2018 Briercrest Community Needs Assessment
Photo Courtesy of Tourism Sasktachewan
Briercrest Public Library Board &
Palliser Regional Library
Researchers: Katelyn Barrett* Matt Gibney* Brianna Miller* Jan Smith
*This project is brought to you in large part thanks to Employment and Social Development Canada’s Canada Summer Job Program
Accuracy of information While the Information is considered to be true and correct as of October 1, 2018 – the date of publication - changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and Palliser Regional Library is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user. Briercrest and District Overview
The Briercrest and District community consists of the Village of Briercrest, the Rural Municipality of Redburn No. 130, and part of the Rural Municipality of Baildon No. 131. The Village of Briercrest provides services and amenities for the surrounding rural community. It provides emergency services (first responders), recreational facilities (rink, library, museum, park, community centre), and commercial services that can be access by the residents of the district.
Briercrest and District Statistical Information
As reported to/recorded by the Statistics Canada Census of 2011 & 2016
Statistical Overview Census Census Community Data 2016 Data 2011 % Change Private Dwellings Median Income Briercrest 159 111 43.2 67 - Redburn No. 130 125 125 0 107 - Baildon No. 131 248 238 4.4 219 $42,276 Total 532 474 12.2 393 $42,276 Saskatchewan 1,098,352 1,033,381 6.3 432,622 $93,942 Canada 35,151,728 33,476,688 5.0 14,072,079 $47,487
Population Age Distribution Community Mean Age 0-4 years 5-19 years 20-39 years 40-64 years 65+ years Briercrest 39.0 9.7% 16.1% 22.6% 32.3% 12.9% Redburn No. 130 40.7 6.0% 22.0% 20.0% 36.0% 16.0% Baildon No. 131 39.5 8.9% 18.5% 21.8% 31.5% 17.7% Average 39.7 8.2% 18.9% 21.5% 33.3% 15.5% Saskatchewan 39.1 6.7% 25.8% 27.0% 31.7% 15.5% Canada 41.0 5.4% 17.0% 26.0% 34.7% 16.9%
Ethnicity Community Aboriginal or Métis French Only Immigrants in the last 10 years Briercrest 20 15 0 Redburn No. 130 0 0 0 Baildon No. 131 10 25 0 Total 30 40 0 Saskatchewan 177,355 125,810 72,305 Canada 2,130,520 4,144,685 2,268,170
Education Level Community No High School High School Post-Secondary Briercrest 40 60 55 Redburn No. 130 25 90 65 Baildon No. 131 90 95 190 Total 155 245 310 Saskatchewan 177,210 261,210 418,880 Canada 5,239,575 7,576,400 15,827,040
Occupation Briercrest Redburn No. 130 Baildon No. 131 Management 15 80 100 Business/Finance/Administration 15 10 40 Natural/Applied Sciences 0 0 0 Health Occupations 10 0 10 Education/Law/Social and Government Services 10 15 20 Art/Culture/Recreation/Sport 0 0 0 Sales and Service 30 10 25 Trades/Transport/Equipment Operators 25 10 30 Natural Resources/Agriculture 10 10 45 Manufacturing/Utilities 10 0 10 Total Labour Force 115 150 280
Saskatchewan Statistical Information
Saskatchewan Literacy Statistics Statistic Saskatchewan Canada Reading Proportion of Students Reading at Level 1 16.0% 12.0% Proportion of Students Reading at Level 2 (expected level of reading) 74.0% 74.0% Proportion of Students Reading at Level 3 9.0% 14.0% Mathematics and Science Overall Mean Score in Mathematics 80.5% 85.2% Males 81.3% 85.3% Females 79.7% 85.3% Overall Mean Score in Science 81.8% 84.7% Males 81.8% 84.2% Females 82.0% 85.2%
Source: Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) 2016 Literacy Study
Crime Rate Statistic RCMP Data 2016 RCMP Data 2015 Crime Rate per 100,000 Population 5,904.5 5,910.1 % Rate Increase from Previous Year -0.09 2.3
RCMP Crime Statistics Constable Kim Audette, Crime Analyst – Burnaby detachment
Poverty Rates* Statistic 2010 2014 2015 Child Poverty Rates Overall Child Poverty Rate (SK)** 23.0% 24.6% 24.1% First Nations Poverty Rate 50.0% Immigrant Poverty Rate 29.6% Canada Poverty Rate 17.4% Food Insecurity Rates Household Food Insecurity 10.6% Children in Food Insecure Households 19.0% Cost of Weekly Groceries for a family of 4 2009 2012 2015 Provincial Average $205.02 $218.24 $243.64 Large City (Southern SK) $184.91 $193.69 $215.20 Small City (Southern SK) $188.28 $194.09 $220.46 Town (Southern SK) $202.20 $216.46 $238.66 Rural (Southern SK) $206.94 $223.60 $246.65
