Gibbons, a charming town in central Alberta, Canada, is nestled on the southern banks of the Sturgeon River, a significant tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. Located on Highway 28A, it is a mere 37 km (23 mi) northeast of Edmonton, making it an accessible destination for both locals and tourists alike.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Gibbons, Alberta, had a population of 3,218 living in 1,199 of its 1,291 total private dwellings. This figure represents a 1.9% increase from its 2016 population of 3,159. With a land area of 9.46 km2 (3.65 sq mi), the town had a population density of 340.2/km2 (881.0/sq mi) in 2021.
In the 2016 Census of Population, Gibbons recorded a population of 3,159 living in 1,136 of its 1,223 total private dwellings. This was a 4.3% increase from its 2011 population of 3,030. With a land area of 7.5 km2 (2.9 sq mi), the town had a population density of 421.2/km2 (1,090.9/sq mi) in 2016.
Gibbons, Alberta, is a hub of sports and recreational activities, with facilities, leagues, and teams catering to both youth and adults. The Gibbons arena is a popular venue for ice hockey teams and leagues during the winter. In collaboration with the community of Bon Accord, Alberta, the CNN Spurs minor hockey program offers teams from initiation to midget level, as well as a female program. The Gibbons Jr. C Broncos, who play in the Noralta Junior Hockey League, also call the Gibbons Arena home. The East Sturgeon Gentlemen's Hockey League, consisting of 11 teams, play most of their games in Gibbons and the surrounding communities.
Adjacent to the Gibbons Arena is the Gibbons Curling Club, featuring four sheets of ice, ice-level seating, and a recently renovated lounge. The lounge, a winter favorite among the town's residents, offers food and beverage service, table seating, and an above ice viewing area complete with sheet cameras. The facility runs men's, ladies', mixed, farmers', and junior leagues. It also hosts the annual Saville Country Classic Junior Bonspiel, where highly competitive junior level teams from across the province compete.
During the spring and summer, Gibbons, Alberta, offers minor baseball and soccer teams. The town boasts numerous soccer pitches and ball diamonds, most of which are located in the area surrounding Landing Trail School and at the Jack Hogg Sports Grounds north of Gibbons School and the Gibbons Arena. A successful recreational slow pitch league is also run, which includes an annual wind up tournament in July.
Lacrosse is also gaining popularity among Gibbons' youth. Although the town does not yet host its own teams, the surrounding communities of Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, and Edmonton run programs for minor, junior, men's, and ladies' levels.
