Melville, Saskatchewan
Encyclopedia
Melville is a small Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
city located in the east-central portion of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. It was declared a city by the province in 1960. The city is 145 kilometres (90.1 mi) north east of the provincial capital of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
and 45 kilometres (28 mi) south west of Yorkton
Yorkton, Saskatchewan
Yorkton is a city located in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, near the Manitoba border. Founded and incorporated in 1882 by a group of settlers from Ontario, it has grown to 15,038 residents as of the 2006 census. The city is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Orkney No. 244 and the Rural...
. 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. It is the smallest official city in Saskatchewan. It is smaller than two former towns, Martensville
Martensville, Saskatchewan
Martensville is a city located in Saskatchewan, Canada, just north of Saskatoon, and south west of Clarkboro Ferry which crosses the South Saskatchewan River. Martensville is one of the fastest growing communities in Saskatchewan, with the population growing 25% between 1996 and 2001. It is...
and Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
Meadow Lake is a city located in north west Saskatchewan, Canada about north east of Lloydminster and north of North Battleford. On November 9, 2009, it officially became Saskatchewan's 14th city....
, that have since then become cities. It is even smaller than two current (2010) official towns, Warman
Warman, Saskatchewan
-History:The town of Warman was born when the Canadian National Railway running from Humboldt to North Battleford intersected with the Canadian Pacific Railway running from Regina to Prince Albert. This took place in the fall of 1904....
and Kindersley
Kindersley, Saskatchewan
Kindersley is a town in west central Saskatchewan, Canada, located at Section 10, Township 29, Range 23, West of the 3rd Meridian, along highway 7, a primary highway linking Calgary, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan...
. Melville is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Cana No. 214
Cana No. 214, Saskatchewan
Cana No. 214 is a rural municipality in south-eastern Saskatchewan, Canada encompassing 820.81 square kilometers in area. The rural municipality maintains it's office in Melville, Saskatchewan . The rural municipality in conjunction with the provincial government is in charge of maintenance of...
and the Rural Municipality of Stanley No. 215
Stanley No. 215, Saskatchewan
Stanley No. 215 is a rural municipality in south-eastern Saskatchewan, Canada encompassing 820.81 square kilometers in area. The rural municipality maintains it's office in Melville, Saskatchewan . The rural municipality in conjunction with the provincial government is in charge of maintenance...
.
History
Charles Melville Hays
Charles Melville Hays was an American railway executive of the Grand Trunk Railway. He died at sea on the RMS Titanic.-Early years:...
, who at the time of the settlement's initial construction was the president of the Grand Trunk Railway
Grand Trunk Railway
The Grand Trunk Railway was a railway system which operated in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, as well as the American states of Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The railway was operated from headquarters in Montreal, Quebec; however, corporate...
and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was a historical Canadian railway.A wholly owned subsidiary of the Grand Trunk Railway , the GTPR was constructed by GTR using loans provided by the Government of Canada. The company was formed in 1903 with a mandate to build west from Winnipeg, Manitoba to the...
.
Pearl Park was the area's first post office established in 1905 near the Pearl creek, a tributary of the Qu'Appelle River
Qu'Appelle River
The Qu'Appelle River is a Canadian river that flows 430 km east from Lake Diefenbaker in southwestern Saskatchewan to join the Assiniboine River in Manitoba, just south of Lake of the Prairies, near the village of St. Lazare....
.
Demographics
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.
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.
Government
Melville has a mayor as the highest ranking government official. Voters also elect aldermen or councillorCouncillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
s to form the municipal council. Currently the mayor is Dr. Walter Streelasky.
Provincially, Melville is within the Constituency of Melville-Saltcoats
Melville-Saltcoats
Melville-Saltcoats is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada. Located in southeastern Saskatchewan, this constituency was created through the Representation Act, 1994 by combining the district of Saltcoats with part of the constituency of Melville.The...
. It is currently represented served by their MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
, Bob Bjornerud
Bob Bjornerud
Bob Bjornerud is a Canadian provincial politician. He is the Saskatchewan Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Melville-Saltcoats.-External links:**...
.
Melville is represented in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
by its MP of the Yorkton—Melville
Yorkton—Melville
Yorkton—Melville is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968.-History:The electoral district was created in 1966 from Yorkton, Melville and Mackenzie ridings....
riding, currently Garry Breitkreuz
Garry Breitkreuz
Garry W. Breitkreuz is a Canadian politician. He is currently the Conservative Party of Canada member of the Canadian House of Commons from Yorkton—Melville....
.
