Leduc, Alberta

History

Leduc was first established in 1899, when Robert Telford, a settler, bought land near a lake which would later bear his name. It was on that piece of land where the new settlement would take root. Telford previously served as an officer for the North-West Mounted Police, and later became Leduc's first postmaster, first general merchantman and first justice of the peace. The establishment of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway, later acquired by the Canadian Pacific Railway, opened the region to settlement. The first train stopped at Leduc in July 1891.

There are two versions of how Leduc got its name. According to popular local legend, the city's name was decided in 1890 when a settler (McKinlay) setting up a telegraph office needed a name for the new settlement and decided that it would be named after the first person who came through the door of the telegraph office. That person was Father Hippolyte Leduc, a priest who had served the area since 1867. In another, more official, version, the Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories, Edgar Dewdney (1835–1916) decided that Telford Place should be renamed at the time the railroad terminal was established in 1891, and picked the name of the missionary priest.

Leduc was first incorporated as a village in 1899, and went on to become officially a town in 1906. It became a city in 1983. By that time its population had reached 12,000.

The town continued to grow quietly over the decades and Alberta's historical oil strike on February 13, 1947, was made near the town at the Leduc No. 1 oil well.

Geography

Leduc has a wide variety of parks and sports amenities. Leduc has more than 35 km (21.7 mi) of multiuse pathways. On the east end of the city lies Telford Lake, and just to the east is Saunders Lake.

Climate

Leduc experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb).

Demographics

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Leduc recorded a population of 29,993 living in 11,319 of its 12,264 total private dwellings, a change of 7001234000000000000♠23.4% from its 2011 population of 24,304. With a land area of 42.44 km² (16.39 sq mi), it had a population density of 706.7/km² (1,830.4/sq mi) in 2016.

The population of the City of Leduc according to its 2016 municipal census is 30,496, a change of 7000410009999999999♠4.1% from its 2015 municipal census population of 29,304.

In the 2011 Census, the City of Leduc had a population of 24,279 living in 9,290 of its 9,789 total dwellings, a change of 43.1% from its 2006 population of 16,967. With a land area of 36.97 km² (14.27 sq mi), it had a population density of 656.7/km² (1,700.9/sq mi) in 2011. The 2011 census also indicated that Leduc was ranked as the municipality with the ninth-highest population growth between 2006 and 2011. Following its 2014 annexation, Statistics Canada adjusted Leduc's 2011 population by an additional 25 people to 24,304.

Economy

The City of Leduc is a founding member of the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association, an economic development partnership that markets Alberta's International Region in proximity to the Edmonton International Airport. The city forms part of this international transportation and economic region. It is located on the CANAMEX Trade Corridor at the intersection of two Canadian Pacific Railway lines and is adjacent to the Edmonton International Airport. These provide transportation links to the petrochemical activities in Alberta's Industrial Heartland, the Fort McMurray area, and other economic hubs.

The oil and gas industry has long been the base of Leduc's economy. The Leduc Business Park, which is located in the northern portion of the city, contains more than 1,400 businesses. The Nisku Industrial Park, located to the north within Leduc County, also contains many businesses.

Arts and culture

Leduc is home to The Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, a preeminent performing arts facility, including a 460-seat theatre.

In fall 2009, the Leduc Recreation Centre officially opened. The 309,000-square-foot facility includes three NHL-sized arenas, an aquatic centre and a curling rink.

Media

Leduc is served by a local newspaper, the Leduc Representative (currently branded the Leduc Rep), as well as a regional newspaper, the Leduc-Wetaskiwin Pipestone Flyer.

Leduc's first FM radio station, CJLD-FM, began in 2013 and is known on-air as "93.1 The One".

An internet based community radio station, branded "Leduc Radio" since 2008, also serves the city.

Due to its location within the Edmonton region, all major Edmonton media (newspapers, radio and television) also serve Leduc and its surrounding area.

Emergency services

The City of Leduc has its own fire services and emergency management departments. Led by a fire chief, the Fire Services Department comprises full and part-time members providing fire, ambulance and patient transportation services to the city and portions of Leduc County to the west, south and east.

Policing for Leduc is provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), with additional law enforcement is provided by the city's Enforcement Services Department consisting of peace offices appointed by the Alberta Solicitor General.