CFB Cold Lake is situated at Cold Lake which  located at the eastern-most extreme in the province of Alberta. It is approximately 294 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. Incorporated in 1996 through amalgamation of the former towns of Grand Centre, Cold Lake and Canadian Forces Base 4 Wing, Cold Lake became a city in 2000.

These three areas are now known as, respectively, Cold Lake South, Cold Lake North and Medley. The three main industries in the area are: military, oil and gas and tourism. Cold Lake has a permanent population of just over 14,000. If choosing a home based on schools in the area, Cold Lake North has an elementary school (K-3), a middle school (4-8), a high school (9-12) and a Catholic elementary school (K-6). Cold Lake South has an elementary school (K-3), a middle school (4-8), two off campus schools (7-9 and 10-12), a Catholic elementary school (K-6) and a Catholic junior/senior school (7-12). There is a francophone school (K-12) which is located between Cold Lake North and Cold Lake South. Post Secondary education is available in the city and the surrounding area at Portage College and Lakeland College.

The Art Smith Aviation Academy (ASAA) is located on CFB Cold Lake (K-8). The Academy was taken in by the Northern Lights School District in 2013, where it was before a not-for-profi t private school. ASAA is focused on the specialized needs of military dependants while supporting the students of the area surrounding 4 Wing Cold Lake by offering a uniquely aviation focussed program in the ideal setting of the air base. The academy is unique in that it follows Alberta Education’s curriculum but provides an aviation program that is designed to enhance the education of its students.

Cold Lake offers a selection of health facilities including the Cold Lake Health Centre and Cold Lake Community Health Services as part of the local Primary Care Network. Private practises are accepting new patients and information on these services is available through the Wing Orderly Room, the Military Family Resource Centre and health information phone lines. Cold Lake is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground with boating, camping, bird watching, and plenty of walking, biking and ATV-ing trails. It has a 374 kilometre lake that is suitable for swimming, boating and fi shing. The city also offers excellent golf courses. There are an abundance of winter activities such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tobogganing, skating, cross country skiing and ice fi shing. You can also fi nd great indoor recreational activities at the 4 Wing Col JJ Parr Sports Centre, the Cold Lake Energy Centre and the Cold Lake Golf and Winter Club.

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