Town of Wapella

History of Wapella

Early settlers arrived in the Wapella area in 1882, as did the Canadian Pacific Railway. The town is located on Sec. 9 west of the first meridian, 28 miles west of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border and 122 miles east of Regina. The first postal service operated at the section house in 1882, and in 1884 the first post office was opened. The first school in Wapella was opened in 1885, with a larger two-story school built in 1896. The early days of Wapella saw four general stores operating in the town, as many as six elevators, and three hotels. "A cyclone did severe damage to the town in 1900" stated the newspaper, The Wapella Post. Coal was discovered on the Emil Prake farm; a flourmill was built; a dam was constructed by 1896.

Like other towns in the area, Wapella thrived on agriculture. In 1952, oil was discovered in the area and a tract of land was dsignated as the Wapella Oil Fields. Wapella installed water and sewer in 1972, while Trans-Canada Pipeline installed natural gas in 1960. Wapella today is an active town with several thriving businesses, good recreational facilities, and a strong community spirit.

Brett Clark (born in Wapella, Saskatchewan) is one of the more famous former Wapella residents; Clark is a professional ice hockey defenceman and currently plays for the NHL team Colorado Avalanche.

Brett Clark of the Colorado Avalanche	Local fans of Clarke watch him perform

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Wapella Quick Facts

Wapella Town Hall and TD Bank

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Education Details

There is one school in Wapella, Wapella School, that has 8 teachers and 78 students in Kindergarten to Grade 9. Grades 10 through 12 then attend McNaughton High School in Moosomin.

Wapella School entrance.

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Utilities

Water:

Source: wells
Treatment: chlorine and magnesium
Rates: $30.00 per month (includes sewer rate)

Garbage: pick-up weekly

Telephone: SaskTel

Electricity: SaskPower

Natural Gas: SaskEnergy

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Law Enforcement & Fire Protection

The Moosomin detachment of the R.C.M.P. patrols the area with six officers and four cars. Wapella is also protected from fire by a 14-member volunteer fire department.

Wapella & District Fire Department

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Medical Facilities

A doctors' office is located in Wapella. Medical care is also available in the Town of Moosomin, which has a hospital and the Family Practice Centre only 15 minutes away.

Wapella's medical clinic.

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Clubs & Organizations

Numerous clubs and organizations exist within Wapella, including:

Wapella Golf Course	Wapella Museum

Panoramic of Wapella's downtown park.

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