Sources: Hunter & Sanchez, Child and Family Poverty in Saskatchewan: November 2017, PROOF: Food Insecurity Policy Research, Saskatchewan Food Costing Task Group’s The Cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan
*Based on Statistics Canada data Sanchez and Hunter found low income can be classed as $18,213 annually for a single adult with no child, $25,498 annually for a lone parent with one child, $30,962 annually for a lone parent with two children, $25,498 annually for a couple with no child, $30,962 annually for a couple with one child, and $36,000 for a couple with two children.
** Only Manitoba and Nunavut have higher child poverty rates than Saskatchewan (27.5% and 36.1% respectively).
Village of Briercrest
Size and Location The Village of Briercrest is a community of 159 people located in the south-central part of Saskatchewan. • The land area of the Village of Briercrest is 0.62 square kilometers, and the population density is 256.4 people per square kilometer. • Briercrest is situated in the Rural Municipality of Redburn on a short-line railroad operated by Southern Rails Co-operative, and serviced by Highway #339. • The town is also easily accessible to larger centers, with Moose Jaw 45 kilometers to the northwest, and Regina 80 kilometers to the northeast.
Facts about Briercrest • Although founded in the village of Briercrest in 1935, Briercrest Bible College moved to Caronport in 1946. A larger facility was needed for the increasing number of students, and the airbase at Caronport became the school’s new home. The school, however, continued its early history by retaining the name of its village birthplace. • The site of the present village was purchased by the CNR in 1911 about the time the railway line was constructed. • The name Briercrest was given to the first post office that was located on the farm of Captain Charles Jaques in 1902. Mrs. Jaques had chosen the name based the wild roses growing on a ridge nearby and agreed to the use of the name for the village. • The book Wheat Fields and Wild Roses: Briercrest and Districts was published by the Briercrest & District Historical Society in 1988. • Briercrest has a small number of businesses which supply goods and services to its residents and visitors; including the Briercrest Grain Ltd. elevator. • The Museum is located in the former school building. On the weekend of June 30 – July 2, 2012 Briercrest celebrated its 100th Anniversary and the Museum held their Grand Opening with hundreds of past and present residents enjoying the district’s antiques and memorabilia which have all been donated by local families. • Briercrest is a strong knit community with deep roots in agriculture. There are many farms and ranches in the area, cultivating products including wheat, canola, flax, peas, cattle, and bison. • The assessment value for the Village of Briercrest is $11,905,800. • For details on average income, age of population, educational levels attained, types of employment, child poverty, etc. please see tables Briercrest and District Statistical Summary.
Local Government – Village of Briercrest Office Box 25, Briercrest SK, S0H 0K0 Telephone: 306-799-2066 Fax: 306-799-2067 Email: [email protected] Website: www.villageofbriercrest.ca
Village of Briercrest Council 2018 Mayor: Duncan William (Bill) Councillor: Duncan Grant Councillor: Wood Christine Administrator: Senchuk Linda
Sources: Saskatchewan Municipal Directory, Village of Briercrest Website
RM of Redburn No. 130
Size and Location The Rural Municipality of Redburn has a population of 125 people, and is located in south- central Saskatchewan, southeast of the city of Moose Jaw. • The RM encompasses 847.91 square kilometers of land, with a population density of 0.3 people per square kilometer. • Communities in the RM include the town of Rouleau, the villages of Briercrest and Drinkwater, and the hamlets of Hearne and Pitman. • The Office of the RM is located in Rouleau.
