Riverhurst Community Needs Assessment
2018 Riverhurst Community Needs Assessment
Riverhurst Ferry Photo Courtesy of Tourism Saskatchewan
Riverhurst 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. Riverhurst and District Overview
The Riverhurst and District community consists of the Village of Riverhurst and the Rural Municipality of Maple Bush No. 224. Riverhurst functions as the hub for the surrounding rural community. It provides the public library, a church, commercial services, and recreational facilities including marina, arena, community hall, boat rentals, lake tours, swimming pool, Lions hall, and sports grounds. Riverhurst also provides a fire department and ambulance services for the area. Residents travel to Central Butte or Loreburn for schooling, and Central Butte or Moose Jaw for medical care. The local RCMP detachment is in Elbow.
Riverhurst and District Statistical Information
Retrieved from Statistics Canada Census of 2011 & 2016
Statistical Overview Census Census Community Data 2016 Data 2011 % Change Private Dwellings Median Income Riverhurst 130 114 14.0 114 - Maple Bush No. 224 192 167 15.0 164 - Total 332 281 18.1 278 - 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 Riverhurst 53.7 3.8% 15.4% 11.5% 38.5% 38.5% Maple Bush No. 224 45.8 7.7% 7.7% 23.1% 28.2% 28.2% Average 49.8 5.8% 11.6% 17.3% 33.4% 33.4% 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 Immigrants 2006-2011 Riverhurst 10 5 0 Maple Bush No 224 0 0 0 Total 10 5 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 Riverhurst 35 45 85 Maple Bush No 224 15 55 60 Total 50 100 145 Saskatchewan 177,210 261,210 418,880 Canada 5,239,575 7,576,400 15,827,040
Occupational Statistics Occupation Riverhurst Maple Bush No. 224 Management 10 50 Business/Finance/ Administration 0 10 Natural/Applied Sciences 20 15 Health Occupations 15 15 Education/Law/Social and Government Services 0 10 Art/Culture/Recreation/Sport 0 0 Sales and Service 10 10 Trades/Transport/ Equipment Operators 20 0 Natural Resources/ Agriculture 0 10 Manufacturing/Utilities 0 0 Total Labour Force 85 115
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: 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 Riverhurst
Size and Location The Village of Riverhurst is a community of 130 people located in the southwest Coteau Hills region of Saskatchewan, north of the Vermillion Hills. It is situated in the Rural Municipality of Maple Bush along Highway 42. Riverhurst is located near Lake Diefenbaker, and is the location of the Riverhurst Ferry. The land area of the Village of Riverhurst is 0.91 square kilometers, and the population density is 142.3 people per square kilometer. The sandy beaches and picturesque marina of Lake Diefenbaker are located in the Palliser Regional Park which is a ten minute drive from the village, and Riverhurst thrives because of its vibrant tourism industry.
Facts about Riverhurst: Riverhurst was founded in June 22, 1916. Riverhurst was named after the Riverhurst post office, which derived its name from the names of two previous post offices, Riverside and Boldenhurst. Notable residents include RCMP Constable Thomas Brian King, who was shot to death in Saskatoon. The assessment value for the Village of Riverhurst is $11,945,400. For details on average income, age of population, educational levels attained, types of employment, child poverty, etc. please see tables Riverhurst and District Statistical Summary.
Local Government – Village of Riverhurst Office 324 Teck Street, Riverhurst SK Box 116, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-2220 Fax: 306-353-2221 Email: [email protected] Website: www.riverhurst.ca
Village of Riverhurst Council 2018 Mayor: Gustafson Lawny Councillor: Vacant Councillor: Miller Wayne Councillor: Murray Richard Councillor: Terry Brennan Administrator: Jamison Joy
Sources: Saskatchewan Municipal Directory, Village of Riverhurst Website RM of Maple Bush No. 224
Size and Location The Rural Municipality of Maple Bush is a community of 192 residents located in south-central Saskatchewan, near Lake Diefenbaker. The land area of the RM is 811.95 square kilometers, with a population density of 0.2 people per square kilometer. Encompassed in the rural municipality are the Village of Riverhurst, the Resort Village of Mistusinne, and the hamlets of Lawson and Grainland.
