Leader, Saskatchewan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Leader
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type = Town
motto =

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image_caption = Leader welcome sign


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pushpin_map_caption = Location of Leader in Saskatchewan
latd = 50.89
longd = -109.54
pushpin_label_position = none
pushpin_mapsize = 200
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map_caption = Location of "Leader, Saskatchewan"


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = SK
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Saskatchewan
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = No. 8
subdivision_type4 = Rural Municipality
subdivision_name4 = No. 231
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Craig Tondevold
leader_title1 = Town Administrator
leader_name1 = Ron McCullough
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1907
established_title2 = Incorporated (village)
established_date2 = 1913 (as Prussia)
established_title3 = Incorporated (town)
established_date3 = 1917 (as Leader)
area_magnitude =
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area_total_km2 = 1.70
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
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population_total = 881
population_density_km2 = 519.2
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timezone = CST
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = S0N 1H0
area_code = 306
blank_name = Waterways
blank_info = South Saskatchewan River
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website = [http://www.leader.ca/ Town of Leader, Saskatchewan]
footnotes =

Leader is a town in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, located approximately 350 km directly east of Calgary, Alberta and is near the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta. It has a population of 881 as of 2006.

History

Before settlement, the Leader area was a hunting ground of prehistoric humans. A Midland Folsom point was discovered that the University of Saskatchewan dated back 8,000 to 9,000 years before present.cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Community Profiles - Leader
work =
publisher = Southwest Regional Economic Development Authority
date =
url = http://www.southwestreda.ca/documents/profile_leader.pdf
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04]

Homesteaders began arriving in large numbers in 1907; most were German immigrants from southern Russia.cite web
last = McLennan
first = David
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Leader
work =
publisher = Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
date = 2006
url = http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/leader.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04] An RCMP detachment opened in 1909, and ensured all the settlers had adequate supplies to last the winter. By 1911, the Canadian Pacific Railway purchased a quarter section of land as the prospective site for a settlement. The railway arrived in 1913 and the village of Prussia was incorporated in September of that year. By 1917, anti-German sentiment surrounding the events of World War I prompted the community to change its name, as well as its German street names to numbers. The new name was chosen after a contest won by two local girls, Bertha Keller and Muriel Legault. They were inspired by the arrival of the Regina Morning Leader newspaper on the passenger train. The village name was officially changed to Leader on September 27, 1917; soon after, it incorporated as a town on November 1.

W.T. Smith, a local rancher, had the distinction of building North America's largest barn. The Smith Barn was completed in 1914, having taken 100 men five months to complete its construction; the building measured 400 x 128 x 60 feet. Smith died in 1918, and his massive barn was dismantled down to the concrete foundation in 1921.cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Landmarks
work =
publisher = Town of Leader
date =
url = http://www.leader.ca/landmarks.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-06]

Following World War II the town's population grew, reaching a peak of 1236 in 1966. Since then the town's population has decreased, following Saskatchewan's overall trend of rural depopulation. [cite web
last = Anderson
first = Alan
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Population Trends
work =
publisher = Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
date = 2006
url = http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/population_trends.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04]

In 1995, American aviator Steve Fossett landed near Leader after taking off from South Korea, becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Aviation Adventurer Steve Fossett Missing
work =
publisher = CBS News
date = 2007-09-04
url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/04/national/main3231260.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3231260
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04]

In November 2006, the inhabitants of Leader posed nude for a calendar in act of protest against the deteriorating condition of Highway 32, the main link to the city of Swift Current; [cite web
last = Cowan
first = Pamela
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Nude calendar exposes road neglect
work =
publisher = Regina Leader-Post
date = 2006-11-29
url = http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=0e5c7e2d-f202-4946-8414-6b23d343d908
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04] it attracted the attention of media outlets in Canada and the United States. In the 2008-2009 provincial budget, the Ministry of Highways committed to rebuild Highway 32 between the villages of Shackleton and Prelate. The project will take three years to complete. [cite web
last = Aasa
first = Marshall
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Highway 32's upgrades in budget
work =
publisher = Prairie Post
date = 2008
url = http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2386&Itemid=28
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-06]

