Foam Lake, a charming town nestled in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, is a destination that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and outdoor activities. With a population of 1,123 in 2006, the town has grown to house 1,183 residents as of the 2021 Census. Located approximately 220 km southeast of Saskatoon on the Yellowhead Highway, Foam Lake is situated in a mixed agricultural area. The town's namesake, Foam Lake, is a mere 5 km to the northwest.
Foam Lake was founded in 1882 by Joshua Milligan, an English fur trader. The town saw an influx of settlers from various nationalities, including Icelanders, Ukrainians, and other English-speaking communities. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1924.
The Foam Lake Museum, established around 1926, is a Municipal Heritage Property listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. However, the town's history is not without its share of trials. In the summer of 2006, two major fires ravaged Main Street in Foam Lake, destroying three businesses and one home, including the water fountain/Sears outlet/Backyard Studios, the doctor's office, and Dennis' Cafe. A second fire consumed one of the three grain elevators, spreading to the second one. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteer fire department, two water bombers, and volunteer fire departments from surrounding communities, the blaze was extinguished.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Foam Lake had a population of 1,183 living in 543 of its 584 total private dwellings. This represented a 3.7% increase from its 2016 population of 1,141. With a land area of 6.04 km2 (2.33 sq mi), Foam Lake had a population density of 195.9/km2 (507.3/sq mi) in 2021.
Foam Lake offers a variety of recreational activities for residents and visitors alike. The Quill Lakes International Bird Area, located northwest of Foam Lake, attracts bird watchers from around the globe. The Foam Lake Water Park, featuring a 128 ft waterslide, hot tub, vortex, and beach entry, serves as the community's summer hub. Additionally, the town hosts the annual Veselka Ukrainian Heritage Festival, a celebration of Ukrainian culture through food, music, art, and entertainment.
The Foam Lake Flyers, part of the amateur senior men's Long Lake Hockey League, play at the Foam Lake Recreation Centre. The team, which has been in existence since the 1940s, has seen many notable players and coaches. Frank "Buzz" Boll, a former National Hockey League player, coached the team in the late 1940s. Other notable former Flyers include Hockey Hall of Fame honoured member Bernie Federko, Canadian Olympian Ted Hargreaves, and several former junior stars, including Washington Capitals draft pick Jeff Lucky.
