54 km from Calgary
Farming, ranching, healthcare and technology
Approximately 13,584 residents
Kindergarten to grade 12 and nearby post-secondary
Highwood River rolls and glides, trips and tumbles as it winds its way north to south. Wending its way across the southern part of the province, the Highwood curves past prairie and badlands, through forest and foothills. It zigzags through the northwestern tip of the Town of High River, and gives the community its name. In the distance, the jagged Canadian Rockies rise up out of the prairies.
If the setting sounds cinematic, it is. The area in and around High River has been used as the setting for a number of movies and television shows. It posed as Smallville in Superman II, provided the backdrop to Moondance Alexander on the silver screen, and features in a number of small screen hits: Caitlin’s Way, Fargo, Tin Star, and the popular Canadian series Heartland.
In town, you’ll discover a wonderful gem with walkable, tree-lined streets. Around town, painted murals highlight High River’s community heritage. Like many Alberta communities, the agricultural history is ever-present, with annual festivals tipping their hats to the farm and ranch way of life – like the wagon rides and heavy-horse demos at Spring Seeding Weekend, or the summer’s Little Britches Parade and Rodeo.
High River is a “People-First” community that provides a blend of homegrown entertainment and cosmopolitan influences. This includes a music festival, a weekend of international cuisine, and features a range of businesses, activities, and social groups to get involved in. Explore farmers and artisan markets for locally-grown, unique, and handmade treasures, galleries, gift shops, fashion boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, patios and live music venues.
There’s a full range of sports, recreation, and the arts to get involved in for kids – and adults - of all ages. From photography club and soccer to dance class and swimming, there’s plenty to do, including a tennis club, golf and country club, and even a shuffleboard league. The Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex and Cargill field house features a 25-metre swimming pool, two ice arenas, four curling sheets, a two-lane walking track, and a multi-purpose playing surface that accommodates soccer, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
Outdoor parks and play spaces feature 28 kilometres of walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, an off-leash area, outdoor fitness park, and splash park for the kids. Local campgrounds offer up dedicated space for horseshoes and bocce ball, and public washrooms with indoor plumbing. Nearby national and provincial parks make it easy to take a day outing to hike, mountain bike, go horseback riding, or just explore the natural beauty in your own backyard with a weekend camping trip.
If you want to learn more about what High River has to offer, visit the town’s website, Facebook or Instagram pages.
AHS operates multiple facilities in High River. Primary healthcare services are provided at the High River Public Health Centre, with the administration of several public health programs including immunization for infants, toddlers, schoolchildren and travelers, mom and baby programs, and family healthcare resources.
The High River General Hospital provides a wide range of healthcare services to the Town of High River and surrounding community. This facility encompasses a 24-hour emergency room, 30 beds for acute inpatient care, and 50 long- term care beds. They also provide maternity care, cancer care, endoscopy, general surgery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, spiritual care, palliative and long term care. In addition, there is also a local cancer centre as well as addiction and mental health services.
Newcomers to the AHS team in High River have commented on the warm welcome they received from their colleagues. The team here has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, frequently collaborating across departments to solve problems and deliver the best possible patient care.
The close proximity to Calgary means that there is a similar patient population and a variety of health concerns to care for. Employees have access to a range of professional development opportunities, both locally and in Calgary. There are opportunities to attend conferences that highlight specific patient groups or care specialties, such as wound care or palliative care, as well as, access one-on-one coaching from the nurse educator, or participate in skills training days for CPR or health care aides.
Also because of being so close to Calgary, Stampede Week excitement is met with an annual breakfast. Other social events, like spring picnics and summer barbecues lined up throughout the year. On days off, staff like to enjoy the outdoor environment against the foothills of the Rockies.
