Bow Island

Welcome

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

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 long frost-free periods. These attributes, coupled with over 110,000 acres of highly developed irrigation, mean that "Bow Island is the place to be for agri-processing".  We are thankful for the commitment that agri-processing companies have made to our community and our thrust is to attract more industry of this nature.  We are receptive to discussing special incentives to attract new business/industry.

Now move forward through this information package and thank you in advance for taking the time to look at the fine amenities Bow Island has to offer you!

Welcome to Bow Island!

Area Overview

Bow Island is surrounded by 110,000 acres of highly developed irrigated land and this,
coupled with the greatest number of frost free days and the longest growing season in
Alberta, provides the area with the ability to grow a wide variety of crops.

Bow Island is a community of 1,868 persons with an additional population draw of 2,000
persons in the immediate surrounding area. The key advantages to living and doing
business in Bow Island include: the quality of life; the attitude of welcoming new business
enterprises; the town's entrepreneurial spirit; and the overall warmer weather than most
areas of Alberta [long, warm summers and relatively shorter winters by virtue of the
Chinook winds].

Climate

Community Services

Municipal
Town of Bow Island
P.O. Box 100
Bow Island, Alberta
T0K 0G0
Tel: 403-545-2522
Fax: 403-545-6642
email townoffice@bowisland.com

Public Works
Forty Mile Regional Family and Community Support Services
Municipal Library

Provincial
Medical Examiner-Coroner
Agriculture Irrigation Division

Federal
Canada Post Office
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Community Lifestyle

Recreation
The residents of Bow Island are pleased to welcome visitors to our town. We are proud of the many recreational amenities we have to offer you during your stay. There is much to keep everyone entertained. There are 3 local parks: Jubilee Park, Funshine Park and Centennial Park. Jubilee Park and Centennial Park both have play grounds and Funshine Park has an enclosed gazebo. Centennial Park is a beautiful, 14-acre, tree lined park with camping available. You can self-register at the gate. Fees are $20.00 per day for full power and water.  There is also a group camp area available with a large gazebo and charcoal barbecue. (Great for reunions, picnics, weddings, etc.) To book the group camp area call the town office at 403-545-2522. (The cost is $30.00 per day plus $10.00 per each camper.)  The park has a paved walking path from the group camp to the washroom / shower facility and playground area. The playground has something for everyone and is handicap accessible. Anyone out to enjoy the park, for the day or the weekend; can use the beach volleyball court. Equipment is available at the town office and can be booked ahead Monday - Friday by calling 403-545-2522.

Bow Island Golf Course
"The World's Largest Putter" can be found in Bow Island, just off Highway 3 pointing you right to one of Alberta's best 9 hole golf courses. Not only is some of the best golfing available but you can stop by the club house and enjoy a variety of choices from the restaurant menu. There is also a pro shop for your shopping convenience. It is well stocked with a great variety to suit any golfer's needs or a souvenir of your visit. If you would like to make a reservation for a tee time you can call 403-545-2718 or book on line by going to the Bow Island Golf Club web site at www.bowislandgolf.ca/ and choose Book Tee Time. We hope you will stop in and enjoy a game of golf on the beautiful greens or take a break from your driving and have a coffee and piece of pie, lunch or even dinner in the restaurant. We know you will enjoy the time you spend visiting the Bow Island Golf Club.

BOW ISLAND ARENA/CURLING RINK
Bow Island's curling rink and skating rink had a unique beginning.  In the nineteen fifties there was a worldwide over production of wheat and grain companies who could not move it to market.  We have to give one person credit for the Bow Island arena and curling rink that we have today.  His name was Harper Perry, who was the manager for junior hockey in Western Canada.  He conceived the idea of building an arena and curling rink for the community of Barons and filling them with grain.  This wheat was overflow storage from the Barons elevators.  The Canadian Wheat Board paid storage fees on every bushel of grain they could put into these buildings.  If the grain stayed in them for about three years, the buildings would be paid for.  Gus Bonette, mayor of Bow Island at the time, discussed the possibility of duplicating the Barons project with Alfred Egan, and they contacted Harper Perry to see if we could do the same in Bow Island.  Harper Perry met with them and told them that they would have to get the community behind the project.  
To make it feasible, the buildings would have to be built with volunteer labor to keep costs down.  A Public meeting was held with Madeline Whitney, Gus Bonette, Alfred Egan, Elmer Bough and George Thacker elected to the newly formed building committee.  A great deal of planning had to be done and financing arranged.  The outcome was that the buildings were erected with volunteer labor, and grain was stored in these buildings for a considerable length of time.  The grain was removed from the arena portion and the building was split in half with a high plywood fence so that the curling could take place on one side, and public skating and hockey on the other side.  The curling rink was eventually emptied of grain and curling could then be undertaken in their building and public skating and hockey were able to have the whole ice surface for their use.  The operation of the arena / curling club was placed in the hands of the Community Club Organization.  They operated the buildings for many years but financing was always a problem.  The Bow Island Lions Club operated the concession Booth in the arena for many years and donated the profits back to the operation of the ice plant etc.  In later years the concession was operated by the Bow Island Minor Baseball and Hockey Association in an effort to make money for promoting Minor Sports in the community.
Arena
Hockey
Currently the arena is a very busy place and you can come out and find a tournament most weekends once the season is underway.  We depend heavily on our local volunteer coaches to keep minor hockey alive here in town.  Our hockey moms and dads keep hockey alive in Bow Island by encouraging their children to learn to love the game of hockey at very early age and the Bow Island Rebels girls or boys teams do their very best to bring home the winning banners from Provincials hockey tournaments.
One of our claims to fame over the years was the successful hockey career of Troy Loney.  Troy played junior hockey in the N.H.L. for twelve years and earned two Stanley Cup Rings.  During his career he played for Pittsburgh Penguins.  During his career he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, the New York Rangers, and was the first captain of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. 
The community was soon to outgrow the arena and more space was needed.  In 1998/99 a committee was formed to build dressing rooms onto the west side of the building and netting was added to the spectator area of the ice viewing area.  In 1993 a committee took on the remarkable task of expanding the ice surface and running lines underneath for ice making.  The surface was also increased at this time to allow for further eexpansion should the need arise.  
Figure Skating
Once there was ice available to the community, it wasn't long before figure skating became a popular activity at the "rink".  Lessons followed by the annual spring community figure skating carnival.  The annual carnival continues to this day and is a very popular community event.

