Medicine Hat, Alberta
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|subdivision_type1 = Province |subdivision_name1 = |subdivision_type2 = Region |subdivision_name2 = Southern Alberta |subdivision_type3 = Census division |subdivision_name3 = 1 |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_type = |leader_title =Mayor |leader_name =Normand Boucher |leader_title1 =Governing body |leader_name1 =Medicine Hat City Council |leader_title2 =MP |leader_name2 =Monte Solberg -(Cons - Medicine Hat) |leader_title3 = MLAs |leader_name3 =Rob Renner -(PC - Medicine Hat)
Leonard Mitzel -(PC - Cypress-Medicine Hat) |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = Settled |established_date = 1883 |established_title2 = Incorporated |established_date2 = October 31, 1898 (town) |established_title3 = Incorporated |established_date3 = May 9, 1906 (city) |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = |area_footnotes =City of Medicine Hat - 2005 Census data (pdf) |area_total_km2 = 112.01 |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2006 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 56,997 |population_density_km2 = 508.9 |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |timezone = MST |utc_offset = -7 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |latd=50 |latm=02 |lats=30 |latNS=N |longd=110 |longm=40 |longs=39 |longEW=W |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 670 |elevation_ft = |postal_code_type = Postal code span |postal_code =T1A to T1C |area_code = 403 |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = Medicine Hat.AB.Ca |footnotes = Medicine Hat, known to locals as "The Hat", is a city of nearly 57,000 people located in the southeastern part of the province of Alberta, Canada. It is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway, the eastern terminus of the Crowsnest Highway, and the South Saskatchewan River. Nearby towns considered part of the Medicine Hat area include Dunmore, Seven Persons, Redcliff, and Irvine. The Cypress Hills (including Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park) is a relatively short distance (by car) to the southeast of the city. Its major claim to fame is Rudyard Kipling's famous line "all hell for a basement" referring to the vast reserves of natural gas beneath it. It is because of this that the city is known as The Gas City. It is Alberta's sixth largest city.
Geography
The Medicine Hat landscape is dominated by the South Saskatchewan River valley. In addition to this major river, both the Seven Persons Creek and Ross Creek empty into the South Saskatchewan River within the City of Medicine Hat boundary. The presence of these water bodies provide for a dramatic valley landscape with numerous cliffs, and finger coulees throughout the City. Beyond the City and river valley the land is flat to slightly rolling and is characterized by short-grass vegetation.Twenty-five miles to the east at lies the Badlands Guardian Geological Feature. It is a landscape formation taking the form of a head wearing a feathered headdress. The head is 1000 feet wide. It is in inverse relief, formed by valleys rather than raised ground.Neighbourhoods
Climate
Medicine Hat has a semiarid continental climate, with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. However, the winter cold is occasionally ameliorated by mild and dry chinook winds blowing from the west, and hot summer daytime temperatures are made tolerable by low humidity and rapid cooling in the evening hours. Medicine Hat receives less precipitation annually than other cities on the Canadian prairies, making it a popular retirement city. Maximum precipitation typically occurs in the late spring and early summer.History
Name Origins
The name "Medicine Hat" is the English translation of 'Saamis' (SA-MUS)- the Blackfoot word for the eagle tail feather headdress worn by medicine men - or 'Medicine Hat'. Several legends are associated with the name from a mythical merman river serpent named Soy-yee-daa-bee, the creator, who appeared to a hunter and instructed him to sacrifice his wife in order to obtain mystical powers which were manifest in a special hat. Another legend tells of a battle long ago between the Blackfeet and the Cree in which a retreating "Medicine Man" lost his headdress in the South Saskatchewan River. A number of factors have always made Medicine Hat a natural gathering place. Prior to the arrival of Europeans the Blackfoot, Cree and Assiniboine nations used the area for hundreds of years. The gently sloping valley with its converging water ways and hardy native cottonwood trees attracted both man and the migratory bison herds which passed through the area.Founding
In 1883, when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) reached Medicine Hat and crossed the river a town site was established using the name from the Indian Legends. As the west developed Medicine Hat became instrumental with the development of the first hospital past Winnipeg in 1889 and as a C.P.R. divisional point. It was incorporated as a town on October 31, 1898, and as a city on May 9, 1906. Medicine Hat is 1/2 way between Winnipeg and Vancouver.Progress & Growth
Rich in natural resources including natural gas, coal, clay, and farmland, the town was known in the early days as "the Pittsburgh of the West". A number of large industries located here, under the inducement of cheap and plentiful energy resources. Coal mines, brick works, pottery and glass bottle manufacturing plants, flour mills, etc. became established. The agricultural potential of the surrounding area, both in crop and livestock, also made the town a viable service center with a well established transportation route. An economic boom was experienced between 1909-1914 bringing the population to over 10,000. Little growth occurred between the World Wars, although the population swelled in the mid-1940s due to the town hosting one of the largest Second World War P.O.W. camps in Canada. It was not until the 1950s that the town again experienced significant commercial development. Today, Medicine Hat prides itself as one of the most economical places to live in Canada, with its unique city owned gas utility and power generation plant being predominant factors. Major industries have included chemical plants, a tire and rubber plant, a foundry, brickworks, etc. and Medicine Hat continues to grow and prosper.Demographics
