125 km south of Calgary
Agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and healthcare
Approximately 3,800 residents
Kindergarten to grade 12 and post-secondary
The prairie seems to go on and on, with the wind rustling the long wild grasses and stirring crops of grain, canola, and lentils. The Town of Claresholm, in southern Alberta, sees wide streets and pleasant lots sheltered by shade trees throughout its neighborhoods, with broad prairie landscape sweeping away to the north, east, and south. Westward, the prairie gives way to foothills, then the Canadian Rocky Mountains, jutting up against the endless blue dome of sky.
Once a water stop for steam engines along the Canadian Pacific Railway line, the water tower still stands sentinel over a town that retains its pioneer spirit. The railway station built in 1910 now houses the Visitor Information Centre alongside more modern homes and businesses that sprang up as the town evolved. From Blackfoot tribes, to the first homesteaders and ranchers, railroaders, and an air force training base, Claresholm has always retained its rural roots, with agriculture a key facet of the town’s identity to this day.
Located approximately 125 kilometres or just under an hour and a half from Calgary, Claresholm is almost equally close to Waterton Lakes National Park. Numerous regional attractions lie even closer, including Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Fort McLeod historical sites, Nanton Bomber Command Museum, the Pine Coulee and Willow Creek Park, Porcupine Hills parks, and Clear Lake. All of these are within an hour’s drive, and many no more than 30 minutes! Whether you like to explore local history and culture, get outdoors, or a little of both, discover these hidden gems for yourself.
Close to home, you have the services and amenities necessary to live comfortably. Two schools serve families with school-aged children from kindergarten to Grade 12; the local Lethbridge College satellite campus and the Willow Creek Community Adult Learning Society provide options for adult and ongoing education. There’s a variety of sports, social, and arts organizations for many different ages, stages, and interests. Venues like the local arena, Agriplex, Aquatic Centre, ball diamonds, gym and fitness studios, and a golf course support activities ranging from yoga, dance, archery, swimming, hockey, curling, horse shows, and rodeos.
To learn more about Claresholm, visit the community website or Facebook page.
Alberta Health Services provides a wide spectrum of health services based out of four local facilities. The Claresholm General Hospital, Community Health Centre, Addiction and Mental Health Centre, and Willow Creek Continuing Care provide care and services to patients from diagnosis, through active care and treatment, to recovery, as well as offering a range of health programs for all ages and stages.
The Claresholm General Hospital features a 24-hour emergency department, and houses laboratory, x-ray, and electrocardiogram (EEG), pharmacy, and physiotherapy services. Patients are also able to access the Calgary Rural Diabetes Clinics for education and counseling on how to manage their Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The Claresholm Community Health Centre offers a wide array of community health programs including home care, immunizations for infants, children, adults, and seniors, public health inspections, speech pathologist, seniors wellness clinic, prenatal classes, and foot clinics.
Willow Creek Continuing Care provides continuing care services and respite care, while patients can access the local Addiction and Mental Health Clinic for assessment, consultation, and referral to support them in coping with their mental health challenges.
