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The Canada Games started in February 1967 and are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter games. The 1995 Canada Winter Games were held in Grande Prairie, Alberta from February 19 to March 4, with some additional venues in Jasper. At the time, Grande Prairie was the smallest city to ever host the Games and only the second Alberta city (after Lethbridge in 1975) to do so. Twenty-one sports were featured at the games with 2517 athletes, 617 coaches and managers, 8000 volunteers, and 115 staff. The theme for the Games was “Capture the Vision”.

In January 1989, the federal government announced that the 1995 Games would be held in Alberta. Tom Thompson and George Keen started putting together a bid, enlisting the help of Games consultant Ian Howard and bid volunteers. A Site Evaluation Day was held on September 18, 1990 with representatives of the Canada Games Council and federal government visiting Grande Prairie and Jasper. On November 9, 1990, it was announced that Grande Prairie had won the bid.

The 1995 Grande Prairie Canada Winter Games Host Society incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with a mission: “We are dedicated to creating a positive climate for an unparalleled celebration of sport and culture which will leave the athlete and all those touched by their involvement in the 1995 Canada Games with a legacy rich in memories, new opportunities and pride as Canadians.”
The Host Society Board of Governors was led by Mayor Gord Graydon of Grande Prairie and was composed of the mayors, reeves, and chief executive officers of all cities, town, villages, municipalities, Indian bands, counties, and improvement districts in northwestern Alberta and northeastern BC. The Board of Governors met at least once a year to advise the Host Society on the spirit and values of the Games and to communicate between communities and Society.

The Host Society Board of Directors was also led by Mayor Gord Graydon and was composed of local and regional government representatives, education representatives, venue representatives, and Host Society Management Committee members. The Board of Directors met quarterly to support and advise the Host Society Management Committee in Games preparations and administration and to approve the Society’s capital and operating budgets.

The Host Society Management Committee was led by President H. J. (Tom) Thompson, Senior Vice President Alex Figel, and General Manager Kerry T. Moynihan. The Management Committee had fifteen divisions, each led by a vice-president: Administration/Volunteer Services (Judy Laughy), Athletes’ Village (John Webster), Culture (Carol-Lee Eckhardt), Facilities (George Keen), Finance (Fred Estlin), Friends of the ’95 Games (Bill Bowes and Turk Taylor), Health and Medical Services (Dr. Hilary Wynters), Jasper (Roger Smolnicky), Language Services (Marie Stevens), Legal Counsel (Lyle Carlstrom), Logistics (Bill McCubbin), Marketing (Wayne Jobb), Protocol and Ceremonies (Grant Menzies), Special Projects (Perky McCullough), and Sport (Rick Hryciuk). The Management Committee also included the Executive Assistant to the President (Debbie Smith), Alberta Community Development representative (Dwight Ganske), Federal Government Representative (Sandra Green), and Canada Games Council representatives and met monthly. Divisional volunteers and staff met monthly until January 1995, weekly thereafter, and daily during Games.

The Host Committee obtained $2 million each from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments. They also had additional federal support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Human Resources Development (Unemployment Insurance Job Creation Program), Department of National Defence, Translation Bureaus, and for Canada House; additional provincial support from Environmental Protection, Public Works (Supply and Safety), Transportation and Utilities, Alberta Health, Alberta Community Development and Alberta Foundation of the Arts, and Alberta Lotteries; and additional municipal support with facilities, venues, services, and capital funding for the Canada Games Arena. Major Sponsors and Official Suppliers included Pepsi/Gray Beverages Inc., Xerox Canada, Sun Ice Ltd., Weyerhaueser, AGT Ltd., AGT Mobility, AGT Directory, County of Grande Prairie, General Motors of Canada, Air Canada, Alberta Tourism Education Council/Alberta Best, IGA, CBC/SRC, UNISYS, Daily Herald Tribune, Bowes Publishers Limited, The Calgary and Edmonton Suns, Alberta Power/Northwestern Utilities/ATCO Ltd., Canada Post, Dairy Farmers of Canada. Numerous other businesses and individuals also contributed on a smaller scale to make up a total of $3.35 million plus $3.8 million in gifts in kind.

The Canada Games Arena and Wapiti Nordic Ski Centre were constructed as venues and renovations were also made to the Johnny MacDonald Arena and Grande Prairie Regional College. A temporary Athlete’s village was also constructed.