Facts about the RM of Maple Bush The main industries in the area are agriculture and tourism, including attractions such as Lake Diefenbaker, Douglas Provincial Park, Palliser Regional Park, Qu’Appelle River Dam, and the Riverhurst Ferry. The assessment value for the RM of Maple Bush is $180,911,300. For details on average income, age of population, educational levels attained, types of employment, child poverty, etc. please see tables Riverhurst and District Statistical Summary.
Local Government – RM of Maple Bush Office 214 Main Street, Riverhust SK Box 160, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-2292 Fax: 306-353-2293 Email: [email protected]
RM of Maple Bush Council 2018 Reeve: Bartzen Maurice Councillor: McEwen Ken Councillor: Tom Molsberry Councillor: O'Brien Dennis Councillor: Loeppky Rick Councillor: Songer Danny Administrator: Wandler JoAnne 'Rene'
Sources: Saskatchewan Municipal Directory, Rural Municipality of Maple Bush Wikipedia Page
Riverhurst Community Programs and Services Directory:
Programs
Education Based Programs
Palliser Regional Park Kid’s Camp Weekday afternoons $3 per day per child Box 89, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-4064 Website: www.saskparks.com/palliserpark.htm
Schools Central Butte School – Prairie South School Division # 210 281 Main Street, Central Butte SK Telephone: 306-796-2124 Website: www.schools.prairiesouth.ca
Library and Library Programs
Riverhurst Library 324 Teck Street, Riverhurst SK Box 37, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-2130 Email: [email protected] Librarians: Brittany Bennett Hours: Tues. 11:00-5:00 Thurs. 9:30-3:00
Community Based Organizations
Riverhurst Recreation Board
Riverhurst Water Users Association 324 Teck Street, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-4488
Churches
Riverhurst Community Church United Church Telephone: 306-692-0382 Maple Bush No. 224, SK S0H 0T0 Website: www.united-church.ca
Hutterite Colonies Huron Colony Box 9, Brownlee SK
Sports, Culture & Recreation
Sports Dunning Senior Baseball League Meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays Email: [email protected]
Culture F.T. Hill Museum Beginner Line Dance Lessons Riverhurst Village Square Held at Lions Hall Telephone: 306-353-2112
Recreation Groups & Clubs
Thunder Creek 4H Riverhurst Girl Guides
Summer Camps Palliser Regional Park Kid’s Camp Weekday afternoons $3 per day per child Box 89, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-4064 Website: www.saskparks.com/palliserpark.htm
Parks & Playgrounds
Sage View Golf Course In Palliser Regional Park Riverhurst Campground Telephone: 306-353-2065 Contact: Judy and Wayne Miller Telephone: 306-353-0014 Lake Diefenbaker Email: [email protected]
Kitely Park and Playground Palliser Regional Park Box 89, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-4604 Fax: 306-353-4644
Recreation Facilities Rusty’s Coulee Marina Sask River Tours Houseboat Adventures Season opens May 19th 226 2nd Avenue W, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-4449 Box 68, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-4603 Riverhurst Community Arena Website: www.saskrivertours.ca 4th Avenue, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-2177 Riverhurst Community Hall 115 Main Street, Riverhurst SK Palliser Regional Park Pool Telephone: 306-353-2024 Box 89, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-4515 Website: palliserregionalpark.com/pool
Riverhurst Lions Hall
Sport Grounds
Service Clubs & Societies
Communities in Bloom Riverhurst Lions Club Telephone: 514-694-8871 President: Wayne Miller Email: [email protected]
Royal Canadian Legion #213 219 Main Street N Central Butte, SK, S0H 0T0 Box 549, Central Butte SK, S0H 0T0 Telephone: 306-796-4949
Services
Health & Well-Being
Riverhurst Wellness Clinic Moose Jaw Public Health 324 Teck St. Riverhurst 107-110 Ominica Street W, Moose Jaw SK Held: 4th Wednesday of every month Telephone: 306-691-1500
Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital Galloway’s Pharmacy Ltd. 55 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw SK 199 Main Street, Central Butte SK Telephone: 306-694-0296 Telephone: 306-796-2040 Website: www.pharmachoice.com Crescent View Clinic 131 1 Avenue NE, Moose Jaw SK Telephone: 306-691-2040
Commercial Services
Retail
J N Millers Service Ltd. Palliser Regional Park Concession Grocery and Gas Station Convenience Store 506 Main Street S, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-2088 Telephone: 306-353-2144 Open – Summer only
Financial Services/Real Estate/Law CW Millars Insurance Greening Aviation and Professional Claims 114 Main Street Riverhurst PO Box 190, Riverhurst Telephone 306-353-4901 Telephone: 306-353-2000
Diefenbaker Lake Cottage Development Inc Sargent Crescent, Riverhurst Telephone: 306-353-4644
Tourism/Events SK-42 Maple Bush No.224 Mainstay Inn Telephone: 306-796-7375 Palliser Regional Park Hotel, convention centre Riverside Inn Telephone 306-353-2077 235 Main Street, Riverhurst SK Website www.mainstayinn.ca Telephone: 306-353-2211 Website: jdriversideinn.ca Prairie Lake Vacations Farmer’s Markets Sask River Tours Houseboat Adventures Contact: Lucy 226 2nd Avenue W, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 306-353-2222 Box 68, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-4603 Website: www.saskrivertours.ca
Media Internet and Cable Providers Xplornet SaskTel Services: LTE, Satellite, Wireless Services: DSL, Fiber, Mobile Broadband Telephone 844-730-8047 Telephone: 855531-8845
Shaw ) Services: Other Telephone 855-285-1105
Restaurants Riverside Inn MainStay Inn Telephone 306-353-2211 Palliser Regional Park Website: www.jdriversideinn.ca Telephone 306-353-2077 Webpage: www.mainstayinn.ca
Public Transportation
Riverhurst Ferry Crossing Telephone: 306-353-6250
Industrial Services Hawks Agro Farm Atlas Grain Inc. Telephone: 306-353-4787 Telephone: 306-353-2229 Lakeline Ag Resources Agricultural Fertilizer plant Telephone 306-353-2002
Government Services
Municipal Services
Village of Riverhurst Office Rural Municipality of Maple Bush No. 224 324 Teck Street, Riverhurst SK 214 Main Street, Riverhurst SK Administrator: Joy Jamison Box 160, Riverhurst SK, S0H 3P0 Telephone: 306-353-2220 Administrator: JoAnne ‘Rene’ Wandler Fax: 306-353-2221 Telephone: 306-353-2292 Email: [email protected] Fax: 306-353-2293 Website: www.riverhurst.ca Email: [email protected]
Palliser Reginal Park Authority Palliser Regional Park, Riverhurst, SK Telephone: 306-353-4604
Emergency Services
RCMP - Elbow Detachment Riverhurst Ambulance Telephone: 306-854-1830 / 306-867-5440 911
Riverhurst Volunteer Fire Department 911 Facebook: @RiverhurstVFD
Government of Saskatchewan Services SGI Motor License Issuer C.W. Millar’s Insurance Agency Inc. 138 Main Street Central Butte, SK Box 126, Central Butte, SK, S0H 0T0 Telephone: 306-796-2079 Email: [email protected]
Government of Canada Services Canada Post J.N. Millers Service Ltd. 506 Main Street S, Riverhurst SK Telephone: 1-866-607-6301
MLA/MP
MP MLA David Anderson Lyle Stewart 240 Central Avenue N, Suite 2 #207 – 310 Main Street N, Moose Jaw SK Swift Current, Saskatchewan S9H 0L2 Telephone: 306-693-3229 Telephone: 306-778-4480 Fax: 306-693-3251 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.davidanderson.ca Website: www.lylestewart.ca
Sources: Lyle Stewart Website, David Anderson Website, Village of Riverhurst 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? - Close to the lake - Low-key/quiet - Friendly people - Family and friends - Supportive, close-knit community - Small town feel - Family friendly/good place to raise kids - No traffic - Everything is close by - Everybody knows everybody - Fun - Summer dinners for the community - Good weather - Short commute - Golf course - Low cost of living - Beautiful - Fishing - Close to Palliser Regional Park - Good access via the highway - Park - Tourism - Safe/low crime rate - Leadership has good vision - Groups and events to bring people together - Mail service - Volunteer groups - Fire Department
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?) - Line dancing - Ladies coffee at the library - Regional and Provincial parks - Community hall events and programs - Fishing derby - Sports (Senior ball) - Rink activities - Church and church activities - Golfing - Swimming at the swimming pool - Lake activities (fishing, boating, swimming, water sports, kayaking) - Bird watching - Beach - Ferry - Bar - Camping - Bean Festival - Walleye Classic - July 1st Sports Day - Community Christmas party - Weekly Majong - Volunteering - Lions pancake breakfast - Library and library programs - Museum and museum programs
Part Two: Weaknesses, Present-Oriented