In 2006, Medicine Hat had a population of 56,997 living in 24,729 dwellings, an 11.2% increase from 2001. The city has a land area of and a population density of .Infrastructure
The Province and the City are preparing future plans for the upgrading of the Trans Canada Highway in the region to freeway status. The three alternatives include upgrading the current route, or a south or north bypass of the City.The City is working on design of the South-West Sector Sanitary Trunk main, extension of South Boundary Road from Strachan Road to Southridge Drive, and a South-West Sector water transmission line. This infrastructure will accommodate the development of new residential communities west of South Ridge Dr, and south of the Seven Persons Creek.The city is served by the Medicine Hat Airport.Military
Medicine Hat is home to The South Alberta Light Horse (SALH), an army reserve unit. The SALH is one of Alberta's oldest and most prestigious army reserve units. The SALH dates back to 1885 when it took part in the North-West Rebellion. Since then it has gained battle honours in the First and Second World Wars and today its members continue to serve overseas on United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization missions. Currently the SALH has members serving in Afghanistan.Canadian Forces Base Suffield is located west of the city. It is estimated that the base contributes C$120 million annually to the local economy, principally through its two lodger units: British Army Training Unit Suffield, and Defence Research and Development Canada -- Suffield).Attractions
The Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District The Historic Clay Districtis a living, working museum that offers a unique and extensive experience through collections, exhibits, interpretation, guided tours and educational and artistic programming. The Medalta Potteries and Hycroft China Factory Complexes are the focal points in this region. This nationally recognized industrial historic district is a cultural initiative of the Friends of Medalta Society with Federal, Provincial, Municipal and Private support. Restoration, preservation and cultural development of the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District for the purpose of education and public enjoyment is ongoing.[http://www.medalta.org] - Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic DistrictJust south of the Trans-Canada Highway and overlooking the Blackfoot buffalo jump, is the world's tallest teepee, the "Saamis Teepee". Designed for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary as a symbol of Canada's Aboriginal heritage, it was moved to Medicine Hat in 1991. It stands over 20 stories high and was designed to withstand extreme temperatures and winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph). During a January 2007 windstorm, a portion of the teepee was damaged. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that extensive weathering was partially to blame. After repairs were complete, the Saamis teepee now stands approximately 15 feet shorter.The Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre is the largest indoor multi purpose facility in the City. The building is and is sited on 57 acres in the north end of the City. The facility includes olympic size ice rink, 50 m pool, waterslide, diving platforms, kiddies pool, wave pool, cafe, 4 ball diamonds, lighted football field, and 3 soccer pitches.Located in downtown Medicine Hat, The EsplanadeThe Esplanade is a large multi purpose cultural centre. The facility features a 700+ seat performing arts theatre, art gallery, museum, archives, gift shop, and cafe. The Esplanade officially opened in October 2005.Parks
There are over of walking trails in the City. All of the major parks are linked by the extensive trail system.Golf courses
Education
Medicine Hat School District No. 76Medicine Hat School District No. 76 has been serving the needs of public school students since it came into existence in 1886.The District has five trustees and comprises 3 secondary schools, 12 elementary (K-6) schools, a special needs school for the severely disabled, as well as an Alternative School program which incorporates a joint partnership with the YMCA Teen Moms' Program, YMCA Stay-in-School Program, a program with Palliser Health for secondary students and a program supported by Children Services for students with behavioural needs.Medicine Hat School District has a current enrollment of 6,400 students for children from 2-1/2 years of age from ECS through Grade 12.The Medicine Hat College is a junior college located in south Medicine Hat. The first students were accepted to Medicine Hat College in 1965. Now with over 2,500 students and 3 campuses, the college has grown into an integral part of the community. Athletics include basketball, volleyball, and soccer.Contemporary issues
City is now 100% smoke free as of May 31, 2007.The City is preparing area redevelopment plans for the North Flats and River Heights areas.City Council recently voted to delay the decision to construct a new multi-purpose arena. Council will review the potential for constructing the arena and potential sites in the future.Construction on the much anticipated Costco store finished in December, 2007. Wal-Mart has confirmed that they will be building a superstore in Southlands in 2007/2008.The City, Town of Redcliff and Cypress County are together working on a plan that will govern the location and intensity of growth around the City for the next 50 years.Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation is currently negotiating with landowners south of the City to secure land for the future Trans Canada freeway bypass. The bypass is expected to be constructed in the next 10-20 years.The average home price has climbed to $239,000 in May 2007. Local media
Medicine Hat has several radio and television stations broadcasting from it, as well as receiving radio stations from Calgary.
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