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.
Golden Age Club
Elks
Hospital Auxiliary
4H Clubs
Minor Baseball & Hockey Association
Bow Island & District Agricultural Society

Religious Services
Bow Island Church of God in Christ Mennonite Brethren
Bow Island Community Bible Church
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

Special Annual Events/Attractions
Bow Island Children's Festival
Bow Island Bean Festival and
Rodeo Bow Island Chamber of Commerce Annual Trade Fair
Bow Island Pivot Country Annual Fair
North 40 Mile 4-H Beef Club Annual Achievement Day

Hospitality
Accommodation
Silver Sage Motel
Golden Bell Lodge

Restaurants
Athen's Restaurant & Lounge
Bobby's Bar & Restaurant
Bow Thai cafe & restaurant
Bow Island Golf Course Restaurant and Lounge
Island Inn
Jimmy's Drive Inn
Road House Bar & Grill
Rolling Pin Bakery
Roxy's Grill
Mississippi Queen

Economic Base

The economic base is predominately agriculture, with a wide variety of crops being
grown. The dry edible bean industry alone injects about 8-10 million dollars per year into
the economy of Southern Alberta. Other major products include sunflower seeds,
processed snack foods and essential oils. The area is also a key location for grain
production in the Province. The P & H and Vitera elevators located here are the
Province's highest receiving points year in and year out.

The oil and gas industry is also important to the Bow Island area. A large field is located
north of the South Saskatchewan River, about 16 km from Bow Island.

Economic Facts

There is a considerable processed food industry in the Bow Island area. One local
processing plant receives, cleans, packages and markets area-grown beans to markets
worldwide. The acreage of beans planted in the area is over 40,000 acres. Another local
company processes and markets sunflower seeds throughout Canada, and in the United
States. A third company processes wheat, oats and sunflower seeds into snack food
items, salad topping, etc. The company sells their product throughout Western Canada.
A fourth local company utilizes crops such as spearmint, peppermint and dill, etc., to
produce a variety of essential oils. The company markets their products in Canada and
the United States.

Areas of potential industry include waste recycling, hydroponic greenhouses, agri-pulp
and agri-board production.

Major Businesses Products/Services
Bean Plant [VITERRA] Agriculture [beans]
Alberta Sunflower Processing Plant Agriculture [sunflowers]
Classic Grains of Canada Agriculture [snack foods]
St. Mary River Irrigation District Water Supply
P & H Grain Elevator Agriculture
VITERRA
Imperial Oil Fuel & Fertilizer
UFA Card Lock

Financial Institutions
servus credit union 
ATB Financial

Education

Bow Island is part of the Prairie Rose Regional School Division #8, headquartered in
Dunmore [Tel: 403-527-5516], and the Medicine Hat Catholic Regional School Division
#20, headquartered in Medicine Hat [Tel: 403-527-292].

Public
Schools in Bow Island include Bow Island Elementary [K-3] and Senator Gershaw School
[4-12].

Separate
Bow Island Roman Catholic Separate School [K-12]

Private
Cherry Coulee Christian Academy [K-9]
Sun Country Christian School

Emergency Services

Fire Protection
Bow Island employs a full-time Emergency Services staff member that acts as Fire Chief
and Ambulance coordinator. There is a contingent of 24 volunteer staff members that
operate the Fire Department and Ambulance services for Bow Island and District
[Tel: 403-545-2400] or 911.

