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[[Image:Uranium City, Saskatchewan Location.png|right|thumb|280px|Uranium City's location highlighted in Saskatchewan's extreme northwest.]]
'''Uranium City''' is a settlement in north-western [[Saskatchewan]], [[Canada]]. It is on the northern shores of [[Lake Athabasca]] near the border of the [[Northwest Territories]].
⚫
''Uranium City'' is located at {{coor dm|59|34|N|108|37|W|}} and 230m above sea level. The settlement is 450miles (760km) northwest of [[Prince Albert, Saskatchewan|Prince Albert]], 450miles (760km) northeast of [[Edmonton, Alberta|Edmonton]] and 30miles (48km) south of the [[Northwest Territories]]-Saskatchewan boundary.


==History==
⚫
''Uranium City'' is located at {{coor dm|59|34|N|108|37|W|}} and 230 m above sea level. The settlement is 450 miles (760 km) northwest of [[Prince Albert, Saskatchewan|Prince Albert]], 450 miles (760 km) northeast of [[Edmonton, Alberta|Edmonton]] and 30 miles (48 km) south of the [[Northwest Territories]]-Saskatchewan boundary.
⚫
In [[1952]], the provincial government decided to establish a town to service the mines in the [[Beaverlodge]] [[uranium]] area. , most of the residences in ''Uranium City'' were simply tents. With the boom of uranium mining, ''Uranium City'' was a thriving town up to the year [[1982]], with its population approaching the 5,000 threshold required to achieve city status in the province. The closure of the mines in 1983 led to [[economic]] collapse, with most residents of the town leaving. It was later designated as a [[northern settlement]] with about 300 people remaining. After the closure of the local hospital in the spring of 2003, the population fell further to about 70 people southerners, [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] and Natives live [ ]


==Transportation==
⚫
In [[1952]], the provincial government decided to establish a town to service the mines in the [[Beaverlodge]] [[uranium]] area. At first, most of the residences in ''Uranium City'' were simply tents. With the boom of uranium mining, ''Uranium City'' was a thriving town up to the year [[1982]], with its population approaching the 5,000 threshold required to achieve city status in the province. The closure of the mines in 1983 led to [[economic]] collapse, with most residents of the town leaving. It was later designated as a [[northern settlement]] with about 300 people remaining. After the closure of the local hospital in the spring of 2003, the population fell further to about 70 people: a mix of southerners, [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] and Natives who live amid the abandoned homes of the [[ghost town]] and nearby [[radioactive]] tailings.
The town has a certified airport (see [[Uranium City Airport]]) that features a treated gravel runway of 3930&nbsp;feet length operated by the Saskatchewan Government Department of Highways & Transportation. The airport is one of the few employers left in the community. [[Transwest Air]] still serves Uranium City, with three flights per week from [[Stony Rapids Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.transwestair.com/default.aspx?page=32 | publisher=Transwest Air | title=Uranium City Schedule | accessdate=2006-09-02 }}</ref> [[Norcanair]] served the community with scheduled flights until it ceased operations in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/sask/story/airline-grounded050222.html | title=Soaring insurance grounds airline | accessdate=2006-09-02 | publisher=CBC Saskatchewan }}</ref>


There is no normal road access connecting Uranium City with the rest of Canada. There is provision for a winter road which connects with [[Fond-du-Lac, Saskatchewan|Fond-du-Lac]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://roadinfo.telenium.ca/results.html | accessdate=2006-09-01 | publisher=Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation | title=Winter Highway Conditions}}</ref> Saskatchewan Highway 962 provides travel for a short distance within the local area. A significant bridge replacement project on Highway 962 was conducted in 2001 at the [[Fredette River]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.esemag.com/0303/uranium.html | title=Culvert headwall system conquers site constraints at Uranium City | coauthors=Jim McGeary, Doug Lowry | accessdate=2006-09-01 | publisher=Environmental Science and Engineering | year=2003 | month=March }}</ref>
The town has a certified airport that features a treated gravel runway of 3930 feet length operated by the Saskatchewan Government Department of Highways & Transportation. The airport is one of the few employers left in the community. [[Transwest Air]] is one of the few airlines still serving Uranium City, with three flights daily from [[Stony Rapids Airport]].

==Communications==
Local telephone service is provided by [[SaskTel]] and was first available in Uranium City on [[30 November]] [[1955]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/company-information/history/1950s.html | title=SaskTel history (1950s) | accessdate=2006-09-02 }}</ref> Current telephone numbers for international calling are of the form +1 306 498 xxxx ([[North American Numbering Plan|NPA-NXX]]: 306-498, [[Clli code|CLLI]]: URCYSK05DS0).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca_prefix.php?npa=306&nxx=498 | title=Local Calling Guide | accessdate=2006-09-02}}</ref>.

