Welcome to Town Square
On July 7, the City of Medicine Hat and Invest Medicine Hat broke ground at 603 1st Street SE, now recognized as Town Square — a lot that has been vacant since 1979.
Town Square is the first project for the Waterfront District funded by the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Stimulus Program. The redevelopment of the 603 1st Street SE parking lot is a critical first step toward establishing the downtown as Medicine Hat’s vibrant entertainment, urban living and retail district.
Residents and travelers can expect to experience concerts and festivals, food truck vendors, pop-up markets, and a skating rink in the colder months. The community can also look forward to some of the city’s popular downtown events like Midnight Madness, the chili cook off and more. The lot will also still be available for parking.
Some business owners in the downtown area have expressed their excitement for the opportunities that developing our Waterfront District will bring.
“I always knew Medicine Hat’s downtown had the potential to showcase our river, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted my business in the core,” says Carmen Lambert, owner of The Hat’s Olive Tap. “Travelers want to experience a city’s downtown, and I do the same when I travel with family and friends. Not only will the Waterfront District invite more travelers, but it will encourage more people to live, have fun and work here.”
Medicine Hat’s downtown is what inspired Carrie and Ian Sand to move to Medicine Hat and start their ice cream business, Moose and Squirrel Artisan Village. Originally from British Columbia, the couple ventured to Medicine Hat in 2019, fell in love with the heritage and unique qualities of the downtown opened their artisan village in June 2020.
“We especially love second street and that many of the downtown businesses are locally-owned,” says Carrie Sand, co-owner of Moose and Squirrel Artisan Village. “We found a beautiful character home on the hill, which is within walking distance to our business. It was the perfect location for us to move to, start our business, and have great access to downtown and its amenities.”
The Waterfront District currently extends from the Medicine Hat Public Library to Athletic Park and possibly further into Strathcona.
“There is no better time than now to showcase what we have downtown, and we are so happy to be a part of the positive changes that are coming,” says Ian Sand, co-owner of Moose and Squirrel Artisan Village. “There is so much potential here for events, and there are people in Medicine Hat who’ve been waiting for a lively space to enjoy. The
Waterfront District will immensely contribute to it.” Myrna Stark and her two business partners recently developed an old liquor store into ACE Hardware on Maple Ave and look forward to residents and travelers adventuring further around the area.
“We’re really excited to be a part of the Waterfront District, because it will encourage people to experience more of Medicine Hat and support more local businesses that are constantly opening up on this side of the city,” says Stark. “It’s going to expand the downtown and will motivate even more businesses to open.”
To stay up to date with new and expanding businesses, visit investmedicinehat.ca.