Police Services
Bow Island/Foremost is served by a 5-member regional detachment of the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Tel: 403-545-2100] or 911.

Ambulance Services
Local ambulance service is provided by the Emergency Services staff
[Tel: 403-545-2400].
[Fax: 403-545-2627]

Health Care

Bow Island Health Centre is a 30 bed fully accredited Acute/Continuing Care hospital under the Alberta Health Services Board which provides health care for residents in the southeastern part of Alberta. Two medical doctors provide service to the area within the County of 40 Mile as well as the Town of Bow Island, Village of Foremost and Hamlets of Burdett, Etzikom and Manyberries. Medical clinics are located in the town of Bow Island as well as Foremost. Homecare 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.
Twenty four hour/7 days a week health advice and information about local area services
can be accessed by calling the Healthlink number @ 1-866-408-5465 (LINK)
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.

Key Contacts for Business Development

MUNICIPAL

Municipal (Edited April, 2008)
Town of Bow Island
Bow Island Town Office
502 - Centre Street
Bow Ilsand, Alberta
T0K 0G0
Tel: 403-545-2522
Fax:403-545-6642 
website:www.bowisland.com
Bow Island,
P.O. Box 100
Alberta

Alan Hyland, Mayor
Tel: 403-545-2522
Fax:403-545-6642
email: mayor@bowisland.com

Anna-Marie Bridge, Town Manager
Tel: 403-545-2522
Fax: 403-545-6642
email: anna-marie@bowisland.com


Economic Development Committee
Bruce Corraini, Chairperson
Alan Hyland
Vern Beck

Provincial (Updated April 2008)
Alberta Economic Development
109 Provincial Building
346 - 3 Street S.E.
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 0G7
Tel: 403-529-3630
Fax: 403-529-3140

Elvira Smid
Regional Manager
elvira.smid@gov.ab.ca


Member of Parliament
LaVar Payne
Constituency Address
112 - 1310 Kingsway Avenue SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 2Y4
Telephone: (403) 528-4698
 Fax: (403) 502- 4365

Location

The Town of Bow Island is located in Southeastern Alberta, approximately 100 km from
the USA Border, 60km west City of Medicine Hat along Highway #3 and 320 km
southwest of the City of Calgary. It is an agricultural service centre for a large diversified
farming area, which includes dryland farming and extensive irrigation.

Post Secondary Education

Post-secondary schooling is offered at area colleges which link universities in Medicine
Hat and Lethbridge.

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	13.4180	13.4180
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.5766	6.9073
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	4.5766	6.9073
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.3541	.3541

Mill Rates [2002]
Residential - Public 18.2652
Residential - Separate 18.2652
Non-Residential - Public 20.93739
Non-Residential - Separate 20.93739

Transportation

Air
A local airport provides use of a 3,000 foot paved, illuminated airstrip. Tie down facilities
are available. Regional airlines such as Air BC and Canadian are available in either
Medicine Hat [30 minutes east] or Lethbridge [60 minutes west].

International airlines can be accessed at Calgary or Great Falls, Montana [both are
located 200 miles from Bow Island].

Rail Service
Bow Island is located on the main rail line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Spur trackage
is available.

Highways
Bow Island is situated on Provincial Highway No.3 [the southern route to the west
coast]. It has a load limit of 72,000 pounds and is never banned. Highway No. 3 is
referred to as the Crowsnest Pass

Secondary Highway No. 879 has a load limit of 59,000 pounds and experiences seasonal
bans.

Trucking Firms
Two trucking firms supply east and west transport service on a daily basis. Smaller
trucking firms provide individual service to business and industry.

Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines provides daily east-west bus service twice per day.

Couriers and Taxis
A complete range of companies supply service on a daily basis to Bow Island.

Utilities

Electrical Power
EPCOR
Customer Service
Tel: 403-310-0000

FORTIS Alberta Inc.
Power Outages / Customer Service
Toll Free Tel: 310-WIRE / 310-9473

Natural Gas
ATCO Gas
102 5Th Avenue E
Bow Island, Alberta
Tel: 403-545-2946

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. Usage rates are as follows:

Bimonthly minimum of $77.16 for 8,000 gallons
$1.92 for each 1,000 gallons used between 8001 and 16,000 gallons
$2.88 for each 1,000 gallons used between 16,001 and 24,000 gallons
$4.76 for each 1,000 gallons used over 24,000 gallons

Garbage Collection
The rates for waste collection and disposal services that will be charged to consumers,
effective May1, 2008 will be as follows: 

	Pick ups	Bi-Monthly
	Per Week	Charge
Residential units - single family unit	1	$ 24.00
Multiple Residential Units - First unit	1	$ 24.00
Multiple Residential Units - Subsequent unit	1	$ 21.75
Commercial Units	1	$ 33.90
Commercial Units	2	$ 46.05

  All disposals are at the North Forty Mile Regional Landfill site.

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.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Bow Island Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Bow Island Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Bow Island Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings