HERITAGE

Incorporated in 1912, the Village of Vanguard is the centre of a rural farming community in southwestern Saskatchewan. Located along No. 43 Highway, this village of 187, and its surrounding district, boast a viable business, recreation and service industry (see the business link). Vanguard & district are also serviced with cable TV, post office, volunteer fire department, library-museum, senior citizen centre, courier service, Leader Post newspaper, the R.C.M.P. Ponteix detachment, community centre and a health care centre.

During 1908-1909 a vast area of prairie south of the present Trans-Canada Highway was opened for homesteading, and settlers de-trained at Morse, Herbert, and Swift Current to make their way south to their Homesteads. Among these pioneers was Latimer Young from whom the Canadian Pacific Railway purchased the land which would become the town site of Vanguard. This transaction occurred in 1910 and was followed by the laying of steel to the fledgling settlement in 1912. The name “Vanguard” was chosen because the location was at the front or at the head of the rail line until the 1930’s when the railway was extended in a southeasterly direction to Meyronne.

Vanguard is situated on the east side of the RM of Whiska Creek #106 which has a population of 505. Of that approximately 206 consider Vanguard and Pambrun their home community. The nearby RM of Glen Bain #105 has a population of 388. Of that number 55 consider Vanguard their community.

The neigbouring hamlet of Pambrun, situated 14 km west of Vanguard, is well noted for the Millar College of the Bible. This Christian post secondary educational institute offers a three year Christian leadership course, as well as a fourth year Strategic Ministries course.

The Vanguard Hutterite Colony, is located 10 km south of Vanguard.

On the west side of the village is the newly renovated Vanguard Community School with classes from Kindergarten through to Grade Twelve. As well as compulsory classes, the school offers courses in Computer, French, Industrial Arts, Home Economics, and Work Experience. Non accredited classes are offered in Driver Education and the school has a Peers Helping Peers program available. Students also have access to a variety of extracurricular activities, that include year book, volleyball, floor hockey, badminton, broomball, basketball, handball, drama and chess.

Preschool activities are offered to youngsters of ages 3 & 4 at the local playschool which runs two mornings a week.

Organized sports programs include hockey, figure skating, curling, hardball, softball, T-Ball, slow pitch, swimming, and volleyball. Recreational facilities include a skating rink and curling rink, both with artificial ice, an outdoor swimming pool and playground, sports grounds with four diamonds. The Dance club offers classes in contemporary and classical dance. For over 37 years the annual Music Festival offers a showcase of local talent in instrument and voice. The area around Vanguard is well known for its hunting and attracts hunters from all over North America, hunting mule and white-tailed deer, antelope, pheasant, partridge, grouse, ducks, and geese.

The peaceful, quiet, relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the area makes Vanguard an ideal community in which to live. Every individual in the community is important whether participating as a team or working as an individual. Vanguard has managed to stay viable through the very spirit which built rural Saskatchewan....everyone is willing to lend a hand!