Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan
| Pilot Butte | |
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| Town | |
| Town of Pilot Butte | |
Park on Pilot Butte Creek
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| Motto: The Town That Cares | |
 Pilot Butte
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Pilot Butte
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| Coordinates: 50°28′N 104°25′W / 50.467°N 104.417°WCoordinates: 50°28′N 104°25′W / 50.467°N 104.417°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Settled | 1882 |
| Incorporated (village) | 1913 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1979 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nat Ross |
| • Town Administrator | Laurie Rudolph |
| • Governing body | Pilot Butte Town Council |
| • MLA Indian Head-Milestone | Don McMorris |
| • MP Regina-Qu'Appelle | Andrew Scheer |
| Area | |
| • Town | 5.05 km2 (1.95 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 610 m (2,000 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Town | 2,100 |
| • Density | 420/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,250 |
| Time zone | Saskatchewan (ST) (UTC-6) |
| Postal code | S0G 3Z0 |
| Area code(s) | 306 |
| Highways |   Hwy 1 (TCH) / Hwy 46 / Hwy 624 |
| Website | Official Website |
| [1][2][3] | |
Pilot Butte is a town of over 2100 people located 11 km (6.8 mi) east of Regina, Saskatchewan between Highway 46 and the Trans-Canada Highway. The town is the 15th most populated town in the province, and the 31st largest community, the town is a neighbour to White City and Balgonie. Pilot Butte is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Edenwold No. 158 Pilot Butte, meaning "Lookout Point", was chosen in 1883 as the name for the settlement.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1971 | 344 | — |
| 1976 | 585 | +70.1% |
| 1981 | 1,256 | +114.7% |
| 1986 | 1,387 | +10.4% |
| 1991 | 1,450 | +4.5% |
| 1996 | 1,469 | +1.3% |
| 2001 | 1,850 | +25.9% |
| 2006 | 1,867 | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 1,848 | −1.0% |
| [4] | ||
Contents
History[edit]
The Butte played a significant role in the lives of the Prairie Indians. Aboriginal people, who camped near Boggy Creek, used the Butte as a lookout and signal point.[5]
Founding[edit]
European settlement in the area can be traced back to the 1840s. The railway reached Pilot Butte in 1882. Because of its location on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, significant settlement took place between 1880 and 1900. Sand and gravel deposits nearby were used during the construction of the railway. The history of Pilot Butte is marked by dramatic growth followed by decline and now by growth.[5] Except for one or two houses on Railway Avenue, the most notable being the "Martin House", there are very few physical reminders of Pilot Butte's early development. Most of the original structures, one of the most prominent being the old Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) water tower, have either been dismantled or destroyed.
Village of Pilot Butte[edit]
By 1913 Pilot Butte was a village. It flourished as it offered the Canadian Pacific Railway a reliable year round water source and at one point, the CPR built a water conduit to Regina. Between 1913-23, with a population of about a 1,000, Pilot Butte thrived. The town boasted a railway station, 3 grain elevators, a stockyard, the Kitchener Hotel and boarding houses. It had a pool hall, bowling alley, general store, butcher and blacksmith shops, 2 churches, 2 schools (nearby) and 2 section houses. Two brick plants were located in the area and for a time employed 800 people but they closed after the First World War.[5] The Village of Pilot Butte was disbanded in 1923.
Post-World War II[edit]
Reincorporated in 1963, it achieved town status in 1979.[5] A violent storm hit the area on 26 August 1995, damaging most homes in the community. Pilot Butte has fully recovered and replanted trees are once more providing shade to the residents. Many homes received major facelifts which enhanced the community. The town continues to grow since. In the summer of 2013, the town officially had a population of 2,100. Pilot Butte has a post office; a public library; an insurance office; two convenience stores; a cemetery; the Dosu Wok which is a Chinese/Canadian restaurant, the Blue Rooster Café and the Back Corner café; three manufacturing plants; a Domo Gasoline station; a hockey arena; a Town hall, a Roman Catholic Church; the Way of Life Church, a riding club, four superior baseball diamonds, an outdoor hockey rink, a skate park, a PharmaChoice pharmacy, doctor's office, hair salon and a Subway (restaurant) location. It is also home to a worldwide steel producing company Dutch Industries and Gang-nail Truss Manufacturers. The town is home to the Pilot Butte School. The Pre-K to Grade 8 school is part of the Prairie Valley School Division 208.[6]
Geography and Climate[edit]
The town is situated on a broad, flat, treeless and largely waterless plain. The Butte Hill is the highest point in the area.
