| Melville | |
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| Saskatchewan Highway 15 in Melville | |
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| Coordinates: 50°55′50″N 102°48′28″W / 50.93056°N 102.80778°WCoordinates: 50°55′50″N 102°48′28″W / 50.93056°N 102.80778°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Incorporated Village | 1908 |
| Incorporated Town | November 1, 1909 |
| Incorporated City | August 1, 1960 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Walter Streelasky |
| • MLA Constituency of Melville-Saltcoats | Bob Bjornerud |
| • MP Yorkton—Melville | Garry Breitkreuz |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.82 km2 (5.72 sq mi) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| • Total | 4,149 |
| • Metro density | 280.0/km2 (725/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC−6) |
| Highways | Hwy 10 Hwy 15 Hwy 47 |
| Pearl Park Post office established | 1905 |
| Melville Post office established | July 1, 1908 |
| [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] | |
Melville is a small Canadian city located in the east-central portion of Saskatchewan. It was declared a city by the province in 1960. The city is 145 kilometres (90 mi) north east of the provincial capital of Regina and 45 kilometres (28 mi) south west of Yorkton.[9][10] According to The World Gazetteer, it has a 2004 population of approximately 4,300. Its official population was 4,129 inhabitants as of the 2006 census. As of 2011 Melville is the smallest official city in Saskatchewan, and is even smaller than two current official towns, Warman and Kindersley. Melville is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Cana No. 214 and the Rural Municipality of Stanley No. 215.
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According to What's in a Name?: The Story Behind Saskatchewan Places and Names by E. T. Russell, People Places Contemporary Saskatchewan Placenames by Bill Barry the city was named for Charles Melville Hays, who at the time of the settlement's initial construction was the president of the Grand Trunk Railway and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.[11][12]
Pearl Park was the area's first post office established in 1905 near the Pearl creek, a tributary of the Qu'Appelle River.[13]
The economic boom of Saskatchewan has led to an increase of nearly 200 residents in Melville over the past year (2007–2008). Although Melville is currently Saskatchewan's smallest city, with 4677 residents, recent announcements of new business openings brightens the future for Melville with the promises of additional newcomers to this community.
As of June 2008, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health statistics show that 4,677 citizens reside in the City of Melville.[14]
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Under Saskatchewan law, a town must have a sustained population of more than 5,000 in order to apply for and maintain a city charter, Melville is a notable exception to this rule, as it has retained its charter despite dropping to as few as 4,149 residents in 2006 according to the national census.
Melville has a mayor as the highest ranking government official. Voters also elect aldermen or councillors to form the municipal council. Currently the mayor is Dr. Walter Streelasky.
Provincially, Melville is within the Constituency of Melville-Saltcoats. It is currently represented served by their MLA, Bob Bjornerud.
Melville is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by its MP of the Yorkton—Melville riding, currently Garry Breitkreuz.[2][4][5][6]
Melville's namesake was the president of the Grand Trunk Railway and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, Charles Melville Hays[11] Since Melville's founding in 1908, it has served as a nexus for railroad activity, currently including that of Canadian National Railway and Via Rail, the latter for which Melville effectively serves as the main rail/bus connection to Regina for its passengers. Today Melville railway station is still served by The Canadian three times per week.
The Melville Railway Museum (c. 1911) is a Municipal Heritage Property on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.[16]
Melville's connections by road to other communities include Saskatchewan Highways 10, 15 and 47. The closest major centre to Melville is the city of Yorkton, which is only 43 kilometres to the northeast.
Melville Municipal Airport (TC LID: CJV9) is located 1.5 NM (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) east of the city.[17]
Melville is served by basic and adequate schools:École St. Henry's Junior Elementary School, and St. Henry's Sr School both a part of the Christ the Teacher Catholic School Division[18][19] The Carlton Regional College Basic Education is located nearby in Lestock. The Melville Comprehensive High School, a part of the Good Spirit School Division provides secondary education.[20][21] Parkland Regional College provides post secondary technical training and operates a branch school out of the Melville Comprehensive High School building.[22]
Melville is home to the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, as well as the Melville Millionaires of the Western Major Baseball League.
The Building Communities Program, a provincial government initiative, has earmarked 3.7 million dollars to establish the Melville Communiplex. The communiplex will offer a new 1,700 seat ice arena, fitness and cardio care facilities, and a walking track. It will replace the existing 60 year old Melville Stadium, home to the Melville Millionaires. The communiplex is estimated to cost between 13 and 16 million dollars.[23]
The city also has an 18 hole Golf course.
Within 20 kilometres (12 mi) are the Melville Game Preserve, Melville Regional Park and Duff Recreation Site.[8]
Hannibal Rising - Hannibal shows up in the "Hamlet of Melville" in the final scene of the movie. Oddly, the town is surrounded by forest and is referred to as "near Saskatoon."
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| Balcarres | Churchbridge | |||
| Grenfell |
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