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Coordinates: 52°52′N 104°36′W / 52.867°N 104.600°W / 52.867; -104.600
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Melfort
Stoney Creek
From Many Builders One Community
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
The City of Northern Lights
Motto: 
Welcome to the Diamond Gateway
Location of Melfort, Saskatchewan
Location of Melfort, Saskatchewan
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Incorporated Village1903
Incorporated TownJuly 1, 1907
Incorporated CitySeptember 2, 1980
Government
 • MayorKevin Phillips
 • MLARod Gantefoer
 • MPRandy Hoback
Elevation
[1]
480.10 m (1,575.13 ft)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total5,192
 • Density351.3/km2 (910/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5
HighwaysHwy 3 CanAm Highway,
Hwy 2 CanAm Highway,
Sk Hwy 641
Post office establishedAugust 1, 1892
WebsiteCity of Melfort
[2][3][4][5]

Melfort (2006 population 5,192) is a small Canadian city in Saskatchewan, approximately 95 kilometres (59 mi) southeast of Prince Albert. According to The World Gazetteer, its population as of 2004 was 5,400. Melfort became Saskatchewan's 12th city in 1980; although it had achieved the necessary 5,000 population a number of years earlier, residents were reluctant to give up their status as a town, and for a time, the town of Melfort was actually larger than the city of Melville.

Melfort is near a large diamond exploration site. The ongoing diamond exploration by a joint venture between Shore Gold Inc. Newmont Mining Corporation of Canada in the Fort à la Corne district is expected to begin mine construction in 2010.

Melfort is called "The City of Northern Lights" due to the frequency at which the aurora borealis appears.

History

[edit]

Just 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) northwest of current location of Melfort settlers established themselves on the on the banks of Stoney Creek before relocation due to the surveying of the CNR.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

Melfort's first post office was established August 1, 1892, in the provisional district of the North West Territories with Benjamin Bothwell as the first postmaster.[6]

Three one-room school houses used the name "Melfort". Melfort School District No. 54, later called Tiger Lily No. 54 17, near Pleasantdale. (Pleasantdale post office was previously named Windgap and was located at Township 41, Range 18 west of the 2nd Meridian). Melfort School District No. 318 was established in 1904 at Clemens, Rural Route 1, Melfort. Melfort School District No. 1037 was the last one-room school house to use this name.[7]

Geography

[edit]

Melfort is located in the Carrot River valley which is noted for its black loamy soil and productive agricultural lands.[8][9] The drainage region for Melfort is the Lower Saskatchewan - Nelson and the area is characterized by a prairie ecozone.[10] Melfort Research Farm is located north of Melfort in the Boreal Shield ecozone and the Churchill drainage basin. The farm's main purpose is to research crops and crop systems for northern prairie black and grey soil zones.[11][12] The Melfort branch of the Canadian Legion has assembled a photographic display of the geographic memorials designated to honour the war dead.[13][14]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical Population
YearPop.±%
1901—    
1906351—    
1910599+70.7%
1916971+62.1%
19965,759+493.1%
20015,559−3.5%
20065,192−6.6%
[15][16]

The latest census, taken in 2006, showed a population in the city of Melfort of 5,192, a decrease of 6.6% over the previous census.[17][18]

Canada census – NielsenGW/Articles/Melfort community profile
Population
Land area
Population density
Median age
Private dwellings
Median household income
References: earlier[19][20]

Economy

[edit]

The Agriculture Melfort Research Station is centered here along with many other agriculturally based industries. The Tiger Hills Uplands ecozone provides rich soil to grow a diversity of crops.[21][22]

Government

[edit]

The community became a village in 1903, and incorporated as a town July 1, 1907. It finally became the twelfth city of Saskatchewan on September 2, 1980.[23][21][24][25]

Municipal affairs are handled by the town mayor, Kevin Phillips and council.[26] The rural municipality of Flett's Springs No. 429 office is located on McDonald Avenue West in Melfort and provides municipal rural affairs to the small unincorporated areas of Claggett, Ethelton, Ethelton Airport, Flett Springs, Lipsett, McMichael, Melfort Airport, Minto Park, Pathlow, and Taylorside.[27]

Melfort is in the federal electoral district of Prince Albert with their Member of Parliament being Randy Hoback.[28]

Provincially, the area is within the constituency of Melfort with its MLA being the Honourable Rod Gantefoer.[29]

