Town of Viking
With a population over 1,083, the Town of Viking is located approximately 140 km southeast of Edmonton on Highway 14 at the intersection of Highway 36.
"Viking - Home of the Sutters" is a phrase known to NHL hockey fans throughout North America. Six Sutter brothers played in the NHL during the 1980s all six have been the captain of their respective teams. As their playing careers have come to a close, they have turned their talents to coaching and scouting in the NHL ranks.
The Sutter brothers played minor hockey in the Viking Carena, a hockey arena built with funds raised by raffling a car a month in 1950 and 1951, thus the name "Carena." The arena officially opened on July 9, 1952 with the late Foster Hewitt, "Mr. Hockey Night in Canada" taking part in the opening ceremonies and was reopened in 2007 after a fire led to its rebuilding.
The Sutters have never forgotten their roots, returning to Viking on the second weekend in July to host the Sutter Classic Golf Tournament for present and past NHL players. Proceeds from the tournament go to the Sutter Foundation to help underprivileged children. The local Golf Club, Curling Club, Carena Complex and the Viking Health Centre have also been recipients of the Foundation's funds.
The Town of Viking has been Provincial , National and International winners in Communities In Bloom, a national program designed to foster civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation.
Adjacent to its restored CN station is a park development that incorporates Troll Park and the Naturalization Park. Troll Park was planned with a Scandinavian theme- trolls in Scandinavian folklore are supernatural beings represented as dwarfs. The Park also contains many Scandinavian native plants. The Naturalization Park area assists in preserving and enhancing our environment for future generations by teaching students and adults the importance of working in harmony with the environment.
Viking is home to the Viking Carena Complex that includes an 850-seat single ice surface arena, a fitness/wellness centre for all ages, the municipal library, Viking preschool and indoor walking/running track.
An active, beautiful community with a rich Scandinavian history, the Town of Viking celebrated its 100th anniversary in July 2009.
For more information, call (780) 336-3466 or visit the Town of Viking.