CARLYLE - Recently while visiting the Carlyle Public Library, the Observer came across a publication prepared some 35 years ago by the Economic Development Committee of the Town of Carlyle. It was titled Carlyle Community Profile and was published to highlight the strengths and attractions of the town. We thought it would be interesting to compare some of what this community had to offer in 1986 and what it has or hasn’t now.
As is presently the case, in 1986 Carlyle was situated in a very advantageous location and the community profile accented that attribute. It is on the junction of two primary highways, close to Moose Mountain Provincial Park, the White Bear Resort and White Bear First Nations, and offers a full range of services.
These include a variety of retail stores, farm supply outlets, auto sales and service dealerships, oilfield servicing, .and construction companies.
The 1981 census of the Town of Carlyle showed a population of 1,074. In the community profile, Manor had 375 residents and the RM of Moose Mountain 797. The 2016 census figures show 1,508, 295, and 492, respectively. The publication also indicated that White Bear had a population of 1,150. As of 2020, the Government of Canada Web Site shows 867.
The 1985 town assessment was $4,826,320, with the total tax levy being $255,794. The 2020 figures were $188,263,350 and $1,872,292 respectively.
Carlyle was serviced by both the CN and CP Railways (Only the CN is here now)
The Carlyle Airport had a 3,000-foot airstrip, equipped with landing lights and beacon. Aviation was fuel available. (The airstrip is now 4,000 feet long, equipped with LED lights, has high quality weather aviation equipment, and both aviation and jet fuel is available.)
Other highlights from 1986:
- The Greyhound Bus ran four times daily on weekdays with a modified schedule over the weekend with at least two buses daily.
- The Cougar Bus, locally owned, was available for local groups requiring transportation.
- Carlyle had three grain elevators, the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Cargill Grain and United Grain Growers.
- Communication: Person to person direct dial telephone, good radio reception, many stations from Saskatchewan and Manitoba including several American stations. Television stations available are CBC Yorkton, CTV Yorkton, and six cable channels.
- There were approximately 60 different businesses located in Carlyle and the immediate area in addition to professional services offered. (Now there are over 120)
- Carlyle had two financial institutions, Royal Bank and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. (Affinity Credit Union has since moved to Carlyle.)
- Law Enforcement was controlled by a permanent detachment of the RCMP consisting of 21 officers stationed in Carlyle. Now it’s 16.
- The Carlyle Fire Department had 21 members and two fire trucks. (Now it’s 21 members and five fire trucks and two fire and rescue vehicles.)
- Ninety-five per cent of the streets and roads in Carlyle were paved.
- Both the commercial and residential water rate was $24/8,000 gallons every four months.
- (Now it’s $73.69/6,000 gallons every three months.)
- The Town had a two-cell lagoon (now three cells) and the sewer fee is $25 every four months. (Now $109.28/6,000 gallons every three months.)
- There was weekly garbage pickup for residential districts and twice weekly for businesses. (Now curbside pickup, weekly for garbage and one stream recycle collection bi-weekly.)
- The trailer court had six serviced lots. (Now it has 27).
- The Moose Mountain Nursing Home had accommodation for 36 level 2 and 3 residents. (Now known as Moose Mountain Lodge, there are 40 level 3 and 4 residents plus two respite rooms.)
- Local service clubs include the Lions, Kinsmen and Royal Canadian Legion. (The Kinsmen is no longer present).
While there have been a lot of changes in the past 35 years, a lot of the town’s positive strengths and services have remained the same. Town of Carlyle assistant administrator Dawn Faber is presently working on a community profile update, which should be available once the 2021 census figures are known.