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Melfort
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3) 		7
(45) 		17.5
(63.5) 		30
(86) 		34.5
(94.1) 		39
(102) 		37
(99) 		35.6
(96.1) 		36.1
(97.0) 		28
(82) 		17
(63) 		7.2
(45.0) 		39
(102)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7) 		−10.1
(13.8) 		−3
(27) 		7.9
(46.2) 		17.4
(63.3) 		22
(72) 		23.6
(74.5) 		22.9
(73.2) 		16.4
(61.5) 		8.8
(47.8) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		−11.3
(11.7) 		6.5
(43.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −23.3
(−9.9) 		−19.8
(−3.6) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		4.2
(39.6) 		9.3
(48.7) 		11.2
(52.2) 		9.8
(49.6) 		4.5
(40.1) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−11.4
(11.5) 		−20.4
(−4.7) 		−4.4
(24.1)
Record low °C (°F) −47.2
(−53.0) 		−42.2
(−44.0) 		−40
(−40) 		−30
(−22) 		−13.3
(8.1) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		2.2
(36.0) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−13.9
(7.0) 		−24
(−11) 		−36.5
(−33.7) 		−43
(−45) 		−47.2
(−53.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15.1
(0.59) 		11.2
(0.44) 		17.9
(0.70) 		24.5
(0.96) 		45.6
(1.80) 		65.8
(2.59) 		75.7
(2.98) 		56.8
(2.24) 		39.9
(1.57) 		24.7
(0.97) 		16.4
(0.65) 		19.2
(0.76) 		312.5
(12.30)
Source: Environment Canada[30]

Transportation

[edit]

Melfort is located at the junction of two primary route highways, SK Hwy 3 and Sk Hwy 6 where they meet with seconday Sk Hwy 41. 203.1 miles (326.86 kilometres)* of Saskatchewan Highway 6 contribute to the CanAm Highway between Corinne and Melfort.[31] 59.7 miles (96.08 kilometres)* of Saskatchewan Highway 3 contribute to the CanAm Highway between Melfort and Prince Albert.[31] Melfort is 107.92 miles (173.68 km) north east of the largest provincial city, Saskatoon along Sk Hwy 41 (turning onto SK Hwy 5) and 58.12 miles (93.54 km) south east of Prince Albert via the CanAm Highway.[32][33]

Melfort (Miller Field) Aerodrome (TC LID: CJZ3), is located 2.6 NM (4.8 km; 3.0 mi) west of Melfort.[34]

In 1925, Melfort was listed as a Canadian Pacific Railway station on the Lanigan–Naicam branch line. Melfort was also a Canadian National Railways station on the Swan River – Prince Albert branch line and the Humboldt–Melfort–Ridgedale branch line.[35]

Media

[edit]

The Melfort Journal provides local newspaper reporting as well as news feeds to the community.[36] CJVR-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 105.1 FM in Melfort. Owned by Fabmar Communications, the station airs a country music format.[37]

Education

[edit]

The government's Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services office will be combined with Melfort's Comprehensive High School and the Cumberland Regional College. Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate providing education to grades 10, 11, and 12 is a part of Melfort School Division No. 100.[38][39][40]

Historically students in Melfort were educated at the Museum School District Unit 54.[41]

Sports and recreation

[edit]

Melfort was home to the 2006 Saskatchewan Winter Games, the 1988 Saskatchewan Summer Games, the 1996 Royal Bank Cup Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey Championships, the 1995 Saskatchewan Men's Curling Pool Tankard finals and the 2002 Saskatchewan Scotties Tournament of Hearts finals.[42] The Kerry Vickar Centre, a multi purpose sports and leisure facility, opened in the autumn of 2009.[43] The North East Leisure Centre comprises a gymnasium and kitchen. The east wing was taken down to make way for the new multi use facility.[44]

Hockey

[edit]

Hockey is a key part of Saskatchewan's lifestyle and community. The city is host to the Melfort Mustangs, who joined the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (ages 20 and under) in 1988. Marc Habscheid, past coach of Canada's World Junior team, started his coaching career with the Mustangs in 1996.[45] Melfort also hosts recreational hockey for teenagers, children, and women.