Climate[edit]
Pilot Butte experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone with warm summers and cold winters, prone to extremes at all times of the year. Average annual precipitation is 388 mm (15.28 in) and is heaviest from June through August, with June being the wettest month with an average of 75 mm (2.95 in) of precipitation. The average daily temperature for the year is 2.8 °C (37.0 °F). The lowest temperature ever recorded was −50.0 °C (−58.0 °F) on 1 January 1885, while the highest recorded temperature was 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) on 5 July 1937
| Climate data for Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 9.7 | 10.9 | 21.2 | 31.9 | 37.6 | 42.2 | 44.5 | 43.7 | 39.3 | 32.1 | 23.4 | 13.0 | 44.5 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) |
15.6 (60.1) |
24.4 (75.9) |
32.8 (91) |
37.2 (99) |
40.6 (105.1) |
43.3 (109.9) |
40.6 (105.1) |
37.2 (99) |
32.0 (89.6) |
23.6 (74.5) |
15.0 (59) |
43.3 (109.9) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −10.7 (12.7) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
0.3 (32.5) |
10.9 (51.6) |
18.8 (65.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
25.7 (78.3) |
25.3 (77.5) |
18.7 (65.7) |
11.5 (52.7) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−7.9 (17.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −16.2 (2.8) |
−11.9 (10.6) |
−5.0 (23) |
4.5 (40.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
16.4 (61.5) |
18.8 (65.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
11.7 (53.1) |
4.8 (40.6) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
−13.2 (8.2) |
2.8 (37) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −21.6 (−6.9) |
−17.1 (1.2) |
−10.3 (13.5) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
4.6 (40.3) |
9.6 (49.3) |
11.8 (53.2) |
10.7 (51.3) |
4.6 (40.3) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−10.7 (12.7) |
−18.5 (−1.3) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −50.0 (−58) |
−47.8 (−54) |
−40.6 (−41.1) |
−28.9 (−20) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−2.2 (28) |
−5.0 (23) |
−16.1 (3) |
−26.1 (−15) |
−37.2 (−35) |
−48.3 (−54.9) |
−50.0 (−58) |
| Record low wind chill | −59.2 | −58.5 | −49.7 | −36.3 | −20.5 | −9.3 | −2.7 | −4.8 | −19.2 | −30.9 | −46.1 | −58.4 | −59.2 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 14.9 (0.587) |
11.6 (0.457) |
19.0 (0.748) |
23.5 (0.925) |
52.8 (2.079) |
75.1 (2.957) |
64.4 (2.535) |
43.2 (1.701) |
32.6 (1.283) |
21.8 (0.858) |
12.9 (0.508) |
16.4 (0.646) |
388.2 (15.283) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.3 (0.012) |
0.7 (0.028) |
4.6 (0.181) |
16.7 (0.657) |
49.7 (1.957) |
75.0 (2.953) |
64.4 (2.535) |
43.2 (1.701) |
31.7 (1.248) |
15.3 (0.602) |
2.0 (0.079) |
0.7 (0.028) |
304.4 (11.984) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 19.6 (7.72) |
14.1 (5.55) |
18.3 (7.2) |
8.0 (3.15) |
3.0 (1.18) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
1.1 (0.43) |
7.1 (2.8) |
13.8 (5.43) |
20.9 (8.23) |
105.9 (41.69) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 10.9 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 10.5 | 12.8 | 10.9 | 9.6 | 8.3 | 6.8 | 8.0 | 11.0 | 114.7 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.57 | 0.72 | 2.2 | 5.8 | 10.1 | 12.8 | 10.9 | 9.6 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 68.09 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 12.1 | 9.2 | 8.5 | 3.7 | 0.80 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.57 | 2.4 | 8.2 | 11.7 | 57.2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74.0 | 74.9 | 68.5 | 47.0 | 42.5 | 45.8 | 46.7 | 43.8 | 45.6 | 50.0 | 67.4 | 74.5 | 56.7 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 101.1 | 129.0 | 154.3 | 225.3 | 271.0 | 289.2 | 331.7 | 288.6 | 194.0 | 166.1 | 103.4 | 84.7 | 2,338.4 |
| Source: Environment Canada[7] | |||||||||||||
Demographics[edit]
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2011 Census[edit]
According to the 2011 Canadian Census, the population of Pilot Butte is 1,848, a 1.3% decrease from 2006. The population density is 365.6 people per square km. The median age is 36.4 years old (34.8 for women and 37.9 for men), which is lower than the median age of Canada at 40.6 years old. Most residents in Pilot Butte speak English (99.0%), and a small number speak French (0.4%). 0.6% of the population's mother tongue was something other than English or French; German (0.2%), Tagalog (0.1%), Polish (0.1%) and Ukrainian (0.2%). There are 700+ dwellings with an occupancy rate of 99.6%.
