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| Geography | Gull Lake is situated at the junction of the TransCanada Highway and Highway 37. It lies 55 kilometres (kms) west of Swift Current and 70 kms east of Maple Creek. Gull Lake is characterized by its expansive ranchland to the west, the Great Sand Hills to the north, and rich farmland to the south.
| | History | Before settlement in the West, this was a no man's land - a buffer zone between two enemies, the Assiniboine Cree and the Blackfoot. According to James Palliser, this area was declared unfit for cultivation and in essence pronounced a desert. In 1883, with the coming of the railway, a station and section house were built standing alone in this vast prairie expanse and bearing the inscription - Gull Lake.
The name Gull Lake may have been derived from a small lake that no longer exists. 'Gull Lake' is a translation of the Indian word 'Kiaskus'. The town site was once part of the one hundred and thirty thousand acre '76 Ranch. It was sold to two American millionaires in 1905, who surveyed the town site and prepared to sell lots.
Gull Lake's biggest building boom was between 1906 and 1912. Settlers came from all over the world. The first official village council meeting was recorded in 1909, and by 1912 Gull Lake was already a town.
| | Economic Information | In 1915 the Gull Lake area led the world, second only to Cabri, Saskatchewan, in grain production. The grain industry continues to thrive.
In the 1950s, oil and gas were discovered in the area and have lead to an explosion of economic development and stability.
Known for producing oil, Gull Lake is also known for its giant wind turbines. Since 2001, it became home of a massive environmentally friendly energy project spearheaded by Sunbridge - now having 17 wind turbines.
| | Attractions | The '76 Ranch house, built in 1888, has now been utilized as the Penn West office. It is one of the oldest free-standing structures in southwest Saskatchewan.
Wildlife abounds in the area and one can view the scenery from a nearby lookout point.
Other attractions in the area include a serviced campground, Antelope Lake Regional Park only 20 minutes away, a museum, murals and an Indian buffalo slaughter site nearby.
The town boasts of a fine, nine-hole sand green golf course as well as the Curling Rink, Recreation Complex, and Theatre.
| | Other Info | Education:
Full K-12 educational opportunities are available at Gull Lake School including the shared services of an educational psychologist, resource-based learning consultant, and an assistant to the resource consultant. An excellent sports program is available to the students.
Health:
Gull Lake is a part of the Cypress Health Region. 911 service is available.
The Health Centre provides the community with an observation room, an emergency room, as well as lab services. Hours of operation are daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The Gull Lake Special Care Home provides level 3 and 4 care.
Activity workers, a dietician, satellite service physio and a public health nurse provide service to the health facilities as well as to the general public. Personal Home Care Services are also available to the community.
Gull Lake Ambulance employs five staff members including EMT's and EMR's. Patients are generally transported to Swift Current.
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