[[Canada Post]] continues to deliver mail to the community. The post office is located at the municipal office
([[Canadian postal code|Postal Code]]: SOJ 2W0).<ref>[http://www.canadapost.com Canada Post] listings as of [[2 September]] [[2006]].</ref>

Radio broadcasting in the community is provided by:
* 97.9 FM - VF2142 - broadcaster unknown<ref name=RadioStationWorld>{{cite web | url=http://radiostationworld.com/Locations/Canada/Saskatchewan/radio.asp?m=nor | publisher=RadioStationWorld | title=Saskatchewan - Radio Broadcasting Stations | accessdate=2006-09-04 }}</ref>
* 99.9 or 101.1 FM - [[Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mbcradio.com/about_us/communities_list.htm | publisher=Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation | title=Communities List | accessdate=2006-09-04 }} Frequency information is inconsistent - this source indicates frequency is 101.1 FM but other sources claim 99.9 FM.</ref>
* 103.1 FM - VF2240 - broadcaster unknown<ref name=RadioStationWorld />
* 105.1 FM - CBDH-FM, [[CBC Radio One]], rebroadcasting [[CBK (AM)|CBKA-FM]] [[La Ronge, Saskatchewan|La Ronge]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2006/db2006-409.htm | title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-409 | accessdate=2006-09-02 | date=[[2006-08-24]] | author=CRTC}}</ref>

Television service is provided by CBKAT operating on channel 8 at a power of 15 watts. This is a rebroadcaster of [[CBC Television]] service from [[CBKT]] [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]. Until 2003, the local transmitter's television programming originated from [[CBC North]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-186.htm | title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-186 | date=[[2003-06-16]] | accessdate=2006-09-02 |author=CRTC }}</ref>

==Education==
Education in Uranium City is under the authority of Northern Lights School Division 113, a school district that covers most of northern Saskatchewan.

The only remaining school in Uranium city is Ben McIntyre School, serving classes from [[kindergarten]] to Grade 9. As of September 2005, 10 students were enrolled.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/branches/ed_finance/as_pdf/113.pdf | title=2005-2006 Active List of Saskatchewan Schools | accessdate=2006-09-02 | date=[[2006-01-05]] }}, {{pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stf.sk.ca/inside_stf/bulletin/pdf/2002_2003_bulletin/Nov20_02.pdf | title=Retired teaching couple embark on northern adventure | pages=5-6 | date=[[2002-11-20]] }}</ref>

Secondary education was provided by [[CANDU High School]], named after a [[nuclear reactor]]. It closed in 1982 and the building has since sustained extensive vandalism.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tricia.arcticcircle.ca/UC/page_01.htm | title=Tricia and Vince's Saskatchewan Trip 2002 | accessdate=2006-09-02 }}</ref><ref name="edu">[http://pages.interlog.com/~grlaird/uraniumcity2.html Fission Avenue: Uranium City "Candu High"]</ref>

==Notable people==
The following people are associated with Uranium City by birth, residence or career:

* [[Gina Kingsbury]], member of gold medal winning Canadian women's [[ice hockey]] team at the [[2006 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Gilbert LaBine]], a founder of the Gunnar Mine
* [[Morningstar Mercredi]], author<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.coteaubooks.com/biomorningstar.html | accessdate=2006-09-03 | title=Morningstar Mercredi profile | publisher=Coteau Books }}</ref>
* [[James O'Reilly]], playwright<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.playwrightsguild.com/pgc/c_playwright.asp?codein=3C62723E3C62723E3C62723E313136343C62723E3C62723E | publisher=Playwrights Guild of Canada | title=James O'Reilly profile | accessdate=2006-09-03 }}</ref>

==References==
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
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*http://www.flickr.com/photos/uraniumcity
*http://www.flickr.com/photos/uraniumcity


{{coor title dm|59|34|N|108|37|W|type:city}}
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[[Category:Uranium mines]]
[[Category:Communities in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Communities in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in Canada]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in Canada]]
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[[Category:Uranium mines]]


[[de:Uranium City]]
[[de:Uranium City]]


{{Saskatchewan-geo-stub}}

Revision as of 21:19, 30 September 2006

Uranium City's location highlighted in Saskatchewan's extreme northwest.

