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| Geography |  Macklin, famous for its World Bunnock Championship, welcomes you to visit our town. For travel, tourism, or business you will find it worth your time. Macklin is situated along the Saskatchewan/Alberta border approximately 108 kilometres (kms) south of Lloydminster or a short two and half hour drive west of Saskatoon.
| | History | Macklin was incorporated as a Village in 1909, and as a Town in 1912. It was named for an executive of the Winnipeg Free Press, Harry Macklin, who was following the railway construction and reporting for his paper. The naming of streets in Macklin followed this theme; most were named for famous newspapers of that time: Herald, Times, Tribune, etc.
| | Economic Information | For the past twelve years Macklin has been in the middle of a large oilfield expansion. The population of the community has been steadily rising with the addition of many new, young families to the area. The average population growth of 3.3% per year makes Macklin one of the fastest growing communities in the province; with 73% of our population under the age of 45, we remain one of the youngest as well.
The area in and around Macklin is extremely active in creating new and stable employment opportunities. In the past two years families from Newfoundland, Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta have relocated to our community to secure employment. Our border location provides residents the best advantages of two provinces. The main economic growth within the region is in agriculture and oilfield related businesses. With all the services of a big city, but the comfort and safety of small town living, Macklin is on the move.
The area borders on one of the most productive gas and oil fields in the province. Major oil companies in the area include Nexen, Murphy, Husky, and more. There are hundreds of oil and gas wells, oil batteries, and compressor stations surrounding the town. The first two oilfields to be developed in Canada using horizontal drilling technology are located nearby. With the increase in oil activities new businesses to service this industry are opening.
Agriculturally, this area is one of the most productive mixed farming areas in Saskatchewan. The average farm size and capital value are greater than the provincial average. Most crops adapted to Saskatchewan climate can be grown in this area. Crop diversification is common; along with the usual crops like wheat, we also see specialized varieties like peas and sunflower. The livestock industry has also diversified to include specialized animals like ostrich and bison.
Median family income for all census families in the Town of Macklin is $54,488 comparing to the provincial average of $49,264.
| | Attractions | The Macklin & District Communiplex has a hall capable of seating 1,000 people, several meeting rooms, and an attached curling rink. Adjacent to the hall and Communiplex is a hockey arena, home to all minor hockey, figure skating, and local intermediate hockey teams.
Macklin hosts the World Championship Bunnock Tournament each year in August, which attracts approximately 256 teams. The Game of Bunnock consists of 52 bones; the eight heaviest are marked as Scmeiser (throwers) while four others are marked as guards. The remainder are ordinary soldiers. The guards and soldiers are equally divided and set on level ground in two straight lines, 10 metres apart. The rules of the game call for an equal number of players on either side (usually four) who will try to knock down the opposing teams' bones with the throwers. The guards must be knocked down first or penalties must be given. Each team takes turns throwing; the team who knocks down the opposing teams bones first is declared the winner. It is a game of skill and accuracy, both enjoyable and challenging.
Our Bunnock (Bone) was constructed of steel pipes, chicken wire, and fibreglass. A taxidermist enlarged a normal horse ankle bone to ninety-eight times its actual size and built Macklin's giant Bunnock. It stands 32 feet high. Illuminated at night the bunnock can be seen for miles. The base of our Bunnock, situated at the junction of Highways 31 and 14, serves as a tourist booth operated by the Border Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) Tourism Committee.
| | Other Info | Macklin belongs to the Greenhead Health District, part of the Heartland Regional Health Authority, which is approximately 41,351 square kms with a population of 46,127. It handles approximately 2,500 calls annually and employs a total of 180 full-time, part-time, and casual staff. Services provided include EMT (Paramedic, Technicians, and Responders), Home Care, Special Care Aides, 26 ambulances, and 1 alternate Emergency Response Vehicle. The community has two local physicians and offers a variety of resources for special needs persons.
Macklin also has a local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment and a new fire hall is being constructed to replace the existing one.
Macklin has one K-12 school.
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