Westmount, Edmonton

Westmount is an established west end residential neighbourhood in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Westmount is a wedge shaped neighbourhood with the point in the wedge overlooking the North Saskatchewan River valley, and is geographically close to the downtown core. The south portion of the neighbourhood is also known as Groat Estates.

History

Residential development of Westmount commenced, according to the 2001 federal census, prior to the end of World War II. It was during this time that one in four (25.6%) of residences were constructed. Another quarter of the current residences (23.6%) were constructed between the end of World War II and 1960. One in three residences (35.8%) were constructed between 1961 and 1980. A small portion were constructed after 1980. [http://censusdocs.edmonton.ca/DD23/FEDERAL%202001/Neighbourhood/WESTMOUNT.pdf]

Residences

The most common type of residence in the neighbourhood, according to the 2005 municipal census, are a mixture of rented apartments and apartment stype condominiums (54%). Single family dwellings are the next most common (42%). Duplexes [Duplexes include triplexes and quadruplexes.] account for another 3% of residences, and other types or residence account for the remaining 1%. Just over half of residences (54%) are owner occupied, with the remaining 46% being rented.http://censusdocs.edmonton.ca/C05002/MUNICIPAL%202005/Neighbourhood/WESTMOUNT.pdf]

The population in Westmount is highly mobile. According to the 2005 municipal census, one in four residents (22.8%) had moved within the previous year. Another one in four residents (27.4%) had moved in the previous one to three years. Only one resident in three (36.8%) had lived in the neighbourhood for more than five years. [http://censusdocs.edmonton.ca/C05022B/MUNICIPAL%202005/Neighbourhood/WESTMOUNT.pdf]

Education

There is a single school in the neighbourhood, Westglen Elementary School, operated by the Edmonton Public School System. There are additional schools in the surrounding neighbourhoods as well, including Westmount Junior High School in Inglewood, Westminster Junior High School in Glenora, and Ross Sheppard High School in Woodcroft. The University of Alberta is just across the river via Groat Road.

NorQuest College maintains a campus in the neighbourhood.

Infrastructure

Groat Road also provides access to other destinations on the south side including Whyte Avenue and Old Strathcona. Other amenities are available in nearby neighbourhoods including the Royal Alberta Museum in Glenora, and Coronation Park and the Telus World of Science in Woodcroft. Residents are close to shopping, including commercial districts along 124 Street, 107 Avenue and two small strip shopping centres on 102 Avenue. In addition, Westmount Centre, a shopping mall, is located just to the north west of the neighbourhood in Woodcroft.

The neighbouhood is bounded on the north by 111 Avenue, on the west by Groat Road, and on the south by the North Saskatchewan River valley. South of Stony Plain Road, the east boundary is 124 Street and north of Stony Plain Road the east boundary is 121 Street.

Crime

Local Westmount gang leaders under the title of the WPR^2 (Wesmount Park Rough Riders) have recently involved themselves in a spat with gang members from other neighborhoods including WBRC (White Boy (W)recking Crew) and a local chapter of CD (Crazy Dragons). Police crackdowns in the area have led to numerous arrests but few convictions. [ [http://www.angelfire.com/bc/chrispress/drugs3.htm Drug wars and crime growing with gang violence ] ]

urrounding neighbourhoods

Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
Northwest = Woodcroft
North = Inglewood
Northeast = Prince Rupert
West = Glenora, North Glenora
Centre = Westmount
East = Oliver, Queen Mary Park
Southwest = North Saskatchewan River Valley
South = North Saskatchewan River Valley
Southeast = North Saskatchewan River Valley

References

External links

* [http://censusdocs.edmonton.ca/DD34/MultiSource/Neighbourhood/WESTMOUNT.pdf Westmount Neighbourhood Profile]