Facts about the RM of Redburn • The assessment value for the Rural Municipality of Redburn is $317,823,700. • For details on average income, age of population, educational levels attained, types of employment, child poverty, etc. please see tables Briercrest and District Statistical Summary.
Local Government – RM of Redburn Office Box 250, Rouleau SK, S0G 4H0 Telephone: 306-776-2270 Fax: 306-776-2482 Email: [email protected]
RM of Redburn Council 2018 Reeve: Hughes Ronald Councillor: Aikens Geoff Councillor: Thul Doug Councillor: Kitts Grant Councillor: Duncan Wayne Councillor: Haig Randy Councillor: Clarke Jordan Administrator: Lagrandeur Guy Assistant Administrator : Duncan Kelly
Sources: Saskatchewan Municipal Directory, Rural Municipality of Redburn Wikipedia Page
RM of Baildon No. 131
Size and Location
The Rural Municipality of Baildon has a population of 248 people, and is located in south- central Saskatchewan, just south of Moose Jaw. • The land area of the RM is 846.21 square kilometers, with a population density of 0.7 people per square kilometer. • The RM encompasses the hamlets of Archive, Baildon, Buttress, Crestwynd, Leakville, Levuka, and Tilney.
Facts about the RM of Baildon • The RM of Baildon is home to the Sukanen Ship and Pioneer Village Museum. The museum showcases a pioneer village, made of nearly 50 preserved display buildings. The museum also showcases the Sukanen Ship, and the Diefenbaker Homestead. • The assessment value for the RM of Baildon is $265,226,400. • For details on average income, age of population, educational levels attained, types of employment, child poverty, etc. please see tables Briercrest and District Statistical Summary.
Local Government – RM of Baildon Office Suite 1 – 1410 Caribou Street W, Moose Jaw SK, S6H 7S9 Telephone: 306-693-2166 Fax: 306-693-2170 Email: [email protected]
RM of Baildon Council 2018 Reeve: Loos Charlene Councillor: Airey Maurice Councillor: Shortland Dennis Councillor: Lewis Jeff Councillor: Stock Jerry Councillor: McLarty Robert Administrator: Bellefeuille Carol Assistant Administrator : Breitkreuz Christine
Sources: Saskatchewan Municipal Directory, RM of Baildon Website Briercrest Community Programs and
Services Directory:
Programs
Education Based Programs
Avonlea School (K-12) Prairie South School Division # 210 501 1st Avenue E, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-868-2000 Website: schools.prairiesouth.ca/Avonlea
Library and Library Programs
https://www.palliserlibrary.ca/spm/branch Briercrest Public Library es Community Centre, Main Street Librarian: Sharon Duncan Box 97, Briercrest SK, S0H 0k) Hours: Tuesday 9:30 AM to 12:45PM Telephone: 306-799-2137 Wednesday 9:20 AM to 2:00 PM Email: [email protected] Thursday 6:00 PM to 9 PM
Community Based Organizations
Briercrest Rural Involvement Club Briercrest Community Centre Derived out of the old Lions Club Houses the library, BRIC meeting area, Located at the Briercrest Community Centre Masonic Lodge meeting area, Morning 205 Main Street, Briercrest SK Coffee Group Telephone: 306-799-2137 Main Street, Briercrest SK Contact: Krista Nash Telephone: 306-799-2001 Churches
United Church Knox Presbyterian Church st 200 1 Avenue, Avonlea SK 385 Main Street Telephone: 306-868-2255 Briercrest, sk S0H 0K0 Website: united-church.ca Telephone: 306-799-2016 Hutterite Colonies Baildon Colony Box 968, Moose Jaw SK Manager: Peter Hofer Telephone: 306-693-3011
Sports, Culture & Recreation
Sports Briercrest Curling & Skating Rink 320 Oriole Avenue, Briercrest SK Telephone: 306-799-2111
Culture
Briercrest District Museum 400 Main Street, Briercrest SK Briercrest Heritage Day (June) and Telephone: 306-799-4951 Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site Email: [email protected] Heritage Day Briercrest Museum Fall Supper Sunday (October) Telephone: 306-799-4951 Briercrest Community Center Telephone: 306-799-2001
Parks & Playgrounds Briercrest Park Located next to Community Centre
Recreation Facilities Briercrest Community Rink Briercrest Community Center 320 Oriole Avenue, Briercrest SK 205 Main Street, Briercrest SK Telephone: 306-799-2122 Telephone: 306-799-2137
Service Clubs & Societies
Briercrest 4-H General Leader: Cathy Harrison BRIC Meetings held monthly on 2nd Tuesday of the month
Services
Health & Well-Being
Avonlea Dental Clinic Emergency First Responders 311 4th Avenue, Avonlea SK Currently 5 fully trained and Telephone: 306-868-2233 Certified first responders available To handle Emergency Medical & Spalding Orthopedic Design, Inc. Trauma incidents. 105 Main Street, Rouleau SK Members are dispatched through EMS Telephone: 306-776-2450 Dispatches through EMS operator - Website: spaldingorthopedic.com Dial 911.
Commercial Services
Retail Co-op Cardlock Co-op Avonlea Gas Bar 1st Avenue E, Avonlea SK 300 McRorie Avenue B, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-868-2133 Telephone: 306-868-2133 Website: coopconnection.ca Dean Clarke Agent Armstrong & First, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-868-2252
Financial Services/Real Estate/Law
Willows Tulloch Beitel’s Insurance Attorney 270 Main Street, Briercrest SK Avonlea, SK Telephone: 306-799-2148 Telephone: 306-868-2040
Tourism Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site Claybank, SK Telephone: 306-868-4474 Website: claybankbrick.ca
Restaurants Tasty By Jirkak 501 Main Street, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-515-3070
Transportation Provincial Airways Hwy 301 N, Moose Jaw SK Telephone: 306-692-7335 Website: provincialairways.net
Industrial Services BLG-Briercrest Grain Huge L Steel Railway Avenue, Briercrest SK 123 Hwy 39, Drinkwater SK Telephone: 306-799-4421 Telephone: 306-693-1003 Website: hugelstell.com Flash Welding Welding Supply Store Mid Prairie Body Centre SE 713 24 W 52nd 10 km West of Briercrest Telephone: 306-799-2005 Telephone: 306-799-4437 Website: flashwelding.biz Custom Swathing Emerald Seed Products Contact: Scott Anderson 101 Wood Mountain Trail, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-799-4511 Telephone: 306-868-2030 Cellular: 306-630-2588 Website: emeraldseedproducts.com MW Earthmoving Ludwar Insulation Services Contact: Michael Whitfield Box 345, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-799-2199 Telephone: 306-631-4570 Cellular: 306-631-4973 Facebook: @ludwarinsulation Wingmore Corp Production R J Electric Telephone: 306-799-2166 109 Main Street, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-868-2199 Dynamic Injection Service Diesel Engine Repair Blue Hills Processors 411 Missouri Coteau Street, Avonlea SK 300 Elevator Road, Avonlea SK Telephone: 306-205-5624 Telephone: 306-868-4488 Website: dynamicinjection.ca
C & D Welding and Repair 265 Oriole Avenue, Briercrest SK Telephone: 306-799-2112
Government Services
Municipal Services Village of Briercrest Office Rural Municipality of Baildon No. 131 Box 25, Briercrest SK, S0H 0K0 Suite 1 – 1410 Caribou Street W, Moose Jaw Administrator: Linda Senchuk Administrator: Carol Bellefeuille Telephone: 306-799-2066 Telephone: 306-693-2166 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.villageofbriercrest.ca Rural Municipality of Redburn No. 130 Box 250, Rouleau SK, S0G 4H0 Administrator: Guy Lagrandeur Telephone: 306-776-2270 mail: [email protected]
Emergency Services First Responders Avonlea Fire Department Contact: Cathy Beitel Avonlea, SK 911 911
Briercrest Emergency Services RCMP – Avonlea Detachment Avonlea, SK 502 Main Street, Briercrest SK Dial 911 Telephone: 306-868-2300 Website: rcmp.gc.ca Rouleau Fire Department Rouleau, SK
Government of Saskatchewan Services SGI Motor License Issuer Beitel’s Insurance 270 Main Street, Briercrest SK Telephone: 306-799-2148
Government of Canada Services Canada Post 110 Main Street, Avonlea SK Website: www.canadapost.ca
MLA/MP
MLA MP Lyle Stewart Tom Lukiwski Lumsden- Morse Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan #207 – 310 Main Street north Suiter #1, 54 Stadacona Street W Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3K1 Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1Z1 Telephone: 306-693-3229 Telephone: 306-691-3577 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.lylestewart.ca/ Website: www.tomlukiwski.com
Sources: David Anderson Website, Dan D’Autremont Website, Village of Briercrest Website, RM of Baildon Website, Google Maps Business Directory, Hutterite Colony Directory, KidsCamps Directory of Saskatchewan Overnight Camps, Saskatchewan Municipal Directory
Community Responses to Needs
Assessment
Part One: Strengths, Present-Oriented