Infrastructure
Melville's namesake was the president of the Grand Trunk RailwayGrand Trunk Railway
The Grand Trunk Railway was a railway system which operated in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, as well as the American states of Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The railway was operated from headquarters in Montreal, Quebec; however, corporate...
and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was a historical Canadian railway.A wholly owned subsidiary of the Grand Trunk Railway , the GTPR was constructed by GTR using loans provided by the Government of Canada. The company was formed in 1903 with a mandate to build west from Winnipeg, Manitoba to the...
, Charles Melville Hays
Charles Melville Hays
Charles Melville Hays was an American railway executive of the Grand Trunk Railway. He died at sea on the RMS Titanic.-Early years:...
Since Melville's founding in 1908, it has served as a nexus for railroad activity, currently including that of Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
and Via Rail
VIA Rail
Via Rail Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. It is headquartered near Montreal Central Station at 3 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec....
, the latter for which Melville effectively serves as the main rail/bus connection to Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
for its passengers. Today Melville railway station
Melville railway station
The Melville railway station is on the Canadian National Railway mainline in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. The station is served by Via Rail's The Canadian three times per week...
is still served by The Canadian
The Canadian
The Canadian is a Canadian transcontinental passenger train originally operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway between 1955 and 1978. It is currently operated as an Inter-city rail service by Via Rail Canada with service between Union Station in Toronto, Ontario and Pacific Central Station in...
three times per week.
The Melville Railway Museum (c. 1911) is a Municipal Heritage Property on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.
Melville's connections by road to other communities include Saskatchewan Highways 10
Saskatchewan Highway 10
Highway 10 is a provincial paved undivided highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from Highway 1 near Balgonie until it transitions into PTH 5 at the Manitoba border. Highway 10 is about 228 km long....
, 15
Saskatchewan Highway 15
Highway 15 is a highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from Highway 4, 5 km south of Rosetown, to Highway 16 near Bredenbury. Highway 15 is about 444 km long. The Outlook Bridge caries Highway 15 across the South Saskatchewan River.Major communities that Highway 15 passes near...
and 47
Saskatchewan Highway 47
Highway 47 is a highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from North Dakota Highway 40 at the Canada–United States border until Highway 49 near Preeceville...
. The closest major centre to Melville is the city of Yorkton, which is only 43 kilometres to the northeast.
Melville Municipal Airport
Melville Municipal Airport
Melville Municipal Airport, , is located east of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada....
is located 1.5 NM east of the city.
Education
Melville is served by basic and adequate schools:École St. Henry's Junior Elementary School, St. Henry's Sr School and St. Paul's Catholic Elementary School both a part of the Christ the Teacher Catholic School Division The Carlton Regional College Basic Education is located nearby in LestockLestock, Saskatchewan
-Footnotes:-External links:*******...
. The Melville Comprehensive High School, a part of the Good Spirit School Division provides secondary education. Parkland Regional College provides post secondary technical training and operates a branch school out of the Melville Comprehensive High School building.
Sports
Melville is home to the Melville MillionairesMelville Millionaires
The Melville Millionaires are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based out of Melville, Saskatchewan. They play out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. They play their home games in the Melville Stadium which has a seating capacity of 2,100. The Melville Millionaires and the Yorkton Terriers are...
of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years of age or younger, the SJHL's 12 teams play in two divisions: the Bauer and Sherwood conferences...
, as well as the Melville Millionaires
Melville Millionaires
The Melville Millionaires are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based out of Melville, Saskatchewan. They play out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. They play their home games in the Melville Stadium which has a seating capacity of 2,100. The Melville Millionaires and the Yorkton Terriers are...
of the Western Major Baseball League
Western Major Baseball League
The Western Major Baseball League or WMBL is a collegiate summer baseball league. The league can trace its roots back to 1948, as it has gone by many names over the years, including the Alberta-Saskatchewan Baseball league, Western Canadian Baseball League and Saskatchewan Baseball League before...
.
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.
The city also has an 18 hole Golf course.
Arts and culture
Within 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) are the Melville Game Preserve, Melville Regional Park and Duff Recreation Site.Hollywood references
Hannibal RisingHannibal Rising
Hannibal Rising is a novel written by Thomas Harris, published in 2006. It is a prequel to his three previous books featuring his character, the cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The novel was released with an initial printing of at least 1.5 million copies and met with a mixed...
- 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."
Notable Melvillians
- George AbelGeorge AbelCompetitor for CanadaGeorge Gordon Abel was a Canadian ice hockey player. He played centre for the Edmonton Mercurys, representing Canada in the 1952 Winter Olympics, and won a gold medal....
- Olympic Gold Medalist - Sid AbelSid AbelSidney Gerald Abel was a Canadian professional hockey player and later coach in the National Hockey League...
