Town of Bow Island Municipal Election: Lowell Leffler seeks a seat on council

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Lowell Leffler is stepping forward to hopefully serve the residents of Bow Island as a Councillor.

“This is my first time putting my name forward to participate in the political arena,” says Leffler.   “After 30 years of serving as a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent in the Prairie Rose School Division, I have a great deal of experience in working with teams to both identify and solve problems. I believe that I have the interpersonal and critical thinking skills to contribute in a positive way to the workings of Council.”

Leffler’s family moved to Bow Island in 1967, and he completed his high school education at St. Mikes.

“While I did move away for 39 years, when I finished my career in education, my wife and I decided that Bow Island would be a great place to retire,” he notes. “I have always appreciated the personal relationships that exist in a small town where you literally know everyone. I think it is time to give back to help ensure that future generations will be able to experience all the benefits that I have received from this community.”

Top of mind is the potential highway bypass.

“This is an issue that will have a major impact on our community and many of the businesses, especially those in close proximity to the current highway,” Leffler says. “There are positives and negatives associated with whatever decision is approved. Having worked with children all my life, some of the obvious concerns I have are related to the dangers of having a busy four lane artery that will have to be crossed to get to the schools if you live on the south side of Town. However, I am very cognizant of the fact that many retailers rely on the close proximity of traffic to keep them viable, so it is imperative that where it is built, it is close enough that people can still easily access these services.”

He adds, noting about infrastructure priorities, “It would be very easy and simplistic of me to look out my window and see a small pothole on the street and think that this is a major problem that needs to be fixed now. I am realistic enough to know that it is much more complicated than that and that there are many ‘big picture’ issues that have to be dealt with. I have no doubt that our administrators have done a needs assessment and prioritized the most important areas that need our attention. I look forward to working with them and providing whatever I can to help them continue to do the excellent job that they are currently providing.”

Leffler praises the town’s vibrancy, saying he is impressed with what the town has become, and the areas in which he hopes to contribute.

“While many towns are struggling with staying alive, the number of new businesses that we have access to is amazing. The downside to this type of growth is that living accommodations are crucial if we want more people to live here as opposed to commuting from other areas.  I believe that if we can have a place for people to live and work, they will quickly realize that this is a place they want to stay and raise their families in.”

He continues, “Having run the Bow Island Golf Course for 10 years, I learned how important it is to have a community where people can not only find work, but they can find ‘play.’ I know that we have top notch facilities, including ball diamonds, the splash park, curling and skating rinks, and the swimming pool. It will be my priority to ensure that we not only maintain these existing structures but continually look for ways to fill other niches of recreational enjoyment. Those that know me, know I might be talking about pickleball. When people live in a community where they can work and relax, there really is no reason to go anywhere else.”

Learn more about the candidates and the election at bowisland.com/elections-2025.