Week One of the Games started with the February 19, 1995 Opening Ceremonies, including song and dance presentations, several addresses from dignitaries, lighting of the flame, and Colin James concert. Week One sports included Alpine Skiing (Jasper, Marmot Basin), Badminton (GPRC), Cross Country Skiing (Wapiti Nordic Ski Centre), Fencing (St. Joseph Catholic High School), Freestyle Skiing (Jasper’s Marmot Basin), Men’s Hockey (Canada Games Arena, Dave Barr Arena, Sexsmith Civic Centre, Wembley Rec-Plex), Judo (Grande Prairie Composite High School), Rhythmic Gymnastics (GPRC), Ringette (Beaverlodge Arena, Dave Barr Arena, Johnny MacDonald Arena), Shooting (Crystal Park School), Short Track Speed Skating (Johnny MacDonald Arena), Long Track Speed Skating (outside Leisure Centre Oval), and Wheelchair Basketball (Jasper Activity Centre).

Week Two sports included Artistic Gymnastics (GPRC), Biathlon (Wapiti Nordic Ski Centre), Boxing (Bowes Family Crystal Gardens), Curling (Grande Prairie Curling Rink), Figure Skating (Canada Games Arena), Women’s Hockey (Dave Barr Arena, Johnny MacDonald Arena), Squash (Grande Prairie Fitness Centre Squash Courts), Synchronized Swimming (Leisure Centre), Table Tennis (Grande Prairie Composite High School), and Weightlifting (GPRC Theatre). Week Two wrapped up with the Closing ceremonies at Canada Games Arena, including dignitaries, the Parade of Athletes, the Legend of the Northern Lights production, singer Michelle Wright, special awards, and the passing of the torch to Brandon, Manitoba as the next Host City.

Grande Prairie had an active Boy Scout movement in the 1960s as evidenced by this group of "Owls" and "Wolves" with their troop leaders. At that time a boy at 11 years of age could join as a Tenderfoot and aspire to eventually become a "Queen's Scout". The boys learned practical life saving skills following their motto, "Be Prepared" and as well performing community service projects.

Gathering Story: History by the People was a project of the instructors in the Arts, Education and Commerce Department of the Grande Prairie Regional College. It began in 2002 with the vision of honouring and preserving the unwritten stories of Indigenous people of the Peace River Region. Importance was placed on respecting the integrity of the peoples and their cultures, so the event was held at a traditional Beaver site, now Dunvegan Historical campsite, on the Peace River. The organizers of the Story Gathering Weekend included Indigenous elders and sought to celebrate Indigenous heritage through telling, recording and preserving their stories. Importance was placed on respecting the integrity of the peoples and their cultures. Initially the focus was on the traditional Beaver Band #152 which was seen as “the Band that was left out” as they were never given a land base, but participation broadened as other groups became interested. The event was held in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The stories in this fonds were recorded at the May, 2004 gathering.

The Queen Elizabeth II hospital can arguably date its history back to the earliest hospital built by the Reverend and Agnes Forbes in the spring of 1911 at what is now 10424 – 96 Street, Grande Prairie. The “Pioneer Hospital”, as it was called, was a small one room log cabin boasting a single nurse and occasional doctor. At times, the Forbes’ erected tents to accommodate overflow or to provide an “isolation ward.” It became quickly apparent that more was needed.

The community responded with various aid societies, including the Women’s Home Mission Society, raising funds to build a new cottage-style 15-bed hospital. The new hospital had 3,500 square feet, a full basement, and two furnaces. The cornerstone for the Kathryn Prittie Hospital was laid in 1913 and it opened the following year.

In very little time, need once again exceeded capacity. By the time Dr. L. J. O’Brien arrived in 1918, he was adamant that the growing village and surrounding community were ill-served by the cramped and primitive conditions at the log hospital. That O’Brien and the new matron, Edith Hibbs, found the conditions primitive is telling as both survived wartime medical service in Salonika, Greece. In 1921, Hospital District No. 14 was formed representing the Municipalities of Grande Prairie, Bear Lake, Village of Clairmont, and Town of Grande Prairie. The District took over the Kathryn Prittie Hospital. The following year, the municipality took over the hospital under the supervision of the Department of Health.

Despite continual improvements over its short lifespan, the hospital was replaced in 1929. The new Municipal Hospital was built just east of the old log structure. It was considered the biggest and best, west and north of Edmonton. It was a two-story structure built on a concrete foundation. The 40-bed facility boasted private, semi-private, and public wards on the main floor, as well as the general and emergency operating rooms, X-ray, case room, nursery, and sunroom. It had the latest in hospital furnishings and equipment including Scialytic non-shadow operating room light, Acme X-ray with adjustable table, Hawley fracture table, Zeifler maternity bed, and an up-to-nursery. The hospital also boasted a steam laundry, electric light and power, hot and cold running water, steam heat, baths, and flush toilets.

