Assiniboia lives up to the “Heart of the Golden South” nickname

Assiniboia’s Main Street maintains that small-town feel while the community offers a whole lot more.

The Town of Assiniboia might not have the population of some larger centres in Saskatchewan, but what the Heart of the Golden South has to offer its residents and visitors is noteworthy.

Located an hour south of Moose Jaw on Highway 2, the community of 2,389 features first-rate recreational and cultural facilities along with outdoor activities aplenty while maintaining an overall relaxing, small-town feel. One of the first stops anyone visiting Assiniboia should make is at the Shurniak Art Gallery. Named after art collector William Shurniak — who grew up near the community in Limerick — the gallery houses his extensive, world-class art collection to go along with brilliant architecture to show off the pieces. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That’s not the end of the community’s artistic pursuits, either, as the Assiniboia and District Art Museum also houses an impressive series of displays, including an extensive antique car collection.

The Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre serves as one of the hubs of the community, featuring a 62,000 square foot facility that includes the Assiniboia and District Public Library, Southeast Regional College Campus, the Assiniboia Curling Club and even the single screen Olympia Movie Theatre. Affectionately nicknamed the POW, the facility also had plenty of meeting rooms and halls for public events. Check out http://www.powassiniboia.ca for the latest on what’s happening. If you’re more of an outdoorsy type, Assiniboia still has you covered. Beginning with Assiniboia Regional Park, located in the south of the community on Highway 2, you have no shortage of camping options, with an on-site pool that even offers lessons as well as a new splash park. The Assiniboia Regional Golf Course is also right near by, offering a rolling nine-hole layout for anyone looking to get a quick round in. The winter months are also busy, with every activity imaginable taking place.

The Assiniboia Southern Rebels Junior ‘B’ hockey team is one of the main attractions, with the perennial Prairie Junior Hockey League contenders playing out of a packed Civic Centre on most nights. But not for very much longer. Plans are in place for the construction of a brand new recreational complex in the coming years, featuring a brand new hockey rink, walking track and host of other amenities. As one might expect, there are also lots of the regular businesses and operations you’d find in any town of its size: grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and motels, plenty of playground and outdoor tracks, just about anything a visitor would need for a pleasant stay. For a look at all that Assiniboia has to offer — and we’ve only touched on the highlights here — be sure to check out their website at www.assiniboia.net or their Facebook page at www.facebook. com/AssiniboiaTown for the latest updates on things that are coming up!

The Shurniak Art Gallery. The Shurniak Art Gallery even includes a Joe Fafard sculpture on its grounds. The Assiniboia Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreational Centre.