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Take time to enjoy the view |
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Written by Lethbridge Herald
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Friday, 03 July 2009 |
The word has become a bit overused in tourism circles, but there’s nothing wrong with the concept of a “staycation,” especially here in southern Alberta.
Belt-tightening southern Albertans looking to trim their travel budgets this summer will discover a world of possibility close to home. These local attractions might be overlooked in summers when we’re fixated on some far-off, exotic location.
But distance doesn’t make the outing more special, and sticking close to home is bound to make our hearts more fond of the beauty and diversity of our corner of the globe.
The newest attraction, less than a half-hour drive from Lethbridge, is the Raymond Aquatic Centre, which opened on Canada Day when the town is always bursting with homecoming parties and reunions and is at its festive best.
The nearly $3-million facility was a major undertaking in this community of nearly 3,700. Roughly a third of the money came from a provincial facilities grant. The rest had to be raised locally out of the town’s finances or the generous spirit of citizens.
By all accounts, the facility is nothing short of stunning, bearing the look of a palm-treed oasis with pool depths to accommodate all ages, water slides and spray park.
It’s a vast leap forward from the much smaller facility that had accommodated swimmers in the town for nearly a half century.
For southern Albertans who’ve never visited Raymond or taken in its July 1st rodeo (Canada’s first and longest running), the pool extends a leisurely invitation to discover this historic town, perhaps take in one of its community theatre productions or visit the charming Raymond and District Pioneer Museum.
That easy day trip would surely whet the appetite for other excursions around the region.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre in the Crowsnest Pass, a stunning backdrop for any number of outdoor adventures, was renovated extensively last year and beckons folks who haven’t stopped in for a while to take a second look.
Other provincial interpretive centres offering hands-on explorations of our past are the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump near Fort Macleod, one of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Alberta, and the Remington-Alberta Carriage Centre on Main Street Cardston.
If you’re looking for something more rustic, nearly every little community in the region has its own museum featuring not some dry retelling of historic facts, but the more interesting tales of the people who built the region.
Pincher Creek, for example, is home to the beautiful Lebel Mansion, a historic home-turned-arts centre; Heritage Acres, a museum devoted for farming’s good old days; and Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village.
The entire Village of Stirling has been recognized as a National Historic Site, for its preservation of the Mormon settlement pattern found in so many communities of the era. Visitors can see the Michelsen Farmstead and the Galt Historic Railway Park. Elsewhere, there's a fishing park, a petting zoo and the Heritage Creamery, a great place to stop for a snack.
Even closer to the city is Coaldale and its Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, an amazing attraction that’s home to an array of hawks, owls, eagles and more. A great time to visit would be next weekend when the candy parade and other Settler Days events are on.
Every weekend from now through the end of August you can bet some southern Alberta community has special events going on.
The pace is leisurely, the folks are friendly, and there’s plenty of gems waiting to be discovered.
And if you have a staycation experience that surpasses your expectations, spread the good word. Drop a line to letters@
lethbridgeherald.com and celebrate southern Alberta.
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