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Empress
Phot
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t
esy C
anadian B
Ken Gousseau and the village is regularly recognized as Canada’s
adlands Initia
Medicine Hat News hot spot in weather reports. As Briggs puts it, the

two rivers “keep the bad weather out and the good
tiv
e
In Empress, everyone celebrates their birthday on
weather in.”
the same day. Although wheat, canola and cattle farming are the
Each August, the village of about 170 people
key economic drivers in Empress, the village also
gathers to play games and share each other’s special
has a strong energy industry. Coyote Enterprises,
day together, regardless of when they were born.
an oilfield services company, is a major employer
in the community.
The camaraderie residents share is evident at other
events held in the village throughout the year,
While the current global economic crisis has led
whether it's at the greased pig catching competition
to a slowdown in the local energy industry in
during Empress Days in the summer or the artisan
Empress, Briggs says there is still a lot of activity
e
open house that draws about 1,000 people to the
in the area, especially with the construction of the
tiv
community.
nearby Ledcor pipeline.
adlands Initia
“People love the area,” says Empress Mayor Rod
“We’re finally growing after years of downturns,”
Briggs. “They like this kind of slow country life.”
Briggs says. Foremost
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The village has been growing in recent years,
This year Briggs, deputy mayor Bev Farnden and t
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our
attracting new residents from larger centres like
councillor Bob Irwin will be focusing their efforts
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Calgary and Vancouver with its comparatively
on upgrading the village’s aging network of water
Ken Gousseau
affordable housing prices.
lines. Once the community’s water infrastructure
Medicine Hat News
has been brought up to par, the village plans to
Empress’s location between the Red Deer River
launch road improvement projects in Empress.
Foremost is a fitting name for the small southeastern Alberta village whose
and the South Saskatchewan River, combined with
high school athletic teams are top rated in the province.
a low altitude, creates a warm climate in the area,
The Foremost Falcons and Forettes have won first place in numerous
provincial basketball, volleyball, track and field and cross-country running
competitions. In hockey, the Foremost Flyers are also a force to be reckoned
with.
Foremost’s roughly 500 residents benefit from the thriving agricultural and
oil and gas industries in the area, but the people are what make living in the
HOURS:
small rural community appealing, according to Mayor Ken Kultgen.
Mon. - Sat: “It’s a great place to live,” he says.
10a.m. - Midnight “We’ve got a lot of very dedicated
Closed Sundays
volunteers in Foremost. The people do
a lot of work to make things happen in
Fully Licensed
the community.”
40268200•03/24/09
Several events are held annually in
Bar & Grill
Foremost, most notably the rodeo
“Best Darn Grub
and mud bog in June. In addition, the
Photo Courtesy Canadian Badlands Initiative
village’s arena, curling rink, and baseball
in Cypress County”
diamonds play host to a number of
sporting tournaments each year. The local golf course, which features a
new clubhouse, is the venue for the village’s annual golf scramble.
EVERY THURSDAY IS STEAK NIGHT!!!
Aviation enthusiasts can also take advantage of the village’s airstrip.
Foremost School is a leader in education, winning an overall excellence
Includes: Steak with Baked Potato, Ceasar Salad
$
award from public policy think tank The Fraser Institute. The school’s
theatre department is part of the village’s vibrant arts community. Theatre
and Garlic Toast...............................................for 13
95
shows are held in Foremost in the spring and fall.
Served from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Kultgen and village councillors George Piper, Lorne Buis, Paul Stryker and
Brent Burton are presently putting together a brochure on Foremost to
Family Dining with Children Welcome until 9 p.m. Daily
attract more people to the community.
Morgan & Dee Fargo
Foremost has been weathering the current economic storm exceptionally
well, Kultgen says. In fact, the village plans to make additional industrial
Owners/Operators
(403) 832-2281
land available in 2009.
and the Friendly Staff
Seven Persons, Alberta
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