Edmonton Companies News & Discussion

[Glenco]

In the 1940’s and 1950’s, Edmonton didn’t want the refinery in their city limits, which is why it was built on the outside. Sherwood Park was built in 1956, partly as a bedroom community, and partly to house some of the employees and families that worked there.

The reason they didn’t want it built in the city limits was because it would have been too close to downtown. Can you imagine a refinery right across the river from the city centre? The intention was to annex the land that was a suitable distance away but were denied by the GOA. workers accommodation was constructed in what is now the Capilano area.

 

[HappyJazzz]

In the 1940’s and 1950’s, Edmonton didn’t want the refinery in their city limits, which is why it was built on the outside. Sherwood Park was built in 1956, partly as a bedroom community, and partly to house some of the employees and families that worked there.

The reason they didn’t want it built in the city limits was because it would have been too close to downtown. Can you imagine a refinery right across the river from the city centre? The intention was to annex the land that was a suitable distance away but were denied by the GOA. workers accommodation was constructed in what is now the Capilano area.

Interesting, build first and annex later. Somewhat surprised to see Edmonton's forward thinking attitude goes that far back...
Was there an older, closer refinery that was built first and since shut down? Wikipedia says the Strathcona refinery was commissioned in 1976.

 

[Glenco]

Interesting, build first and annex later. Somewhat surprised to see Edmonton's forward thinking attitude goes that far back...
Was there an older, closer refinery that was built first and since shut down? Wikipedia says the Strathcona refinery was commissioned in 1976.

Yes. The original refinery was second hand I believe. During the Second World War the Americans built a refinery in Whitehorse

History of the petroleum industry in Canada (frontier exploration and development) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

After the war, there was no use for the Canol pipeline. It simply fell out of use, with pipe and other equipment lying abandoned. The Whitehorse refinery kept on going – in a different locale. Imperial bought it for $1, took it apart, moved it to Edmonton, Alberta and reassembled it like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle to handle production from the fast-developing Leduc oil field near Devon.

This refinery was replaced in 1976.