Visitor Information Centre
Orange caboose on the riverfront
780.675.9297 or toll-free 1.877.211.8669
Make this your first stop in Athabasca. Friendly and
knowledgeable staff have the information you need to make your
stay in Athabasca Country fun and memorable, or to ease your
travel to other destinations. They have souvenirs, too. You
can't miss it. It's the bright orange caboose on Athabasca's
Riverfront, and it's open from the May long weekend to the
September long weekend.
Walking Tour
Athabasca's historic walking tour is available year round.
Pick up a map from the Visitor Information Centre or Alice B.
Donahue Library and Archives, then set out on foot to discover a
little bit about some of the characters and buildings that
played important roles in Athabasca's exciting past. Self guided
tours can also be taken by following the signage along the
riverfront and through the downtown.
4720-48 Street
780.675.2735
Named for the well-loved teacher who worked in the school
adjacent to where the library and archives are now housed,
Athabasca's library offers a host of services, including access
to books and resources from all over Alberta through The Alberta
Library(TAL), computer and internet access, and story times and
other educational adventures. The town's archives are open to
the public Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and the library is
open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.
to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
4720-48 Street
While this beautiful landmark and historical site has not
been used for classes in decades, it continues to serve the
needs of the community. The main part of the structure currently
houses Athabasca's Family and Community Support Services; the
basement is used by the Pottery Club; volunteers gutted its
gymnasium in the 1970s to create the Nancy Appleby Performing
Arts Centre; and the Alice B. Donahue Library and Archives moved
into the Stucco School adjoining the Old Brick School in 1979.
Murals
On the riverfront where it all happened, Athabasca's murals
bring historic Athabasca Landing back to life. Using paint and
the walls of buildings, local artist Dennis Jacobs has recreated
scenes that will take you back to the day when trappers and Cree
and Métis river trackers ruled the river. Interpretive signs
along the Riverfront reveal the stories of local settlers, boat
builders and early river and rail transportation, natural
history, commerce and more. A short walk up 48 Street will bring
you to another mural, commissioned in 1999 to commemorate the
Athabasca-area men and women who served in the Canadian Forces.
Look-Out
This is, by far, the best all-in-one view of Athabasca
Landing, past and present. And it's a great picnic spot. From
Athabasca, follow Highway 813 north. Take your first left after
the bridge and follow the left-most route up the hill.
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
1.800.788.9041 ext. 6109
www.athabascau.ca
Athabasca University moved its main campus to Athabasca in
1984. To this day, it remains Canada's premier provider of
online and distance education, and serves more than 34,000
individuals in over 50 countries around the world. Call ahead to
view Athabasca University's facilities, art collection and
extensive library, then stroll this beautiful campus or have a
bit to eat at the café.
University Drive, across from Athabasca University
780.675.2967
Located adjacent to Athabasca University, Athabasca's
long-anticipated $16 million multi-use facility opened in late
February, 2008. With an ice rink, curling rink, field house,
and community centre, the Multiplex has the capacity to hold
conferences, sporting events and recreational opportunities.
Athabasca Native Friendship Centre
4919-53 Street
780.675.3086
Athabasca's Native Friendship Centre provides advocacy,
support and referral services for the Aboriginal community,
works to strengthen respect for individuals and for the wisdom
of Aboriginal Elders, and promotes friendship and cooperation
between Native and non-Native members of the community. They
also have a great gift shop, and invite everyone to stop in for
coffee between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Muskeg Creek Park
Small town Alberta's best municipal multi-use trail system.
Located in-between the University and the rest of town, the
trail system has 17km's of trail for year-round use. Find a
brochure for the park in the map section of this website.
48 Street, across the parking lot from the Old Brick
School
780.675.2797
Water fitness, lane swim, trampoline, climbing wall, swim and
kayak lessons, hot tub and sauna, Landing Pool has all these
great activities and so much more. Hear the daily pool schedule
by calling 780.675.5656, or get program information at
780.675.2797.
4720-48 Street, behind the Old Brick School
780.675.2967
Volunteers got together in 1979 to create the Nancy Appleby
Theatre in the former gymnasium of Athabasca's Old Brick School.
Today, this cozy 280-seat facility serves as the perfect venue
for concerts, plays, festivals, political forums and a variety
of events that take place throughout the year. |
