Country Canada Region Saskatchewan Rural Municipality Winslow Population 126 (2006) | Province Saskatchewan Census division 13 Post office Founded 1907 Area code 306 | |
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Weather 1°C, Wind SE at 39 km/h, 50% Humidity | ||
Plenty saskatchewan
Plenty is a small village in western Saskatchewan, Canada, located equidistant among Kindersley, Biggar, Kerrobert and Rosetown and approximately 150 kilometers southwest of Saskatoon. It has a population of 126 (2006 census). It is located within the Sun West School Division. North West Central School, a K to 12 school, services the surrounding communities of Kelfield, Ruthilda, and Stranraer and provides high school services for the community of Dodsland.
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The village of Plenty resides in the Rural municipality of Winslow 319. The economy of Plenty and area is primarily driven by agriculture with some oil and gas activity to the west and south of the town.
Approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Plenty is the Moore's Ravine Municipal Heritage Site (Richard's Pasture) made up of approximately 200 acres (0.81 km2) designated 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 (6.4 km) east 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.
During the 1950s, a program of tree planting occurred at the lake along with the construction of baseball 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 and stock car track was built near the gravel pits at the lake. Although the track was completed, races were never held.
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, thus appearing to be the Land of Plenty, and the town received its name from this inspiration.
Plenty is the birthplace of the late Brad McCrimmon (1959–2011), former captain of the NHL's Calgary Flames and winner of the Stanley Cup with the 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.