Spruce Grove, Alberta, a city located just 11 km west of Edmonton, Canada, is a vibrant community that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Surrounded by the Town of Stony Plain and Parkland County, Spruce Grove is the ninth-largest city in Alberta, with a population of 37,645 as of 2021. The city is led by Mayor Jeff Acker and is home to several notable personalities, including Olympic gold medalist Jennifer Heil and Hockey Hall of Fame member Grant Fuhr.
Long before European settlement, the Cree and Sarcee people occupied the land that would eventually become Spruce Grove, Alberta. The first homesteaders arrived in the area in 1879, establishing a community that included a general store, livery stables, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, and the Roman Catholic Church.
The arrival of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1908 transformed Spruce Grove into a bustling grain-trading center. The city was incorporated as a village in 1907, dissolved in 1916, and then re-incorporated as a village in 1955. It was later incorporated as a town in 1971 and finally as a city in 1986.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, is situated near the province's geographical center, just 30 kilometers from downtown Edmonton and 14 kilometers from Edmonton's city limits. It forms part of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, offering residents and visitors easy access to the amenities of the larger city while maintaining its unique small-town charm.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Spruce Grove, Alberta, had a population of 37,645 living in 14,273 of its 14,752 total private dwellings. This represented a 10.4% increase from its 2016 population of 34,108. The city covers a land area of 37.52 km2, resulting in a population density of 1,003.3/km2 in 2021.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, is a hub of arts and culture. The city is home to the Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre, a local theatre, and the Spruce Grove Art Gallery, which is located in the Melcor Cultural Centre and operated by the Allied Arts Council of Spruce Grove. The gallery showcases original art created by local artists, while the Horizon Stage hosts a variety of plays and performances throughout the year. The city also boasts a seven-screen theatre complex and the Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, offers a range of attractions for residents and visitors alike. The TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre, opened in 2002, features a pool, soccer fields, a gymnasium, workout gym, and ice rinks. The city also has extensive bike trails, known as the Heritage Grove Trail, that wind through lush forests. In 2008, the city opened the West District Park, which includes two full artificial surface fields for football, soccer, and other activities.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, is served by two highways: Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and Highway 16A. The city's streets follow a standard naming system, with names sharing a first letter with that of its subdivision. The Canadian passenger train travels through the city, with the nearest stop in Edmonton. The Edmonton Transit Service offers a commuter transit route from Spruce Grove to Edmonton during peak hours, and the city also operates a local transit service. For air travel, the nearest major international airport is the Edmonton International Airport.
