Elnora Neighbourhood Place: A Community Hub in Rural Alberta

Elnora Neighbourhood Place is a community establishment located in the small village of Elnora, Alberta, providing essential services to local residents within this rural prairie community. While specific details about its programs are limited, this facility appears to be an integral part of the village's municipal services network, serving as a point of connection for community members.

Overview of Elnora Neighbourhood Place

Elnora Neighbourhood Place is located at 219 Main Street in Elnora, Alberta, which notably is the same address as the Elnora Village Office53. Despite sharing a location with the village's municipal center, the Neighbourhood Place maintains its own separate phone number (403-773-3171), suggesting it operates as a distinct service within the municipal framework5. The facility is categorized as an "Establishment," indicating its role as a community-focused organization rather than a commercial enterprise5.

Interestingly, the Elnora Community Health Centre also lists Elnora Neighbourhood Place as one of its alternative names, suggesting a potential connection or partnership between these community services7. This connection indicates that the Neighbourhood Place may serve as a multifunctional space with links to both municipal and health services for the community.

Services and Programs

While the search results don't provide detailed information about specific programs offered by Elnora Neighbourhood Place, we can infer from context that it likely provides community support services. The Village of Elnora Municipal Services, which operates from the same address, offers a range of community activities and services for residents including:

Parks and recreation programming
Business directory services
Public works services such as recycling and household garbage pickup
Special events listings
Volunteer coordination, connecting willing participants with local organizations3

Given that Neighbourhood Places typically function as community resource centers, Elnora Neighbourhood Place likely facilitates access to these municipal services while potentially offering additional community-focused programs.

Elnora Village: Context and History

Understanding Elnora Neighbourhood Place requires context about the village itself. Elnora is a small rural village in central Alberta, located north of Three Hills with a population of 288 according to the 2021 Census4. This represents a slight decline from previous years, with the 2016 Census recording 298 residents46.

Historical Background

Elnora has a rich pioneering history dating back to the early 20th century. The settlement was originally established in 1906 when Dan May homesteaded the present site of Elnora1. Initially organized as a village named "Stewartville" on January 2, 1908, it was later renamed Elnora in honor of two notable female pioneers: Nora Edwards and Elinor Hogg14. These women made significant contributions to the community, traveling together to care for the sick and serving as midwives1.

The village developed significantly after the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad was built through the town site in 1913, which facilitated growth and connection to other communities1. Throughout its history, Elnora has housed various businesses including china shops, printing shops, a saloon, lumber yard, hospital, confectionery store, bakery, tailor, meat market, and medical practices1.

Current Community Profile

Today, Elnora is described as a "quaint and friendly prairie village" that is increasingly becoming a popular bedroom community for Red Deer, attracting families seeking a quiet rural lifestyle while maintaining proximity to urban amenities1. The village is governed by a council led by Mayor Jul Bissell4.

Community Services in Elnora

Elnora, despite its small size, offers residents access to several essential services that contribute to community wellbeing.

Health Services

The Elnora Community Health Centre, located at 425 8 Avenue, provides a range of health services to the community including:

Home care
Immunization services for adults, infants, preschoolers, and school-aged children
Laboratory services
Public health nursing
Postpartum and postnatal services
Tuberculosis testing7

This facility ensures that residents have access to basic healthcare services without needing to travel to larger centers.

Municipal and Public Services

The Village of Elnora Municipal Services office operates Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (with a lunch closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)3. The village provides essential public works services, recreational programming, and community event coordination3.

Other important community facilities include:

Elnora Public Library (206 Main Street), offering information and library services
Elnora Community Hall, which serves as a venue for community gatherings and events9
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 42, a veterans organization that typically provides community support and activities

Living in Elnora

Understanding the living conditions in Elnora provides context for the role of Elnora Neighbourhood Place within the community.

Housing and Demographics

Housing in Elnora primarily consists of single-detached houses and townhouses, with most homes having two or three bedrooms8. Approximately 75% of residences are owner-occupied, with the remaining 25% being rental units8. The average price for homes in this area is $264,233, making it relatively affordable compared to many other Alberta communities8.

The village has seen homes constructed incrementally throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries rather than experiencing concentrated building booms8. According to the 2016 Census, the village had 115 single-detached houses, 10 row houses, and 20 movable dwellings6.

Community Character and Lifestyle

Elnora is characterized by very low noise levels and calm streets, creating a peaceful rural environment8. The village is described as very car-friendly with easy parking, though it's not particularly conducive to walking for daily errands8. Families in the village benefit from nearby primary schools, though there are no high schools within Elnora itself8. Most residents have relatively easy access to supermarkets, which are typically a short walk away8.

The community maintains a strong sense of history and connection to its pioneering roots, with historical publications ("Buried Treasures, Volume I & II") available from the Village Office for those interested in learning more about local history1.

Conclusion

Elnora Neighbourhood Place appears to function as a community-focused establishment within the small village of Elnora, Alberta. While specific details about its programs and services are limited in the available search results, its connection to both municipal services and health services suggests it likely serves as a multifunctional community resource center, providing residents with access to various supports and programs.

The village of Elnora itself offers a quiet rural lifestyle with basic amenities and services, making it an attractive option for those seeking small-town living within reach of larger urban centers like Red Deer. As a community hub, Elnora Neighbourhood Place likely plays an important role in maintaining the social fabric of this small prairie village, continuing the tradition of community support that dates back to the village's pioneering days.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

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