the Heart of the Northeast
Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada 2012 Community Profile
www.nipawin.com 1
the Heart of the Northeast
Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada 2012 Community Profile
Overview Nipawin is one of Saskatchewan’s larger towns and is famous for sport fishing, hunting, and world-class golf. The region is where Saskatchewan was introducted to the world. In 1691, the first European explorer, Henry Kelsey, paddled in with First Nations guides and, discovering the abounding lushness, paved the way for the fur trade of the 1700s. Today, the economy centres around the agriculture, agri-processing and supply services, fabrication, forestry, mining, and tourism industries. The advantages to locating business in Nipawin are many—excellent recreational, medical and educational facilities, excellent roads and municipal infrastructure, business start-up incentives, a stable work force, good water sources, lower labour costs and a 600 million dollar hydroelectric project. Nipawin’s sheltered location on the majestic Saskatchewan River, where boreal forest meets the prairie, has much to offer visitors and residents alike.
Accessibility Nipawin is situated on two major highways: Highway 35 from the U.S. border, and Highway 55, the Northern Woods and Water Route, which crosses Saskatchewan from Alberta to Manitoba. Secondary grid road 790 west provides a direct route to nearby Fort á la Corne Provincial Forest, the site of successful diamond exploration. There is scheduled bus, courier, transport and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) rail service. Torch River Rail, a community shortline railway, operates from Nipawin to nearby communities to the west. The town’s regional airport, under review for expansion, has two runways: a 902 m paved and lit runway, and a 914 m turf runway. Chartered and private aircraft are accommodated.
Location Although the Nipawin region is referred to as “north east Saskatchewan,” it is in fact within the southern half of the province. The reference more correctly describes the setting which consists of northern forest as well as the most northeasterly farming in the province.
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NIPAWIN, SASKATCHEWAN Location: Elevation: Longitude: Latitude:
north east Saskatchewan (province) 364.05 m 104° 01’ 53° 22’’
Distances to major Saskatchewan cities: Prince Albert: 141 km via Highway 55 Saskatoon: 274 km via Highways 55 & 2 Regina: 362 km via Highway 35
La Ronge
Cumberland House Red Earth
Prince Albert North Battleford
Melfort
Tisdale
Hudson Bay
Humboldt
Saskatoon Kindersley
Nipawin
Rosetown Yorkton
Swift Current
Moose Jaw Regina
CANADA Weyburn Estevan
U.S.A. north east Saskatchewan market area
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Population Nipawin’s population is approximately 5,485. It is important, however, to note that the villages of White Fox and Codette are less than 10 km away, and the unincorporated subdivision of Klemmer lies adjacent to Nipawin. The combined population, nearly 7,000, is in fact the largest urban concentration in the profiled north east market area (see map below). This explains the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure finding (2010 Traffic Volume Map) that the Highway 35 commuting corridor between Nipawin and Codette handles by far the highest volume of traffic in the region, an average of some 3,550 vehicles per day.
Trade Area The total market population of the region is nearly 40,000. Some 7,000 people reside north and east of Nipawin, and most live well beyond the convenient access of either Prince Albert or Melfort. Nipawin is their major shopping centre. The most distant north eastern community, Cumberland House, is 2011 NIPAWIN MARKET AREA 163 km from Nipawin, as compared to 304 km from Prince Albert.
APPROXIMATE POPULATIONS
The influence of the Nipawin and district tourism industry, which brings thousands of visitors annually, is a further indication of the strength, importance, and potential of trade in the Nipawin area. Narrows Hills Prov. Park
Cumberland House
E. B. Campbell Dam
Smeaton Choiceland Love Snowden
Tobin Lake
White Fox
Shoal Lake
Nipawin Aylsham
Carrot River
Arborfield Zenon Park
Gronlid Ridgedale Star City
Red Earth
Klemmer
Codette
Melfort
Mountain Cabin
Hudson Bay
Tisdale Bjorkdale
Porcupine Plain
Nipawin 5,485 RM of Nipawin 299 Cumberland House 1,591 Smeaton 320 Choiceland 624 Love 136 Narrow Hills unavailable Tobin Lake Resort 90 Red Earth 1,251 White Fox 687 RM of Torch River 692 Shoal Lake 691 Codette 424 Aylsham 150 Carrot River 1,738 RM of Moose Rge 333 Gronlid 100 RM of Kinistino 249 Ridgedale 99 RM of Willow Creek 695 Zenon Park 286 Arborfield 565 RM of Arborfield 129 RM of Connaught 505 Melfort 6,415 Star City 677 RM of Star City 326 Tisdale 4,106 RM of Tisdale 474 Hudson Bay 2,525 RM of Hudson Bay 363 Bjorkdale 400 RM of Bjorkdale 359 Porcupine Plain 1,443 RM of Porcupine 352 TOTAL 34,579 Source: Saskatchewan Health Covered Populations June 30, 2011
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Value of Trade Entrepreneurship is vital to job creation in Saskatchewan. The small business sector, those with less than 5 million dollars in annual sales or with fewer than 50 employees, represents 98.5% of all businesses in Saskatchewan. Employing nearly 140,000 people, small business represents one-third of Saskatchewan’s labour force. In 2009, this important sector contributed an estimated 35% of the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2010 province-wide sales amounted to approximately 3.5 billion dollars. In the Nipawin region alone there were approximately 250 million dollars worth of sales. This represented more than 7% of the Saskatchewan business pie.
