Town of Bow Island

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About

Pinto Macbean and the residents of Bow Island welcome you to the Town of Bow Island information centre and invite you to learn about the great attributes we have to offer you as prospective resident or entrepreneur.

Bow Island is the "Bean Capital of the West" and is proud to be centered in an agricultural based area. The Bow Island area is recognized as having the Province's best climate for warm weather crop production. We enjoy long warm summers, the highest number of heat units, long sunlight hours and a long frost-free period. These attributes, coupled with over 110,000 acres of highly developed irrigation, mean that "Bow Island is the place to be for agri-processing".

Housing

Although the region's hot economy continues to remain strong, the housing market offers many attractive options whether you are looking at building a home, buying a home, or checking out rental accommodations.

The Town of Bow Island has commercial and residential lots available for sale. Contact the Town office for more information (Tel: 403-545-2522). Realtor offices in Bow Island include:

  • Club 100
    604 Centre Street
    Bow Island, Alberta
    Tel: 403-545-2163
  • Royal LePage
    604 Centre Street
    Bow Island, Alberta
    Tel: 403- 545-2298
For more information
  • CMHC - A national site that has lots of general information about buying, renting, and renovating homes. You will also find detailed information and links about housing costs, financial assistance programs, legal information and specialized housing issues. Links to various related Government sites also assist with housing related information.
  • MLS Canada - A searchable data base that lists homes for sale. Property searches by community are available.

Community Services

Palliser region communities have many services available for residents to keep them safe and secure. A diverse range of recreational facilities and places of worship provide families the opportunity to stay active and maintain spiritual well-being. All Palliser communities have a library or are part of a library system.

Emergency Services and Fire Protection
  • Policing – Bow Island and Foremost are served by a 5 member regional detachment of the RCMP.
  • Ambulance, Fire, Rescue - Volunteer Fire Department. Emergency 911 Service. Local ambulance services provided through Alberta Health Services.
  • Justice Infrastructure – Provincial Court of Medicine Hat
Parks and Recreation
  • Tennis Courts
  • Rodeo and Equestrian Grounds
  • Bow Island Golf Club (9-hole golf course)
  • Campground
  • Ball Diamonds (4)
  • Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • Ice Arena
  • 3-Sheet Curling Rink
  • Bowling Center/Mini-Golf
  • Multiplex
Religious Services
  • Bow Island Church of God in Christ Mennonite Brethren
  • Bow Island Community Bible Church
  • Church on Centre
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
  • Evangelical Free Church
  • St. Andrew's United Church
  • St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church
  • Zion Lutheran Church
Library
  • Bow Island Municipal Library

Climate

Sunshine coupled with warm dry summers means more time to spend outdoors and exploring our region.  The low altitude of the region produces a very warm climate, with particular areas often matching or surpassing the “hot spot” of Canada.  Winters have become very mild over the last few years with average temperatures on the rise.

The longest summers in Alberta are in Bow Island with an average of 2,500 hours of sunlight.  Bow Island averages 2,400 (+) in heat units, which are calculated on the basis of temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius in the day time and 5 degrees Celsius at night.

Taxes

Residential property taxes are definitely a factor to consider when relocating. Although taxes vary depending on the community, Albertans pay low provincial and municipal taxes, overall, in Canada.

Area 2009 Taxation Year

Residential

11.2661

Non-Residential

17.0713

Farmland

11.2661
Additional Information

Property tax is either provided as a percentage or as a millage rate. A mill is one-thousandth of a dollar. To calculate the property tax, the assessed value of property is multiplied by the mill rate and then divided by 1,000. For example, property assessed at $100,000 located in a municipality with a mill rate of 20 mills would have a property tax bill of $2,000 per year.

Utilities

Utilities including natural gas, power, and water are necessary expenses to consider for both homeowners and those renting. Communities in southeast Alberta boast some of the lowest rates in the country.

Electrical Power
Natural Gas
  • ATCO Gas
    102 5th Avenue E
    Bow Island, Alberta
    Tel: 403-310-5678
Telephone
  • Telus
    Tel: 403-310-2255
Water Supply

The water supply is owned and operated by the Town of Bow Island. The raw water supply is from the St. Mary River Irrigation District. The town has on-site raw water storage in excess of 150 million gallons.

Waste Management

Sewage is disposed through a lagoon system, which provides for 300 days of retention. Engineering studies are underway for expansion to the water treatment plant.

Chemical can disposal is undertaken at the North Forty Mile Regional Land Fill site that is located 3 miles north of Bow Island.

Municipal garbage collection takes place 3 times per week for commercial and industrial facilities and once per week for residential pickup. All disposals are at the North Forty Mile Regional Landfill site.

