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(Image Credit: Curtis Galbraith)
By Curtis Galbraith
AI data centres

Packed house for Wonder Valley AI open house in Grovedale

Jun 5, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Many people packed into the Grovedale Community Hall on Thursday (June 4) to hear more about the Wonder Valley project, an AI data centre planned for the Greenview Industrial Gateway.

It would be built 42 kilometres south of Grande Prairie.

Many concerns have been brought over these centres, including noise, and water and power use.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation also brought up concerns in the past about not being consulted before the idea was made public.

O’Leary Digital co-founder and CEO Paul Palandjian says consultations with Indigenous groups have now begun.

“I hear a lot of legitimate concern. I’m hearing a healthy skepticism because it’s so new, so part of the challenge we have is that we have to share information and help all constituents, not just Indigenous but Indigenous in particular, understand what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”

Palandjian says the original water license for the Greenview Industrial Gateway was originally 24 million cubic metres per year for four to six projects.

He adds that with his company taking up all the land, the water requirement is now lower than that.

“What we’re contemplating for total use after the project is fully built out, after let’s say approximately a 10-year period of time, of less than six million (cubic metres) per year, and that’s far less than what has been broadly reported.”

Palandjian says two million cubic metres is potable water for things like sinks and watering plants, adding 60 per cent of the land will be preserved, with the centre taking up 40 per cent.

He adds they are looking at decreasing the need for water by using different turbines and other technology to generate power.

The company also says the centre “won’t connect to the regional power system.”

He maintains the amount of water that would be used is “a tiny fraction” of the flow of the Smoky River.

Palandjian says it is a “priority ” to work with local people and businesses.

“It’s a priority of ours to have work participation with the Indigenous communities and make that available and in equal parts local businesses and communities.”

“There’s a whole plan and framework we’ve already started to establish with our construction manager; PCL.”

Palandjian says the company wants to have a bidding process that gives priority to local businesses.

He adds this is what he calls “a practical matter” as it is a big project and local businesses could get things done more quickly.

Palandjian says noise is “a complete non-issue” for this centre as the noise generated will be 55 decibels.

The company told attendees that applications to various provincial and federal regulatory bodies are being prepared. That process is set for this year.

Palandjian says the project is currently in the permitting phase, which they hope is finished by the first quarter of 2027.

The start of construction is also planned for 2027. Palandjian says they would want the first buildings up in 2028.

by Curtis Galbraith