Assiniboia, a charming town nestled in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Located 110 km south-southwest of Moose Jaw, it is conveniently situated beside Highway 2 and Highway 13.
The area around Assiniboia, as described by the Dominion Land Survey, is Sec.18, Twp.8, R.29, W2. The town was first settled by people of diverse backgrounds, including English, French, Romanian, Scottish, and Scandinavian descent. From 30 March 1908 to 23 November 1912, the post office at this location was known as Leeville, Saskatchewan.
The settlement of Assiniboia came into existence on 12 October 1912, when the Canadian Pacific Railway put 980 lots up for sale at the townsite while constructing a branch line through southern Saskatchewan. The community experienced rapid growth, and on 22 December 1912, it was incorporated as a village. By 1913, the population had surged from 400 to 1400, leading to its incorporation as a town. The town's name is derived from the former district of Assiniboia, where it is located.
During the Great Depression, town officials employed out-of-work men to construct the Assiniboia sewer system. However, the town could not afford to operate it until 1948. The RCAF Station Assiniboia World War II airfield, now known as the Assiniboia Airport, is located 6 nautical miles north of Assiniboia. It served as an elementary flight school training center during the World War II years of 1942-1944.
Founded in 1977, Assiniboia Regional Park is a regional park operated from three locations around the town. The park features a 9-hole golf course south of town, Willows Dam east of town, and Centennial Park in town.
The Centennial Park location boasts a campground with 17 campsites and modern showers and washrooms. Other amenities at the park include an outdoor pool, picnic area, playground, potable water, tennis courts, sani-dump, and ball diamonds.
About 8 kilometres east along Highway 13 is Willows Dam, also known as Willows Reservoir. The reservoir has a boat launch for fishing, with walleye and perch being common catches. Motorised boats are not permitted on the lake.
The Assiniboia Regional Park Golf Course is a 9-hole golf course located 3.2 kilometres south of the campground. It features grass greens, par 36 with blue tees totalling 2768 yards and red tees totalling 2548 yards. A licensed clubhouse with food and a pro shop is also available.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Assiniboia had a population of 2,333 living in 1,070 of its 1,236 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -3.8% from its 2016 population of 2,424. With a land area of 3.68 km2, it had a population density of 634.0/km2 in 2021.
Assiniboia experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb), offering a unique blend of seasons for visitors and residents alike.
