Foremost

Welcome

As the Mayor of the Village of Foremost, I would like to extend a welcome to our community on behalf of Village Council. This is a small but active community with a wide variety of amenities. We are very proud of the recreational and cultural activities available here, and invite you to visit our village and see for yourself what we have to offer.

A broad range of businesses provide residents and visitors with services they would otherwise have to travel to larger centres for. Groceries, clothing, hardware, farm supplies and services are all available, as well as beauty salons, a fitness centre, banking services, a craft store and a post office. Accommodations and restaurants are also readily available.

Our community's economic base is farming, with many generations of families continuing to operate successful farming operations. This provides for a steady population in our area.

Foremost is a very family-oriented community with an award winning school, which caters to from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Foremost School was the recent recipient of the Overall Excellence Award for non-selective schools, an award presented by The Fraser Institute. The Village offers hockey, figure skating, curling, swimming, exercise classes, the Wayside Campground and community groups for young and old. The yearly rodeo and Spring and Fall theatrical productions are looked forward to by everyone. The Village of Foremost is in close proximity to such major parks as Writing-on-Stone, Forty Mile Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and the Red Rock Coulee Natural Area.

If you are passing through or making our community your home, I welcome you and trust that you will enjoy your time with us.

Yours truly,

Ken Kultgen
Mayor of Foremost

You may also tour our community on our website www.foremostalberta.com.

Area Overview

 Foremost offers a small town atmosphere, with big city appeal.

The Village of Foremost is located 110 km (68 miles) east of Lethbridge on the Red Coat Trail, Highway 61, and 102 km (63 miles) southwest of Medicine Hat in the County of Forty Mile  No. 8. The community was established as an agricultural service centre in 1913 and incorporated as a Village in 1950. Its current population is 531, and it serves as a trading centre for more than 2,000 people.

Foremost means "first" or "at the leading point" and was named by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1913 when the railroad was brought from Lethbridge. Once established as a township by the Alberta Government the entrepreneurial nature of Foremost’s residents became apparent. Within months a number of businesses opened: 2 general stores, a pool hall, a restaurant, carpenter shop, drug store, livery barn, hardware store, the start of two grain elevators and four residences; then, soon to follow, a Town Hall and a Post Office.

The Alberta Advantage 

 Doing business in Alberta definitely carries with it a number of advantages. In 2005 the Conference Board of Canada estimated that Alberta’s economy grew by 4.9%. Further, Alberta’s exports of goods and services more than tripled in one decade – 1995 to 2005 – to approximately $86 billion, while manufactured goods doubled to $59.4 billion. One of the greatest triggers to Alberta’s success is its dedication to invest in itself. Investment in Alberta’s economy was $18,250 per capita in 2005, more than double the national average.

The unemployment rate in Alberta in 2005 was 3.9%, the lowest in Canada. (Source: The Alberta Economy – Economic Results)

Click here for information on Alberta Trade and Export. 

Community Services

Community Futures Entre-Corp 
#202, 556 - 4th Street SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta   T1A 0K8
Tel: 1-888-528-2824
Fax: (403) 527-3596
Email: bizinfo@entre-corp.com

Foremost & District Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (403) 867-3077

40 Mile Regional Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
P.O. Box 159, 119 Main Street
Foremost, Alberta   T0K O8O
Tel: (403) 867-2766
Email: fcss40ml@la.shockware.com

Forty Mile Youth Connections & Learning Centre 
119 Main Street
Foremost, Alberta   T0K O8O
Tel: (403) 867-3077
Email: youcan1@telusplanet.net

Foremost Municipal Library
103 - 1st Avenue East
Foremost, Alberta   T0K O8O
Tel: (403) 867-3855
Fax: (403) 867-3858
Email: forlib@shortgrass-lib.ab.ca

Community Booking Contacts - Parties, Meetings, etc.
Community Hall - Village Office Tel: (403) 867-3733
Legion Hall - Foremost Agencies Tel: (403) 867-3805
Civic Centre - George Piper Tel: (403) 867-3505
Flying Club - Carlene Foss Tel: (403) 867-2197

Community Lifestyle

The Village of Foremost provides an affordable, country living lifestyle with great school opportunities and the amenities of larger centres.