1. What makes this community a great place to live? - Small community/small town atmosphere - People take care of and support one other - Rink activities in the winter - Many community events including heritage day and ball tournament - Beautiful community center - Close to two major centers and their amenities - Great place to raise kids - Lots of community support for events and fundraisers - Close knit community - Everybody knows everybody - Safe for children - Many community events - Library - Community center - Skating and curling rinks in the winter - Friendly people - Family-oriented community - Insurance agency - Gas station - Reasonably priced auto repairs
2. If you met someone who was new to town and they asked you what is there to do around here, what would you say? (What are the activities that are of the most interest to people in this community?) - Rink activities in the winter (hockey, men’s league, shinny, figure skating, public skating, rink suppers, curling) - Library - Library activities (movies, talks, police dog demo) - Weekly morning coffee at the community center - Community center events (dance classes for children, gymnastics) - Museum (including hands on exhibits for children) - Presbyterian church - Volunteer fire department - Brick plant Historical Site - Many committees/organizations to join - Playground - Park - Heritage Days - Bridge group every Friday afternoon at the community center - Piano lessons - Men’s coffee at the garage - Women’s coffee at the community hall - Insurance agency - The BRIC - 4H Club
Part Two: Weaknesses, Present-Oriented
3. What are the challenges about living in this community? - Many people have to commute for their work - Difficult to align the interests of the various different groups in the community - No grocery store - Lack of sporting events for kids - No doctor - Driving for amenities and services - Highway closures/detours - Difficult to organize things because everyone travels for other things outside of the community - Bus route to Moose Jaw schools has been discontinued - No restaurant - No school - Bridge closure during winter - Children having to be on the bus for an hour to get to school
4. If you could change one thing about this community what would it be? (How is the way you envision your ideal community different from how you see things now?) - Re-open the grocery store - Open the school - Get people to value shopping locally, so our services don’t close - Get newcomers more involved in the community - Add a convenience store - More people coming to church
5. What are the hot button issues of this community? - Discontinuation of the school bus service to Moose Jaw, so children need to go to Avonlea - Bridge repairs/highway closures (taking a long time to complete) - Dry weather - Cut to library funding - Untidy yards
Part Three: Opportunities/Threats
6. How would you describe your ideal vision for the future of this community? (What do you want [this community] to be for the next generation?) (What kind of Community do you want to live in and why is that important to you?) - Continued growth - Growth of the tax base to improve infrastructure (sewer and water systems) - Keeping the museum open, so the legacy and hard work of this generation will be remembered - Everyone being involved with the community, coming together in every aspect of community living - Grocery store - More new houses being built - Looking after the highway better to attract people to town - More young people to help with sports and other activities - School open - More young families - Small, but busy - Community continuing to come together to organize events - More community spirit - More initiative and involvement
7. What are some of the things that need to happen to create that kind of change? - Strong agriculture economy - Strong provincial economy to protect small town Saskatchewan - Individuals getting involved - More young people moving in - Building a new school - Keeping the school bus service to Moose Jaw so children can continue to go to school there - Better informing newcomers about what it available and making contact with them to get them involved - People interacting with one another more
8. What type of educational opportunities/skills/knowledge is needed to make that vision become a reality? - Arts and crafts classes for children in the library - Local school - Sports and extracurricular activities for children - Additional resources and knowledge for parents through the library or elsewhere - Painting classes - Ability to send children to Moose Jaw for school - Promotional skills - Providing opportunities for newcomers to interact in the community
