Fort Macleod
http://www.fortmacleod.com
Welcome
As the Mayor of Fort Macleod I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to
our Town. Originally the home of the North West Mounted Police, Fort Macleod tells the history of the Police, Early Settlers and Native Culture in our Fort Museum. We are on the crossroads of Highway 2 and Highway 3, along the Oldman River. This gives us ease
of access to great fishing and the River Valley Wilderness Park for bird, elk, and deer watching, and native plant identification. With the oldest Golf Course in Western Canada and the only designated Historic Area in the Province, we have great culture and quality recreational facilities. Come and join us for our annual Santa Claus Parade, the oldest and largest west of Toronto. I am sure you will have a great time in Fort Macleod,
where the quality of life is number one.
Area Overview
Fort Macleod, with a population of over 3000 and a trading area of 14,000 (2001
Census) is located one hour North of the U.S. border at the confluence of four highways and 2 streams: Export Highway #2, Crowsnest Highway #3 Waterton Highway #811, Northeast Highway #810 plus the Oldman River with Willow Creek. Furthermore, the Canadian Pacific Railway transports freight east and west. As well as economically strategic, this location provides great visibility and access to the travelling public.
Fort Macleod is one of the most unique and progressive communities in Canada. As Alberta's oldest town it has a very colourful heritage. In the early 1870's, Fort Macleod was a North West Mounted Police outpost, as well as the main trading centre for
Southern Alberta.
In 1982, Heritage Canada and the Town started a Main Street Restoration Project. Fort Macleod is now the only Designated Historic Area in the Province of Alberta with 60 buildings (in the area). Some of these buildings date back to 1878 with several
sandstone and brick buildings from the 1910 to 1920 era. We are proud of our gradual growth in population, business, culture, and recreation.
Fort Macleod is a growing community which enables economic
growth and new businesses to flourish, and encourages existing businesses to expand.
While ranching and farmland surround Fort Macleod, there are 120 acres of industrial land (mostly serviced) available to the budding entrepreneur or established business owner who wants to take advantage of Alberta's economic opportunities. Local recreational facilities include golf course, curling & hockey arenas, natural wildlife and floral reserve park. Within an hour's drive of this family-oriented community are recreational sites such as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Westcastle Ski Resort, Three Rivers Dam, Oldman River Dam and St. Mary's Reservoir.
Location
The Town of Fort Macleod is located in the Municipal District of Willow Creek #26, at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 3, in southern Alberta. It is 48 km west of
Lethbridge and 144 km south of Calgary. It is located on the Oldman River 48 km east of the Oldman River Dam and 60 km from Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park.
Economic Base
Fort Macleod is a progressive community which has grown economically. The Town Council is offering Industrial Land at competitive prices.
While agriculture and ranching are the mainstays of the local economy, in recent years industrial expansion has focused on tourism and related businesses. With this in mind
the town has not forgotten about their youth and have worked with Alberta Economic Development and Tourism to retain and expand local businesses as well as attract new businesses to town, in order to provide needed employment for the youth.
Economic Facts
Some of the town's major employers are Structural Truss Systems, Frans Feyter Construction, Bouvry Exports, Fort Macleod Auction Market, Forma Steel, Falcan Industries, Major Retail and service sector, and the various government agencies.
Major Businesses Products/Services
- Structural Truss Systems - Construction
- Frans Feyter Construction - Construction
- Bouvry Exports - Meat Exports
- Fort Macleod Auction Market - Auction Services
- O'Sullivan Construction - Cement
- John's Construction - New Homes
- Falcan Industries - Trailer manufacturer
Financial Institutions
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
- Macleod Savings and Credit Union
- Alberta Treasury Branch
Utilities
Electrical Power
Enmax
Lethbridge, Alberta
Tel: (403)-310-2010
Natural Gas
ATCO Gas
245 - 24 Street
Fort Macleod, Alberta
T0L 0Z0
Tel: (403)-310-5678
Telephone
TELUS Ltd.
Tel: (403)-310-2255
Out of Province 1-800-400-2598
Telus.com
Water Supply
The source of water is the Oldman River. The reservoir capacity, measured in treated substance, is 9,090 cubic metres.
Waste Management
Sewage treatment is provided by a rotating biological contactor, CL2.
Residential garbage is collected weekly, while commercial and industrial garbage is collected daily or as required.
Taxation
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Municipal Tax Rate |
10.9393 |
18.9892 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
4.5538 |
7.3690 |
| Allowance for Non-Collection of Requisitioned Taxes |
.1903 |
.1903 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.3541 |
.3541 |
Mill Rates [2006]
Residential-Public 14.8711
Residential-Separate N/A
Non-Residential-Public 25.0448
Non-Residential-Separate N/A
Transportation
Air Service
Fort Macleod has a local airstrip with all-weather facilities and a 914 metre runway. The nearest commercial and air freight services are at Lethbridge, 48 km east of Fort Macleod.
Rail Service
Fort Macleod is served by Canadian Pacific Railway main line.
Highways
Connecting highways are Highway 2, the major north-south route connecting Fort Macleod to Calgary and Edmonton, and Highway 3, which connects to Lethbridge [east] and the British Columbia border [west].