By 1934, the hospital boasted nine nursing staff, as well as a dietitian. Two years later, the first nurses’ residence was built. In 1939, the town limits extended to include the hospital and in 1948, the Medical Wing was added expanding the hospital to 80 beds. Ten years later, capacity grew to 110 with a staff of 78 including 21 registered nurses, four technicians, 16 certified nursing aides, and housekeeping staff.

An auxiliary wing opened in February 1961. This 50-bed facility was the first of its kind to be built in Alberta to provide care for chronic care patients, leaving the main hospital free for active treatment. The facility was known as the Grande Prairie Auxiliary Hospital and Nursing Home. Growth continued. The surgical wing was extended in 1964 with the addition of a third floor and extensive renovations in 1966 brought capacity to 130 bed, plus 27 total spaces in the newborn nursery.

Renovations can only go so far. Construction on a new facility officially began on 1 August 1978 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turned the first sod at the new site. The 450-bed Queen Elizabeth II Hospital opened on 15 June 1985 as an acute care facility. Two years later, Mackenzie Place replaced the Auxiliary Hospital as a long-term care facility.

The Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau (GPVSB) was originally established in 1969 and was incorporated in 1983. GPVSB is a registered charity and is governed by a Board of Directors. The organization provides advisory, resource and support services for community organizations in the city of Grande Prairie and the surrounding area. The GPVSB promotes and supports volunteerism within the community by providing support and training for volunteers in the non-profit sector, and through celebrations such as National Volunteer Day and International Volunteer Day. The GPVSB is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of community members.

In 2008, a Heritage Symposium held at the Grande Prairie Regional generated the idea to form a new chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta to serve the Peace Region. At a meeting held in December, the idea was approved and, under the guidance of Campbell Ross, a steering committee was formed to draw up Goals, a Mission statement, & Bylaws.

In 2009, the Peace Country Historical Society, following a membership drive and consultation with the proper authorities on bylaws, became a legally recognized society and an official branch of the Historical Society of Alberta. The society covers the northwest section of the province from Highway 16 west to Highway 40 then north to Grande Cache. From there to Grande Prairie, then Highway 2 north to Grimshaw then 43 north to the border with the Northwest Territories.

During 1975, Gordon Pearcy and Harry Schneider discussed whether there was need for a second radio station in Grande Prairie. CFGP appeared to be thriving and getting advertising spots was difficult. In 1976 a group made up of Gordon Pearcy, Harry Schneider, Leslie Longmate, Jim DeRoalds, Laurie Little, and Bruce Davis became serious about the project. Jim DeRoalds had been an engineer for CFGP; Gordon was CFGP Sales Manager at the time; Laurie was an amateur radio buff; Bruce had some radio experience and Harry and Leslie were business men. Just before the group started, Gordon Pearcy was made Manager of CFGP and resigned from the group. The group considered abandoning the project but instead advertised in an Edmonton paper for someone with radio experience to help with the application to CRTC. Frank Valentini who had worked with CKUA and CFRN responded and was hired. Dave Willis became their lawyer and Pioneer Broadcasting Ltd. was created. It was hoped that the broad base of shareholers would benefit the application showing it to be a community owned station. The application involved market surveys, gender and age demographics, format which was going to be country and western, application for a specific frequency, and verification of land available for tower etc. Frank Valentini was delegated General Manager and Harry Schneider, President, for the period of the application. The application went in in the fall of 1977. They were turned down in April 1978, the CRTC feeling it was not viable at that time. Application was made again in July, 1978, and this time the directors had spent hours preparing albums and memorabilia for the presentation at the Westen Hotel in Edmonton. An un expected visitor to the presentation was the Mayor of Grande Prairie, Al Romanchuk, who turned up in a baby-blue suit with sequined lapels. Approval was granted in April, 1979, and preparation began for opening the new station which had the call letters CJXX, "your brand of radio". Their transmitter site was on Max Hennig's land east of the city and their office was located next to the Woolworth store on Richmond Ave. CJXX went on the air Dec 1, 1979. The Heritage Scripts program was begun that same month. The financial picture for the company was pro-forma on the basis of a 10% interest rate. Just prior to 1980, interest rates started to rise and eventually became such a burden that in 1982 with rates at 24%, the station was sold to Monarch Broadcasting.

The Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie & District was formed in 1961, under the chairmanship of Mel Rodacker, with Miss Isabel Campbell as secretary. With funds raised through Life memberships, canvassing, radio bingos and sports pools, a building was constructed on land donated by the City of Grande Prairie in 1967-68. Grande Prairie Museum was officially opened in 1970. A shop and front foyer were added to the main building between 1984 and 1986, and a machine shed was built in 1987.

The primary objective of the Pioneer Museum Society was to acquire, preserve, interpret, and exhibit the human and natural history of Grande Prairie and surrounding areas of the Peace River Country. To carry out this mandate, there were the following departments: the Board of Directors was responsible for setting policy and membership; Administration oversaw planning, personnel, volunteers, finances, and the physical plant; Collections acquired artifacts, stores and maintained them to ensure their integrity, maintained the Heritage Village, and set up displays for the public; Programming planned and carried out school programs and special events; and the Archives preserved archival materials and made them available to the public.

As part of its mandate, the society established a Heritage Village with wooden boardwalks and telegraph poles, and acquired the following buildings: Tempest House, a two-story log house/post office from Kleskun Lake in 1974; the 1911 McQueen Presbyterian Church; the 1917 Hermit Lake school; the Big Mountains forestry cabin in 1977; an Edson Trail caboose in 1979; a replica of the town fire hall, built in 1984; a replica of the 1919 Campbell Cabin, which was home to Miss Isabel Campbell as a child; the 1935 Pipestone Creek Store; and a 1930 barn in 1999.

The first curators of the Grande Prairie Museum were volunteers Mel Rodacker and Bert Tieman. In 1984, Alice Fortier became the first permanent, full-time staff. She was succeeded by Peter Goertzen, Administrator/Curator in 1992.

In the late 90s, the society began an aggressive funding campaign which resulted in the start of an archives program, a second Heritage Centre showcasing the entire Peace River Country, and an expansion of the main museum. In 2000, the archives separated from the Museum and became a different organization called The South Peace Regional Archives.

The Museum became part of the City of Grande Prairie in 2007. The society itself dissolved in 2017. The Society was a founding member of the Alberta Museums Association and a member of the Spirit of the Peace and Canadian Museums Association.

The primary objective of the Pioneer Museum Society is to acquire, preserve, interpret, and exhibit the human and natural history of Grande Prairie and surrounding areas of the Peace River Country. To carry out this mandate, there are the following departments: the Board of Directors is responsible for setting policy and membership; Administration oversees planning, personnel, volunteers, finances, and the physical plant; Collections acquires artifacts, stores and maintains them to ensure their integrity, maintains the Heritage Village, and sets up displays for the public; Programming plans and carries out school programs and special events; and the Archives preserves archival materials and makes them available to the public.

As part of its mandate, the society established a Heritage Village with wooden boardwalks and telegraph poles, and acquired the following buildings: Tempest House, a two-story log house/post office from Kleskun Lake in 1974; the 1911 McQueen Presbyterian Church; the 1917 Hermit Lake school; the Big Mountains forestry cabin in 1977; an Edson Trail caboose in 1979; a replica of the town fire hall, built in 1984; a replica of the 1919 Campbell Cabin, which was home to Miss Isabel Campbell as a child; the 1935 Pipestone Creek Store; and a 1930 barn in 1999.

The first curators of the Grande Prairie Museum were volunteers Mel Rodacker and Bert Tieman. In 1984, Alice Fortier became the first permanent, full-time staff. She was succeeded by Peter Goertzen, Administrator/Curator in 1992. In the late 90s, the society began an aggressive funding campaign which resulted in the start of an archives program, a second Heritage Centre showcasing the entire Peace River Country, and an expansion of the main museum.

The Society is a founding member of the Alberta Museums Association and a member of the Spirit of the Peace and Canadian Museums Association.

Around 1960, Roland Pivert moved from Edmonton to Grande Prairie to work for Cookshaw Electric. At this time he took over some of the responsibilities for the Pivert family farm. He was joined in 1964 by his younger brother Paul, who had just finished his program at the Fairview Agricultural College, and they farmed together as the Pivert Bros. Roland continued to work for Cookshaw Electric while Paul worked at the Beaverlodge Research Station. Paul also did some work as an artificial inseminator for the Grande Prairie Artificial Breeding Association.

The Prairie Squares Square Dance Club was formed in 1951 to serve as a social, educational and recreational outing for people who love square dancing. In 1964, one of their members, Mrs. Francis Koffler, designed a wood carving of a Trumpeter Swan to serve as a symbol for the club. The design was adopted by the City of Grande Prairie to also be the City's symbol, and they ordered a 10 foot high replica made of fiberglass and steel to be placed in Jubilee Park for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1965. Meanwhile, the Prairie Squares sent the original model on a traveling tour of "Swan" dances. At each dance, the couple coming from the furthest distance was presented with the trophy. The swan traveled to 16 clubs in Saskatchewan before returning to Grande Prairie in December 1966. Sent out again in 1967, it traveled around two provinces and five states before returning home to Grande Prairie in 1974. In 1976, the Prairie Squares celebrated their 25th anniversary with a week-end of square dancing which culminated in the donation of the carving to the Grande Prairie Museum.