Recreation

The Village of Foremost has much to offer in the way of recreation... all year round. In the warmer seasons, enjoy nin holes of golf on our challenging course, or a walk along our scenic and peaceful walking path. A new multiplatform at the school offers tennis and basketball, and our pool is a great break from the summer heat. Plus, the fishin is great at the damn located beside the Wayside Campground and Park. In teh winter, enjoy a number of ice sports including curling, hockey, and figure skating, and our wide open spaces offers a variety of recreation for the outdoorsmen.

Formost is central to a fascinating tourist area, including four parks which give us the name "Gateway to the Parks." Head 15 minutes north on Highway 879 and enjoy water sports and camping at 40 Mile Park. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (Elkwater) is 96 miles (60 miles) southeast. The Historical Windmill Museum in Etzikom is on the way, only 15 minutes east. Waterton Lakes National Park is a beautiful hour and a half drive thorugh teh Alberta foothills. Breathtaking Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is only a 30 minute drive southwest.

Use us as your central point when discovering the many sites in teh area. As you can see, we are only a short drive to a different adventure everyday. Along the way you are sure to spot the wildlife that share our area, and see why Froemost is popular with wildlife watchers and hunters.

Community Organizations

Local community groups include the Minor Hockey Association, Men's Recreational Hockey, Old Timer's Hockey Club, figure skating club, curling club, children's T-ball, youth hardball, youth dance club, gymnastics club, men's golf club, ladies' golf club, Jr. golf, the Senior Citizens Association, Brownies, Girl Guides, Pathfinders, Cubs, Men's Basketball, Ladies' Basketball, Adult Volleyball, Fish & Game Association, step-up and power walking, Theatrical Society, B.P.O. Elks, Lions Club, Royal Canadian Legion, T.O.P.S., Agricultural Society, Chamber of Commerce, and the Flying Club.

Local recreational facilities include the Civic Centre, swimming pool, ball diamonds, rodeo grounds, tractor pull track, golf course, walking path, orchard, Wayside Campsite, tennis courts and Fitness Facility.

Religious Services

• Catholic Church
  Tel: (403) 545-2023
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
  Tel: (403) 883-3814
• Evangelical Free Church
  Tel: (403) 867-3559
• Trinity Lutheran Church
  Tel: (403) 867-3692
• United Church
  Tel: (403) 867-3992

Special Annual Events/Attractions

• Annual Rodeo
• Theatrical Society - Fall Dinner Theatre & Spring Production

Accommodations

• Cedar Villa Motel
  Box 386
  Foremost, Alberta   T0K 0X0
  Tel: (403) 867-3611
  Fax: (403) 867-2165
  Email: jonikki@telus.net  
• Coulee Ridge Bed & Breakfast
  Box 454
  Foremost, Alberta   T0K 0X0
  Tel/Fax: (403) 867-2348
• Wayside Campsite
  

Restaurants

• Y'all Come Back Saloon
  Tel: (403) 867-0003

Businesses in Foremost

• Grocery Store
• Hardware Store
• Liquor Store
• Family & Community Support Services
• Forty Mile Youth Connections
• Clothing Store
• Insurance Agency
• Craft/Gift Stores
• Lumber Yard
• Hairdressing Shops
• Bulk Fuel Station
• Agricultural Services
• Sears Outlet

Economic Base

The major economic strength in the Foremost area is agriculture. Products made in the area include wheat, barley, rye, flax, canola, oats, peas, beef cattle, hogs, and poultry. There is a total of 1.75 million acres of farm land in the region and approximately 10% is irrigated. Within Foremost there are a number of agricultural service companies from seed cleaning to grain hauling to assist in any agricultural production needs.