Trucking Firms
- Boot Trucking Ltd.
- Fort Macleod Transport
- Hornberger Trucking
- H & H Drilling
- Vanee Livestock Ltd.
Bus Services
- Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service.
Couriers and Taxis
- Greyhound Courier Express, Loomis and Purolator Couriers. Red Coach Cab provides local taxi service.
Community Lifestyle
Recreation:
Fort Macleod boasts many recreational facilities year round. The Town has the highest number of parks per capita in Canada, including playgrounds, and the oldest golf course in western Canada.
Fort Macleod also has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, skate park and an arena complex. The River Valley Wilderness Park provides interpretive trails for biking, cross country skiing, bird watching and special floral attributes only found in this area. The scenic Rocky Mountains to the west provide skiing and camping as well. Many of the recreational facilities in Fort Macleod accommodate many different types of sports.
Community Organizations:
- Rebekahs
- Royal Purple
- Lions/Lionettes
- Fish & Game Association
- Hospital Aid
- Masonic Order/Eastern Star/Jobs Daughters
- Royal Canadian Legion
- Chamber of Commerce
- Allied Arts Council
- Elks
- Rotary
- Women's Institute
- Beta Sigma Phi
- Knights of Columbus
- Historical Association
- Senior Citizens' Welcome Mat
Religious Services:
- Trinity United Church
- Fort Macleod Christian Fellowship
- Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church
- Netherlands Reformed Church
- Heritage Reform Church
- Christian Reformed Church
- Fort Macleod Alliance Church
- Christ Church Anglican
- The Victory Church
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall
Special Annual Events/Attractions:
Fort Macleod offers many attractions which draw people worldwide to come and visit.
The town's Main Street, where over 30 historically and architecturally rich structures were reconstructed, was designated as Alberta's first and only provincial historic area. The complete restoration of the Empress Theatre now acts as the Town's cultural
centre and is the Province's oldest operating theatre. The original Police Outpost of the early 1870's is now the Fort Museum. West of Town is the World Heritage Site Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump.
There is a quality of life, second to none, that allows for the growth of culture,
recreation and good business.
Annual Events:
- French Film Festival -- April
- Classic Car Show -- April
- Fort Museum Musical Ride -- July & August
- Antique Sale & Show -- June
- South Country Fair -- July
- Ranchmen's Rodeo -- July
- Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump Pow Wow -- July
- Heritage Fair at the Fort Museum -- August
- Santa Claus Parade -- last Saturday in November
Hospitality:
Accommodation:
- Century II Motel
- DJ Motel
- Fort Motel
- Queens Hotel
- Red Coat Inn
- Sunset Motel
- Heritage House Motel
Restaurants:
- A & W Restaurant
- Igloo Drive-In
- Head-Smashed-In Cafeteria
- Luigi's Restaurant
- New Hong Kong Restaurant
- Johnny's Cafe
- Macleod's Restauraunt and Lounge
- Subway
- China City
- Silver Grill
Education
Fort Macleod is part of the Livingstone Range School Division #68, headquartered in Claresholm Tel: 1-800-310-6579.
Daycare/Nursery
- Fort Macleod Sunshine Kids Satellite Day Home Society
Public Schools
- Schools in Fort Macleod include
- W.A. Day Elementary School [k-3],
- G.R. Davis School [4-7], and
- F.P. Walshe School [8-12].
Lethbridge Community College Satellite Campus
Post Secondary
Fort Macleod residents are within easy commuting distance of Lethbridge-based post-secondary institutions such as the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Community College.
Health Care
The Fort Macleod Hospital has 24hr. X-ray/Lab; 24 hr. Emergency Care; 24-48 hr. Community Care Beds. The hospital complex also has a special development unit for the care of multi-handicapped people.
Senior citizens who no longer live in their own homes have a choice of 3 types of accommodation, depending on their health and independence. The elderly and disabled also benefit from Handi-bus service and a local drop-in centre.
Emergency Services
Fort Macleod is serviced by 911.
Fire Protection (Tel: 911)
Fort Macleod is served by a local Volunteer Fire Department [Tel: 911].
Police Services (Tel: 911)
Fort MacLeod is served by a local detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] [Tel: 403-553-4406].
Ambulance Services
Local ambulance service is available [Tel: 911].
Community Services
Municipal
Town of Fort Macleod
236 - 23rd Street, Box 1420
Fort Macleod, Alberta
T0L 0Z0
Tel: (403)-553-4425
Fax: (403)-553-2426
Toll free 1-877-622-5366
Public Library
Tel: 403-553-3880
Internet Access available
Public Works
Tel: 403-553-3375
Family & Community Support Services
Tel: (403)-553-4491
Fax: (403)-553-2189
Project Read
Tel: 403-553-4086
Fax 403-553-2189
Recreation
Tel: (403)-553-4101
Town Special Constable/ By-Law Enforcement
Tel: (403)-553-4425
Economic Development & Tourism
Tel: (403)-553-2500/3204
Fax: (403)-553-2189
Toll Free - 1-877-622-5366
e-mail edo@fortmacleod.com
Home Key Contacts for Business Development
Google Map
Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada