Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

Gravelbourg is a small town found in south central Saskatchewan. Historically francophone it is now a multicultural town. It is located within a well-trafficked corridor and is approximately 110 kilometres from Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and the United States border. The region served as a path for First Nations peoples many years ago, and was also integrated into the Redcoat Trail of the 19th century. Gravelbourg is now a key link on the 21st century Trans Canada Trail.

Gravelbourg celebrated its centennial in 2006.

Demographics

Gravelbourg is located in the federal riding of Cypress Hills-Grasslands and in the provincial constituency of Wood River.

Education

The town has for the past four decades been noteworthy for College Mathieu, a francophone boarding school for boys and girls who wish to acquire or retain fluency in French. The school has attracted students from throughout the southern part of the province as well as other areas of Canada and overseas.

Cypress Hills College operates a satellite campus in Gravelbourg.

Religion

The town was for many years the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic diocese of Gravelbourg and there was a francophone bishop in residence. Pope John Paul II, however, suppressed the diocese in 1998. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption was at that time designated a "co-cathedral" of the archdiocese of Regina although in practical terms this has little real meaning.