Shaunavon, Saskatchewan - “Shaunavon’s Got It!!!!”
Shaunavon is an attractive small town located in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan, Canada with a population of approximately 2000 people, and growing. Shaunavon is a strong community with many positive recreational and business attributes. Frequently heard compliments from visitors to Shaunavon concern its wide clean streets with an abundance of boulevard trees.
Shaunavon is a pretty town on the Redcoat Trail tucked away in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan near Cypress Hills Park, and the T-Rex Discovery Centre and several other major attractions.
TOWN OF SHAUNAVON – 10 YEAR PLAN
Adopted by Town Council in the fall of 2002
- 5% growth in population per year over the next 10 years.
- Create an average of 35 new jobs within the next 10 years.
- Initiate, sponsor and participate in the development of at least two new value added enterprises within the trading area for each of the next 10 years.
- Raise community awareness of potential for increased businesses from tourism with the area.
- Become the preeminent rural retirement community within the Province of Saskatchewan.
Comments from Mayor Sharon Dickie- Jan. 17/06
I have been a member of the Shaunavon Town Council for the past twelve years. As mayor for the past six years, I made a conscious decision to develop good strong relationships within the Southwest and build bridges to other communities, as well as the other levels of government. We have developed a sound comfort level with other governing bodies such as Sask. Learning, SUMA, SARM, and Sask. Health which I believe is very important to move forward. I believe that we now have a good communicative process in place with the aforementioned.
The Southwestern part of the Province of Saskatchewan is vast and sparsely populated and in order to sustain our communities, we must work together and support one another. It is, however, rich in agriculture, natural resources, and beauty.
In 2002, the need for some long-term planning was identified and the council of the day began a process of determining where we wanted to be in the future and decided “Ten Years” would be the date we would focus on. Thus, began the steps to developing this plan. We were greatly assisted by Dennis Webster of the Cypress Hills REDA who facilitated the process on behalf of the Town of Shaunavon.
A committee of council called the Shaunavon Economic Development Committee has administered the plan. This committee has worked extremely hard to create economic growth in the area and stimulate the economy.
Most of the issues identified are dependent on retention of the existing base population. We believe that this will happen as a result of economic development and tourism.
Shaunavon’s current population is approximately 2,000 persons. We continue to attract new residents and hope to offset the negative impact from out-migration of youth.
Outcome of implementation of 10 Year Plan:
- Attitudes have changed. Our community is strong and positive. As leaders, we continue to work on this aspect continuously.
- We have a strong business sector, both professionally and retail, that believe in the community.
- The Shaunavon Co-operative Association is presently building a new shopping complex. This is an indication of the confidence in our community.
- The Town of Shaunavon will turn sod on a new multi-million dollar Community Recreation Centre this spring (2006) and begin the first phase of the project.
- We continue to support Cypress AgriEnergy in their endeavor to develop the ethanol industry in Saskatchewan. They are a tenacious, well educated, and committed organization and believe they will achieve their goals.
- We supported and helped retain Great Western Railway. The project is a great benefit to our agriculture sector. It is the smallest privately owned and operated Railway in North America.
- We continue to support Cypress AgriEnergy in their endeavor to develop the ethanol industry in Saskatchewan. They are a tenacious, well educated, and committed organization and believe they will achieve their goals.
- Shaunavon was named a Service Centre for the newly expanded Chinook School Division and will maintain offices and administration from this community. The Shaunavon High School has submitted plans for the expansion of their institution.
- The Town of Shaunavon, together with the Cypress Hills REDA has hired a Business Development Officer and opened an office which houses the following organizations:
• Service Canada
• Shaunavon Economic Development
• Shaunavon Tourism Committee
• Shaunavon Chamber of Commerce
• Cypress Hill Regional Economic Development Authority
• Cypress AgriEnergy Inc.
• Southwest Community Futures Development Corporation
- This has been very positive and the communication process between organizations has been greatly improved.
- The mayors in the southwest meet on regular basis and this has proved to be beneficial.
- The councils of Shaunavon, Maple Creek, Assiniboia also meet and interact at least three to four times a year. We share and a level of trust has been developed.
- A Life Lease Project is being investigated through a joint effort with the Town of Shaunavon, Shaunavon Credit Union, and Shaunavon Co-operative Association.
- The Shaunavon Economic Development Committee continues to interact with other communities in the Southwest to encourage economic development.
We are extremely proud to say that we have hosted the following events in the past two years- which is an indication of the confidence in our town.
- CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada - We doubled our population that weekend and our town was featured across North America. It was a huge fundraiser for our Project 2002 Arena Project. We are the smallest community to host such an event. CBC has stated,” Shaunavon raised the bar on that event and will never be duplicated”.
- CTV’s Breakfast with Jeff - Again- exposed our community across Canada. We competed with 800 communities and four were chosen- Lethbridge, Alberta; St. John, New Brunswick; Sarnia, Ontario; and Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.
- SCN’s production of Resurrection - featured our community as one with a vision, a future and commitment to help grow the province of Saskatchewan.
- I love Shaunavon Campaign - The Shaunavon Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Shaunavon continue to support the campaign which is aimed to helping foster community spirit and pride.
In conclusion, I believe, as a Council, we have set the tone for community growth and economic development. The progress on any of the above mentioned projects will depend on the confidence in our community at all levels of government. I believe this has been established.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon J. Dickie, Mayor
Town of Shaunavon
Comments from Jay Meyer – Cypress Hills REDA – Jan. 23rd/06
Prior to relocating to Shaunavon, I was informed of the great attitude and small town spirit of the Town of Shaunavon. Wanting to enter a new community with no bias, I heard but never listened. I felt it would be important for me to find out first hand. Employed in the field of rural development; I understand the struggles of rural Saskatchewan. Sometimes it seems much easier for a town to turn to its shell. The past 8 months in Shaunavon I have witnessed many times, a community coming together as a family and showing how proud they are of being from their town as well as their province; this so during events such as Breakfast with Jeff and Boomtown Days. Being from the other side of our province, I have received much praise from their people of the community of Shaunavon’s small-town spirit and pride. I am now not only a listener but also a boaster and I am also very proud to now be considered a Shaunavonite. The Town of Shaunavon’s Ten Year Plan is evidence of a Town that is not willing to sit back or get swallowed up by the status quo.
Jay Meyer
Economic Development Officer
Cypress Hills Regional Economic Development Authority
