Village of Welwyn
Wewlyn came into existence in 1902 as an asset of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. The new hamlet attracted businessmen, tradesmen and professional people offering a variety of skills and services. Before you knew it houses, churches, post office, businesses and a school all took shape and the population grew. In 1906 the residents of Welwyn wanted village status with a home based council and in 1907 the village was established. The first election of Village Coucillors was held on December 7, 1908. Over the next 110 years the elected representatives of the Village of Welwyn, in their wisdom, legislated many bylaws, made many appointments, and negotiated many business deals for the benefit of those who paid taxes and/or resided within the boundaries of the village. In 2018 the Council made the tough decision to restructure the village into the RM of Moosomin.
The Village of Welwyn restructured into the Rural Municipality of Moosomin as a Special Service Area effective May 1, 2018 due to not being able to find a qualified Administrator. Being a Special Service Area allows for a different rate of taxation and an accounting of income and expense which are tracked by the RM of Moosomin.
Even though Welwyn is now essentially considered Division 7 in the RM of Moosomin the village still retains its own identity and has numerous services available within the village limits:
WASTE DISPOSAL
The RM of Moosomin operates a Waste Transfer Station for the residents of Division 7 (Village of Welwyn) only. The Transfer Station is open Wednesdays and Saturdays for a hour each of those days from May 1 to November 15. The Village of Welwyn has Waste and Recycling pick-up at the curb by Loraas Disposal on alternating weeks throughout the year. A calendar can be found below with pick-up dates. Waste and Recycling fees are charged to residents at a rate of $15 per month and are billed quarterly ($45) on the Water & Sewer bills.
Welwyn Curling Rink & Skating Rink
(excerpt from the Welwyn history book - Welwyn: A Gateway to Saskatchewan)
In 1958 the old rink was torn down, the material salvaged and a three sheet curling rink built. During the summer and fall of 1958 rafters for the skating rink were glued and nailed together in the curling rink and in October the skating rink was erected and by 1959 the skating rink was operational. The total cost of both buildings was $12,000. The official opening of both the Curling and Skating Rinks was held on January 7, 1960. In 1978 an artificial ice plant was installed in the curling rink at at cost of $34,000. The funds were obtained from a government grant, village grant, donations and numerous volunteers.
In 1982, due to an increase in interest and larger number of skating and hockey enthusiasts, a resolution was passed to build a new hockey arena. A committee was appointed to find ways and means of financing, to study structures, and to conduct a survey as to the feasibility of volunteer help. At a spring meeting in 1983 a wooden structure was approved and the project of a 100 foot x 200 foot arena was underway. After preliminary work, the first rafters were hoisted on the first of October, and by the middle of November the building was closed in. Installation of lights paved the way for the official opening on December 19, 1983.
Both the Curling Rink and Skating Rink continue to be used today. The Curling Rink in particular sees many curlers during the winter with people from all the surrounding communities taking part.
Welwyn Community Hall
(excerpt from the Welwyn history book - Welwyn: A Gateway to Saskatchewan)
The concept of a community hall first surfaced in Welwyn in December 1919. Representatives of the lodges approached Village Council to discuss the advisability of building a public hall. All halls previous to that time had been private enterprises. At a public meeting held in January 1920 it was unanimously decided to erect a community hall to commensurate with the requirements of the community and at a probable expenditure of $15,000. A committee was set up and decided to raise $20,000 for the construction. Their plan was shattered when H. Davis announced his intention to build a hall which would provide the usual hall facilities as well as lodge rooms and office space. There was no further need at this time for a community hall. Fast forward to June 27, 1945 and a Cooperative was formed to build a memorial hall. At the March 20, 1947 meeting a motion was passed to proceed with the hall when funds reached $7,000. In 1948 the hall was built by Stan Crellin. The hall, being a memorial, was designed to include a club room for the Legion and the Ladies' Auxiliary. Some theatre seats were bought, a projector installed and the first movie was shown in September 1948. In November 1948 the first dance was held with a large crowd in attendance. In 1954 tables were built in the basement and the kitchen was enlarged and improved. In 1962 the Co-operative was dissolved and all assets were turned over to the Village of Welwyn. The Community Recreational Organization of Welwyn (CROW) operated the hall for numerous years until which time the Village took over the operation.
Welwyn Belles & Bowes
In 1975 Orangeville School, previously moved to Welwyn but no longer needed as a classroom, was bought by CROW and moved to the northwest corner of Main Street and Welwyn Avenue. The school was altered very little and you can still see the old blackboard in the building. This building became known as the Belles & Bowes and is operated by the Welwyn seniors. This is a recreational centre with a pool table, coffee bar and a place to visit and hear all the latest gossip.
Welwyn CROW
(excerpt from the Welwyn history book - Welwyn: A Gateway to Saskatchewan)
Early in 1957 a need was felt for joining all the different sports committees, each with its own bank account, into one sports organization, so that events could be co-ordinated, and with one bank account could create greater purchasing power. Mr. Wayne Reed prepared and presented a constitution and bylaws to a community meeting. The meeting approved the proposals setting up a slate of officers, six councillors, and one representative from every organization in the community. The Council was to meet monthly with a public meeting held semi-annually in April and October. The name adopted was Community Recreational Organization of Welwyn which has fondly and conveniently been shortened to CROW.
The aim of CROW was to organize and coordinate all sports or recreation in the community, to show a profit at all levels, and to use these profits to improve all sports facilities and equipment. Right from the start the whole community got behind the project. Raffles, sports days and dances were put on to raise funds.
Welwyn Centennial Regional Park
(excerpt from the Welwyn history book - Welwyn: A Gateway to Saskatchewan)
The first request for a dam to be built was back in 1898. Negotiations began in 1963 between the Welwyn Board of Trade and representatives of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) regarding a proposal to construct a dam on Beaver Creek. Agreement was reached and approval given. RM of Rocanville arranged land settlements. Surveys and soil tests were completed in 1964 and the dame was finished in 1965. The main park lies along the Beaver Creek north of Welwyn. The reservoir is fed by springs and run-off from the west. The park site is well treed with native poplar, oak, willow and birch. Hazelnuts, saskatoons, chokecherries and cranberries as well as many flowers native to the area can be found along the banks.
A park site was chosen and application was made by the Village of Welwyn in 1964 to the Department of Natural Resources for the creation of a Regional Park. In January 1965 a meeting was held and the Welwyn Centenniual Regional Park Board was formed. Development to a value of $15,000 was agreed upon, with the Provincial Government providing 60%, the Village of Welwyn, RM of Rocanville and RM of Ellice each granting yearly sums for a five year term. The land for the main park was donated by Frank Johnston. He later sold to the Board, at a moderate price, the open area which he seeded to grass and cut each year. Work began on the park with volunteers clearing the land to be flooded, clearing and sanding the beach area, cutting brush, trimming trees and building tables and toilets. Activities have been varied and enjoyable. Swimming lessons became an annual event with over a hundred students at the start and now averaging around 50. Fishing is generally good and attracts fisherman from many centres. Boating, water skiing, swimming and camping make the park a busy place.