Neighbourhoods[edit]
Residential neighbourhoods include the older, farther south part of town along the railroad - established in 1882 - that contains some older houses, the most notable being the "Martin House". Immediately north of that is the main part of town, where the gas station and many other services are. To the east is Inland park, containing the baseball diamonds and the Butte . In the north part of the town is the subdivision called The Plains of Pilot Butte, farther west, around the lake is the neighbourhoods of Discovery Ridge and Crescent Park. On the west half of town is Hillside Park and Willow Ridge, where the new café and car wash are located. Around of the town, outside of the borders but still nearby are the developments of Crawford Estates, Crawford Developments, Rock Pointe Estates, Stone Pointe Estates and Spruce Creek Estates.
Sports[edit]
The Pilot Butte Storm, 4 time winners of the Prairie Junior Hockey League,[11] play home games at the local rink in Pilot Butte. The team has played in the provincial championship ten years in a row (2006-2015). The Pilot Butte Broncos minor hockey teams had always played in the Mainline Hockey League but now the Prairie Storm Minor Hockey Association, (through Hockey Regina) has the local minor hockey teams. The Prairie Storm Minor Hockey Association teams have kids from Pilot Butte, Emerald Park, White City and Balgonie.
The White Butte Minor Ball Association offers Broncos Baseball and Storm Softball. In the town/area there is also Buffalo Plains Ringette, City View Skating Club, White Lightning Ringette, Pilot Butte Soccer, White Butte Minor Ball and the North Griffins in Regina Minor Football.
North-west of the city lies Kings Park Speedway, a ⅓-mile paved oval used for stock car racing since the late 1960s.
Recreation and Culture[edit]
The town hosts the Annual Pilot Butte outdoor Rodeo on the third weekend of June every year, complete with cabaret featuring current country headline musicians.
- Golden Sunset Recreational Club (55+ Club)
- Pilot Butte Beavers/Cubs/Scouts
- Pilot Butte Library
- Pilot Butte Photo Bunch
- Pilot Butte Riding Club
Visitor Attractions[edit]
- Inland Park, a park bringing together lands containing recreational, educational and town buildings like the Town Hall, baseball diamonds, hockey rink and the public library.
- Golfing, There are four nice golf courses surrounding the town. Westfalia, Green Acres, Murray and Tor Hill.
- Discovery Ridge, a park surrounding the towns lake with a soccer field, nice scenery and biking and walking paths.
- The Dosu Wok, a local restaurant serving Chinese and Canadian Cuisine.
- White Butte Trails, a nearby set of trails for cross-country skiing in the winter and biking and running in the summer.
Notable people[edit]
- Clayton Gerein - one of Canada's most successful Paralympians. Clayton has won 7 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals in 5 Paralympics.
References[edit]
- ^ "2011 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
- ^ National Archives, Archivia Net. "Post Offices and Postmasters". Retrieved 2013-11-26.
- ^ Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home. "Municipal Directory System". Retrieved 2013-11-26.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Census Population" (PDF). Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d The Canadian Encyclopedia. "Pilot Butte". Retrieved 2013-11-26.
- ^ "Prairie Valley School Division (Schools)". Retrieved 2013-11-26.
- ^ "Environment Canada". Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "2011 Community Profiles". Canada 2011 Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013.
- ^ "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011.
- ^ "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012.
- ^ "PHJL Regular Season and Playoffs Standings Since 2005". Prairie Junior Hockey League. PJHL. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
External links[edit]
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Lumsden | Zehner | Edenwold | |
| Regina |  |
Balgonie | ||
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| Richardson | Emerald Park | White City |
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