Culture

[edit]

Within a mile of the city of Melfort is the Melfort and District Regional Park which hosts a 18-hole grass greens golf course, and the Spruce Haven picnic area.[46] A show ring, grandstand, museum, and exhibition building are all located within the Melfort Exhibition Grounds.[47] The museum showcases pioneering equipment, tools, farm machinery, archival documents as well as early settler's buildings[48][49] Neighbouring points of interest are Fort Carleton, Duck Lake, and Seager Wheeler's Maple Grove Farm .[50]

Notable people from Melfort

[edit]

Grant MacEwan, OC, AOE, was a farmer, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Dean of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba, Mayor of Calgary and both a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Canada.[51][52][53] Steven Woods, born in Melfort is a Canadian entrepreneur and do-founder of Quack.com, the first popular Voice portal platform, in 1998.[54] Arthur Hill was a Canadian actor best known for appearances in British and American theater, movies and television.[55]

Nicole Watt, born in Melfort is a Canadian Women's figure skating Canadian silver medalist.[56] Jeremy Wotherspoon born in Humboldt is a Canadian speed skater and a 4-time World Sprint Champion.[57] Martine Gaillard is a sports television personality currently working for Rogers Sportsnet.[58] Grant Jennings raised in Melfort is a former National Hockey League defenceman.[59] Lane Lambert, born in Melfort is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and is currently the head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.[60] Pat MacLeod, born in Melfort is a former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars in the 1990s.[61] Lorne Henning, born in Melfort, is a Canadian NHL hockey executive and was previously a National Hockey League player and coach.[62]

