Community Profile 2013 HAYRIVER.COM Table of Contents Contact Us .........................................................................................................3 Mayor’s Message ...............................................................................................5 About Hay River .................................................................................................7 Our History ........................................................................................................8 Location.............................................................................................................9 Getting Here ....................................................................................................10 Climate ............................................................................................................ 11 Communications ..............................................................................................12 Governance .....................................................................................................12 Economy ..........................................................................................................13 Income and Cost of Living ................................................................................14 Real Estate .......................................................................................................15 Taxes ...............................................................................................................16 Accommodations and Dining ...........................................................................16 Community Infrastructure ................................................................................17 Education ........................................................................................................18 Contact Us Hay River is a thriving town, with You will find a camaraderie and spirit amenities, services and facilities you of generosity here that makes us special. would expect in a much larger town or city. We’re a community where anything is Other helpful links: Hay River has a broad range of professional possible with a welcoming and forward For a complete listing of services and retail businesses. For your thinking business climate. Hay River services, visit the family, we have strong recreational sports For more information about living Town of Hay River’s website at and arts organizations, and a number in or opening a business in Hay River, www.hayriver.com of churches available. contact Hay River Town Hall: or, We’re an adventurous and entrepreneurial Hay River Chamber The Town of Hay River community that reflects the spirit of of Commerce: 73 Woodland Drive the people north of sixty. Many of our www.hayriverchamber.com Hay River, Northwest Territories residents are people who came for a few X0E 1G1 years to pay off student loans or to make money, and they are still here a lifetime Phone: (867) 874-6522 later – owning their own businesses Fax: (867) 874-3237 or in positions in government or at one of our private companies. 3 4 Mayor’s Message I would like to personally welcome you to Hay River, Northwest Territories, our breathtaking community located on the South Shore of Great Slave Lake. A picturesque town, surrounded by boreal forest, rivers and lakes, Hay River is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts through all seasons. Our extensive trail networks, spectacular waterfalls and sandy beaches provide the backdrop for many outdoor adventures. As the second largest community in the NWT, we are justifiably proud of our recreation and cultural offerings, our diverse business environment and most importantly, our community spirit. As a regional centre, our amenities are varied and provide all the services typically found in larger centers. Boasting one of the lowest costs of living in the NWT, Hay River is a great place to live, work, and play. Our location and comprehensive transportation infrastructure has earned Hay River the title “Hub of the North” with many businesses established to support the various industries throughout the NWT. A bustling port in the summer supports river transport and bulk shipping, while the railhead and transfer stations supplies many northern communities and mines with their annual stockpile of fuels and other materials. Hay River continues to flourish, grow and is a key driver of the economy of the NWT. Once again, welcome to Hay River. We look forward to meeting you. Mayor Andrew Cassidy Hay River City Council 5 6 About Hay River Where North Meets South the town of Hay River continues to fulfill its destiny as a staging centre for all points Latitude Hay River is the largest community north and south. 60 degrees 49 minutes N in the South Slave region of the Northwest Territories (NWT). With a population of Hay River is more than the sum of its parts. Longitude 3,690, we’re the second largest community We’re also a powerhouse of entrepreneurs 115 degrees 47 minutes W in the territory. However, with multi-faceted businesses and Hay River has access to a commerce and Elevation organizations serving the community and trading area of approximately 10,000 64.90 metres the north. The Great Slave Lake waters people - between northern Alberta and provide both commercial and recreational Mountain Time Zone the South Slave. We’re known as The fishing, while forestry, telecommunications Hub of the North for good reason – and a wide range of businesses round out transportation is in our blood. Hay River our diverse economy. We’re unique. From is the major staging point for the annual Buffalo Air’s (www.buffaloairways.com) sealift along the Mackenzie River, is the freight and passenger flights on historical northern terminus for the nation-wide CN DC-3 planes to farm fresh eggs sold in Languages of rail line and has advantageous connections southern Canada and around the territory the South Slave to highways. A number of gas and oil -- our companies are born of northern discoveries have been made in the area South Slavey, Chipewyan, ingenuity. Opening a business or moving and the region is in full swing once again. Michif, English, French to Hay River, you’ll find the climate perfect With the Dehcho Bridge providing year- for opportunity! round access across the Mackenzie River, 7 Our History Hay River is situated in the historic territory In 1945, the first commercial fishing began In 1984, Hay River’s Visitor Information of the Slavey people. The original site of on Great Slave Lake and in 1959, the Centre opened its doors to welcome the town is now the Katl’odeeche First Northern Transportation Company Limited increasing tourism and travelers driving Nation, or Hay River Reserve. (NTCL) located its sealift base in Hay River. through the hub of the north. In 1868, the Hudson’s Bay Company post Serious floods in 1963 on Vale Island In 1989, Hay River became headquarters was the first permanent building in the forced the entire community to for Northwest Territories Power area. Missions, an RCMP detachment, evacuate. The risk of flooding has meant Corporation. and a hospital soon followed and the town development since that time has been expanded on the east bank of the Hay concentrated on the mainland, and Vale In 1994, Northern Transportation Company River. Chief Shatla made the seasonal fish Island has become known as Hay River’s (NTCL) celebrated its 60th anniversary and camp on the northeast bank of Hay River a Old Town. Hay River achieved Town status moved headquarters to Hay River. permanent location for his people in 1892. on June 16, 1963. In 1998, we celebrated the 50th By the late 1930s, the settlement had In 1964, as part of the Pine Point Mine anniversary of the completion of the spread to Vale Island. Hay River remained development, the Mackenzie Northern highway to Hay River. The genesis of a trading post and mission station until Railway was constructed through Canadian this mighty road was a trail through the the discovery of pitchblende in the 1930’s National Railway in Edmonton, making wilderness, first cut in 1948. close to Great Bear Lake and gold in the Hay River the northernmost point in In 2000, the Hay River Heritage Centre Yellowknife area. Hay River became an North America connected to the opened in the Hudson Bay Store in Old important staging area for those wanting continental rail system. Town, built in 1948-49. to seek their fortune in the North. The 1970s was a period of economic The Hudson’s Bay Store served During World War II, the United States growth for Hay River through oil the community for many years with Army Air Corps of Engineers built a runway exploration, increased shipping activity groceries, dry goods, hardware and on Vale Island (site of our modern day and as a supply centre. a fur trading post. airport) to service the Canol Trail, which In 1979, the federal government lifted was being constructed to secure the oil Since our early days, Hay River residents a land freeze on 3,200 acres of land industry in Norman Wells. Between 1946 and the business community have in the Hay River valley, setting it aside and 1948, the Canadian government embraced innovation and growth alongside for agriculture. built a gravel road, now the Mackenzie a deep commitment to community. All of Highway, from Grimshaw, Alberta to Hay this in a pristine setting on the shores of River, sealing our fate as an important a mighty river! transportation and communications centre. Hay River, 1922 Jackson/NWT Archives/N-1979-004-0180