An Inside Look at Outlook

Welcome to Outlook, Saskatchewan.  And look...they even have a rainbow on their sign to greet visitors.  Coincidental you may ask?  Hard to tell, but I like to think it's there for....well you know.  Although the indigenous population of Saskatchewan has existed in the province for possibly 6,000 years settlers declared Outlook a village on August 6, 1908.  A huge railway station was soon established and on November 23, 1908 citizens welcomed the first train and Outlook became a gateway to the west.  On November 1st, less than 1 year after being settled Outlook was officially declared a town.  Population statistics differ, however, I did find a number of 11,114 which was as of November 10, 2009.  I suppose now it would be 11,115 with me here, but no one is suppose to know.  There is your history lesson.

Outlook is the home of Skytrail which is Canada's longest pedestrian bridge.  It measures 3000 feet across and stands 150 feet above the beautiful South Saskatchewan River.  Have any of us crossed it yet?  No. As the farmers say, "there's always next year."  I will cross that bridge this summer!  And I will raft the river.

Let's see.  What else...this is part of Saskatchewan Ave. one of the main streets.  There are banks, stores, the credit union, the Co-Op grocery store, the AG grocery store, a tire place and of coarse most important the liquor store. 

The liquor stores are all controlled by the government.  No independent owners in Saskatchewan (not sure about any other province) and all prices are the same in all of them.  This location had a sudden increase in their brandy sales upon my arrival (go figure) and they had to start ordering it.  Previously it wasn't something they sold much of. 

This next picture I love.  Competition can be pretty tough in a small town so why not just all open up next door to each other?!  Here we have 3 restaurants all in a row.  The K&S Restaurant serving Chinese and Canadian food, The Golden Dragon serving Chinese, Japanese and Canadian food, and then there is the Modern Family Restaurant.  They just claim to be a "licensed dining room."

And also on this street is where you will locate the men and women who protect this town.

 

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

It is my understanding that there are 3 vehicles that operate out of this RCMP building.  When 3 vehicles can be seen here speed limits on the roadways have a tendency to fluctuate somewhat.

Just around the corner from Saskatchewan Ave. is a street called Franklin.  This is an equally important part of the town.  Here you will find the post office, the hardware store,  Sasktel Electric, a florist, insurance office, a bakery and even a coffee shop. Not to mention one of the best meat markets I've ever been in.  The family that owns it has been there since 1975.  The cute little movie theater I showed you in an earlier post is directly across from the hardware store.



CJ's Java Joint and Outlook Bakery further down



But wait.  We're not done.  Here is a picture of the Outlook Museum.  Dwayne and Alton volunteered to paint all the trim of the building this past summer.  They did it as their civic duty.  Isn't that nice?  Now I couldn't live with myself if I didn't mention the Yang to this.  Their mother's house is in dire need of painting. Kind of like the cobbler's son who had no shoes.  Her house seems to fall into that ambiguous category of "there is always next year".  Sorry guys.  It's the truth.  I know you take such excellent care of her in so many other ways...but her house.  You will see that while her boys are away Maggie's got Mavis' back.

Outlook Museum

Hotel/Restaurant/Bar (w/pool table!)

Hospital and Medical Clinic

Speaks for itself...

Why there is even a Sears catalogue center in town! 

So, there you have it.  A quick look into Outlook.  There is quite a bit more to it.  These are just a few of the many important places that keep this town alive.  There are many apartment buildings and many nice new areas with big beautiful homes being built.  This province is experiencing a tremendous boom.  I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this town as much as I have enjoyed showing it to you.

Blessings for the new year.........