Local stops worth seeing

By Damien Kurek
Battle Rover-Crowfoot MP

School is out, the weather is beautiful, and I know many of you are hoping to take a few days to enjoy the best of what the summer has to offer. Since the House of Commons rose at the end of June, I have had the opportunity to connect with many folks from across Battle River—Crowfoot. My goal has been to listen to you and your concerns through many town halls, meetings, and tours of local businesses. I am once again struck by how amazing this region is. I know times are tough for so many; family holidays and taking a bunch of time off is out of reach for many. Having travelled across east-central Alberta, I wanted to highlight a few options that are close to home and cheaper, but worth seeing!

As many know, I was born and raised in Consort, which my family has called home for generations. And since being elected, I have been able to see how this great rural region is not only a wonderful place to raise a family and work but is also an affordable place to visit.

Whether for an afternoon or a week, there are world class destinations to visit and small-town charm to experience. There is the Dinosaur Capital of Canada with the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology to archeological sites in Bodo. Likewise, there are some incredible trips including train rides with the Alberta Prairie Railway in Stettler and Battle River Train Excursions in Forestburg.

There are events which turn sleepy hamlets into bustling metropolises for a weekend, like the Hardgrass Bronc Match in Pollockville or the Bruce Stampede. There are too many events to mention in one column, but there are so many amazing things to see and do here in Central Alberta.

Destinations like local museums and regional parks to natural phenomena like the Neutral Hills, Dried Meat Lake, Dry Island Buffalo Jump, and the many river valleys and creeks that have been preserved through parks and recreation areas. And for those who like hitting the “links”, there are some great options for golfing.

And finally, I wanted to thank all those involved in local tourism. From shops to historical societies, to those who volunteer their time and talent to preserve, promote, and protect our history. A special shoutout to local historical societies, a number of whom I met a couple of weeks ago at the Kneehill Historical Museum. This meeting helped highlight some of the challenges and opportunities that exist in these spaces.

I have listed very few of many sites to see in Battle River—Crowfoot. I am privileged to live in and represent a region which works hard to preserve our history, thereby playing a significant role in making sure the future generations of Canada do not lose or forget their roots. I encourage you to visit some of the incredible local options this summer. I keep an updated list of local attractions on my website (let me know if there is anything missing, you think should be there). Take the time to stop by your local museum, municipal office, or tourism information centre. Enjoy the summer, and feel free to share your local experiences with me as you explore East Central Alberta!