9. What barriers do you see that might prevent the creation of your ideal community? - Divide between rural and urban Saskatchewan - Some people not wanting to be involved in the community - The busing of students to Moose Jaw being removed - People not prioritizing supporting local businesses - Not having a school
10. Do you see yourself leaving in this community long term? What would make you leave this community? What would make you stay? - Reasons to leave: o Health issues/deterioration o Moving to a care facility o Employment opportunity o Distance from Moose Jaw o Commute to work/school o Distance from extra-curricular activities o No doctor nearby - Reasons to stay: o Established in the community o Good place to raise children o Everybody know everybody o Support of the community o Safe o Enjoyable lifestyle o Farming o Small town feel o If there was a grocery store o Owning a house/land
11. Any last thoughts? - I believe in Saskatchewan, I believe in small town Saskatchewan. - I want to see our industries and our province grow and be productive and responsible at the same time. I think that’s the key to success in any venture. - I can honestly say that the library and the events that go on there are great. - The librarian is very good at setting things up for the kids, having writers out and other activities. - The library in combination with the community center is the hub of the community. We were very happy when the funding was reinstated to save the library. - I figure it’s just as easy for me to get to the amenities of the city as it is for someone to travel across the city to go to the same places. If we lose the bus I think we may lose the town. There is only a small group of us that kind of organize and run everything in the community. I’m hoping people come out and want to be involved. - Removing our library would be another nail in the coffin for the Briercrest community. - It was really upsetting when they were taking our library away. My son is only 4 but he loves it there. The programs they put on are really good. - I hope they keep the bus service because if they don’t the town will dwindle down to nothing because you won’t be able to attract new families to the community. - I understand that it isn’t logical for us to have a doctor but sometimes, especially in winter weather, it is very difficult to get to a doctor even 10 miles away. This makes us seriously consider moving into an urban center.
References
Statistics Canada, 2016 census (revised 2018) http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
Statistics Canada, 2011 census https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/index-eng.cfm
RCMP Crime Statistics Constable Kim Audette, Crime Analyst – Burnaby detachment
Village of Briercrest Website https://www.villageofbriercrest.ca/
Rural Municipality of Redburn Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Municipality_of_Redburn_No._130
RM of Baildon Website http://myrm.info/131/
Spring Valley Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Valley,_Saskatchewan
Spring Valley Page on Tourism Saskatchewan Website http://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/community/407/spring-valley
Municipal Directory http://www.mds.gov.sk.ca/apps/Pub/MDS/welcome.aspx
Saskatchewan Literacy Statistics Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) 2016 Literacy Study, pages 72-80
Saskatchewan Child Poverty Statistics Hunter & Sanchez, Child and Family Poverty in Saskatchewan: November 2017 campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2017_Sask_ChildPovertyReport_Nov21.pdf
Food Insecurity Statistics PROOF: Food Insecurity Policy Research
Statistics for Cost of 1 Week of Groceries in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Food Costing Task Group’s The Cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan
Hutterite Colony Directory http://www.hutterites.org/directory/
Kids Camps Saskatchewan Overnight Camps Directory https://www.kidscamps.com/camps/saskatchewan-overnight-camps.html
Google Maps Business Directory https://www.google.ca/maps
Dan D’Autremont Website http://www.dandautremont.ca/
David Anderson Website http://www.davidanderson.ca/