Geography

Leader is located in Saskatchewan's mixed grassland ecoregion. [cite web
last = Secoy
first = Diane
authorlink =
coauthors = Canadian Plains Research Center Mapping Division
title = Ecozones and Ecoregions
work =
publisher = Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
date = 2006
url = http://esask.uregina.ca/management/app/assets/img/enc2/PDF/51BDF440-1560-95DA-43C27F4AB5F620471.pdf
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-05] The southern landscape is dominated by flat plains, with rolling hills by the South Saskatchewan River located 10 km north of Leader. The Great Sand Hills, a 1900 square kilometre region of arid plains and sand dunes, lies just southeast of Leader. The town is located at the junction of highways 21 and 32, and is approximately 30 km east of the border with Alberta.

The average precipitation is convert|10|in|mm of rain per year and convert|31|in|mm of snow per annum. Mean temperatures in the area range from a January low of -19°C to a summer high in July of +26°C.

Demographics

Canada_CP_2006
pop = 881
popDelta = -3.6%
landArea = 1.70
popDensity = 519.2
medianAge = 46.1
medianAgeM = 45.7
medianAgeF = 46.6
privateDwell = 397
privateDwellusual = 390
medianHHIncome = 40,698

Economy

Including 3 rural municipalities, Leader, is the center of a retail trading area. The economic base of the community centers around the grain and cattle industries. The major industries in Leader and surrounding area are agricultural services and manufacturing. Leader also has tourism trade from attractions such as the Leader Bird Watching Trail, Smith Barn site, and the Great Sand Hills.

Attractions

Leader is the largest community in close proximity to the Great Sand Hills, a vast area of grassland and sand dunes in southern Saskatchewan. The Great Sand Hills are home to an abundance of wildlife, including sharp-tailed grouse, pronghorn, white pelican, merlin, peregrine falcon, coyote, white-tailed deer, golden eagle, badger, weasel, burrowing owl, mourning dove, porcupine, sandhill crane and fox. It is the only known Saskatchewan habitat of the rare Ord's Kangaroo Rat. [cite web
last = Yanko
first = Dave
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Sand, Wind and Time
work =
publisher = Virtual Saskatchewan
date =
url = http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/sand_wind_time.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-05] Several large sculptures of local wildlife are found at various locations around the town of Leader. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Leader Wildlife Sculptures
work =
publisher = Town of Leader
date =
url = http://www.leader.ca/sculptures.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-06]

The Great Sand Hills Museum is in the nearby village of Sceptre. The museum features historical displays depicting pioneer life such as a boarding house, hospital, livery stable, school, church, and barn as well as vintage farm machinery.

The South Saskatchewan River valley, just north of Leader, is the largest tract of riparian woodlands between the Cypress Hills and the northern forests. The Leader Bird Watching Trail is suited for viewing many native bird species, including pileated woodpecker, golden eagle, lark sparrow, yellow-breasted chat, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-green swallow, great blue heron, prairie falcon, ferruginous hawk, long-billed curlew, short-eared owl, loggerhead shrike, and burrowing owl. Checkboard Hill, 6.4 km west of Leader on highway 741, is said to have an excellent view of the river and surrounding landscape.

The Smith Barn Site is a provincial heritage site. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Heritage Property Details - Smith Barn Site
work =
publisher = Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
date =
url = http://heritageapp.cyr.gov.sk.ca/assets/pdf/122.pdf
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-05-01] At the remains of its concrete foundation is a scale model and a complete history of the barn.

The Estuary Hutterite Colony was established in 1958. The colony members have preserved the traditional Hutterite production methods, culture, language, and religion. Guided tours of the colony are available to visitors.

