Delisle, Saskatchewan
History
The origins of the town go back to its original settlement on the Old Bone Trail. It derived its name from the DeLisle family. Lenora DeLisle and her four sons Amos, Fred, Ed and Eugene came from North Dakota, United States, in 1903 and homesteaded on the land 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the present-day townsite. With the coming of the Canadian Northern Railway's line from Saskatoon to Calgary in 1908 the settlement to the south moved to the new townsite. The town was named after the brothers on December 29, 1908. Delisle was named a town in 1913.
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Delisle had a population of 1,024 living in 427 of its 462 total private dwellings, a change of -1.3% from its 2016 population of 1,038. With a land area of 3.33 km (1.29 sq mi), it had a population density of 307.5/km (796.4/sq mi) in 2021.
| 2021 | 2016 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,024 (-1.3% from 2016) | 1,038 (6.5% from 2011) | 975 (+8.6% from 2006) |
| Land area | 3.33 km (1.29 sq mi) | 3.35 km (1.29 sq mi) | 2.49 km (0.96 sq mi) |
| Population density | 307.5/km (796/sq mi) | 310.2/km (803/sq mi) | 391.3/km (1,013/sq mi) |
| Median age | 38.4 (M: 37.6, F: 39.2) | 37.7 (M: 36.1, F: 39.2) | 36.7 (M: 35.0, F: 37.5) |
| Private dwellings | 462 (total) 427 (occupied) | 438 (total) | 414 (total) |
| Median household income | $84,000 |
Sights
A cenotaph stands in the heart of Delisle in front of the old hospital. On it are inscribed the names of those from Delisle and surrounding area who died in the two world wars. In 2002 the cenotaph was refurbished and rededicated. The service included a small parade consisting of Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Sparks, elementary school children, the complement of HMCS Unicorn, and the RCSCC Jervis Bay Ship's Band leading the way from the Centennial Arena to the cenotaph.
The town also boasts a nine-hole grass green golf course (Valleyview Golf Course).
Education
The town supports one of the largest high schools in the Prairie Spirit School Division bringing in students from smaller, nearby villages and hamlets such as Laura, Kinley, Donavon, Swanson, Vanscoy and the Pike Lake district, as well as rural students. It has a nine-man football team (Delisle Rebels) that has won several provincial titles; a track and field team that competes well for top spots in provincials and holds records for countless events; a soccer team that won provincials in 2009; and a drama program, that while in decline in recent years, has often performed well at large drama festivals. The school also contributes the most players for the Prairie Spirit (West) Band Program.
Notable people
- Doug Bentley, ice hockey winger and Hockey Hall of Fame member
- Max Bentley, ice hockey centre and Hockey Hall of Fame member
- Reg Bentley, ice hockey winger
- Bev Bentley, ice hockey goaltender
- Dick Butler, ice hockey winger
- Jack Miller, ice hockey winger
- Jack Norris, ice hockey goaltender
Media
Delisle was the setting for the Canadian modern day hockey movie Paperback Hero.
Delisle is considered part of the greater Saskatoon region and as such has direct access to most of its print, radio and television media.