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Medicine Hat is a city of 51,249 (according to the 2001 Statistics Canada census) and is located in the southeastern part of the province of Alberta, Canada. It is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway Number 1 and on the South Saskatchewan River. Nearby towns considered part of the Medicine Hat area include Dunmore, Seven Persons, Redcliff, and Irvine. Its major claim to fame is Rudyard Kipling's famous line "all hell for a basement" referring to the vast reserves of natural gas beneath it.
Origin of name
The name "Medicine Hat" has its origins from Aboriginal legends about a battle long ago between the Blackfoot and the Cree Indian tribes in which a retreating "medicine man" (shaman) lost his headdress in the South Saskatchewan River.
Just south of the Trans-Canada Highway and overlooking the Blackfoot buffalo jump, is the world's tallest teepee, the "Saamis Teepee". Designed for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary as a symbol of Canada's Aboriginal heritage, it was moved to Medicine Hat in 1991. It stands over 20 stories high and was designed to withstand extreme temperatures and winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph).
Parks
- Police Point Park was an early North West Mounted Police outpost, and the park is now a nature-lovers' dream with shale paths next to the South Saskatchewan River.
- Strathcona Island Park
- Kin Coulee Park
- Echodale Park is a 650 acre (2.6 km²) park that includes an artificial swimming lake and boating lake.
The first students were accepted to The Medicine Hat College in 1965. Now with over 2,500 students and 2 campuses, the college has grown into an integral part of the community.
Military
The South Alberta Light Horse
Medicine Hat is home to The South Alberta Light Horse (SALH), an army reserve unit. The SALH is one of Alberta's oldest and most prestigious army reserve units. The SALH dates back to 1885 when it took part in the North-West Rebellion. Since then it has gained battle honours in the First and Second World Wars and today its members continue to serve overseas on UN and NATO missions.
Canadian Forces Base Suffield
CFB Suffield is located 50 km west of the City. It is estimated that the base contributes $120 million annually to the local economy, principally throught its two lodger units: British Army Training Unit Suffield, and Defence R&D Canada -- Suffield (DRDC).
Medicine Hat has recently seen a number of divisive political issues.
New arena
A committee has been formed under the direction of City Council. The committee will report back to Council in the first half of 2005 to report on the feasibility of a new arena and potential locations.
Adult Business Bylaw
The Adult Business bylaw places restrictions on pornography sales. Advocates for the rights of pornography businesses, led by Jim Ogston, suffered a defeat.
Esplanade
A new arts centre in downtown. Those for it argue Medicine Hat needs a new centre and locating it downtown helps revitalize the downtown core. Opponents argue the money could be better spent elsewhere (for example, a new arena, more police) and that downtown is a poor location due to restricted parking.
The Esplanade is set to open in the fall of 2005.
Famous Medicine Hatters
- Terri Clark -- country singer
- Murray Craven -- hockey player
Medicine Hat College - Glen Edwards -- Test Pilot, Edwards AFB Namesake
- Bruno Gerussi -- Actor
- Trevor Linden -- hockey player
- Chris Osgood -- hockey player
- Kalan Porter -- Canadian Idol
- Richard Edward Taylor -- co-recipient of the 1990 Nobel Prize for Physics
- Faye Wray -- King Kong Actress
| North West: Calgary |
North: Redcliff |
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| West: Bow Island |
Medicine Hat |
East: Maple Creek |
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South: Havre |
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City Of Medicine Hat |
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