- Hockey Hall of Famer (deceasedDeathDeath is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
). - Phil BesslerPhil BesslerPhilip Rudolph Bessler was a professional hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. He was born in Melville, Saskatchewan.-External links:...
- Former NHL player for the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. - Evan CarlsonEvan CarlsonEvan Carlson is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Melville in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1991 to 1995.-Background:...
- Former Saskatchewan MLA - Tim CheveldaeTim CheveldaeTimothy M. Cheveldae is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. During his ten year National Hockey League career, he played with the Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...
- NHL Goaltender for the Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg JetsThe Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
, and Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... - Jimmy FranksJimmy Franks (ice hockey)James Reginald "Jim" Franks was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He was born in Melville, Saskatchewan....
- Former NHL Goaltender for the Detroit Redwings. - Shaun HeshkaShaun HeshkaShaun Heshka is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
- NHL player for the Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix CoyotesThe Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
. - Sol KaneeSol KaneeSol Kanee, was a Canadian lawyer, former President of Canadian Jewish Congress from 1971 to 1974, former Chairman of the World Jewish Congress Board of Governors, the longest-serving member, for 17 years, of the board of governors of the Bank of Canada, and chairman of the Federal Business...
- President of the Canadian Jewish CongressCanadian Jewish CongressThe Canadian Jewish Congress was one of the main lobby groups for the Jewish community in the country, although it often competed with the more conservative B'nai Brith Canada in that regard. At its dissolution, the president of the CJC was Mark Freiman. Its past co-presidents were Sylvain Abitbol...
from 1971 to 1974. - Chris KunitzChris KunitzChristopher Kunitz is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Atlanta Thrashers and Anaheim Ducks, the latter with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2007...
- NHL player for the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. - Rita JohnstonRita JohnstonRita Margaret Johnston was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. Johnston became the first female premier in Canadian history when she succeeded William Vander Zalm in 1991 to become the 29th Premier of British Columbia.Much of her early life was spent running a successful trailer park in the...
- Politician, the first ever woman to be a preimer of a Canadian province. - Pearl McGonigalPearl McGonigalPearl Kathryne McGonigal, CM, OM is a retired Manitoba politician and office-holder. She was a prominent Winnipeg-area municipal politician from 1969 to 1981, and served as the province's 19th Lieutenant Governor from October 23, 1981 to December 11, 1986...
- Former politician and office holder. - Todd McLellanTodd McLellanTodd McLellan is a Canadian former ice hockey player and current head coach of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
- Head coach of the NHLs San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Mike MorinMike MorinMike Morin is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Morin began his career at NCAA level, playing for Lake Superior State University...
- Former professional ice hockey player. - Alex MotterAlex MotterAlexander Everett Motter was a professional ice hockey player who played 265 games in the National Hockey League. He would with the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. He won the Stanley Cup in 1943 with the Detroit Red Wings.- External links :...
- Former NHL player for the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. - Terry PuhlTerry Puhl-See also:*List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases*List of Major League Baseball players from Canada*UHV Jaguars-External links:...
- Retired MLB player for the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. - Brent RathgeberBrent RathgeberBrent Rathgeber is a lawyer and politician from Alberta, Canada. Formerly a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 2001 to 2004, he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2008 federal election.-Political career:Rathgeber won election to the provincial electoral district of...
- Lawyer and Member of Parliament. - Roger ReinsonRoger ReinsonRoger Reinson is a former Canadian Football League linebacker who played six seasons for the Calgary Stampeders....
- Retired CFL player, 3-time Grey Cup Champion. - Ricky Kanee SchachterRicky Kanee SchachterRicky Kanee Schachter, BA, MD, FRCP, LLD, CM was a renowned dermatologist who practiced in the Toronto area, and was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998, as "a researcher, teacher, administrator and healer, whose work in the areas of skin cancer and psoriasis has improved the lives...
- Dermatologist, member of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. - Jarret StollJarret StollJarret Stoll is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League...
- NHL player for the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Don WalchukDon WalchukDonald J. Walchuk is a Canadian curler from Edmonton, Alberta. Until April 26, 2006, Walchuk played third for Kevin Martin's team.Walchuk joined up with Martin prior to the 1996 season...
- Olympic Curler. - Arch WilderArch WilderArchibald Charles "Archie" Wilder , more commonly known as Arch or Archie, was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League...
- Former NHL player for the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. - Lyall WoznesenskyLyall WoznesenskyLyall Woznesensky is a former Canadian football defensive lineman who played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League for six different teams...
- Former CFL defensive lineman.