The following outlines agricultural production in the Foremost Region: 

(Source: Census of Agriculture, 2001)

Resources available locally include natural gas, coal, and oil. Based in the Palliser Region, there are is business potential in the following areas: agri-food, chemicals/rubber and plastics, defence, energy, engineering and construction, metal fabrication and machinery, non-metallic minerals, technology and tourism/entertainment (Source: Palliser Economic Partnership).

Natural Resources/Research

The Crop Diversification Centre South (CDC), based in Brooks Alberta, has a Field Station in the County of Forty Mile. The CDC’s mandate is to promote the development and growth of crop diversification in Alberta through applied research and technology transfer.

The Defence Research and Development Canada Suffield station conducts research in two main areas. The first area is military engineering, mobility systems and weapons system evaluation and the second is surrounding the defence of chemical and biological warfare.

Economic Facts

Major Businesses Products/Services

Foremost has a number of businesses that many communities of the same size do not have access to without having to travel. Therefore residents and business owners are able to support one another by shopping within the Village. Foremost also has a significant amount of service companies for both the agricultural and oil and gas industries. To view Foremost’s Business Directory click on the following link: Foremost Business Directory.

Financial Institutions

RBC Royal Bank
Tel: (403) 867-3500

Alberta Treasury Branch (ATB Financial)
Tel: (403) 867-2069

Education

Foremost is part of the Prairie Rose School Division #8, headquartered in Dunmore - Tel: (403) 527-5516.

Daycare/Nursery

Private daycare facilities are available within the village. For more information contact Family and Community Support Services at Tel: (403) 867-2766.

Foremost School provides education for Grades K to 12 and has an enrollment of approximately 280 students. Foremost School has recently been awarded with an Overall Excellence Award from The Fraser Insitute. for non-select schools. The pupil-teacher ratio is very low and as a result the school can offer a number of special programs such as a Fine Arts Program; a computer program beginning in grade 4; French beginning in grade 7 and a Work Experience Program for high school students. In addition, there is a well planned intra-mural and extra-curricular sports program.

Emergency Services

Fire and Ambulance Services 

Foremost has an active volunteer Fire department and Ambulance Squad. The Village owns and operates its own fire truck and ambulance. There are 26 fire hydrants in teh Village and all buildings are within 1,000 feet of a hydrant. The ambulance is fully equipped and nurses are available to be in attendance when necessary. Paramedic services and air ambulance services are available through Medicine hat, when needed.

Village of Foremost/County of Forty Mile No. 8 Fire Chief Miles Beacome.
Tel: (403) 867-3940 or in an emergency Tel: 9-1-1 

Police Services

Foremost is served by Foremost/Bow Island detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Tel: (403) 867-3545. Two constables reside in Foremost.  

Health Care

Health care services are provided by 3 visiting doctors, and 1 health unit, 1 visiting massage therapist, 1 visiting chiropractor. Laboratory services are also available at the clinic by technicians.

Medical Clinic
212 Main Street
Tel: (403) 867-3866
In case of an emergency or after hours contact 9-1-1 or Bow Island Hospital Tel: (403) 545-2211.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Village of Foremost
Box 159
Foremost, Alberta   T0K 0X0
Tel: (403) 867-3733
Fax: (403) 867-2031
Email: Vlg4most@telusplanet.net

Ken Kultgen
Mayor

Kelly Calhoun
Municipal Administrator

County of Forty Mile No. 8 
303 Main Street
Foremost Alberta
Tel: (403) 867-3530
County Administrator: Dale Brown

Public Works Shop
Tel: (403) 867-3940

Agricultural Shop
Tel: (403) 867-3939

Provincial (Updated October 2006)

Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
312 Main Street
Foremost, Alberta  
Tel: (403) 867-3606, or 1-800-449-7344

Alberta Economic Development
109 Provincial Building
346 - 3rd Street, SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta   T1A 0G7
Tel: (403) 529-3630
Fax: (403) 529-3140
Elvira Smid, Regional Manager
Email: elvira.smid@gov.ab.ca

Gloria Filgas, Information Officer
Email: gloria.filgas@gov.ab.ca.

