Health statistics suggest population still growing

December 8, 2012, 11:26 am
Kevin Weedmark

New covered population statistics released by Saskatchewan Health suggest that the population of communities in the Moosomin area continues to grow.

The covered population statistics are not a census, but list how many people of each age group list a community as home. The covered population includes everyone with a Saskatchewan health card, so it may not include some people who have recently moved from out of province or out of the country, while it may include students who are away at university or who have recently moved away.

The numbers are collected as of June 30 each year. The numbers for this year were recently released by the health ministry.

The latest numbers from Saskatchewan Health show 2,975 people in Moosomin, up 503 people or more than 20 per cent from five years ago.

The overall trend the health ministry's stats show is a steady increase in population over the years.

In 2005, Moosomin was the only community in the area with more than 1,000 people.

In 2006 there were two communities, in 2007 there were three, and since 2008 there have been four-Moosomin, Rocanville, Redvers, and Whitewood.

The total Saskatchewan Health covered population in the urban communities in the area is up by almost 2,000-from 7,744 to 9,614-since 2005.

Moosomin Mayor Larry Tomlinson said the growth in the area and in Moosomin in particular shouldn't surprise anyone.

"It's not really surprising when you consider the new hospital, the new hotels, everything that's happening in Moosomin," he said.

He said population growth has set the agenda for town council over the last few years.

"There are different issues that have to be addressed with the amount of homes going up, and new businesses coming in," he said.

He said that there is a lot of pressure on the town's infrastructure with the growth.
"We've been trying to keep up with it for the last few years," he said.

"We had to spend a lot of money on expanding the lagoon, but we couldn't expand as a town any more without expanding the lagoon first. Now we have to do some work on the water as well."
He said he expects the growth to continue. "I think it will continue for at least the next couple of years," Tomlinson said.

He said he believes the town should do what it can to encourage development while the area is booming. "We might as well take advantage of it," he said.

He said the town is now in the process of putting together a long term plan to set out how council wants the town to steer the development.

"We're working to put a long-term plan into place," he said. "That's one thing we haven't looked at for a while."

He said the town will have to look at developing additional residential lots to accommodate newcomers.

"We will have to find some lots for people to buy," he said.
"It's going to be a bit of a chore but I'm sure we're up to it."
He said he was pleased to hear that the new figures show Moosomin continues to grow. "It's great, and I hope it just keeps going that way," he said.
See page 5 for complete Saskatchewan Health Covered Population statistics for communities in the Moosomin area.