3. What are the challenges about living in this community? - Travelling for amenities - Gossip - No grocery store - No hardware store - No school - No hospital, doctor’s office, or drug store - Seasonality - Few young people and children - Few services for young families - Volunteer burnout - Community is somewhat isolated - Access to emergency services - Poor cell phone service - Few volunteers - High cost of taxes and utilities - Poor infrastructure
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?) - Adding a restaurant - People’s openness to change - More access to medical services - Expandability - Maintaining the village’s current assets - More jobs - More services to support young families - Restore the grain elevator - More amenities
5. What are the hot button issues of this community? - Community’s tight budget - Controversy over new stop/yield signs and speed bumps - Communities in Bloom committee (some are uncertain about what work they do) - Volunteer labor decreasing - Lagoon needs to be expanded - Gossip, rumors, politics - Health care availability - Road maintenance - High taxes - Infrastructure development
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?) - Not as seasonal - Maintaining small community spirit - Population growth - Development - Better utilization of resources around the village - Reconciliation/spread of the gospel - Prosperity - Expansion - Able to support a larger population - More young families moving in - More businesses and services - Continuing Communities in Bloom projects - More support among community members - More permanent residents - A feeling of support because of basic services - Adding a hospital or doctor’s office - Keeping the library, museum, and school
7. What are some of the things that need to happen to create that kind of change? - Government grants and funding - Infrastructure - Adding a grocery store - Change mindsets among leadership - Promotion of the community - Leaders collaborating to create a long-term strategy - Agriculture - Fundraising - Expanding the lagoon - Population growth - Leaning into the tourism industry - Bringing in another industry - New businesses and services - Balancing the needs and means of the community - Opening people’s minds to change
8. What type of educational opportunities/skills/knowledge is needed to make that vision become a reality? - Trades skills (plumbers, electricians) - Planning skills - Collaboration skills - Knowledge about long-term asset management - Facilitating conversations with community members - Business and management skills - Art opportunities and workshops - Continuing programs through Sports & Culture - Continuing library and museum programs - Send a group to the Science Center again - Education about what the library offers and the concept of interlibrary loans
9. What barriers do you see that might prevent the creation of your ideal community? - Difficult to drive for amenities in the winter/freezing of the lake - Lack of funding and grants - Few services and amenities - Lack of expandability - Fear of the future - Lack of vision - Little access to supplies - Current infrastructure - Volume of the lagoon - Lack of volunteers - Closed-mindedness/resistance to change - Losing services (elevators, school, bank) - Aging population/not enough young people - Lack of industry and employment opportunities
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 stay: o Family o Friends o Quietness o Safety o Small town atmosphere o Supportive community o Beauty of the community o Job security o Good school o Country life o Health o Enjoyable work - Reasons to leave: o Health deterioration/problems o Job opportunity o Limited services o God’s leading o Loss of services o Leadership’s lack of vision o Cost of living
11. Any last thoughts? - The library is used a lot in our community. - We appreciate the library, and we don’t ever want to lose it - The library is very connected and involved in the community. There have been some creative and practical ideas for fundraising. It also serves as a point of contact with the community, because it draws in children and it can inform people of activities and attractions in the village. - My family loves to volunteer and help the community.
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 Riverhurst Website http://www.riverhurst.ca/
Rural Municipality of Maple Bush Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Municipality_of_Maple_Bush_No._224
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
David Anderson Website http://www.davidanderson.ca/
Lyle Stewart Website http://www.lylestewart.ca/