Village of Ryley Mission
To assure our future by providing exemplary leadership & municipal service for residents, community groups & businesses using financially sound, tenacious team approach to obstacles & opportunities.
Village of Ryley Vision
Ryley is a growing, vibrant, family oriented community that celebrates it’s cultural diversity. Our innovative and environmentally progressive practices are a legacy for future generations. We are living the life of Ryley.
History
The Village of Ryley, once called Equity, is a small community of 497 residents located 50 minutes east of Edmonton on Highway 14 [the Poundmaker Trail] in the center of Beaver County. Primarily serving as an agricultural center in an area of grain and cattle production, Ryley has a variety of local businesses geared to the needs of local farmers.
Successful niche businesses include George’s Harness and Saddlery, Ryalta Farm Sales and Ryley Sausage. The administration offices for Beaver County are also located in Ryley, providing employment opportunities for local residents.
Recreation facilities within the village include a first class community center which holds up to 400 people, and is the site of the Village Market held the first Thursday of almost every month. Ryley District Museum traces the changes in village and farm life over the decades within the walls of the museum which is housed in two county schools joined together. Make a splash at the newly renovated indoor Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre which is administrated by the Beaver Heritage and Agricultural Society. Excellent shale ball diamonds with an RV Park nearby, outdoor skating rink, three sheet curling rink and the new Skate/BMX Park and two playgrounds. At the south end of main street where the CN station once stood you will find a beautiful park complete with rubber walking path and a gazebo.
Opportunities for fishing and camping are available at Black Nugget Lake, a short distance south and west of the village. Golf enthusiasts will find an excellent course just 18 kilometers west of Ryley at Tofield. A brand new golf course, Coal Creek Golf Resort is now open and close to the camping facilities at Black Nugget Lake.
The McPherson Library provides a variety of services including unlimited free Internet access, interlibrary loans, an excellent collection of books in many different genres, and a Summer Reading and Activity Program for children.
Ryley is a partner in Claystone Waste Limited Partnership, the Beaver Emergency Services Commission (fire and EMS Departments), and the Highway 14 Water Commission which provides Edmonton water to the residents of the village.
There are 4 local churches – Bethel Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, The Total Life Centre and the Good News Community Church. Children from kindergarten through grade six attend elementary school in Holden, another village just 14 kilometers east of Ryley. The Holden and Ryley students complete their junior and senior high school education at the Ryley School. The Ryley and Holden schools operate a four day week, from Monday through Thursday, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a three day weekend, and schedule routine appointments on their free Fridays. A group of young mothers have organized a pre-kindergarten playgroup for children age three to five.
People come from all around for the annual Summer Bust Out Festival held on the 3rd weekend in June. This popular event includes activities for the whole family to enjoy, from a free pancake breakfast and parade in the morning, baseball and free family events all day, to a dinner, fireworks and dance in the evening. Be sure to cheer on your favorite team in the Ry/Tof Annual Slo-Pitch Tournament held September long weekend. There are a multitude of opportunities for the dedicated volunteer, from a couple of hours helping with a fundraising dinner, to committing to a team as a board member for a wide variety of volunteer organizations.
Both the Lion’s Club and the Royal Canadian Legion are active in the community, and both would welcome new members.