Beyond YEG Borders: Lamont
Monday, August 4th, 2014The town of Lamont is about a 45 minute drive out of Edmonton to the north-east. The 9.3 square kilometre community is home to a population of around 1700 residents. Lamont is also known as the “Gateway to Elk Island National Park“, which is located directly south of town. Within the park is Astotin Lake which is less than a twenty minute drive from town. To to west, along highway 15 is the town of Bruderheim and then Fort Saskatchewan.
Lamont Park Trail. Image Credit: Town of Lamont
The town is named after the prolific historical figure John Henderson Lamont. Lamont was a Canadian politician, lawyer, and supreme court justice; he received his law degree in 1893 and was active legally and politically until his death in 1936. Lamont was famously described by settlers as “the nicest open country a person could wish for.” Infrastructure development began in 1912 upon the opening of the Lamont Hospital.
Original Lamont Hospital, as it looked in 1912. Image Credit: United Church of Canada Archives
Lamont has a rich cultural history, which carries into present day. In honour of the large Ukrainian population in the area, a Mohlya was erected just north of the town in 1991 to honour the centenary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Additionally, the town has an array of art, craft, and antique shops in which to display and sell cultural relics.
Parade on Main Street. Image Credit: Town of Lamont
In addition to a public library, hall, and curling rink, Lamont is home to a regulation NHL sized hockey arena. The small community is incredibly active in organizing festivities year-round at these various facilities and in outdoor public spaces. Activities include the Family Fun Circus, Town Wide Garage Sale, Picnic in the Park, Fairs, Rodeos, Public Skating, and numerous Christmas events.
NHL Sized Hockey Arena. Image Credit: Town of Lamont.
Lamont has all necessary amenities including hotels and motels, pubs, daycare and youth programs, grocery, health and beauty services, an elementary and junior high school, and all means of medical care. A whole host of restaurants are in close proximity, as well as shopping, and recreation. Lamont is also home to the Elk Island Golf Course, an historic 9 hole course built in 1936, one of the provinces oldest!
