Bow Island: Growth and prosperity through 2024

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Mayor Gordon Reynolds says the Town of Bow Island was very busy in 2024 with major infrastructure projects, land sales, parks and recreation upgrades, and a number of community events. 

“A flurry of lot sales near the end of 2023 resulted in work beginning on a dozen new homes in the Westview subdivision this year, and the final lot was sold in April,” Mayor Reynolds explains. “Council approved the creation of a new subdivision, Parkview, earlier this year. A grant from the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund was leveraged to begin development of about nine acres of Town land, with a focus on higher density housing; 11 of the 14 new lots have been sold and proposals are being considered for two more large apartment building lots.”

He continues, “Town staff installed the underground infrastructure for this new development and a contractor completed the shallow utilities installation in December. On top of this, there have been new houses on a some privately owned infill properties as well. Our slogan is ‘Build Now in Bow Island,’ and builders are taking stepping up to take advantage of tax incentives and to play their part in solving our local housing shortage.”

Those were not the only major projects of the year. Mayor Reynolds also points out that, “Thanks to fundraising by the Troy Loney Charity Golf Classic, a new playground was installed in the Westview area that will be a key part of a new park that is currently under construction.

“A new liner and other repairs were made to the swimming pool this past spring that delayed the opening, but the pool was ready for the hot summer weather. Staff also completely re-plumbed the Kale Porteous Memorial Splash Park and it ran relatively trouble-free all summer. A CFEP grant and fundraising helped the Town replace the aging ice plant at the arena with a new state-of-the-art system. We anticipate it will be safer and more energy efficient.

“Forty Mile Turf Seed held their grand opening in August. This state-of-the-art processing facility, in our Airport Industrial Park, provides another cropping option for local producers and gives them access to forage seed markets throughout North America and Europe. This venture is another example of the entrepreneurial spirit for which the Bow Island/Forty Mile area is known.”

Some of the year’s most memorable moments were the ones that were sweet… and bittersweet.

“In February, Councillor Lyle Tuchscherer announced his retirement and he and his wife Bonne moved to Medicine Hat. Lyle served the Town for over 20 years as a Councillor and was a long-time volunteer firefighter. A by-election was held in May and former Councillor Bill Ressler was acclaimed.”

He adds, “In August we mourned the passing of Alan Hyland who served our community as an MLA, Mayor, Town Councillor, and volunteer for nearly 50 years. Like his predecessors, he believed in the potential of Bow Island and all of southeast Alberta. Alan worked hard for his constituents and did his best to help people whenever he could. In spite of ill health, Alan continued to play an active role on our Council right up to his retirement in 2021.” 

During the year, a number of bylaw changes took place.

• In April, Council passed the Bow Island Urban Hen Bylaw, allowing the issuance of five licenses for the keeping of four hens each within the Town. Eleven applications were received. A draw was made for the five licenses. 

• After hearing concerns about water supply in the South over most of the winter and in cooperation with the Highway 3 Water Commission, Council passed a new Water Conservation Bylaw in May and created a drought management plan.

• June saw the passing of the updated and modernized Land-use Bylaw. 

The community-focused highlights are just as exciting. 

“Market in the Park and the Friday Market had another successful summer and once again proved to be great gathering places for the community. The volunteer organizers did a great job as always.”

The second annual Bow Island Harvest Festival took place in September and this year featured the Pinto’s Princess Competition for girls from Grade 6 to 12. 

Mayor Reynolds says, “The purpose of the competition was to help young women in our area build confidence, public speaking skills, awareness of community volunteerism opportunities, and to provide them with the opportunity to find and develop mentors and to become mentors themselves. All 12 contestants were impressive and great examples of the kind of people our community produces.”

The Mayor thanks Council for its hard work, and he is excited about the year ahead.

“House construction will continue in 2025 on both Town and private land. This construction will be a mix of single-family and higher density living spaces as we try to meet a variety of needs. I am hopeful this will include living spaces suited for seniors who wish to downsize. For the last four years, we have been waiting for AHS and Alberta Health to complete negotiations with a well-qualified proponent that wishes to build and operate a seniors care facility in our new subdivision. Fingers crossed that this will finally be the year!

“Sod and trees are slated to be planted in the new park in Westview that features a paved walking path, accessible playground, and a bicycle track. Another ball diamond will be opened in the Bert Knibbs Ballpark and there may be some more improvements to Centennial Park. 

“We are very excited to move into the new Public Works building this year, replacing the small and deteriorating, 50-year old shop staff is currently working out of, and the Town sold the last of its industrial lots near the airport this fall. Plans are underway to develop more land in that area to meet the growing demand for new businesses. At the same time, the Town will be looking to develop more residential land.”

Mayor Reynolds concludes, “Bow Island will continue to play a role in the socioeconomic success of Southeastern Alberta and will work with our regional partners to achieve those goals.”