Nipawin, Saskatchewan

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Nipawin is located in north-east Saskatchewan, Canada on the Saskatchewan River portion of Tobin Lake. Nipawin is adjacent to the Fort a la Corne Provincial Forest, location of the world's largest diamond bearing kimerlites and intensive diamond exploration activity. Other industries in the area include: agriculture, tourism, canola oil processing, honey production, candle manufacturing, forestry, and commercialization of second generation biofuels.

The town lies between Codette Lake, created by the Francois-Finlay Hydro Dam (built in 1986) and Tobin Lake, created by the E.B. Campbell Hydro Dam (built in 1963). This resort community has become a well known tourism destination for fishing, camping, boating, golfing, hunting and outdoor recreation. Nipawin hosts several annual fishing events, including, the Great Northern Pike Festival, a summer-long event offering prizes for catching tagged fish, and the Saskatchewan Premier's Walleye Cup, a weekend live release walleye tournament.

Nipawin is a Cree word meaning "a bed, or resting place" which referred to a low-lying area along the river now flooded by Codette Lake where First Nations women and children would camp and wait for the men to arrive.

The first permanent settlement of Nipawin occurred in 1910 with the establishment of a trading post. In 1924 the Canadian Pacific Railway passed nearby, and the settlement was moved, building by building, to its current location to be closer to the railway.

The name Nipawin was also given to Nipawin Regional Park, a large recreational a few kilometres northwest of the town.

One of the major forms of entertainment in town is the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The Hawks are currently coached by Dave Hyrsky.

On April 18, 2008, an explosion took place at a downtown meat shop that destroyed 3 buildings totally as well as damaging several more. The explosion killed two people and injured five. The explosion is suspected to have been caused by a backhoe that snagged and sheared a natural gas riser from the main line. The explosion prompted the implementation of a state of emergency from the mayor. The tragedy received extensive national news coverage. ^[1]

1 Education
2 Statistics
3 Notable Nipawanians
4 External links and Sources

[edit] Education

The town is home to the head office of Cumberland Regional College, whose students number 360; as well as a major Saskatchewan Bible college, Nipawin Bible College, which has about 50 students enrolled. Nipawin is also home to three public schools: Central Park Elementary School, Wagner Elementary School, and L.P. Miller Comprehensive School.

[edit] Statistics

According to the Canada Census 2006

Total Population (Change from 2001)	Population Density	Land Area (in square kilometres)	Private Dwellings	Median Age
4,061 (-5.0%)	506/sq. kilometre	8.03	1,799	44.2 (41.9 male, 46.4 female)

	North:
West: Prince Albert	Nipawin	East: Carrot River
	South: Tisdale

[edit] Notable Nipawanians

Sharon Butala, novelist
Dane Byers, NHL hockey player
Lyndon Byers, retired NHL player for the Boston Bruins
Greg Classen, NHL hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks
Dave Pagan, professional baseball pitcher
Barry Pearson, screenwriter and film and television producer, Toronto. Recently wrote and produced Iron Road, a four-hour mini-series shot in China.