Parks and recreation

* River Ridge Golf Course - 9 hole golf course with club house and pro shop
* Leader Swimming Pool - seasonal outdoor heated pool, built in the 1960s and upgraded in the 1990s
* Leader Milleneum Gardens - designed by a student of the University of Guelph School of Landscape Architecture, and built in 2000 in recognition of Leader's history and cultural heritage
* Leader Lions Park - green space with playground structure
* Leader Ball Park - baseball facility with four ball diamonds, grandstands, a concession, beer gardens, and serviced camp sites for visiting teams
* Leader Arena - indoor artifical ice surface for hockey and ice skating
* Leader Curling Rink - curling facility with three artificial ice surfaces
* Leader Community Hall - community hall built in 1983; hosts social events such as weddings and dances
* Leader Friendship Centre - social gathering place for senior citizens [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Leisure
work =
publisher = Town of Leader
date =
url = http://www.leader.ca/leisure.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-05]

ports

Local sports teams include the Leader Expos (baseball) and the Leader Flyers (hockey). Other sports organizations include the Leader Minor Ball Club, Leader Minor Hockey Club and the Leader Skating Club.

Government

Leader's local government consists of a town council, composed of an elected mayor and six councillors. The current mayor is Craig Tondevold. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Leader Town Council & Staff
work =
publisher = Town of Leader
date =
url = http://www.leader.ca/towncouncil.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04]

In provincial politics, Leader is in the constituency of Cypress Hills. It is currently represented by Wayne Elhard of the Saskatchewan Party, first elected to the Legislature in a by-election in June 1999. He was re-elected in the 1999 provincial election, and again in 2003 and 2007. He is also the current Minister of of Highways and Infrastructure. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Honourable Wayne Elhard
work =
publisher = Government of Saskatchewan
date =
url = http://www.gov.sk.ca/cabinet/elhard
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-05]

Leader exists within the federal riding of Cypress Hills—Grasslands. It is currently represented by David L. Anderson of the Conservative Party of Canada, first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2003 and 2006. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = PARLINFO - Parliamentarian File - ANDERSON, David L.
work =
publisher = Library of Parliament
date =
url = http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=661a3062-86d1-4ba3-9e70-81c866aa2fc3&Language=E&MenuID=Lists.Members.aspx&MenuQuery=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.parl.gc.ca%2FParlinfo%2FLists%2FMembers.aspx%3FParliament%3D%26Riding%3D%26Name%3D%26Party%3D%26Province%3Da36b12cf-f879-431a-ba17-3dbd71a14970%26Gender%3D%26New%3DFalse%26Current%3DTrue%26Picture%3DFalse
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Infrastructure

Transportation

Leader is located at the junction of highways 21 and 32. The Saskatchewan Transportation Company provides passenger bus service to the town. The Canadian Pacific Railway line also runs through the town. Leader has an airport with an asphalt runway.

Utilities

Electricity is provided by SaskPower and natural gas is provided by SaskEnergy. The town maintains its own water supply system, including a pump house and filtration plant. Telephone and internet service is provided by SaskTel.

Health care

* Leader Medical Clinic
* Leader Hospital
* Western Seniors' Home
* Leader Home Care Office

Public safety

* Leader & District Ambulance
* Leader & District Fire Department
* RCMP Leader Detachment

Education

* Leader Composite School - teaches students from kindergarten through grade 12 [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Leader and Area Schools
work =
publisher = Town of Leader
date =
url = http://www.leader.ca/schools.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04]
* Great Plains College - offers courses by satellite
* St. Angela's Academy (closed) - independent Catholic residential school for girls in the neighbouring community of Prelate. Closed on June 30, 2007 after 88 years of operation. [cite web
last = Yaworski
first = Kiply Lukan
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Ursulines will close St. Angela’s Academy in Prelate in June 2007
work =
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/news_articles/documents/ursuline%20academy.pdf
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-04]

ee also

* List of communities in Saskatchewan
* List of towns in Saskatchewan
* Richardson family murders

References

External links

* [http://www.leader.ca Official site of the Town of Leader]
* [http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/leader.html Leader entry in the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan]
* [http://www.southwestreda.ca/ Southwest Regional Economic Development Authority]

Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
Center=Leader
North=

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