Weyburn

Weyburn is the tenth-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada. The city has a population of 10,870.[1] It is on the Souris River 110 km (68 mi) southeast of the provincial capital of Regina and is 70 km (43 mi) north from the North Dakota border in the United States. The name is reputedly a corruption of the Scottish "wee burn," referring to a small creek.[2] The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Weyburn No. 67.

This article is about the City of Weyburn. For the former provincial electoral district of Weyburn, see Weyburn (provincial electoral district). For the current electoral district of Weyburn-Big Muddy, see Weyburn-Big Muddy. For the former federal electoral district of Weyburn, see Weyburn (federal electoral district).

Weyburn
City
City of Weyburn
Flag
Nickname(s): 
The Opportunity City
Motto(s): 
"Vision, Achievement, Progress"
Weyburn
Weyburn
Coordinates: 49°39′40″N 103°51′09″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Census divisionDivision #2
Government
 • MayorMarcel Roy
 • Governing BodyWeyburn City Council
 • MP Souris—Moose MountainRobert Kitchen (CPC)
 • MLA Weyburn-Big MuddyDustin Duncan (SP)
Area
 • Total15.78 km2 (6.09 sq mi)
Elevation
561 m (1,841 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total10,870
Forward sortation area
S4H
WebsiteCity of Weyburn

History

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) reached the future site of Weyburn from Brandon, Manitoba in 1892 and the Soo Line from North Portal on the US border in 1893. A post office opened in 1895 and a land office in 1899 in anticipation of the land rush which soon ensued. In 1899, Knox Presbyterian Church was founded with its building constructed in 1906 in the high-pitched gable roof and arches, standing as a testimony to the faith and optimism in the Weyburn area. Weyburn was legally constituted a village in 1900, a town in 1903 and finally as a city in 1913.[3] From 1910 until 1931 the Weyburn Security Bank was headquartered in the city.[4]

Weyburn had since become an important railroad town in Saskatchewan – the Pasqua branch of the Souris, Arcola, Weyburn, Regina CPR branch; Portal Section of the CPR / Soo Line; Moose Jaw, Weyburn, Shaunavon, Lethbridge CPR section; the Brandon, Marfield, Carlyle, Lampman, Radville, Willow Bunch section of the Canadian National Railway (CNR); and the Regina, Weyburn, Radville, Estevan, Northgate CNR section have all run through Weyburn.[5][6]

Weyburn was previously home to the Souris Valley Mental Health Hospital, which was closed as a health care facility and sold in 2006, and demolished in 2009. When the mental hospital opened in 1921, it was the largest building in the British Commonwealth and was considered to be on the cutting edge of experimental treatments for people with mental disabilities. The facility had a reputation of leading the way in therapeutic programming. At its peak, the facility was home to approximately 2,500 patients. The history of the facility is explored in the documentary Weyburn: An Archaeology of Madness.[7]

Demographics
Census Population
1901 113
1911 2,210
1921 3,193
1931 5,002
1941 6,119
1951 7,148
1961 9,101
1971 8,815
1981 9,523
1991 9,673
2001 9,534
2006 9,433
2011 10,484
2016 10,870

The city had a population of 10,484 in 2011, having increased from 9,433 in 2006.

Canada census – Weyburn community profile
2011 2006
Population: 10,484 (11.1% from 2006) 9,433 (-1.1% from 2001)
Land area: 18.49 km2 (7.14 sq mi) 15.78 km2 (6.09 sq mi)
Population density: 566.9/km2 (1,468/sq mi) 597.7/km2 (1,548/sq mi)
Median age: 41.8 (M: 39.5, F: 43.9)
Total private dwellings: 4,645 4,267
Median household income: $49,793
References: 2011[8] 2006[9] earlier[10]

Geography and climate

Weyburn is situated near the upper delta of the 700 km (430 mi) long Souris River. The Souris River continues southeast through North Dakota eventually meeting the Assiniboine River in Manitoba.[11] In the 1800s this area was known as an extension of the Greater Yellow Grass Marsh. Extensive flood control programs have created reservoirs, parks and waterfowl centres along the Souris River.[12] Between 1988 and 1995, the Rafferty-Alameda Project was constructed to alleviate spring flooding problems created by the Souris River.[13]

Climate

Weyburn has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) typical of Southern Saskatchewan.

Climate data for Weyburn, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1916–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.5
(52.7)		 16.0
(60.8)		 23.5
(74.3)		 32.2
(90.0)		 37.5
(99.5)		 40.5
(104.9)		 42.5
(108.5)		 40.0
(104.0)		 38.0
(100.4)		 31.1
(88.0)		 24.0
(75.2)		 14.5
(58.1)		 42.5
(108.5)
Average high °C (°F) −8.2
(17.2)		 −5.4
(22.3)		 1.4
(34.5)		 11.9
(53.4)		 18.6
(65.5)		 23.2
(73.8)		 26.5
(79.7)		 26.2
(79.2)		 19.6
(67.3)		 11.4
(52.5)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 10.0
(50.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7)		 −10.5
(13.1)		 −3.6
(25.5)		 5.2
(41.4)		 11.7
(53.1)		 16.7
(62.1)		 19.6
(67.3)		 18.8
(65.8)		 12.5
(54.5)		 5.1
(41.2)		 −4.2
(24.4)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 3.9
(39.0)
Average low °C (°F) −18.8
(−1.8)		 −15.6
(3.9)		 −8.7
(16.3)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 4.8
(40.6)		 10.1
(50.2)		 12.7
(54.9)		 11.4
(52.5)		 5.5
(41.9)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 −9.1
(15.6)		 −16.2
(2.8)		 −2.2
(28.0)
Record low °C (°F) −42.9
(−45.2)		 −41.9
(−43.4)		 −41.1
(−42.0)		 −30.6
(−23.1)		 −13.3
(8.1)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 −13.3
(8.1)		 −20.6
(−5.1)		 −34.0
(−29.2)		 −42.0
(−43.6)		 −42.9
(−45.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 19.7
(0.78)		 11.9
(0.47)		 22.2
(0.87)		 27.6
(1.09)		 56.8
(2.24)		 75.5
(2.97)		 66.1
(2.60)		 47.5
(1.87)		 33.2
(1.31)		 24.2
(0.95)		 18.5
(0.73)		 20.8
(0.82)		 423.9
(16.69)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.7
(0.03)		 0.8
(0.03)		 6.1
(0.24)		 19.2
(0.76)		 51.3
(2.02)		 75.5
(2.97)		 66.1
(2.60)		 47.5
(1.87)		 32.1
(1.26)		 16.4
(0.65)		 2.2
(0.09)		 0.5
(0.02)		 318.2
(12.53)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 19.0
(7.5)		 11.1
(4.4)		 16.1
(6.3)		 8.3
(3.3)		 5.5
(2.2)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 1.1
(0.4)		 7.8
(3.1)		 16.4
(6.5)		 20.3
(8.0)		 105.7
(41.6)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 98.0 125.4 150.4 222.7 268.3 309.4 353.0 294.5 192.5 176.0 117.3 80.1 2,387.7
Percent possible sunshine 36.5 44.0 40.9 54.1 56.4 63.6 71.9 65.8 50.7 52.6 42.8 31.4 50.9
Source: Environment Canada[14][15][16][17][18]

Economy

Weyburn is the largest inland grain gathering point in Canada. Well over half a million tons of grain pass through the Weyburn terminals each year. Oil and gas exploration make up the other major component of the economy.[19]

Culture

The Soo Line Historical Museum (c. 1910) is a Municipal Heritage Property under Saskatchewan's Heritage Property Act.[20]

Weyburn is also home to the world's first curling museum, the Turner Curling Museum.[21]

Education

Elementary and secondary

The public school system, South East Cornerstone School Division No. 209, operates the following schools.

  • Assiniboia Park Elementary School
  • Haig School
  • Queen Elizabeth School
  • Souris School
  • Weyburn Comprehensive High School

It also operated Weyburn Junior High School from 1966 to 2016, which was closed in favour of relocating students to Weyburn Comprehensive High School.[22]

Haig School, Queen Elizabeth School, and Souris School are being closed in favour of relocating students to Legacy Park Elementary School in September 2021.[23]

The separate school system, Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division No. 140, operates St. Michael School.

Post-secondary

Southeast College offers technical, trade and non-degree programs, as well as distance learning from the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.

Other

The Weyburn Public Library is a branch of the Southeast Regional Library system.[24]

Infrastructure
The 90-foot water tower is one of only four of this type in Saskatchewan. It was in service from 1910 to 1977.[25] It stands on Signal Hill in Weyburn, which is still an important site for telecommunications towers and once had the tallest tower in Western Canada.

Transportation

Weyburn is at the junction of highways 13, 35 and 39. The Weyburn Airport is northeast of the city.

Utilities

Electricity is provided by SaskPower and natural gas is provided by SaskEnergy. The city maintains its own water treatment plant[26] and waste management system.[27] Telephone and internet services are provided by both SaskTel and Access Communications.

Health care

The Weyburn General Hospital is operated by the SunCountry Health Region.[28]

Public safety

The Weyburn Police Service and local RCMP detachment provide law enforcement for the city.[29] Fire protection services are provided by the Weyburn Fire Department.[30]

Sports and recreation

Weyburn is the home of the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and the Weyburn Beavers of the Western Canadian Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league in Canada's prairie provinces. In addition, Weyburn is home to Saskatchewan's largest amateur wrestling club.

Local media

Notable people

References
  1. Canada, Government of Canada, Statistics. "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Weyburn [Census agglomeration], Saskatchewan and Canada [Country]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  2. "Where 'Weyburn' the name originates". City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  3. McLennon, David (2006). "Weyburn". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Great Plains Research Center. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  4. "Weyburn Security Bank". Canada's Historic Places – a Federal Provincial and Territorial Collaboration. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  5. "About Radville". The Town of Radville, Saskatchewan. Radville Economic Development Committee. 2002–2004. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  6. Adamson, J (5 November 2003). "Canadian Maps: May 1948 Waghorn's Guide. Post Offices in Man. Sask. Alta. and West Ontario". Online Historical Map Digitization Project. Rootsweb. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  7. "Weyburn: An Archaeology of Madness". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. 2004. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  8. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  9. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  10. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 17 February 2012.
  11. "Saskatchewan Road Map RV Travel Guide: #6 Canada / United States Border to Regina". Mile By Mile Media. 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  12. "Canadian Rural Partnership — Rural Development – Public – Private Partnerships in Rural and Northern Canada Study – Appendix C – List of Projects". Government of Canada. 26 September 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  13. "Water Control – Saskatchewan Dams and Reservoirs". Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  14. Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010, accessed 16 July 2016
  15. "Daily Data Report for January 2009". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  16. "Daily Data Report for February 1996". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  17. "Weyburn". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  18. "Weyburn Airport". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  19. "Weyburn... The Opportunity City!" (PDF). City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  20. Soo Line Historical Museum. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  21. "Turner Curling Museum". City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  22. Greg Nikkel (1 June 2016). "Farewell held for Weyburn Jr. High". Weyburn Review. Glacier Community Media. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  23. South East Cornerstone Public School Division (19 June 2019). "Board Highlights (June 2019)". Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  24. "Weyburn Public Library Branch". Southeast Regional Library. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  25. http://weyburn.ca/water-tower/ Weyburn water tower, retrieved 23 June 2017
  26. "Water Treatment Plant". City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  27. "Refuse Collection and Disposal". City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  28. "Weyburn General Hospital". SunCountry Health Region. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  29. "Weyburn Police Service". City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  30. "Weyburn Fire Department". City of Weyburn. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  31. "Readerlink". Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
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