redcliff and area provide drilling and pipeline services to support the oil and gas industry. The area's sunny climate and abundance of affordable natural gas reserves has contributed to the establishment of a sizable greenhouse industry. Greenhouse products include vegetables (sweet bell peppers, beefsteak tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine, and long English cucumbers), a variety of flowering plants, and some trees.

In the past, Redcliff was known for the production of glass, brick and pottery products. Some of these factories have since moved to Medicine Hat, such as the IXL brick plant, while others are no longer in existence.

Redcliff is a member of the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta.^[6]

Culture

• Redcliff Museum
• Redcliff Public Library

Attractions

Redcliff has the following attractions:

• an aquatic centre featuring a heated 25 m (82 ft) outdoor pool with varying depths and a heated children's pool with a water play structure; ^[7]
• the Redcliff Rectangle, a multi-purpose ice hockey facility;
• a curling rink featuring three sheets of ice;
• six parks including the 3-acre (1.2 ha) River Valley Park adjacent to the South Saskatchewan River that features a kitchen, washrooms, firepit, and walking trails;
• the 18-hole Riverview Golf Course adjacent to the Riverview residential subdivision and the cliffs of the South Saskatchewan River valley;
• the Redcliff Campground that has capacity for 48 units;
• four softball/baseball diamonds of various sizes; and
• a BMX track.

Education

The Prairie Rose School Division No. 8 operates the following three schools in Redcliff that provide programming for children from kindergarten through grade 9.^[8]

• Isabel F. Cox Elementary School (K–3)
• Margaret Wooding Elementary School (4–6)
• Parkside Junior High School (7–9)

High school students attend Eagle Butte High School in Dunmore,^[9] or enter the Medicine Hat School District No. 76 or Medicine Hat Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 20 for grades 10 through 12.

See also

• List of communities in Alberta
• List of towns in Alberta

References

1. "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
2. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
3. "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 9, 2013.
4. Redcliff community profile - Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE.
5. Statistics Canada. "Canada 2006 Census: Redcliff - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-12.
6. "Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta". Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
7. "Attractions". Town of Redcliff. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
8. "Public Schools". Prairie Rose School Division No. 8. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
9. "Eagle Butte High School". Prairie Rose School Division No. 8. Retrieved 2012-07-09.

External links

• Official website