Uranium City is a settlement in northwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is on the northern shores of Lake Athabasca near the border of the Northwest Territories. It is located at 59°34′N 108°37′W / 59.567°N 108.617°W / 59.567; -108.617 and 230 m above sea level. The settlement is 450 miles (760 km) northwest of Prince Albert, 450 miles (760 km) northeast of Edmonton and 30 miles (48 km) south of the Northwest Territories-Saskatchewan boundary. For census purposes, it is located within the province's Division No. 18 territory.

History

In 1952, the provincial government decided to establish a town to service the mines in the Beaverlodge uranium area. In 1954 the local newspaper The Uranium Times noted that 52 mines were operating and 12 open pit mines were next to Beaverlodge Lake.[1] Initially, most of the residences in Uranium City were simply tents. With the boom of uranium mining, Uranium City was a thriving town up to the year 1982, with its population approaching the 5,000 threshold required to achieve city status in the province. The closure of the mines in 1983 led to economic collapse, with most residents of the town leaving. It was later designated as a northern settlement with about 300 people remaining. After the closure of the local hospital in the spring of 2003, the population fell further to about 70 people.[citation needed] Currently southerners, Métis and Natives live in and around the city.[2]

Transportation

The town has a certified airport (see Uranium City Airport) that features a treated gravel runway of 3930 feet length operated by the Saskatchewan Government Department of Highways & Transportation. The airport is one of the few employers left in the community. Transwest Air still serves Uranium City, with three flights per week from Stony Rapids Airport.[3] Norcanair served the community with scheduled flights until it ceased operations in 2005.[4]

There is no normal road access connecting Uranium City with the rest of Canada. There is provision for a winter road which connects with Fond-du-Lac.[5] Saskatchewan Highway 962 provides travel for a short distance within the local area. A significant bridge replacement project on Highway 962 was conducted in 2001 at the Fredette River.[6]

Communications

Local telephone service is provided by SaskTel and was first available in Uranium City on 30 November 1955.[7] Current telephone numbers for international calling are of the form +1 306 498 xxxx (NPA-NXX: 306-498, CLLI: URCYSK05DS0).[8].

Canada Post continues to deliver mail to the community. The post office is located at the municipal office (Postal Code: SOJ 2W0).[9]

Radio broadcasting in the community is provided by:

Television service is provided by CBKAT operating on channel 8 at a power of 15 watts. This is a rebroadcaster of CBC Television service from CBKT Regina. Until 2003, the local transmitter's television programming originated from CBC North.[13]

Education

Education in Uranium City is under the authority of Northern Lights School Division 113, a school district that covers most of northern Saskatchewan.

The only remaining school in Uranium city is Ben McIntyre School, serving classes from kindergarten to Grade 9. As of September 2005, 10 students were enrolled.[14][15]

Secondary education was provided by CANDU High School, named after a nuclear reactor. It closed in 1982 and the building has since sustained extensive vandalism.[16][17]

Notable people

The following people are associated with Uranium City by birth, residence or career:

References

  1. ^ Fission Avenue: Uranium City "Beaverlodge"
  2. ^ Fission Avenue: Uranium City Pg2
  3. ^ "Uranium City Schedule". Transwest Air. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  4. ^ "Soaring insurance grounds airline". CBC Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  5. ^ "Winter Highway Conditions". Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  6. ^ "Culvert headwall system conquers site constraints at Uranium City". Environmental Science and Engineering. 2003. Retrieved 2006-09-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "SaskTel history (1950s)". Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  8. ^ "Local Calling Guide". Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  9. ^ Canada Post listings as of 2 September 2006.
  10. ^ a b "Saskatchewan - Radio Broadcasting Stations". RadioStationWorld. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
  11. ^ "Communities List". Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2006-09-04. Frequency information is inconsistent - this source indicates frequency is 101.1 FM but other sources claim 99.9 FM.
  12. ^ CRTC (2006-08-24). "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-409". Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ CRTC (2003-06-16). "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-186". Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "2005-2006 Active List of Saskatchewan Schools" (PDF). 2006-01-05. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help), Template:Pdf
  15. ^ "Retired teaching couple embark on northern adventure" (PDF). 2002-11-20. pp. 5–6. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Tricia and Vince's Saskatchewan Trip 2002". Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  17. ^ Fission Avenue: Uranium City "Candu High"
  18. ^ "Morningstar Mercredi profile". Coteau Books. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
  19. ^ "James O'Reilly profile". Playwrights Guild of Canada. Retrieved 2006-09-03.

59°34′N 108°37′W / 59.567°N 108.617°W / 59.567; -108.617

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