Watrous, a charming small town nestled in the heart of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and recreational activities. Located 106 km east of Saskatoon, Watrous is a thriving community with an economy rooted in agriculture and tourism. Its proximity to Manitou Beach, home of the Mineral Spa and the world-renowned Danceland Dance Hall, makes it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Watrous, named after Frank Watrous Morse, is steeped in history. One of the town's most notable historical landmarks is the All Saints Anglican Church on Main Street. The church houses a stained glass window that is believed to be over 500 years old, possibly originating from St John the Baptist Anglican Church in Latton, Wiltshire, England.
As of the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Watrous had a population of 1,842 living in 851 of its 908 total private dwellings. This represents a slight decrease of -3.1% from its 2016 population of 1,900. Despite its small size, Watrous boasts a variety of amenities including several restaurants, a hospital, medical clinic, elementary school, high school, community college, bowling alley, RCMP detachment, banks, a grocery store, and motels.
Watrous is also known for being the location of the transmitter of CBK, CBC Radio One's primary station in Saskatchewan. The transmitter was originally located at Watrous in 1939 to cover most of the Prairie Provinces with a strong nighttime signal. While Watrous is the station's city of licence, its actual studios are located in Regina. The Watrous transmitter is still considered the station's primary signal, even though both of the larger urban areas are now served by separate FM rebroadcasters.
Watrous is well-serviced by the Watrous Airport and Via Rail's The Canadian, which serves the former Watrous railway station site as a flag stop three times per week in each direction.
Watrous offers a variety of recreational activities. The Jubilee Drive-In Theatre in Manitou Beach, one of the few drive-ins still operating in Saskatchewan, is open from the Victoria Day weekend until October. The Watrous Winterhawks of the Long Lake Hockey League play at the Watrous Centennial Arena. The town also features a curling rink, bowling alley, golf course, swimming facilities, ball diamonds, and a soccer pitch.
Watrous experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by very cold winters that transition into warm summers. The average daily mean temperature is 2.3°C, with record lows reaching -43°C and record highs peaking at 39.5°C.
