Tara

With deep roots in Alberta and a passion for community, Tara has found the ideal place to raise a family and run a business in Bow Island.

Tara Robertson moved to Bow Island in 2006. She met her husband while attending the University of Lethbridge, and she joined him when he moved back to Bow Island to continue farming.

After moving she found a job in Medicine Hat, and two years later started her own controller consulting business in Bow Island. She’s owned her business and has worked locally ever since. The duo now have two children together and have loved raising their family in a smaller community in rural Alberta.

“There is a lot to love here. Bow Island encapsulates and embodies the idea of community and what it’s supposed to be. My kids feel safe here, and I feel safe raising kids here. They are in small class sizes in the schools. I feel like I know 75 per cent of the population, and that’s really comforting for me.”

The sporting opportunities are a big focus for the family. There are plenty of activity-based amenities and leagues that keep her family active, from hockey to skating, baseball and swimming.

Just last year, her son participated in the Mavericks School of Baseball and the Southern Alberta Hockey Academy. Having these options for students has brought a great balance for her son in completing academics and enjoying sports alongside it.

Originally from High River, Tara sees similarities between the two communities, mostly in how there is priority in bringing community members together through events and celebrations. A couple Tara noted is the Children’s Festival that happens every June and the annual Santa Skate for Christmas.

“I am president of the skating club, and we have so much turn out for our carnivals that aren’t just parents and grandparents of the skaters. So many community members see events and go to support their neighbours and all these kids, which is so great to see and be a part of. That’s where I think the difference is between a bigger and smaller city, everyone wants to support everything here. And that’s what a community does.”

Tara says Bow Island is a town that really comes together in any time of happiness or crisis. The community is good about supporting everyone at all times, and you see that when you have children and raise children.

She is thankful everyday that they do not live in a big city centre.

“My kids life is more like how I grew up, playing with friends until the sun goes down, and knocking on doors to see if your friends want to play.”