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Electricity in Smoky Lake In 1919, Nick Boychuck, Nick J. Sawchuk and Sandy (Alexander) Boychuk, along with their garage business operated a lighting plant and supplied the people of Smoky Lake with electricity. The garage and plant was located on the corner of White Earth Street and Wheatland Avenue, where the present Alberta Treasury Branch is situated. In 1922, a short in the electricity plant caused the garage and power plant to burn to the ground. Sandy Boychuk bought a new light plant and operated it from George Wolansky's blacksmith shop for a year or two and then sold it to George Wolansky. Later Manoli Bereska bought the plant which was situated on the present Alley Cat Cycle and Sled Co. site located on White Earth Street. Zenon Fedorkiw bought the plant from Manoli Bereska. This plant had expanded to two diesel generators. The biggest customer was teh Smoky Lake muinicipal office. It had a meter and paid 20c a kilowatt. The other customers in town paid $3.00 per month, flat radte, for the d.c. power to light up the few bulbs which was all a house in those days had. The power plant was in operation every day from sunset to midnight. Each Monday, washday, from 8 o'clock a.m. till noon. On Tuesdays from 12 noon to midnight the generators were working to capacity allowing the residents to finish their wash and ironing. There was an extra charge for parties and dances after midnight. The lights were flickered before they were cut off to warn people that they should get their auxiliary lamps ready. In 1945, the plant, poles, wires, etc. were sold to Canadian Utilities Ltd. who have had the town franchise since. The Canadian Utilities Ltd., now Alberta Power Ltd, have a sub office here and three full time employees who look after the power needs of this area.
(Written for the 1983 Our Legacy History Book. Used with permission.) Return to the town menu
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