Leonard Mitzel
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Cypress-Medicine Hat Constituency
620 Legislature Annex
9718 - 107th Street
Edmonton, Alberta   T5K 1E4
Tel: (780) 415-9590
Fax: (780) 415-0951

Trans Canada Place
#3 1299, Trans Canada Way
Medicine Hat, Alberta   T1B 1H9
Tel: (403) 528-2191, or 1-866-339-2191
Fax: (403) 528-2278

Federal (Updated May 2001)

Monte Solberg
Member of Parliament [MP]
Medicine Hat Constituency
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario   K1A 0A6
Tel: (613) 992-4516

Constituency Office:
P.O. Box 640
Brooks, Alberta   T1R 1B6
Tel: (403) 362-7677

Location

The Village of Foremost is located in the County of Forty Mile No. 8, in southeast Alberta.

Proximity to Other Locations

 

Location	Distance from Foremost
	Kilometres	Miles
Lethbridge	100	60
Medicine Hat	102	63
Calgary	325	202
Edmonton	620	385
Coutts – 24 hour US Border Crossing	88	55
Port Vancouver, Canada	1610	1000
Spokane, USA	850	528
Seattle, USA	1390	864

Post Secondary Education

Foremost residents have access to post-secondary institutions in Lethbridge - University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Community College - and Medicine Hat - Medicine Hat College.

The Corporate Education Network (CENetwork) is a comprehensive website that promotes a "one-stop-shop" of training services available to individuals and businesses in Southeast Alberta. Users of the CENetwork can research, compare and register for training courses, events, and facilities, all in one centralized online location.

This initiaive was made possible through a partnerhsip with Community Futures Entre-Corp Business Development, Medicine Hat College, Palliser Economic Partnership and the Office of Learning Technologies - Human Resources and Social Development.

Taxation

 

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2005
Municipal Tax Rate	12.6832	12.6832
Education – Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.2576	6.3303
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	0.4323	0.4323

The total average residential tax is $1,073.

Transportation

Air Service

The Foremost Community Airport has a 914.63 metre (2,999.99 feet) runway and all-weather facilities. The nearest commercial and air freight services are available in Medicine Hat, 102 km (63 miles) northeast of Foremost.

Rail Service

Foremost is served by a Canadian Pacific Railway branch line.

Highways

Connecting highways include Highway 61 to Elkwater (Cyress Hills Provincial Park), and leads west to Lethbridge (via Highway 4) and east to Orion, and Secondary Highway 879, leading north to Bow Island and south to Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park.

Trucking Firms

Lynn's Foremost Transport - (403) 223-3111

Bus Services

Call Greyhound at 1-800-661-8747 for service details. 

Couriers and Taxis

Loomis and Purolator Couriers

Utilities

Electrical Power

EPCOR 
Tel: 310-4300

Natural Gas

ATCO 
119 Railway Avenue West
Bow Island, Alberta   T0K 0G0
Tel: 403-545-2927

Telephone

Telus Communications Inc.
Box 610, 804 - 4th Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta   T1J 3Z4
Tel: (403) 310-2255

Water Supply

The Village drinking water is obtained from three artesian wells. The well water is very soft with high contents of fluoride and soda. The well water should not be used for house plants or for extended use on lawns and/or gardens. Foremost has an irrigation system which is designed to provide water for residential lawns and gardens. The water is not metered but is provided through the summer months at a charge of $75.00 yearly. Hard water for coffee, plants, etc. is available from a coin operated cistern located at the rear of the Village Office (25 cents per 2.5 gallon). Water is typically hauled on the first Wednesday of each month at a minimum charge of $20.00 per stop or $0.08 per 100 gallons thereafter. 

Waste Management

Sewage treatment is provided by a series of lagoons.

Garbage is picked up and hauled to the refuse grounds each Friday at a cost of $19.70/month. A Recycling Trailer is located in the Village, which accepts plastic, paper and metal products.

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Foremost Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Foremost Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Foremost Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings