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| Geography |  Lloydminster is Canada's only border city with the provincial border running through the center of the city, dividing Alberta from Saskatchewan. This creates a truly unique municipality, thus receiving many of the benefits, programs, and services of both provinces. Lloydminster is 275 kilometres (kms) west of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and 251 kms east of Edmonton, Alberta on the Yellowhead Highway #16. This strategic physical location creates many transportation, warehousing, and distribution opportunities for the Lloydminster region.
Since Lloydminster lies on the border, there is a special charter permitting the use of Mountain Standard Time with daylight savings throughout the entire city. This makes the time the same as the rest of Saskatchewan in the summer and one hour behind in the winter.
The economy of the region is based on natural resources with agriculture, heavy oil, and gas reserves being the primary industries in the region. The success of these primary industries impacts directly on the service, retail, construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
The entire City of Lloydminster is also exempt to any Provincial Sales Tax (PST).
All of the above factors make Lloydminster, Saskatchewan/Alberta a great place to live, work, and do business.
| | History | The Lloydminster area was first settled in April 1903 with the arrival of the Barr Colonists. Organized and initially led by Rev. Isaac Barr, hence their name, approximately 2600 Barr Colonists came to Canada from England seeking a better life. Part way through their journey, Rev. George E. Lloyd replaced Rev. Barr as the leader of the Colonists. Rev. Lloyd led the Barr Colonists through the last stage of their journey and administered to the new community's spiritual needs. After settling the colonists, Rev. Lloyd later became the Anglican Bishop of Saskatchewan.
The new settlement was named in honour of Rev. Lloyd for his efforts in leading the colonists. The name Lloydminster is derived from Rev. Lloyd and the word 'minster', meaning 'mother church'. In honour of their British ancestry, the colonists named the surrounding township 'Britannia'. The newly founded Hamlet of Lloydminster was located astride the 4th Meridian in the Northwest Territories. The Hamlet of Lloydminster was consolidated as the Village of Lloydminster on November 30, 1903.
When the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were created in 1905 and the 4th Meridian selected as the inter-provincial boundary, the Village of Lloydminster was split in two. The Alberta portion of the divided community was incorporated as a Village in Alberta on July 6, 1906, while the Saskatchewan portion was incorporated as a Town in Saskatchewan in April 1907. This peculiar situation resulted in the duplication of all municipal functions such as the creation of two separate municipal councils, two municipal offices, and two fire departments. Common sense prevailed and the two communities were amalgamated into a single municipality - the Town of Lloydminster - by an Order-in-Council of both provinces on May 20, 1930. On January 1, 1958 the Town of Lloydminster received its charter as the City of Lloydminster and became the 10th City in both provinces.
Today, the Lloydminster region enjoys the fame of being the Heavy Oil Capital of the World.
| | Economic Information | Lloydminster reaps the benefits of a growing trade area in excess of 115,000 people. Of this population, 57.7% are from Alberta and 42.5% from Saskatchewan. In comparison with the 1995 trade area of 83,172 people, the trade area in 2000 had increased 40%. With a population of almost 24,000 the city is expected to grow to over 26,500 by the year 2010. This population is young, energetic, well-educated and trained, ensuring continued success for Lloydminster and area.
The two major industries of the region, oil and agriculture, are complemented by a strong retail sector creating a wealth of opportunity in the area. There are several economic development organizations and business development services available in the region that are consistently dedicated to economic development, entrepreneurial opportunities, and providing business with the service and support they require.
The region's most recent growth is associated directly with oil and gas. The success of development in oil production has been the economic driver of the region for several decades. Husky Oil began production in the regional oilfields in 1946; their refinery came online in 1947 and in 1992 a $1.6 billion dollar plant was completed to upgrade crude. The upgrader has the design capacity to produce 54,000 barrels of synthetic crude oil and diluent per stream day but is consistently producing 77,000 barrels per stream day because of the above design throughput and increased reliability. Oil related companies within the region account for over 4000 employees; this driving force of the economy has a direct impact on manufacturing, transportation, drilling, oilfield services, and production. According to Dr. B. Dusseault, Professor of Geological Engineering, Earth Science Department at the University of Waterloo and Deputy Director of the 'Porous Media Research Institute': 'the Lloydminster area is going to be experiencing continued robust growth for many years, certainly well beyond my lifetime.'
Agriculture is the foundation on which the Lloydminster region was built. Since the area was first settled in the early 1900s, agriculture has played a vital role in the development of the region. Agriculture is the region's second largest industry, pumping over $1 billion dollars into the economy. The industry includes grain, oil seeds, beef, hogs, specialized livestock, and dairy products. The region is host to numerous trade shows, seminars, and sales related to the agricultural industry. More than 25% of all cattle raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan are raised within 160 kms radius of the City of Lloydminster.
| | Attractions | Parks:
The City of Lloydminster has 29 city parks including the 200-acre Bud Miller All Seasons Park. Most parks are equipped with children's play equipment. Lloydminster is committed to creating and maintaining Green Areas, with many of the parks containing scenic ponds and lakes. Lloydminster also has pathways for cyclists and pedestrians which transverse the city, and lead to key locations. The pathways create an easy route to most parks, major subdivisions, schools, Lloyd Mall, Lakeland College, and Bud Miller All Seasons Park.
