Kayville Timeline 1970’s

The 1970s were a period of significant change for Saskatchewan, characterized by economic diversification, strong political leadership under the NDP, and an embrace of progressive policies aimed at enhancing social welfare and managing the province’s natural resources more effectively.

The 1970s saw Saskatchewan’s economy continue to evolve with significant growth in the mining sector, particularly with potash and uranium, both of which became crucial economic pillars. The global energy crisis of the 1970s, characterized by rising oil prices, benefited Saskatchewan’s oil industry, leading to increased exploration and production. However, the agriculture sector faced challenges due to fluctuating commodity prices and changing global markets, impacting rural communities.

Politically, the province was predominantly governed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) under Allan Blakeney, who took office in 1971. Blakeney’s government was known for its progressive policies, including the nationalization of major resource industries. The creation of Crown corporations to manage these resources aimed to ensure that the benefits of resource extraction contributed to provincial development and public welfare, a significant shift towards resource-based economic strategies.

The Blakeney government also enacted progressive social policies, including enhancements to education and health care systems. The continuation and expansion of social welfare programs were priorities, reflecting the NDP’s commitment to social justice and equity. This period also saw an increased focus on environmental issues, with the introduction of more stringent regulations on resource extraction industries to mitigate environmental impacts.

The 1970s in Saskatchewan also reflected broader cultural shifts happening in Canada and around the world, including a growing awareness of environmental issues, the rise of feminist movements, and increased advocacy for Indigenous rights. These societal changes began to influence local politics and community values, leading to greater diversity in public life and policy considerations.

Timeline 1970-1979

1970

• The cafe in Kayville finally closes after it’s first incarnation opened forty-six years earlier in 1924.¹
• John Scrimbit closes his mechanic’s garage with an Imperial Oil gas station (first opened around 1946 by George Ursu Jr.).¹
• Joe Ursu closed his Imperial Oil bulk station which opened in 1960 and had operated for ten years.¹
• Quarrying of Bentonite clay begins in Truax, Saskatchewan, approximately 33km north east of Kayville.²
• First annual Canadian Western Agribition was held in Regina.³

1971

• Kayville’s more modern two-sheet curling rink is built by the old railway station.  It is used for the 1971-72 curling season.  This curling rink replaced the previous one built in 1957.¹

1972

• Kayville’s original second grain elevator (built in about 1925) is closed by the current owners United Grain Growers¹
• Mary Ritsco resigned as Kayville Post Office Postmaster on August 1, 1972 after nineteen years of service.⁴
• Lorenz “Larry” Ritco assumes operation of the Kayville Post Office inside his store on the southeast corner of the main intersection August 1, 1972 from Dan and Mary Ritsco who had been operating it since 1927 within their own store.^1,3

1973

• Saskatchewan Wheat Pool builds a new 50K bushel capacity grain elevator in Kayville.  Kayville’s third grain elevator.¹

1974

1975

1976

1977

• The mechanic’s shop run by Rudy Ursu closes upon his death after 38 years of operation¹
• The family of George Majeran sells “The Georgian Hotel” after 27 years (1950-1977) which they had continued to operate following his death in 1965.⁵

1978

1979

• Last leg of highway to Kayville was paved.¹

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1. “Kayville”, Pages 30-33, Karl R. Jackle, “Prairie Grass to Golden Grain:  RM 70 Ogema & Surrounding Areas” (1982), ISBN 0-919-533-10-8, Ogema and District Historical Society ↩︎
2. Citation needed ↩︎
3. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 4). ‘Saskatchewan’. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:21, June 12, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saskatchewan&oldid=1227153480 ↩︎
4. Library and Archives Canada, Post Offices and Postmasters, Source: PSFDS03-(10149), Item Number: 4680, “Kayville” ↩︎
5. Majeran Family History Website http://majeran.tripod.com/majeranp.htm, viewed Dec 10, 2018 ↩︎