For more information

Health

Under the Canada Health Act, Alberta has a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and health care services.

All eligible Alberta residents are covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) to access healthcare services. An eligible resident of Alberta is a person who is:

  • Legally entitled to be or to remain in Canada and makes his/her permanent home in Alberta;
  • Committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in a 12 month period;
  • Not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country;
  • Any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta.

Effective January 1, 2009, Albertans are no longer required to pay AHCIP premiums.

An Alberta Health Care card gives you access to the public health care system including medical checkups and hospital visits. Private clinics exist, but are permitted to perform only elective services not included as part of the primary care available through our health care system.

Alberta Health Services provides a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

Bow Island Health Centre is a 32 bed fully accredited Acute/Continuing Care hospital. Two medical doctors provide service to the area within the County of Forty Mile as well as the Town of Bow Island, Village of Foremost and Hamlets of Burdett, Etzikom and Manyberries.

  • Bow Island Health Centre
    938 Centre Street
    Bow Island, Alberta
    T0K 0G0
    Tel: 403-545-3200

Medical clinics are located in the Town of Bow Island as well as the Village of Foremost. Home Care and Community Health services are also provided for this area. Offices for these services as well as those for mental health services and addictions counseling are located in the Provincial Building.

24 hours/7 days a week health advice and information about local area services can be accessed by calling the Health link number at 1-866-408-5465.

Alfred Egan Home is for people with developmental disabilities and provides care for 30 - 33 individuals. This facility is connected to the Bow Island Health Centre and is fully accredited with medical and nursing service provided for the residents.

A fully equipped dental clinic operates two days each week in an office downtown Bow Island (133-5th Avenue West. Tel: 403-545-2860).

The Forty Mile Regional Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Office is located in Bow Island at 506 Centre Street (Tel:: 403-545-2200).

For more information:

  • Alberta Health Care Insurance - The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and medical services. AHCIP forms, information on premium and drug assistance, answers to common questions and more are available at this site.
  • Alberta Health and Wellness – Alberta’s Health and Wellness provides information about Alberta’s health care system including the forms needed for registration.
  • Service Alberta – The Health Care Professional section of this Service Alberta site provides information for the wide variety of health professionals in Alberta – doctors, nurses, ambulance operators, and many others who provide services for the maintenance and improvement of health.  Use this page to learn about Alberta Netcare, to look up Health Professionals, to find contact information for nursing homes and hospitals in Alberta, and much, much more.
  • Alberta Health Services – Alberta Health Services provides a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Use this site to access information about specific health care facilities and to get the latest news relating to health care.
  • Health Canada – The Health Canada site focuses on providing immigrants with information about health care coverage. It also contains good links to other helpful information on employment, health promotion, and more.

Education

Providing access to education and training opportunities is essential in creating a well-prepared workforce and strong communities. South east Alberta’s schools, college, other education institutions and have a lot to offer newcomers in lifelong learning.

Bow Island is part of the Prairie Rose Regional School Division #8, headquartered in Dunmore [Tel: 403.527.5516], and the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, headquartered in Medicine Hat [Tel: 403.527.2292].

Public

Schools in Bow Island include:

Separate
Private
Post Secondary Education
  • Medicine Hat College (MHC) has been serving students in southeastern Alberta and beyond since 1965.  Situated in Canada’s sunniest city, MHC’s main campus services almost 3,000 students each year with another 200 attending Brooks Campus, located 100 km west of Medicine Hat.  With some of the lowest student-to-instructor ratios in the province, MHC offers a very personal, one-on-one student experience.  MHC offers a wide variety of programs to meet the ever-changing needs of students from southeastern Alberta and around the world.
  • Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University, is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide.
For more information
  • ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service) - Information on education, training, financial assistance, grants, bursaries, transfers, on-line student services, and more.
  • Alberta Education Curriculum - Excellent information and resources for parents of students; it includes information on school choices, summaries of required curriculum, and “homework” help.
  • Alberta Education - Schools - A complete list of schools and school boards.
  • Alberta Children's Services - Information and check-lists to help parents find quality child care, plus information and links about child care subsidies, adoption, parent support services, and phone numbers for the Kids Help Line, and the Child Care Help Line for Parents.
  • Child Care Subsidy - If you have child care costs for preschool children, you may not be aware that all eligible Albertans may qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program.  Click on the link to get complete information about the Child Care Subsidy or to try the Estimator.
  • Monthly Living Allowance - Information from the Alberta Student Finance Board.
  • National Child Benefit (Low Income Families) - This program provides financial and social support to low-income families.

Community Lifestyle

Community lifestyle is one of the most important factors when considering a move.  Sports, recreation, community involvement, cultural events, hospitality, and safety are just a few of the many reasons why people choose southeast Alberta as an excellent place to live.

