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| Geography |  The town of Ponteix is small community of approximately 600 people, located in southwest Saskatchewan. Ponteix is located on Highway #13(the Red Coat Trail). The Red Coat Trail roughly follows the 1874 route that the North West Mounted Police took when they first marched west. Ponteix is conveniently located an approximate one hour drive away from the United States border and between many larger urban centres like Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, and Regina.
Today, Ponteix is focal point for the surrounding prairie farming community with agricultural-related businesses in operation.
There are good reasons to move to Ponteix. Local residents enjoy living here because it is a nice, quiet place to live with numerous services and a diverse business community. Ponteix also offers excellent educational services (English and French).
| | History | The town of Ponteix was founded when Father Royer, a parish priest from Ponteix in the province of Auvergne, France, came to Canada to establish a parish dedicated to Notre-Dame d'Auvergne (our lady of Auvergne). Father Royer established the parish and a hamlet by the same name, in 1908, along the north side of Notukeu Creek. Five years later, in 1913, when the CPR track was laid south of Notukeu Creek, the townsite was moved south of the railway line to the present site and renamed Ponteix after Father Royer's former parish in France. An antique wooden sculpture (1475 - 1500), named Notre-Dame d'Auvergne for its origin, was brought to Canada by Father Royer and can still be seen in the catholic church today.
| | Economic Information | Ponteix is a progressive bilingual (English and French) community that has continued to grow and develop its facilities and has become the centre for business within the area. Our region is founded on a strong community work ethic. We realize the importance of coming together as a community to get a job done. This attitude has seen this region through many difficult times in the past and will take us through to a brighter future.
We have much to share with the rest of the world and our friendly, co-operative environment makes our region a joy to visit and a pleasure to live in. If you are thinking of living in Ponteix, you will find that our community offers a variety of services in the following areas: Health Centre - Doctor Services, Senior Citizen Homes, Law Office, Restaurants, Bar, Autobody Shop, Agricultural Repair Services, Florist, Grocery Store, Fuel and Farm Products, Hardware, Ice Cream Shop, Gift Stores, Clothing Stores, Bookstore, Lumber and Building Supplies, Alterations, Bakery, Painting and Decorating, Liquor Store, Automotive Repair Shops, Insurance Agents, SGI Issuer, Financial Institutions, Agriculture and Automotive Parts Store, Earthmoving Business, Livestock and Grain Producers, Welding Services, Appliance Repair Service, Car Wash, Accounting Services, Investment Services, Bookstore, Library, and Beauty/Hair Stylists.
| | Attractions | The Ponteix region provides a wealth of tourist sites and year round recreational activities. The friendly atmosphere makes the area a pleasure to visit with lots to see and do!
ECO-TOURISM
The Ponteix area is rich in a wide variety of bird, animal and plant species that are a wonder to behold. There is also a wide variety of vegetation and acres of untouched prairie to enjoy.
FISHING
Perch, pickerel, pike, splake, and rainbow trout are some of the fish species that stock local waters. Gourverneur Dam is one of the favorite local fishing spots as well as the numerous private dugouts.
GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Approximately one half hour drive south of Ponteix, this park is the only park preserve of virgin prairie left in North America. Home to a number of exotic and rare species of wildlife, this rugged environment offers visitors a rare beauty to behold. Grasslands National Park is where Canada's first dinosaur remains were discovered in the 1800s.
HUNTING
Ponteix and area is a favorite hunting area for a variety of hunters and has hosted such people as Bing Crosby and Michael Landon. The area is rich in populations of white tail deer, mule deer, antelope, pheasants and a variety of upland game (geese, partridge, grouse) and waterfowl.
NAPAO AND NISKA INDIAN SITES
These two Paleo-Indian sites have been recently excavated and have revealed that early man was in this area between 10000 and 12000 years ago.
NOTUKEU HERITAGE MUSEUM INC.
Themes for this museum, located in the east wing of the Centre Cultural Royer, are archaeology, palaeontology, and geology.
PLESIOSAUR DIG SITE
In February of 1992, the skull and flipper bones of an underwater prehistoric reptile were discovered, measuring approximately 30 - 35 feet. Upon excavation in 1993, it was found to be almost complete with the exception of the tail section which was found a year later. The dinosaur has been nick-named 'Mo' and a replica statue has been erected at the town junction.
Other area attractions include the Convent of Notre-Dame, Gouverneur Dam, Heritage Field, Indianola School Site, Norwegian Storehouse, Notre-Dame d'Auvergne Church, Notre-Dame d-Auvergne Statue, Notukeu Regional Park, Pheasant Farm, Ponteix Golf Course, Ponteix Skating & Curling Arena, and Ponteix Swimming Pool.
| | Other Info | Ponteix and area has access to a full range of educational facilities. The town itself includes an elementary and high school, a Fransaskois school, and a public library. Residents can also take advantage of extension classes offered through a nearby college.
CYPRESS HILLS REGIONAL COLLEGE
Cypress Hills Regional College serves the communities in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. The Shaunavon learning centre provides services to Ponteix and area. Cypress Hills Regional College attempts to bring credit programming from various universities and technical institutes. In addition to credit programming, the college provides non-credit courses in agriculture, health, business, technical training, computers, home management, and personal and community developments. The college also provides career counselling upon request.
ECOLE FRANCAISE DE PONTEIX
Publicly funded, this school offers quality, Kindergarten to Grade 12 education to the Fransaskois population of Ponteix and surrounding communities. Students benefit from the school's cultural and athletics programs, resource centre and specialized services including special education, speech therapy, and psychological assessment. Transportation to the school is provided at no cost to parents; there is also a Francophone preschool on the premises.
PONTEIX SCHOOL
Ponteix School, a Kindergarten to Grade 12 facility, offers academic subjects, practical and applied arts, information processing, and work experience education. A driver education program is available to students 15 years of age. Extra curricular activities include sports, yearbook, and photography activities. The Ponteix School also has a Peer Support Team.
THE PONTEIX BRANCH OF THE CHINOOK REGIONAL LIBRARY
The library feature's a children's corner, juvenile and youth books in both fiction and non-fiction, large print section, french books, magazines, and reference material. The library also offers bilingual services.
SERVICE FRANSASKOIS D'EDUCATION DES ADULTES-SFEA
The service fransaskois d'educationdes adultes offers classes and training in french across Saskatchewan. The main and regional office are located in Gravelbourg at College Mathieu. The SFEA has a liaison agent in Ponteix who is responsible for promoting the courses organized by the SFEA as well as inform the main office of the interests and needs of the members of the community. As well as offering various courses in administration, health communications, etc., the SFEA provides training to employees and volunteers of the various francophone organizations and vocational training that can lead to diplomas or certificates.
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