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Village of Caronport larger than many towns in Saskatchewan
The Village of Caronport is a community of 1,000 people, but according to a recent census, by population, it’s the largest official village in Saskatchewan and even larger than many towns. Caronport is also known for two things: being the site of a former Second World War airbase and having a college and seminary that swells the community’s population for eight to 10 months of the year. The village owes its existence to the Second World War and the establishment of a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan airport in the nearby hamlet of Caron — hence the name of Caronport. The No. 33 Royal Air Force airbase ran from Dec. 17, 1941 to Jan. 14, 1944 and operated on 81 hectares (200 acres) of land that the federal government took from broke farmers in the 1930s. The airbase turned out 1,837 graduates during its existence, with those airmen part of a larger cohort of 131,553 aircrews whom the training plan produced in Canada during the war. While few of the airbase’s buildings remain, the ones that still stand have been included in a self-guided walking tour put together by local author Joel From. From created a booklet of the former airbase. On the front is a picture of a Tiger Moth trainer, while attached are five pages containing 17 locations to tour. Also attached are maps of the base, runway system, and an additional tour of the Caron cemetery, where 10 RAF airmen are buried. The tour takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete, and since there 17 stops, visitors should consider driving from location to location. Walking is always an option as well. The tour package costs $9.99 plus tax, although if you stay at The Pilgrim Inn, you will receive the tour booklet and map for free. Call 1-877-355-5002 to book a room or purchase a package. Another attraction in the community is the educational campus that houses Briercrest College and Seminary, Briercrest Christian Academy and Caronport Elementary School. There is a bookstore on campus, while it is possible to tour the buildings. Other interesting amenities include a spray park on Third Avenue, which is open from June to August from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Appleby Park, which has a big open grass area, picnic tables, a covered eating area with tables, and a wooden train play structure; an athletic field on the Briercrest campus; the Barkman Arena; and an outdoor rink. If you’re interested in staying at a bed and breakfast, contact Dan and Loree Buck at 306-756-2515. Costs are $30 per night for singles, $40 per night for couples and $50 per night for families.
