Plenty, Saskatchewan

Plenty is a small village in western Saskatchewan, Canada, located equa distant between Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Bigger, Saskatchewan, Kerrobert, Saskatchewan and Rosetown, Saskatchewan and approximately 150 kilometers southwest of Saskatoon. It has a population of 147 (2001 census). It is located within the Sun West School Division. The K to 12 school services the the surrounding communities of Kelfield, Ruthilda, and Stranraer and provides high school services for the community of Dodsland.

The village of Plenty resides in the RM of Winslow 319. Approximately 6 miles north of Plenty is the Moore's Ravine Municipal Heritage Site (Richard's Pasture) made up of approximately 200 designated acres on which are located several Aboriginal heritage sites including two turtle effigies, the Plenty Medicine Wheel, and test pits where archaeological digs have revealed hundreds of scattered buffalo bones. This site is on private land.

4 miles west of Plenty is Lake Opuntia. It is a stopping place for birds and wildlife and covers approximately 1395 hectares. In the 1950s, the area surrounding the lake was made a game preserve to regulate hunting. Opuntia Lake is strategically situated in the major goose fall staging area of Western Canada, is a very important staging area for waterfowl. Estimated maximum fall concentrations include 15,000 to 20,000 geese (Canada, White-fronted, Snow and Ross' geese), up to 30,000 ducks (mainly Mallard, Pintail, and assorted divers), 2,000 Sandhill Cranes and 500 Tundra Swans. The lake supports only a small number of breeding and moulting dabblers and divers.1

During the 1950s a program of tree planting occurred at the lake along with the construction of ball diamonds and a boat house. For several years the Plenty sports day was held at the lake. Several attempts were made to stock the lake with fish but the lakes salinity and fluctuating levels brought an end to this project and the use of the site for the sports day.

In the mid 1970s a dirt track, stock car track was built near the gravel pits at the lake. Although the track was completed races were never held. The track is now overgrown but is still clearly visible on google earth.

Facts About Plenty- The Canadian Pacific Railway CPR picked the name Plenty. As the railroad was being built the future town and the surrounding areas were the first fields on the line that had good crops, and was thus it appeared to be the Land of Plenty, and the town receive its name from this inspiration.

- Plenty is the home to Brad McCrimmon former captain of the NHL's Calgary Flamesand winner of the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989.

-Plenty is the home to Don Saxton who was part of Canada's National Volleyball team for eight years and competed for Canada at the 1983 World Student Games and the 1984 Olympic Games.

Skiing in Plenty

PWT Snow Park formerly (Twin Towers ski area) is based out of Plenty the ski hill is located approximately 13 miles from the town of Plenty

PWT (TWIN TOWERS) SKI AREAPLENTY, SASKATCHEWAN SOL 2R0Area Telephone: [phone]Fax: [phone]Snow Condition: [phone]Internet Address: http://www.pwtsnowpark.com/Email:

AREA'S SKIING STATISTICSElevation/Vertical: Top: 2,450 ft. – Base: 2,150 ft.Vertical Drop: 300 feetSkiing Terrain/Slope Difficulty: 10 runsLongest Run: 2,400 feetLifts: MC: 0; Bars: 1-T; Tows: 1; Chairs: 0Lift Capacity Per Hour: 1,100AREA RECREATIONNo information availableLODGING FACILITIESNo lodging at area; 2 hotels with 20 rooms nearbySERVICESRentals; VISA accepted; cafeteria at area; 2 bars–15 miles; 100% snowmaking; fully-licensed concessionTRAVELLocated 2 miles south of the Village of Stranraer; Saskatoon–2hours

Click the link below to find a picture of the elevator in Plenty and other elevators in Saskatchewan

[http://www.ucalgary.ca/~gkconnol/Saskatchewan/index.html

1. Link to additional information on Lake Optuntia [http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/whp/sanctuaries/dc01s10.en.html]