All About Drayton Valley
Drayton Valley is a vibrant and diverse community which sits high above the North Saskatchewan River, where the open plains of the prairie rise toward the boreal forest and the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
The Town of Drayton Valley, with a population of 7,291 (2021 Census), is the largest community within Brazeau County. The surrounding trading area is home to approximately 20,000 people.
Drayton Valley is located 766.30 metres (2,750 feet) above sea level. The number of hours of sunlight ranges from roughly 17 hours in summer to 7 hours in winter. The average temperature range in the summer is between 10°C and around 25°C. The average temperature range in the winter is from -16°C to -6°C.
The primary economic base in the Drayton Valley area is oil and gas. The nearby Pembina Oilfield is Canada's largest and most prolific oilfield, encompassing more than 900 square miles.
Forestry is also a major industry in Drayton Valley with Weyerhaeuser, the world's largest lumber company, operating a major sawmill in the community.
Agriculture is also an important part of the local economy. Most activities focus around the cattle industry and related support services, with cow/calf operations and custom grazing occupying a large portion of the efforts. Recently, diversification into other areas such as horse production, game farming, exotic animals, dairy and oilseeds has occurred.
Transportation
Public Transit
There is no public transit system in Drayton Valley.
Roads
Highway 39 links Drayton Valley with Leduc. From there, connections can be made to Edmonton and Calgary via Highway 2.
Highway 22 goes north to Entwistle and Mayerthorpe and it connects with the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16). Highway 22 south goes to Rocky Mountain House and Crowsnest Pass. Highway 22 connects to the Trans-Canada Highway, as well.
Primary Highways: 20, 22 (Cowboy Trail) North/South, 39 East/West
Secondary Highways: 616, 620, 621, 753, 759
Rail Service
Canadian National Railways serves Evansburg, which is 41 km north of Drayton Valley.
Government
The Town of Drayton Valley is governed by a Mayor and six Councillors.
Emergency Services
Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!
Health Link Alberta
Phone: 811 or visit: Website
Health Link is a free, confidential, 24 hour a day, 7 day a week nurse telephone advice and health information service. You can call from anywhere in Alberta and speak with a highly trained registered nurse who will provide you with advice and information about health symptoms and concerns. Health Link can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency room.
In a medical emergency, always call 911 or go directly to your nearest Emergency Room (ER).
Where to Stay
Things to See
and DO
Drayton Valley City Council
History of Drayton Valley
Religion
Library
There are two libraries in Drayton Valley:
Drayton Valley Municipal Library (Main Branch)
5120 – 52nd Street
Drayton Valley, AB T7A1R7
Phone: 780-514-2228
Rotary Children’s Branch Library
5749 – 45th Avenue
Drayton Valley, AB T7A1R7
Phone: 780-514-2528
Recreation
Drayton Valley has a wide range of indoor recreational facilities and a variety of outdoor activities that occur within any one of the numerous parks in and around Drayton Valley.
Omniplex
Phone: 780-514-2234
Website
The Omniplex encompasses three multi-purpose facilities, all under one roof. Conveniently located in the heart of Lions West Valley Park, the Omniplex is surrounded by six baseball diamonds, a soccer field, the rodeo grounds, a secluded day-use park and a 40-site full-service RV Park.
The Omniplex has three large concrete pads for winter and summer use, a lounge, a main hall lobby, meeting rooms, a fitness centre, racquetball and squash courts, a boxing gymnasium and a walking track.
The Omniplex is home to an AJHL hockey team, the Drayton Valley Thunder, and a senior hockey team, the Drayton Valley Wildcats.
Drayton Valley Activity Calendar
To view the Drayton Valley Activity Calendar, please click here.
Arts & Culture
Hamdon Art Gallery
5120 – 52nd Street
Drayton Valley, AB Phone: 780-514-2220
Housed in the mezzanine level of the Town Office, the Hamdon Gallery exhibits numerous collections throughout the year. There is no admission charge for viewing the exhibits.
Cardium 3 Theatre
5504 – 56th Street
Website
Drayton Valley, AB
Phone: 780-542-5290
The Cardium 3 theatre offers 3 movie screens with state of the art sound system. Shows are nightly and there are matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Please call for show times.
Eleanor Pick Up Centre for Performing Arts
5144 – 51st Street
Website
Drayton Valley, AB
Phone: 780-898-7933
The old Cardium Theatre has been revamped becoming the Eleanor Pickup Centre for the Performing Arts. It is being managed by the Eleanor Pickup Centre for the Performing Society and hosts several events such as, plays, performances by local bands, and FCSS’s Halloween Haunted House.
