Community Profile of Big River - 2002.

The Town of Big River is situated approximately 136km Northwest of the City of Prince Albert, just to the West of the Prince Albert National Park. The town derives its name from the translation of the Aboriginal "Oklemow Cee Pee" which refers to the Cowan River.

When the North end of the river was dammed, Cowan Lake was formed. This lake runs alongside the West side of Big River before continuing Northward. The lake and river are named after an early sawmill official, William Cowan.

Big River is located in the very heart of the forest area of the province and was one of the first places in Saskatchewan where lumbering was established.

The history of Big River began with the opening of the sawmill in 1910. The fish from lakes in the Big River area first went on the market in 1908.

The community has grown steadily since 1910 and was incorporated as a village in 1921, and as a town in 1966.

Big River's proximity to Cowan and Delaronde Lakes, as well as the other smaller lakes in the area allows for the potential to greater expansion. This expansion could mean growth in size as well as economically, due to the wealth of resources around the area.

Town Population:

2001 - 741
1996 - 826
Dwellings - 342

Town of Big River Assessment: 2001

Residential $10.638.670
Commercial 9.088.400
Railways 16,500
Total Taxable 12,220,630

2000 - Mill Rates

Municipal - 20.0814
School - 18.00

Municipal Government - Contacts:

Mayor - Digger Pond
Administrator - Gail Gear

Councillors

Grace Cromartie
Sandra Gilbert
Andrew Hallidie - Smith
John Kuxhaus
Kyle Screda
Jeanette Wicinski - Dunn

Location: Elevation - 500 M

Distance from Major Center:

Prince Albert - 136 km
Highway serving community - No. 55
Air Traffic - Local
Bus Service - Crossland Trailways - every day.

Public Utilities:

Water treatment plant
Sewage

Fire Deptment.

Volunteer
2 trucks
Rescue Van
Agreement with R.M
Jaws of Life

Town Police.

R.C.M.P. - 8 members

Garbage Disposal - weekly

Landfill - joint with R.M.

Sask. Power and Gas

Regional Cable Service

Cellular Service

Medical Services:

Big River Health Centre:
Acute Care and Special Care Lodge
Volunteer First Responders
Big River Ambulance Care
Big River Medical Clinic - 2 Doctors

Education Department:

T.D. Michel Elementary School - K - 6. Enrollment 185
19 teachers and support staff
Big River High School - 7 - 12. Enrollment 174
12 teachers and support staff
Northwest Regional College - 2 teachers

Housing: Houses/Apartments:

Average purchase price new $120.000
Existing $25,000 - $100,000
Rental $370 - $500
22 Low Income houses for rent
6 Apartments for rent $450 average - 2 bedroom
4 suites - 1 bedroom average $325
Motels: 1 - 10 units
Hotels: 1 - 13 units
Mobile Home Court: 1 - 17 lots
Rental $90.00 per month plus trailer license fees.

Financial Institutions:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Debden Credit Union

Church Denominations:

United
Roman Catholic
Anglican
Jehovah's Witness
Evangelical Free Church
Apostolic

Recreational Facilities:

Curling Rink - 3 sheets artificial ice
Skating Rink - artificial ice
9 Hole Golf Course
Regional Park - camping, laundry facilities
Govt. Dock at end of Main Street - fishing, day camping
Snowmobile trails, groomed, signed, warm up shelters.
Ski Timber Ridge
Rodeo Grounds
Ball Diamonds
Football/Soccer field
Numerous lakes for fishing, boating, camping

R.M. of Big River No.555 No.139 - Fact Sheet as of October, 2002

30 Township municipality
Residential sites - 243
Population - 883
Seasonal Residential sites - 168
Cemetery - in Town of Big River
Motels - 1
Service Stations - 3
Restaurants - 4

Miles of Road

130
Primary Grid - 7 miles
Grid - 24 miles
Main Farm Access - 25 miles
Special Gravel - 6 miles
Municipal - 61 miles
Municipal Trail - 7 miles

Gravel Pits and Stockpiles:

Location - Name - Yards
SW 36-56-08 - West Cowan - 12,403
NE 01-56-06 - Stinking Lake - 2.284

Assessment

Taxable 2002 - 29.596.910
Agriculture Range Land - 2,572,550
Agriculture Land - 3.620.320
Residential - 7,898,730
Seasonal Residential - 3.723.460
Comm & Ind - 11.704.600
Railway & Pipeline - 77,250

Current Budget - 2002

S443.029

Reeve:

John Teer

Councilors:

Richard Crashley
Holly Reimer
Elloyd Block
Steve Raymond