Village of Foremost

Javascript is required to view this map.

About

The Village of Foremost is situated on the junction of Highways 879 and 61 in the heart of southeast Alberta, about 110 km east of Lethbridge and 102 km southwest of Medicine Hat.  Home to about 530 people, and with a service area of 2,000 residents, Foremost offers a quality of life much less hectic than the big city, but with much to see and do.  With an agricultural economic base, many generations of families continue to operate successful farming operations.  Foremost is a family-oriented community with a range of recreational opportunities, from hockey, curling, figure skating and swimming to camping, appealing to young and old alike.  An active business community, abundant recreation, affordable living, a warm climate, a new subdivision and an award winning school, are only some of our appealing features. Foremost offers a small town atmosphere with big city appeal.

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.

Foremost is a beautiful community with 95% of homes owned, and 5% rental. There is a new subdivision next to the golf course. There are 16 lots in total, with lots selling quickly. Contact the Village office for more information (Tel: 403-867-3733).

Those requiring a realtor can find one in nearby Bow Island:

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 – Foremost and Bow Island are served by a 5 member regional detachment of the RCMP.
  • Ambulance, Fire, Rescue - Volunteer Fire Department. Emergency 911 Service.
  • Justice Infrastructure – Medicine Hat Courthouse
Parks and Recreation
  • Golf Course
  • Swimming Pool
  • Tennis Court
  • Ball Diamonds (3)
  • Rifle Range
  • RV Campground
  • Parks
  • Playground
  • Arena
  • Curling Rink
  • Rodeo Grounds
  • Reservoir (Trout Fishing)
Religious Services
  • Foremost Catholic Church - 205-2nd Street West; Tel: 403-867-3542
  • Evangelical Church - 401-1st Street East; Tel: 403-867-3559
  • Trinity Lutheran Church - 302-3rd Avenue West; Tel: 403- 867-3692
  • United Church - 202-2nd Avenue East; Tel: 403- 867-3992
Library

Foremost Municipal Library; 103-1st Avenue East; 403-867-3855

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.

Foremost’s climate is considered semi-arid, which means lots of sunshine.  The average rainfall for the year is 26.7 cm while the average annual snowfall is 115.5 cm.  The average temperature in July is 18.6 degrees Celsius and the average temperature in January is -8.7 degrees Celsius.

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.

Residential/Farmland* 2005 Taxation Year

Municipal

9.7438

Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate

2.3426

Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate

0.2782
Non-Residential  

Municipal

9.7438

Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate

4.0484

Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate

0.2782

Contact the Village of Foremost at Tel: (403) 867-3733 for more information.

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

EPCOR 
Tel: 403-310-4300

Direct Energy
Tel: 1.888.420.3181

Natural Gas

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

Direct Energy
Tel: 1-866-420-3174

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.  Foremost is also fortunate enough to have an irrigation system, which is designed to provide water for residential lawns and gardens.

Waste Management

Sewage treatment is provided by a series of lagoons.
Garbage is picked up and hauled to the refuse grounds.  A Recycling Trailer is located in the Village, which accepts plastic, paper and metal products

Contact the Village of Foremost at Tel: 403- 867-3733 for more information.

For more information

The Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) provides consumers with information about Alberta's restructured electricity and natural gas markets.

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.

In Foremost, health care services are provided at the Medical Clinic.

Medical Clinic
212 Main Street
Foremost, Alberta
Tel: 403- 867-3866

Lab services are available at the Clinic.  The Health Unit (Tel: 403-545-2296) is also located at the Medical Clinic.  Chiropractic services are available two days a week at the Clinic. 

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 40 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

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. Southeast Alberta’s schools, college, and other education institutions have a lot to offer newcomers in lifelong learning.

Foremost is part of the Prairie Rose School Division #8, headquartered in Dunmore, Alberta.

Daycare/Nursery

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

Public School

Foremost School  provides education for Grades K to 12 and has an enrollment of over 200 students. Foremost School has been awarded with an Overall Excellence Award from The Fraser Institute 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 6, and a Work Experience Program for high school students. In addition, there is a well planned intra-mural and extra-curricular sports program.

Continuing Education

The County of Forty Mile Education Council (Tel: 403- 867-3973) strives to coordinate all available resources to offer a meaningful program of continuing education to adults.

Post Secondary Education

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

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)  – This site provides 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 is provided on this site; it includes information on school choices, summaries of required curriculum, and “homework” help.
  • Alberta Education - Schools  -  A complete list of schools and school boards is available here.
  • Alberta Children's Services – This site provides information and check-lists to help parents find quality child care; 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.  Go to this site to get complete information about the Child Care Subsidy or to try the Estimator.
  • Monthly Living Allowance - Information from the Alberta Student Finance Board is available at this site.
  • 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.

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.

The Village offers hockey, figure skating, curling, swimming, golfing, 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:

Recreation

The Village of Foremost has much to offer in the way of recreation:

  • Golf Course
  • Swimming Pool
  • Tennis Court
  • Ball Diamonds (3)
  • Rifle Range
  • RV Campground
  • Parks
  • Playground
  • Arena
  • Curling Rink
  • Rodeo Grounds
  • Reservoir (Trout Fishing)
Community Organizations

Local community groups include:

  • 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 League
  • Ladies’ Golf League
  • Junior Golf
  • Senior Citizens Association
  • Brownies
  • Girl Guides
  • Pathfinders
  • Cubs
  • Men’s Basketball
  • Ladies' Basketball
  • Adult Volleyball
  • Fish & Game Association
  • Theatrical Society
  • Sage Club
  • Royal Canadian Legion
  • T.O.P.S. (Taking Pounds Off Sensibly)
  • Agricultural Society
  • Chamber of Commerce
  •  Flying Club
Religious Services
  • Foremost Catholic Church - 205-2nd Street West; Tel: 403-867-3542
  • Evangelical Church - 401-1st Street East; Tel: 403-867-3559
  • Trinity Lutheran Church - 302-3rd Avenue West; Tel: 403- 867-3692
  • United Church - 202-2nd Avenue East; Tel: 403- 867-3992
Special Annual Events/Attractions
  • Annual Rodeo
  • Theatrical Society - Fall Dinner Theatre & Spring Production
Accommodations

Cedar Villa Motel
502-1st Avenue West
Box 386
Foremost, Alberta   T0K 0X0
Tel: 403- 867-3611
Fax: 403- 867-2165
Email: jonikki[at]telus[dot]net  

Coulee Ridge Bed & Breakfast
Box 454
Foremost, Alberta   T0K 0X0
Tel/Fax: 403- 867-2348

Wayside Campsite
Located off Highway 61
Box 159
Foremost, Alberta  T0K 0X0
Tel: 403- 867-3733

Restaurants:

Y'all Come Back Saloon
502-1st Avenue West
Foremost, Alberta
Tel: 403- 867-0003

Foremost Family Restaurant
112 Main Street
Foremost, Alberta
Tel: 403- 867-3008

Wong’s Restaurant
114 Main Street
Foremost, Alberta
Tel: 403- 867 2252

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
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

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. Next to agriculture the area’s major employers are the oil and gas industry, as well as the County of Forty Mile. Foremost’s Business Directory is available on the Village website: www.foremostalberta.com.

More Info
Website
Driving Maps
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
Other Services

Scandia Honey

Scandia Honey enjoys sweet success and keeps the canola blooming with its 600 million buzzing employees.

Read more...
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