7.2%
Nipawin Region Percentage of Total Saskatchewan Annual Sales
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Services and Amenities Nipawin’s considerable distance from major cities encourages the populace to shop locally, which has assisted in fostering a strong business community. The downtown shopping district is comprised of a fairly extensive array of services and amenites including smaller discount department stores, grocery stores, banks, automobile service centres and dealerships, specialty shops, pharmacies, hardware stores, hotels, restaurants, a bistro, professional and government offices, medical clinics and post office. Additionally, there are a number of businesses along Highway 35 south and north, and Highway 55 east, which include mainly supply and service centres, gas stations, restaurants, and lodging.
SAMPLING OF BUSINESSES
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780
Nipawin Regional Park
Riv HWY OLD
Evergreen Centre
historic bridge
35
Boughen Nurseries
35 55
er
Pineland Co-op Pinecrest-Rona Rona
Living Forestry Museum
55
shopping district Civic Offices Cumberland College
hewan
Hospital
Saskatc
Diamond Credit Union Ltd. / Royal Bank Scotiabank / Northern Greens Resort F. V. Pierlot & Sons Ltd. / Sears / CJNE Radio 94.7 Kevin’s Custom Ag. / Imperial Oil Ltd. Gane Apiaries Ltd. / Knox Apiaries / A. J. Bowl Ron Tebbut Sales / Lakewood Autobody Honeywood Veterinary Hospital Nipawin Veterinary Clinic / Vanity Ventures Nipawin Chrysler Dodge Ltd. / Tobin Lake Motel T. K. Collision Centre / Venice House Thomas Motors / D. W. Auto Service Northern Transmission / Aim Supply Acklands-Grainger Inc. / L. E. Automotive UAP NAPA / Harold’s Sports & Shoes Season’s Edge Recreation / The Rad Pad Fairburn Tire & Battery Ltd. / Duplex Furniture Aurora Houseboats / Family Bakery OK Tire / MacSwaney’s Cabins & Lodge Fire Pro / Fas Gas / Husky Food Store NeuPath Group Chartered Accountants Inc. Gar Williams Agencies Ltd. / Golf Club Pro Shop Kroeker Cabinets / Cain’s Autobody Ltd. Par-A-Mart Confectionary Ltd. / North East EMS TSN Law / Remax / Butt E. Clock Repair Oxford Dental / Nipawin Vision Centre A & W / Tim Hortons / Subway / Abe’s Storage Dairy Queen / Kentucky Fried Chicken Nipawin Computer Solutions / Bank of Montreal Flowers ‘n Things / Nipawin Florists Inc. Spectrum Signs / J. T. Plumbing & Heating Ltd. CJ’s Furniture / Murray Dunn GM Blackrock Asphalt & Paving / Nipawin Denture Clinic Wild Bill’s Pizza / Twin Marine / Ace Electric Ltd. Benny’s Bistro / Richardson’s Hardware Gieni’s Fine Restaurant / Betty’s Fashions Davis Rexall Drugs Ltd. / Kingfisher Inn Extra Foods / IGA / Interlake Resources Richardson’s Hardware / Dollar Store North Fringe Industrial / Gene’s Jewellery Assaly Marks & Hopkins Jewellers / Just Sign It Woodland Studio / Gypsy Moon Herbal Shoppe Green Groves Motel / Westside Welding & Machine Ltd. .... and more.
Pickseed Airport
Bunge Francois-Finlay Hydro Station Co d e t te L a k e
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35
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Town Services The Town of Nipawin’s physical infrastructure and services—as extensive as many larger cities—make it a highly favourable place in which to reside and operate a business. Due to the town’s geographical setting, distinctive neighbourhoods and street layout have emerged which offer variety and choice in both architecture and lifestyle. Nipawin is known for its excellent drinking water which the Town draws from acquifers deep below the sandy soils the area is known for. Holding Nipawin capacity is 5,000,490 L. A new Regional water treatment plant is presently under construction. Park
The Nipawin Fire Department consists of a full-time Chief and 24 paid volunteers providing 24-hour service. It also operates an emergency rescue including the “Jaws of Life.” Police services are contracted from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) which employs a detachment of 13 officers with 5 vehicles. The department is responsive to community needs and conducts safety and youth educational programming in town and area schools.
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Nipawin District Hospital
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The Nipawin Municipal Airport (YBU) is maintained by the Town. An automated weather observing system (AWOS) provides accurate and up-to-date weather information and the BURTMAN DR airport’s non-directional beacon has a radius of 90 km.
Education There are two elementary schools, Wagner and Central Park. The latter incorporates a state-of-the-art learning assistance facility and is joined to the town’s public library and art gallery. Together with the L. P. Miller Comprehensive Collegiate, the career-focused and recently-built regional Cumberland College, a preschool and day care centre, there are excellent facilities for lifelong learning in Nipawin.
Health Care The health sector is one of the town’s largest employers and serves over 15,000 residents. There is a specialized district surgical hospital, two medical clinics, and an advanced care paramedic ambulance service with an annual call-volume of approximately 1500. There are dental, vision, chiropractic and massage clinics as well as alternative health services. Nipawin maintains housing and specialized services for people with special needs and for the elderly. An assisted living complex is in the planning stages.
Recreation Nipawin is an active community. The 1150-seat Centennial Arena is home to the popular Nipawin Hawks Junior ‘A’ hockey franchise. Jubilee Arena offers sports programs for minors. Figure skating, dance, martial arts, swimming instruction and a host of other organized sporting and social activities are offered in the community. An indoor pool is planned as part of a Town recreation master plan. The Evergreen Centre houses a curling rink, an auditorium, conference rooms and licenced dining facilities. There are numerous green areas and playgrounds throughout town as well as walking and hiking trails featuring a suspension bridge at the Regional Park.
Arts and Culture Nipawin possesses a vibrant arts community. There are sculptors, painters, photographers, crafters, writers, a community performance group and a camera club. The unique Nipawin Living Foresty Museum, located south of Nipawin’s historic CPR bridge on “Old Highway 35,” hosts live steam tractor and milling events each summer.
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Preparing for Growth While Nipawin is already a thriving service centre, new opportunities in biomass, mining, oil, gas, tourism and agri-business, as well as an increasing demand for additional shopping experiences by the region’s residents and tourists, make the attraction of anchor service industries paramount. Welcoming new residents and businesses, expanding existing ones, growing the area’s skilled workforce, providing adequate housing and recreation, and maintaining NIPAWIN INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT and expanding town intrastructure, are priorities. (15 years and over)
The Nipawin 2020 Action Plan is the vehicle by which Nipawin’s priorities have been identified and are now being managed strategically. At the top of the list are: municipal reclassification from town to city status, downtown revitalization, professional recruitment, a regional tourism plan, improvemments to rail, air, and ground transportation, added infrastructure including a business park and recreation complex, and building business relationships with neighbouring communities including First Nations and Métis.
Agriculture and other resource-based industries Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Finance and real estate Health care and social services Educational services Business services Other services
TOTAL 2,020 Source: Statistics Canada 2006 Census of Population
Building Stimulus Town of Nipawin Municipal Services offers a range of incentives designed to stimulate the building of new businesses, single family and multiple unit housing, as well as the renovation and/or expansion of existing ones. Successful applicants may qualify for the exemption of both municipal and school taxes for either three or four years, or for other incentives as outlined in the applicable policy.
Housing The average cost of a home in Nipawin is $137,500. The Town’s Action Plan emphasizes the need for starter housing to meet present demands and also as a means of attracting more young professionals to the community.
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230 130 80 80 340 85 320 185 195 385
Tourism There are three golf courses, two regional parks, a provincial park, two protected forests, rivers, lakes, and a museum—all within easy access. The town’s location, at the edge of the northern boreal forest and with a lake on either side, makes it a premiere tourist destination. An urban forest of jackpine is home to Nipawin’s 18-hole Evergreen championship golf course, one of Saskatchewan’s finest. The Nipawin area is internationally renowned for sport fishing and hunting. Tobin Lake, which lies just downstream from Nipawin, and the Saskatchewan River at Nipawin, are home to the Premier’s Walleye Cup tournament. Winter ice fishing and snowmobiling make Nipawin a four-season destination. The TransCanadian Snowmobile Trail skirts the town and is well-maintained and utilized. Outfitting services, houseboat holidays, and accommodation ranging from rustic camping to lodges, a resort hotel, and bed and breakfasts are available. Increasingly, tourists are choosing to locate seasonal homes in the town and area. Nipawin is a mural town. Highlighting historical points of interest, the many colourful works of art around the town are an enjoyment to visitors as well as residents and are a testament to the quality of community involvement and commitment.
Twin Lakes Community Planning The Twin Lakes area, of which Nipawin is the hub, encompasses Tobin and Codette lakes and surrounding environs. Working towards betterment of the community, the Twin Lakes Community Planning Association (TLCPA) recently instituted an action plan with a sustainable framework. It serves to ensure the future of the region’s tourism and other important commercial interests, where people, development, industry, and nature exist together in harmony.
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Internet Resources: www.nipawin.com www.tlcpa.ca www.highways.gov.sk.ca
PHOTO CREDITS: Elisabeth Poscher, p. 2 Brian Smith, p. 6 Lyle Morrow, p. 11
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