Shaunavon, Saskatchewan

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Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Established	1913
Population (2001)	1,775
Population (1996)	1,857
No. of Dwellings	861
Industries	Agriculture Oil Tourism
Time Zone (winter) (summer)	-0600 (CST) -0600 (CST)
with information from the Canada 2001 Census

The town of Shaunavon is situated in Southwest Saskatchewan, 100 kilometres from Swift Current, 140 kilometres from the Alberta border and 100 kilometres from the Montana border. Shaunavon was established in 1913 and settled along a railroad line. Shaunavon hosted CBC's Fifth Annual Hockey Day in Canada on February 21, 2004.

1 Name Origin
2 History
3 Travel
4 Recreation
- 4.1 Annual events
5 Media
6 Education
7 Famous Shaunavonians
8 External links

[edit] Name Origin

The name Shaunavon is believed to be the combination of the names Lord Shaughnessy and Cornelius van Horne, two of the four founders of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

[edit] History

[edit] The Boomtown

In the year 1913, settlers came to the area that would later be known as Shaunavon. Under a deal by the government at the time, land could be purchased throughout the province for as little as $10 a quarter section after building a homestead on the quarter. While this brought the settlers to the province, Shaunavon had a special attraction that would draw then especially to this region: Water.

Water was essential for settlers and the water in the area was considered to be the purest and most plentiful. Within the course of one year, Shaunavon went from being a town of empty lots to a "Booming town" with a population in the thousands. As a result, the town gained the nickname “Boomtown.”

Later, in 1914, the Canadian Pacific Railway would bring the railroad through the community just for the purpose of having access to the water supply to use on their railroad engines. It was also another positive sign for the community. In an agriculture based community, railroads are needed even to this day for grain and livestock to be sold to the world.

[edit] Water Capital of Canada

The royal visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England in 1939 brought fame to the community when the water that was used for the royal visit was supplied by the community. The town gained the title “The water capital of Canada.”

[edit] The Skating Rink

Another important milestone in the community in the 60's was the building of the public arena. With very little to do in the winter months, hockey was always a very important part of the community and an indoor facility was greatly needed. The center included facilities for skating with artificial ice placed out over the dirt ground. Later the extension for the curling rink was added onto the existing facility and cement was added to the skating rink.

Rising insurance costs prompted the formation of Project 2002 – a plan to replace the rink with a more modern facility over the foundation of the old arena. With the new arena conforming to new building codes the price of insurance for the facility would be more affordable. Fundraisers such as the Canadian national women's hockey team visiting the Shaunavon Badgers and Hockey Day in Canada has helped raise funds for the new arena. Originally slated at $2 million, the price for the arena has grown to $6 million.

[edit] Great Western Railway

The removal of the Crow Rate, which covered the cost of shipping grain, left farmers having to pay the bill to ship their grains to world markets. It became more economical for grain producers to ship to large terminals along the main line. This brought about the closure and demolition of many wooden grain elevators along the line to Shaunavon. In the late 90's, the CPR announced its intentions to sell the track leading to the southwest to WestCan Rail, a railway salvage operation. Action was swift. Grain Producers formed a coalition to lobby WestCan Rail. A deal was made that formed the Great Western Railway to run the line as a shortline with the eventual plans to purchase the railway back from WestCan Rail. Meanwhile producers purchased up the remaining standing wooden grain elevators in Shaunavon, Admiral, Eastend, Ponteix and Neville.

Today the Great Western Railway is owned by the coalition and continues to operate the shortline to southwest Saskatchewan. It is headquartered in Shaunavon.

[edit] Travel

Highways #37 and #13 West connect to Shaunavon.
Shaunavon is served by the Shaunavon Airport.

[edit] Recreation

Shaunavon has many seasonal and year round venues that help to boost tourism and entertain many of the current residence of the community.

The Grand Coteau Heritage Center is a museum and chapter library with a local art gallery and heritage exhibits on display. The Plaza Theater on main street runs both movies and theatrical shows. During the summer months the skating rink serves as a community center for various events and in the fall and winter is covered with ice again for both skating and curling.

In the summer months an outdoor recreation swimming pool is available for swimming, a 9 hole golf course is also open.

[edit] Annual events

Showarama occurs in the spring showcasing merchants in and around the community. Boomtown Days and the Pro-Rodeo occur during the summer.

[edit] Media

Shaunavon Standard - Weekly newspaper featuring news from Shaunavon and surrounding communities.
CJSN 1490 Radio - Shaunavon has a 1000 Watt station that simucasts CKSW radio, with local inserts and a half hour of local programming daily.
Boomtown News - Daily "Coffee row" publication.