Photos courtesy of County of Newell and Brooks Medieval Faire
189 km from Calgary
Oil & gas, manufacturing, construction, retail and services
Approximately 14,450 residents
Kindergarten to grade 12
The great Canadian prairies stretch on and on, a vast ocean of grass. Amid patchwork fields, you’ll find the City of Brooks, a place that’s been steadily growing for more than a century.
Known for being both friendly and multicultural, this city was profiled in a 2010 TV documentary, “City of 100 Hellos.” While the prairie town may seem like an unlikely home to such a mixed population, it has grown to include inhabitants from numerous heritages and backgrounds. The semi-arid climate sees little snow and often enjoys chinook winds – a gentler introduction to Canada’s winters for people who come from warmer climates.
Several lakes and waterways, as well as easy access to historical and natural attractions make Brooks a great place to call home. Red Deer River lies to the north, while the Bow River runs south of the community. Check out the Brooks Aqueduct, or plan a day trip to Lake Newell, one of the country’s largest manmade lakes. Dinosaur National Park and the Royal Tyrell Museum are just a short drive away. Camping, fishing, and hunting are popular pastimes, with plenty of recreational and extracurricular activities in the city.
The numerous parks, playgrounds and sports fields offer multiple ways to stay fit and active. The Duke of Sutherland Park features an outdoor fitness area and a water spray park that’s fun for kids all summer long. There’s a full calendar of festivals and events. For something that’s unique, educational, and fun, don’t miss the Brooks Medieval Faire, held every August. Go in costume and take in a number of demonstrations and performances, including jousting, costume contests, and a medieval-style feast.
The JBS Leisure Centre features an arena, curling rink, and aquatic centre with a waterslide and wave pool. Check out the fitness centre, or take the kids to the indoor play park or public library for story time. You can also cheer on the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s local team, the Brooks Bandits, at the Centennial Regional Arena for an inexpensive and family-friendly night out.
To learn more about Brooks, check out the municipality’s website, Facebook, or X pages. Find information on the surrounding area by visiting the County of Newell’s website.
The Brooks Health Centre is the community’s main hospital, providing 24-hour emergency services, acute care, maternity, labour and delivery, surgery, and continuing care. Diagnostic imaging, laboratory, and therapy services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiration therapy, and speech language pathology are in place to complement patient treatment and recovery.
The Brooks Community Health Centre is a resource for patient and prenatal education, x-ray imaging, speech language pathology, and the Early Detection and Hearing Intervention program. Oral health services, including fluoride for toddlers, travel vaccination, and the public health nurse are also based here.
Video courtesy of the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP)
