Number of construction projects on tap in Hanna
Hanna
Medicine Hat News
Over the years, the railroad Hanna was built on has faded into obscurity, but this small town is still going strong.
The town, which was started in 1912 as a divisional point on Great Northern Railway and derives its name from company president D.B. Hanna, learned in 2008 that CN Rail planned to discontinue the track connecting the town to Oyen and Lyalta.
In 2009 a regional committee formed to investigate the possibility of leasing or buying the stretch of track in order to keep it in operation. Hanna mayor Mary Collins says the town’s council is keeping an eye on the proceedings for now, but would be willing to lend support to the initiative if it will keep the line running.
“We wouldn’t be here without the railroad,” she says. “That’s why Hanna’s here... So we would definitely do whatever we can to retain the line.”
Though railway activity tapered off decades ago, Hanna’s economy got a boost from the oil boom and the Sheerness Power Generating Station, located about 25 miles south of the town. The facility employs 75 locals, and another 50 coal workers who provide fuel for the plant.
The town’s population has stayed stable over the decades, with about 3,000 people calling Hanna home. The comparatively low cost of living and a good number of large employers have helped keep numbers up, Collins says, as has the town’s good natured citizenry.
“We try and make everyone feel welcome,” she says. “Any of the people I’ve talked to who aren’t from here, that’s the first comment I hear, how friendly and helpful the people are here.”
Residents also enjoy first-rate recreational amenities, including an arena, a large curling rink, baseball diamonds, and an 18-hole golf course.
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The annual Rock-N-Roll Cruisers show and shine and drag race attracts more than 2,000 car enthusiasts to the village each June. In 2009, about 200 vehicles competed in the weekend drag races, with winners in each class taking home $500. Money raised at the event goes to a number of community organizations, including the local Lions club and the high school’s graduating class.
Though construction of the town’s planned community services centre is on hold until the council can secure funding, Collins says a number of other construction projects are in the works.
A non-profit organization was formed in 2009 to buy and restore the town’s old railway roundhouse station. The group hopes to have the building, which is one of the most complete in Western Canada, designated a national historic site.
Collins and town councillors Darcy Limpert, Caroline Siverson, Larry Stickel, Sami Kemaldean, and John Kaster also hope to break ground for a new fire hall sometime this year.
Cypress – Medicine Hat Constituency
Len Mitzel, MLA
"South East Alberta has the opportunity in 2010, to live up to its potential as an energy and agriculture leader in our province. We are starting out on a good not and I am confident it will improve as we move through the year"
LEGISLATURE OFFICE:
503 Legislature Building 10800 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 Telephone: 780-415-9590 Fax: 780-422-0351
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE:
Bay 5, 1299 Trans Canada Way SE Medicine Hat, AB T1B 1H9 Telephone: 403-528-2191 Fax: 403-528-2278
cypress.medicinehat@assembly.ab.ca Web: www.assembly.ab.ca
53680900•03/30/10 53680900•03/30/10
REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA 2010 ■ Celebrating our Community — 15
Photos courtesy of Canadian Badlands
52208900•03/30/10
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