Recreation Facilities
  • outdoor heated swimming pool
  • 2 tennis court
  • rodeo & equestrian grounds
  • 4 baseball/slowpitch diamonds
  • 9-hole golf course with grass greens and a clubhouse
  • indoor ice hockey arena
  • range
  • 3-sheet artificial ice curling rink with a lounge
  • 6-lane bowling alley
Parks
  • Jubilee Park
  • Funshine Park
  • Centennial Park (14-acre park with group camp area with 18 camping sites with water and power, beach volleyball court, and playground equipment)
Community Organizations
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Lions
  • Lionesses
  • Royal Canadian Legion
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Fish & Game Association
  • Riding and Roping Club
  • Women's Institute
  • C.W.L.
  • U.C.W.
  • Bow Island Trap Club
  • Golden Age Club
  • Elks
  • Hospital Auxiliary
  • 4H Clubs
  • Minor Baseball & Hockey Association
  • Bow Island & District Agricultural Society, etc.
Religious Services
  • Evangelical Free Church
  • St. Michael's Roman Catholic
  • Lutheran
  • Latter Day Saints
  • St. Andrew's United Church
  • Church on Centre
  • Church of God in Christ Mennonite Brethren
Special Annual Events/Attractions
  • Blues At The Bow
  • Bow Island Children's Festival
  • Bow Island Pivot Country Annual Fair
  • Bow Island Show and Shine
  • Bow Island Tractor Pull and Lawn Mower Races
Hospitality
  • Silver Sage Motel
  • Golden Bell Lodge
Restaurants
  • Peter’s Family Restaurant
  • Bobby’s Bar & Restaurant
  • Bow Thai Café & Restaurant
  • Bow Island Golf Course Restaurant and Lounge
  • Island Inn
  • Jimmy’s Drive Inn
  • Road House Bar & Grill
  • Rolling Pin Bakery
  • Roxy’s Grill
For more information
  • Service Alberta helps caregivers by providing information on resources available for persons or organizations that care for individuals who need support due to age, or physical or mental illness or disability.
  • Service Alberta has information for parents on topics such as Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan, Bully Free Alberta, and Passports for Children. There is even a day care look-up at this site.
  • Rural residents can obtain information specific to their needs through Service Alberta. Here, rural residents can look for links to information and publications about the Rural Development Initiative, water wells, the weekly Agri-News, hunting licenses and more.
  • Seniors can find links to the government information and services that apply to seniors, covering topics such as pensions, health care, retirement and more at this site.

Employment

The job market in Southeast Alberta is strong! There are lots of great career opportunities in many different industries from trades to healthcare to manufacturing and many, many more. There is demand for all levels of positions, from entry-level to senior positions.

Check them out at www.findingwork.ca

Community Profile
Employer Profiles
Occupational Profiles
For more information
  • Alberta Government Learning Information Services - Alberta's leading on-line source for career, learning and employment information and services. Here you'll find the resources you need to make the most of your future.
  • Alberta Occupational Profiles - Information about a variety of career occupations, and advice about how to develop careers in Alberta, including information about current job markets is available at this site. There is a searchable database that makes it easy to research career options by interest, professional title, or industry.
  • Alberta Wage & Salary data - The Alberta Wage and Salary Survey covers over 400 occupations and provides information on wages and salaries for full-time and part-time employees in Alberta by occupation, geographic area, and industry group.
  • Alberta Works - Alberta Works focuses on training people for employment.
  • Service Alberta’s Job Seekers provides information for those looking for employment. Here, you will find the Alberta Work Search Online, the Federal Job Bank, and even a free e-Résumé Review Service.
  • The Government of Canada has bilingual information about Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Service Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and Foreign Credentials Referral Office.
  • The Government of Alberta provides information on immigration process for Canada and Alberta, as well as about programs and services designed to help immigrants before and after they arrive.
  • Canadian Information Centre for Immigrants - A bilingual site that provides a thorough overview of information about credentials, education, qualification, and employment in Canada. It is well organized and easy to navigate.
  • Job Bank Canada - Job Bank is the largest web-based network of job postings available to Canadians.

Business Directory

This information is currently under development.

More Info
Website

www.bowisland.com

Additional Community Information
Government of Alberta Services
  • Service Alberta provides information on vehicle licensing, employment, property and more.
  • Moving to or Around Alberta includes information on health care services, electrical rates, population, housing support services, immigration and more.
Print Media

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PALLISER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOX 1046, 109 - 346 THIRD ST. SE MEDICINE HAT, AB, CANADA T1A 0G7
TOLL FREE 1-877-226-7552 TEL 403-526-7552 EMAIL