Author: Glenn Feltham

Great first day of meetings. I learned much more about Edson, and the post-secondary aspirations of its leaders.  Some of the comments I heard in Edson mirror those I hear in Grande Prairie and Fairview. They would like us to deliver post-secondary education that allows youth to remain in their community. They also believe it is important that programs align with their economy – they view post-secondary education as central to building prosperity. 

What did they think about GPRC? They know we had a physical presence in Edson but recently withdrew from their community – understandably, this was not perceived well. But mostly their perceptions were neither good nor bad. I am not sure most understood much about our stewardship role, our programs, and our institution. This is perhaps not surprising. I was happy to discuss our institution, where we are going, and how we can work together. This included thoughts about our emerging polytechnic status. Overall, there was significant good will and we had great discussions to build upon.

In the late afternoon we left Edson heading to Hinton. There is a different feeling driving into Hinton. The scenery shifted subtly. While the forest continued unabated, the mountains gradually emerged in the distance. The feel of the town is quite different from Edson. Hinton exists along the highway, but in chunks. It starts and stops and starts again.

Unfortunately, we did not have an opportunity to walk around Hinton. I like to believe that this is largely a reflection of the weather, which is bad. But laziness may have also crept in. And the weather is getting worse – I understand that there are snowstorms approaching Jasper. Perhaps we did not pick the best time to go RVing in the mountains.

Let me close with another brief “get to know” segment, this time about Hinton. The town has a little over 10,000 people. Like Grande Prairie, the town is young – the median age is 36.4. Much like Edson, Hinton has significant forestry and natural resource industries. Coal, once an economic driver, has diminished over time.

We are learning and having fun.

Your friend,

Glenn

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Today begins my listening tour. Yesterday (Sunday) we drove our RV from our farm near Bashaw (halfway between Stettler and Camrose) to Edson. I loved driving the RV – squishier than a minivan but less so than a grain truck. A few things flew out of cupboards, but we are learning.

To understand a place, I like to walk it – equally informative in Paris and Edson. It provides a sense of place. As an aside, I spent an afternoon in Fairview and several evenings in Grande Prairie just walking around and getting to know both communities.

My wife and I spent much of yesterday afternoon and evening meandering around Edson. To be perfectly honest, I had never really thought of Edson before, other than as a place for a quick pitstop on my way to Jasper. Like many prairie towns, the highway (in this case highway 16) is divided by a few streets – it runs westerly down one street and easterly a few streets over. My guess is that over 90% of Edson’s retail is on highway 16 or the retail island that exists in its middle. If your knowledge of Edson is limited to your drive through, you are missing much.

What an amazing place! Edson is set on the edge of a forest. We walked through a park that felt like we were in Banff or Kananaskis – that same forest smell. I quipped to Tammi that we may encounter a bear. She responded that she was not concerned as she was confident, in fact certain, that while she may be slower than a bear she is faster than me. Isn’t love grand. We saw some unique “flower art” – many yards were amazing. And there were many incredible buildings. Edson is very prosperous and well-maintained. What a wonderful community. Love it.

I am just studying up for my meetings. So, let me provide a brief “get to know” segment. Becoming a town in 1912, Edson has a little over 8,500 people. Its two primary industries are forestry (Weyerhaeuser Canada and Sundance Forest Industries), and natural resources.

Today, I will be meeting with several political and economic leaders including the Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, the Mayor of Edson, the Mayor for Yellowhead County, and representatives from the Edson Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to learning how we can work in partnership.

So, the most excellent journey begins.

Your friend,

Glenn

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I’m excited to be spending next week on the road! Why a most-excellent road trip? Really, for two reasons – the first related to my role at GPRC and the second personal.

When I started at GPRC I wanted to get to know the institution, and the communities we serve. I have had a wonderful time getting to know our campuses in Grande Prairie and Fairview. But I have not had the opportunity to visit the other communities we serve.  So, I will be spending a week meeting and listening to people across these communities. Stops include Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Grande Cache, Fairview, and Valleyview. I will share some observations along the way. 

I look forward to learning about these communities and their aspirations, and how we can work in partnership in meeting their post-secondary needs.

But this trip also gives me a chance to try out our new RV. Well, not exactly new. My wife, Tammi, and I recently purchased a 2000 Volkswagen Rialto – a small rather vintage motor home. This will be our first trip. So, it will be a learning journey; not just listening and learning about the communities we serve but also figuring out how to be RVers. Being academics, my wife and I read all the manuals (we are prepared, in theory), but likely still need to figure out a million things.  

So, the most excellent journey begins on Monday.

Your friend,

Glenn