Government of Saskatchewan Western Red Lilies


Biggar

Geography

Town of Biggar is located 93 kilometres (kms) west of Saskatoon on Highway #14. It is 93 kms south of North Battleford on Highway #4 and 59 kms north of Rosetown.

Biggar is within a few hours drive of - Lake Diefenbaker, Murray Lake, Jack Fish Lake, The Saskatchewan River - North and South and Redberry Lake. It is a short drive from Twin Towers Ski Hill at Stranraer and an hour's drive to Table Mountian Ski Resort.

The geographical area is sandy, rolling hills named the Bear Hills. Land is somewhat alkali. The land is farmed to crops and ranch land.

History
In 1907 the C.P.R steel passed through the district, and 1908 marked the arrival of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad. The settlement of Biggar, which took its name from W. H. Biggar, General Counsel for the G.T.P.R., was incorporated as a village in 1909. In 1910, the G.T.P.R. decided to establish a divisional point, sparking a construction boom that shot the population over the 600 mark. Biggar became one of the home terminals where train crews changed. The station was one of the largest in the west, boasting an all-night restaurant.

Biggar was incorporated as a Town in 1911. Development continued and the population exceeded the 2,000 mark by the early 1920's. During the thirty years that followed, the population remained fairly stable. It wasn't until the 1950's that Biggar experienced renewed growth. Today, Biggar is a divisional point for the CN, and the railway employs about 190 people. CN brings about $12.3 million per annum in payroll into the community.

Biggar's present population is 2,351. It is a growing and prosperous community with much to offer to any potential visitors or residents.

The 'New York Is Big But This Is Biggar' slogan came about in 1909 according to local legend. A survey crew had a bit too much to drink one night and wrote the phrase on a sign as a prank. As it turned out, the townspeople liked the phrase and adopted it. The sign and the slogan remain as two of the most recognizable symbols of Biggar, famous the world around.

Economic Information
Biggar's present population is 2,351. It is a growing and prosperous community with much to offer to any potential visitors or residents. Biggar enjoys a strong, stable and diverse economy. This is a result of good foresight, excellent infrastructure, and significant water resources. Today, Biggar is a divisional point for the CN, and the railway employs about 190 people. CN brings about $12.3 million per annum in payroll into the community.

Prairie Malt Limited is the largest grain processing center in Saskatchewan, converting Malt Barley into Malt for the brewing industry. With exports around the world, it is a significant contributor to the local and provincial economy. Prairie Malt employs approximately 80 full time employees, and creates significant spin-off employment. In particular local trucking firms transport significant volumes of barley and malt to and from Biggar.

Closely related to Prairie Malt is Biggar Transport. This firm employs 60 full time employees and has a fleet of over 50 trucks. Located next to Prairie Malt is Saskatchewan's largest greenhouse, Milner Greenhouse covers approximately 8 acres of land and employs up to 95 employees at peak production. They supply retail outlets throughout Western Canada, with bedding plants. Milner Greenhouse also produces limited vegtable products and seed reproduction. AGI Envirotank (a environmental oil/gas storage tank manufacturer) employs approximately 65 fulltime employees. AGI Envirotank serve customers from Northern Ontario to Vancouver Island.Biggar is also the Corporate Head Quarters for The Rack Petroleum. The Rack is an independent fuel wholesaler and retailer. The company also sells farm chemicals, feed supplies and supplies custom agriculture application services. The Rack also has a large fertizer transload facility located in Biggar. Other significant employers in the local economy would be Heartland Health, and the Biggar School Division.

Biggar is also very fortunate to have a strong retail sector. The community has two grocery stores, two pharmacies, two tire shops and two hardware retailers.

Attractions

Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park was established in honor of a local home-town girl who won Olympic Gold and World Curling events.

Biggar has an outdoor swimming pool and regulation sized ball diamonds and a regional park.

Biggar is home to two museums - Biggar Museum and Gallery and Roger Martin's Hometstead Museum.

Biggar is home of the Hanson Buck - World Record typical White-tailed deer. Biggar has a nine hole golf course with grass greens. The Town of Perdue 20 minutes away is home to a new nine hole, grass greens golf course.

Biggar has annual events that take place such as the Rodeo and Rodeo Days Parade that happen in June. We host a Chituaqua in August and an annual play/musical production in March.

Other Info
Biggar has two schools. St. Gabriel's School is a Catholic separate school for grades K-8. BCS 2000 is a composite school with grades K- 12.
Great Plains College is incorporated in the building of BCS 2000. Biggar has three local doctors and a hospital with EMS and ambulance service. We have a local detachment of RCMP located in the Town of Biggar.

Our fire protective services are provided by local volunteers.