Further Reading

[edit]
  • Fast, Henry R; Neil, D. A. (1973), The Melfort-Wakaw region of Saskatchewan, Agriculture Canada ([Regina])
  • Melfort 1903-2003 : 100 years of history as recorded in the Melfort Journal, Tuesday, July 29, 2003, Melfort Journal / Carrot River Journal
  • Clancy, R.S. (Ron) (c2000), Melfort Pipe Band, 1935-2000, Carrot River, Sask. : Patches Ventures Ltd., {{citation}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Ryan, Timothy (1955), Voices of the past : a history of Melfort and district, Melfort: Melfort and District Golden Jubliee Committee
  • Russell, Ralph C., Melfort District History (and the 44 Trail) (Overview of the Carrot River Valley with notes about the Beatty homestead, Flett's Spring, the Carrot River Fort, the Prince Albert to the Carrot River crossing trail, trails to neighbouring Indian Reserves. ed.)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000". Environment Canada. Retrieved 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ National Archives, Archivia Net, Post Offices and Postmasters, retrieved 2009-05-08
  3. ^ Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home, Municipal Directory System, retrieved 2009-05-08
  4. ^ Commissioner of Canada Elections, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (2005), Elections Canada On-line, retrieved 2009-05-08
  5. ^ "City of Yorkton - History and Folklore Summary - 1890 to 1899". 1995–2009. Retrieved 2009-05-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  6. ^ "Item Display Post Offices and Postmasters". Library and Archives Canada. 2007-01-31. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  7. ^ Adamson, Julia (October 23, 2006). "Saskatchewan Gen Web - One Room School Project - Home Page". Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  8. ^ "Geography of Saskatchewan". Faculty of Arts. University of Regina. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  9. ^ "Meflort and District Chamber of Commerce". Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  10. ^ "Canadian Environmental Assessment Archives - Geographical Location". Home > Registry Archives > 07-01-26770 > Geographical Location. Government of Canada. 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  11. ^ "Connections Services Directory". Government of Saskatchewan. November 19, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  12. ^ "Canadian Environmental Assessment Archives - Geographical Location". Home > Registry Archives > 05-01-12232 > Geographical Location. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  13. ^ "Saskatchewan Branches Use Geography To Honour War Dead". Legion Magazine. January 1, 1002. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  14. ^ "Geography of Saskatchewan". Faculty of Arts. University of Regina. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  15. ^ Taché, J. de Labroquerie (print version); Adamson, Julia (online version) (1918 republished to the internet 17-Oct-2000), Census of Prairie Provinces Population and Agriculture Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta, Ottawa: Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, Table 3 Towns page 121 Alameda, Sk to Watson, Sk {{citation}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Unknown parameter |nopp= ignored (|no-pp= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  16. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. 02/01/2007. Retrieved 2008-09-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Saskatoon sees 2.8% hike; Regina rises by 0.6%. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, March 14, 2007. p. B1.
  18. ^ "2006 Census trends". Selected trend data for Melfort (CY) , 2006, 2001 and 1996 censuses. Statistics Canada Government of Canada. 06/04/2008. Retrieved 2009-08-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  20. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Melfort". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  22. ^ "City of Melfort". 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  23. ^ "History of Melfort". City of Melfort. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  24. ^ "Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association - SPRA - City of Melfort". Look Matters. SPRA. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-13. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 46 (help)
  25. ^ Coneghan, Daria (2006). "Melfort". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  26. ^ "Town of MELFORT". Municipal Directory System. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  27. ^ "Economic Regions 2006 4715051 - Flett's Springs No. 429, geographical codes and localities ,2006". Statistics Canada. 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  28. ^ "Voter Information Service -". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  29. ^ "CTI Canadian Textiles Institute". Supported by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Apparel & Textile Industries Program (CATIP). Powered by iCongo. 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  30. ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 09 July 2009
  31. ^ a b Microsoft Streets and Tips (Map) (2004 ed.). Microsoft Corp. § Route Planner. {{cite map}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  32. ^ "Driving Directions from Melfort, SK, CA to Saskatoon, SK, CA". MapQuest, Inc. 009. Retrieved 2009-08-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "Driving Directions from Melfort, SK, CA to Prince Albert, SK, CA". MapQuest, Inc. 009. Retrieved 2009-08-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
  35. ^ Waghorn's Guide (January 18, 2005). "Canadian Maps: January 1925 Waghorn's Guide. Post Offices in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and western Ontario". Rootsweb. Adamson, Julia. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  36. ^ "Melfort Journal". Sun Media. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  37. ^ "CJVR Country". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  38. ^ "Melfort shared education facility gets green light". Home/About Government/News Releases/July 2000/. Government of Saskatchewan. July 7, 2000. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  39. ^ "Grand Opening of Melfort Career, Education and Employment Services". Home/About Government/News Releases/November 2001/. Government of Saskatchewan. November 28, 2001. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  40. ^ "Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate". Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  41. ^ "Country School Memories Melfort and District Museum Melfort, Saskatchewan". Community School Memories. Virtual Museum Canada. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  42. ^ "Melfort to Host 2006 Saskatchewan Winter Games". Home/About Government/News Releases/February 2004. Government of Saskatchewan. February 16, 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  43. ^ "New Kerry Vickar Centre". City of Melfort. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  44. ^ "North East Leisure Centre". City of Melfort. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  45. ^ "Melfort Mustangs". 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  46. ^ "Melfort Parks & Gardens". World Web Technologies Inc. 1994–2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  47. ^ "Melfort Fairgrounds: Fairgrounds in Melfort, Saskatchewan". Canada Saskatchewan East Central Region Melfort Sights & Attractions Fairgrounds. World Web Technologies Inc. 1994–2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  48. ^ "Melfort & District Museum". City of Melfort. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  49. ^ "Melfort & District Chamber of Commerce". Family Farmers. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  50. ^ "Workshop 6: Melfort" (pdf). Clearing the Path. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  51. ^ Grant MacEwan: No Ordinary Man, by Rusty MacDonald. Saskatoon: Western Producer Prairie Books, 1978.
  52. ^ Foran, Max, ed. Grant MacEwan's Journals (Lone Pine Publishing, 1986). ISBN 0-919433-07-3
  53. ^ Shedden, Lee, ed. A Century of Grant MacEwan: Selected Writings (Brindle & Glass Publishing, 2002). ISBN 1-894739-00-0
  54. ^ "Voice: The Killer App". 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  55. ^ "Actor Arthur Hill Dies At 84". Los Angeles News. October 26, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (14 November 2008). "Watt returns to ice". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  57. ^ "Jeremy Wotherspoon: The man in the arena". CTV. July 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  58. ^ "Gaillard, Martine". Rogers Sportsnet Website. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  59. ^ NielsenGW/Articles/Melfort career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database date accessed 2009-08-13
  60. ^ "Milwaukee Admirals - Lambert to Lead Admirals Ship". Milwaukee Admirals. 2007–2008. Retrieved 2009-08-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  61. ^ NielsenGW/Articles/Melfort career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database date accessed 2009-08-13
  62. ^ "Lorne Henning's hockey statistics profile at hockeydb.com". Hockey Database. 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-13.


Area statistics

[edit]
  • Lat 52°52′00″ N
  • Long 104°37′00″ W
  • Dominion Land Survey Section 7, Township 45, Range 18 west of the 2nd Meridian
  • Time zone UTC−6

52°52′N 104°36′W / 52.867°N 104.600°W / 52.867; -104.600

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