Saskatchewan, The word “Saskatchewan” means “the river that flows swiftly”. It is comprised of numerous geographical landscapes that include parkland, plains, & Canadian Shield. Contrary to popular belief, Saskatchewan is comprised of ½ forest, 1/3 farmland, & 1/8 water. There are four very distinct seasons with temperatures ranging from approximately +30 in the summer to -30 in the winter. As of July 1/08, 1,015,985 people lived in this prairie province.
There are 13 cities in Saskatchewan—the two largest being Saskatoon & Regina. Regina is the capital with a population of 199,904 (as of June 2007) and is home to the legislative assembly when it is sitting. Saskatoon is the largest Saskatchewan city with a population of 233,923 (as of June 2007).
Saskatchewan has nearly 5 million acres of provincial parkland including 2 national and 26 provincial parks. For more information on Saskatchewan park lands and events please visit www.sasktourism.com.
Saskatoon, The city's name comes from the Cree word for the purple berries that once grew wild along the rivers. A 20 minute drive from Detachment Dundurn, Saskatoon is one of Canada's fastest growing urban centres. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city boasting of numerous amenities & conveniences as well as being a busy hub of commerce, industry and education. The city has a lively cultural life with numerous & popular musical artists passing through to entertain. One can also find events such as, among others, the Jazz Festival & the Fringe on Broadway. Theatre & symphony lovers will enjoy the actors at the Persephone Theatre & the Saskatoon Symphony at TCU Place.
The South Saskatchewan River is one of the key elements in this city's appeal. The riverbank has been developed into a network of trails, promenades and parks where outdoor concerts are held. One can also enjoy River Landing with its beautiful boardwalk & its close proximity to the Farmer’s Market where you can purchase fresh produce & other Saskatchewan-made products.
For sports lovers, Saskatoon has hosted many sports events in the past. Competitions such as the Briar & the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship are just two of a long list. The Saskatoon Blades & the University of Saskatchewan Huskies also provide local competitions to follow.
With an economy based on agriculture, mining and agricultural biotechnology, Innovation Place near the University of Saskatchewan is seen as one of the top research sites in Canada. Employment opportunities also exist in other sectors such as manufacturing, processing & transportation—just to name a few.
Saskatoon is lucky to provide many educational opportunities for its residents. It has 2 school boards (a Catholic & a Public) from which parents can choose. There are also French Immersion & privately-funded schools if that is the preference. For post-secondary education, the University of Saskatchewan, SIAST, Kelsey Campus as well as a number of private colleges give plenty of alternatives.
Please see tourism of Saskatoon for more information on this Saskatchewan city.
Dundurn is located 35 km south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Highway 11. This small community with approximately 600 people is roughly a five minute drive from the Dundurn Military Detachment and about ten minutes from Blackstrap Provincial Park.
Dundurn relies heavily on a farming economy. However, in the town of Dundurn, one can find a number of amenities & services such as Canada Post, an elementary school (grades K-6) with an excellent program, a library, restaurants and a store. You will also find a massage therapist, a hairdresser and other businesses.
The school in Dundurn consists of Grades K-6 and, as stated, has an excellent program. Children in Grades 7-12 attend Hanley Composite High School which is in a neighbouring community & are transported there by bus. See our Education & Training section for more school information.
Hanley is located roughly 56 km south of Saskatoon on Highway 11, a 20 minute drive from Det Dundurn. Although this is a small town of approximately 500 people, it has a thriving community and business life with numerous services. Some of these services include Hanley Composite School (grades K-12), an RCMP depot, various churches, restaurants, recreational facilities such as an indoor swimming pool & a natural ice arena, Canada Post, & a grocery store (see the Hanley website for more information on its amenities).
Hanley has a number of points of interest including the Signet Lake Wildlife Observation area, which is 15 km east of Hanley and The Carlton Trail, which was used to transport Louis Riel to trial after the Rebellion of 1885 & to move homesteaders to their destinations. It is located 6 km west of town.
Hanley has a mostly agricultural economy but other businesses use the town as a home base. In Hanley, one can find a mobile seed cleaning plant, collision and auto repair shops, insurance agents, a lawyer and others. Health services include a wellness centre, a chiropractor & a public health nurse.
Blackstrap Provincial Park is situated 8 km east of Dundurn. Located in the “Prairie Schooner” region of Saskatchewan, Blackstrap Provincial Park has one of Canada’s rarest geographical formations – a “mountain” comprised of tons of fill, created with mammoth man-operated earthmovers. The hill was built to accommodate events of the 1971 Canada Winter Games. Today, this area is popular with hikers & cross country skiers. The park itself has over 530 hectares of green space and is a popular year-round getaway for fishing, windsurfing & other water sports. .
Blackstrap is open year round offering full camping services from Victoria Day to Labour Day. Several cottage-communities such as Thode & Shields Landing dot the area surrounding the lake and many families live at Blackstrap Lake, enjoying the surroundings and associated activities, year round.