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| Geography | Conquest is situated in West Central Saskatchewan - 7 kilometres (kms) north of Highway 15. The community is 20 kms west of Outlook (15 minute drive) and 60 kms northwest of Gardiner Dam/Lake Diefenbaker (45 minute drive). Conquest is 100 kms southwest of Saskatoon (only 60 minute away).
| | History | The first settlers to the Fertile Valley area (of which Conquest is a part of) began to arrive in 1904 by way of Saskatoon. They traveled in wagons, with horses and oxen, following the old 'Bone Trail' made by the Indians to where Delisle now is. They then followed a new trail that closely paralleled the C.N.R. through Donavon, Swanson and Ardath. Between 1905 and 1910, many more settlers arrived. The early settlers were mostly from Ontario and Manitoba, with the occasional one from England, Ireland and Scotland. In 1910, both the C.P.R and C.N.R. were interested in getting in a road and numerous surveys were made and stakes set out. The C.P.R. purchased a townsite on the NW 1/4 of 32-29-9-W3. Eventually a store was erected as well as other buildings and a doctor's office. In April 1911, the first mail arrived at the Conquest Post Office in a three decked wagon box.
The Village of Conquest was erected a village under The Village Act on October 24, 1911. In April 1922, P.H. Kennedy planted a tree belt on his land, convinced tht this would help the farmers in fighting drought and blowing. In the early 1930's, he submitted his tree planting idea to the Minister of Agriculture. Since then, Mr. Kennedy was known as 'the father of the shelterbelts'. Conquest and area is made up of many shelterbelts consisting of caraganas, thus Conquest being named the Caragana Capital.
| | Economic Information | Population of Conquest is approximately 163 with the possibility of growth. Grain farming, cattle and bison are the major activities surrounding Conquest. There are negotiations underway with the provincial government that would see a major irrigation project going ahead in the very near future. This could prove to be a huge economic boost for our community. Conquest has a Co-op store/gas station, post office, welding shop, hotel, United Church, as well as the R.M. of Fertile Valley office and the Village of Conquest office. Our residents enjoy small-town living and there are those who commute to Outlook, Rosetown and Saskatoon for work each day.
| | Attractions | Conquest has a natural ice skating rink as well as an artificial ice curling rink (the latter hasn't been used in a few years). Minor and senior hockey are popular in our village over the winter months. The Conquest School was closed in 1996 and has since been turned into a community centre. The Elks and Royal Purple service clubs occupy one classroom. A small library, that is part of the Wheatland Regional Library, occupies another room. A coffee shop, run by volunteers in our Village, is open Tuesday to Friday mornings, and a local hairdresser comes in on Mondays and has her own room. There is a gymnasium that is used for larger functions. The facility is rented out for family reunions and weddings as well as village functions.
| | Other Info | Conquest School closed in 1996. Children are bussed 20 kms east to Outlook where there is a K-5 Elementary School and a Grade 6-12 High School.
The Conquest Volunteer Fire Department and their Jaws of Life are on call 24 hours a day. There are 3 First Responders in our community.
Call 9-1-1 for an Emergency.
Conquest belongs to the Heartland Health Region. A hospital is located in Outlook. As well, there is a Medical Clinic in Outlook.
A July 1st (Canada Day) Ball Tournament is held every year. Fastball was very popular in our community years ago and this tournament now attracts a few fastball teams and many slo-pitch ball teams.
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