Rimbey Community Information

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Welcome to Rimbey

Kansas Ridge was the first name given to this community at the turn of the century as many of the settlers came from Kansas. Among them were the three Rimbey brothers, Sam, Ben and Jim, for whom the town was officially named after in 1904. A 1909 brochure declared Rimbey to "have every prospect of becoming a good town. It now has two stores, a large hotel, grist mill, saw mill, creamery, school, Methodist Church and Church of England." The village of Rimbey grew along a dirt street faced with frame buildings with boom town fronts to distinguish them from the homes that were being built.

Today, Rimbey enjoys the best of all worlds by maintaining its small town friendly lifestyle and still has access to three major cities: Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton. All are located less than 2 hours from town. Rimbey is nestled in the scenic Blindman River Valley amongst the rolling hills which border the Rocky Mountains and is the centre of a thriving mixed farming and oil & gas region, and is the gateway to some excellent recreational facilities. Medicine Lake is located 40 km (25 miles) northwest of the town and provides many camping amenities, as well as boating and fishing. An abundant array of wildlife offers endless hours of enjoyment for photographers and nature-lovers.

Rimbey offers a lifestyle that is the envy of many communities. The town has a very sound economy and is blessed with having most services within the community. As you walk the streets of Rimbey, you will always be greeted by a hello and a smile from those you pass by.

Economic Base of Rimbey

There are over 100 businesses to serve your needs with a special commitment to your personal attention and satisfaction! Our commercial enterprises and professional services are second to none in Alberta. Rimbey is at the heart of a diverse agricultural industry including cattle, hogs, buffalo, elk and a wide range of cereal and forage crops. Activities in the oil and gas industries are also very robust.

The Community of Rimbey

Recreation

The Town of Rimbey and the surrounding area have a full range of top quality facilities. Whatever your sport - golfing, swimming, racquetball, bowling, tennis, curling, baseball, hockey, skiing, etc. you can do it all in Rimbey! Recreational activities offer easy accessibility at very affordable rates. Rimbey has numerous events throughout the year, including the Rimbey Rodeo in June and the Horticultural Show in August. Rimbey is situated close to the Blindman River and within 30 minutes driving time to 4 major lakes. Camping facilities include The Nesting Place in Rimbey, Gull Lake area and Open Creek Dam.

The heart of the Town’s recreational facilities is The Community Centre Complex – The Complex consists of an arena, two auditoriums, fitness centre, racquetball/squash courts, curling rink, kitchen facilities, two meeting rooms and is home to the Kinsmen Club, Lions Club, Nursery School Association and Art Club. The Town of Rimbey Recreation Services is also housed in this beautiful facility.

Other recreational opportunities in Rimbey and surrounding area:

  • Rimbey Swimming Pool – This popular summertime venue opens at the end of May and closes at the end of August. The pool provides a number of programs including theme days, aqua aerobics and swimming lessons.
  • Rimbey Golf Course – Located just South of Rimbey, the Rimbey Golf Course is a privately owned and operated 9 hole course with a pro shop and RV Park. In the winter, the course is ideal for cross country skiing.
  • Gull Lake Golf Course – Located on the NW corner of Gull Lake on Highway #771, the Gull Lake Golf Course is a privately owned and operated 9 hole executive Par 3 course.
  • Medicine Lodge Ski Hill – Located approximately 15 kilometers south of Rimbey, the Medicine Lodge Ski Hill features 10 runs, 3 surface lifts and a restaurant.
  • Striker's Alley (Bowling) – Located in downtown Rimbey, Striker's Alley is a six-lane bowling alley and family entertainment centre that includes 3 pool tables, foosball table, air hockey table and several video games.
  • Tennis Courts – There are two tennis courts located just north of the Rimbey Swimming Pool.
  • Lion's Skateboard Park – The Rimbey Lions Club maintains the skateboard park located adjacent to the Rimbey Youth Centre. Community Clubs

Rimbey has over 80 community groups, clubs and organizations that are involved with all aspects of social, recreational, community and religious activities. Our community spirit is evident by the success of their many projects. Some groups include the Chamber of Commerce, Kinsmen Club, 4-H Clubs, Lions/Lioness, Masons, and the Royal Canadian Legion/Legion Auxiliary. A full list of the community clubs in the Rimbey area can be found on the Rimbey website.

Local attractions include the Historical Pas-Ka-Poo Park and the Smithson International Truck Museum.

Rimbey has numerous events throughout the year, including the Rimbey Rodeo in June and the Horticultural Show in August. For a complete of events, please refer to the Rimbey Events Calendar.

Health Care

Rimbey offers its residents a full range of health and support services, which are staffed by caring and supportive personnel. The Acute Care Hospital, Nursing Home, Lodges and Community Based Services fulfill the majority of the community's needs. Other medical services include 6 doctors, medical clinic, health unit, dentists, and a physiotherapy clinic.

Education in Rimbey

ECS through Grade 12

Rimbey is part of the Wolf Creek Regional School Division #72, with headquarters in Ponoka. The public schools in Rimbey include the Rimbey Elementary School (K-6), the Rimbey Junior/Senior High School (7-12) and the West Country Outreach School.

The Rimbey Nursery School offers play based programs for children 3-5 years old.

The Rimbey Christian School is a private school that offers grades ECS to 12.

Post Secondary Education

Rimbey residents are within easy commuting distance from a number of post-secondary institutions, including publicly funded colleges such as:

Universities in the region include the University Of Calgary in Calgary and the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Sources: Information in this profile has been provided from a variety of sources including AlbertaFirst.com Ltd. and each community’s website. If you find inaccuracies or information you feel needs changing, please contact us directly stating the correction and the source of your information. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, currency and reliability of the content and data, it is not warranted to be correct.