Bud Miller All Seasons Park is a year-round outdoor recreational facility offering everything from beach volleyball to indoor waterslide and wave pool, to public group picnic and barbeque sites. The park includes a ten acre man made lake for fishing and ice skating; four competition quality tennis courts; skateboard/roller blade park; mini golf course; nature trails with interpretation programs; and an indoor leisure centre (recognized as one of the top facilities in Western Canada) with wave pool, sauna, waterslide, hot tub, instructional pool, toddler area, fitness room, and more.
Weaver Park Campground is located on Highway 16, next to the Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre. This scenic campground offers a park setting with all the amenities and conveniences of the city close at hand. The campground boasts BBQs, picnic tables, full service sites, shower facilities, septic disposal station, miniature golf course, and playground.
Museums:
Lloydminster is home to the Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre detailing the life of the Barr Colonists. This complex houses a large indoor museum, several historical buildings and equipment, the Fuch's Wildlife Display, and the Imhoff Art Collection. The museum centre also includes the $750,000 OTS Heavy Oil Science Centre, opened in 1999. This state-of-the-art interactive and educational facility describes the creation and ultimate use of heavy oil, including drilling, extracting, refining, and distribution. Located adjacent to the Barr Colony is the Tea House. It provides a relaxing environment for a light lunch surrounded with antiques, nic-nacs, and collectibles.
Golf:
Lloydminster and region is renowned as a golfer's mecca. Nine golf courses in the region will challenge any skill level of players with scenery that is unmatched in its beauty. Lloydminster's Golf and Country Club is ranked as one of the top five golf courses in Saskatchewan and as one of the top fifteen in Alberta. The course has hosted many C.P.G.A. sanctioned championship tournaments. Boasting water on twelve of eighteen holes, the Lloydminster Golf and Country Club is a scenic delight that is sure to challenge the most avid golfer and thrill the novice. If you are looking for a more relaxing game, while traveling through on the Yellowhead, try Rolling Green Fairways also located in Lloydminster.
Shopping:
Lloydminster has a wonderful and diverse retail community. Saskatchewan residents can enjoy the fact that there is no PST on items purchased in the city. Lloyd Mall, located directly on Highway 16, has over 40 stores and services and is open until 9:00 p.m. every weekday. Downtown Lloydminster boasts more than 250 businesses, including retail stores, personal, health and professional services, dining, entertainment, and government facilities. Wal-Mart, Staples, and Canadian Tire are a few of the major retailers located in Cornerstone Centre, which is continuously expanding with `big box' stores.
For more information on tourism in Lloydminster and a complete listing of all the events taking place in our region, contact Lloydminster Tourism and Convention Authority at 1-800-825-6180.
| | Other Info | Education:
Lloydminster has both a public and private school system. The Lloydminster Public School Division follows the Saskatchewan curriculum. There are six elementary schools, a comprehensive high school, a middle years alternative school, and the LEAP school within their jurisdiction. The Lloydminster Roman Catholic Separate School System has four elementary schools and one junior/senior high school. Lloydminster is also home to Lakeland College. The College is an Alberta-Saskatchewan inter-provincial college, with campuses in Vermilion, Lloydminster and most recently, Sherwood Park. Opportunities include Agricultural Sciences, Business, Computer Technology, University Transfer, Environmental Sciences, Health & Human Sciences, Performing Arts, Academic Upgrading, Interior Design Technology, Trades & Technology, and Continuing Education. Both campuses have student housing for singles and families. Lakeland College also offers many extension courses on a part-time basis, and develops customized programs to serve business and industry. For more information on the College, please call 1-800-661-6490.
Personal Safety:
Lloydminster City Police detachment consists of 30 officers for the Lloydminster and Rural area.
Lloydminster has a well-trained 28 member volunteer fire department with a full-time fire chief and deputy fire chief. The fire department serves only to the boundaries of Lloydminster and has 3 modern pumper units, one aerial platform ladder and pump truck, and one auxiliary equipment van.
Lloydminster is part of the Saskatchewan Prairie North Health Region. Lloydminster is a comprehensive health organization providing an integrated service delivery system, which includes public health, mental health, home care, long-term care, acute care, as well as health promotion, ambulance (contracted), and alcohol and drug services (contracted) to residents of both provinces in the region. The Lloydminster Hospital is an active treatment community hospital with inpatient care, including medical, obstetrics, surgical, pediatrics, and a special care unit, as well as outpatient and emergency services.
Lloydminster also has 12 Dentists, 6 Optometrists, and 3 Chiropractors.
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