North Parkland Power reminisces on humble beginnings

By Brandie Majeau

North Parkland Power Ltd. has a rich history of serving the rural community for over

seventy years. The company’s origins can be traced back to a small collective of

farmers and residents in the County of Thorhild. Frustrated by the reluctance of larger

companies to bring electrical services to the area due to the cost of investing in remote

locations, these determined individuals took matters into their own hands. They

embarked on the ambitious task of raising funds and using their own equipment and

manpower to carve out the necessary path for power lines, successfully bringing

electricity to the small community.

As North Parkland Power reflected on the monumental achievement of bringing power

to the area in 1953/54, they recently paid a visit to the Thorhild Lodge. There, they

encountered many second-generation residents whose parents had been instrumental

in founding the cooperative. Bearing boxes filled with treats and surprises, the North

Parkland team sought to express their gratitude and recognition to the remarkable

generation that laid the foundation for what the company has become today. The visit

was not only an opportunity to share tokens of appreciation but also to hear stories,

engage in conversations over snacks and coffee, and marvel at the extraordinary

accomplishment of a small group of individuals dedicated to improving life in a rural

town.

With electricity so prevalent and readily available, it is hard to look back and understand

the scale and impact of the undertaking, bringing power to rural Albertan communities.

Before the arrival of electricity, farm life offered little in the ways of conveniences and

many still believed it to be unnecessary. However, as co-operatives formed and power made its

way to rural farms and homes, a simple touch of a switch chased away the darkness

and isolation and brought with it a change and a whole new world.

As a collective, the time and hard work of previous generations revolutionized the farm.

Machines, lighting, heating, and automatic devices created a life that many could never have

imagined.

North Parkland Power Ltd. warmly welcomes all its members to share their personal

stories and recollections of when electricity was first introduced to their communities

and individual homes. Each memory is a cherished part of the company’s heritage,

adding depth to its history. North Parkland Power expresses their overwhelming

gratitude to the seniors and their parents before  them whose backbreaking work

and innumerable hours of commitment led to the advantages that are so commonplace

today.