The RM of Corman Park No. 344 was formed by the amalgamation of three rural municipalities – the RMs of Cory No. 344, Warman No. 374 and Park No. 375.[3] The three RMs were disorganized on December 31, 1969[6] to enable the incorporation of the RM of Corman Park No. 344 on January 1, 1970.[2]
Heritage properties
Two designated historical properties are located in the RM.
Opimihaw (now referred to as Wanuskewin Heritage Park) is a 58 hectare property with 14 precontact archaeological sites in the Opimihaw Creek valley.[7]
Bone Trail in the 1800s buffalo bones were collected on the prairie, and transported along this trail to Saskatoon for transfer onto rail cars so that they could be sent to eastern Canada where they were crushed into fertilizer.[8]
Geography
The South Saskatchewan River flows from the southwest corner to the northeast corner of the RM while the North Saskatchewan River forms the RM's northwest boundary.[9] The RM works closely with the Meewasin Valley Authority to protect the South Saskatchewan River valley.[3]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the RM of Corman Park No. 344 had a population of 8,909 living in 3,096 of its 3,280 total private dwellings, a change of 4.1% from its 2016 population of 8,558. With a land area of 1,893.24 km2 (730.98 sq mi), it had a population density of 4.7/km2 (12.2/sq mi) in 2021.[13]
In the 2016 Census of Population, the RM of Corman Park No. 344 recorded a population of 8,568 living in 2,952 of its 3,037 total private dwellings, a 3.5% change from its 2011 population of 8,277. With a land area of 1,911.35 km2 (737.98 sq mi), it had a population density of 4.5/km2 (11.6/sq mi) in 2016.[5]
The RM's German Canadian population is much higher proportionately than the national or provincial averages: 43.4% (3,645 persons).[14]
Government
The RM of Corman Park No. 344 is governed by an elected municipal council and an appointed administrator that meets on the second and third Monday of every month.[4] The reeve of the RM is Judy Harwood while its Chief Administrative Officer is Ken Kolb.[4] The RM's office is located in Saskatoon.[4] As of October 2018 the reeve is Judy Harwood, and the eight councillors are:[4]
Division 1: John Germs
Division 2: Michelle Chuhaniuk
Division 3: Lyndon Haduik
Division 4: David Greenwood
Division 5: Arthur Pruim
Division 6: Bas Froese-Kooijenga;
Division 7: Calvin Vaandrager
Division 8: Wendy Trask
A majority of voters in a November 2011 plebiscite favoured the council be changed from 11 to 8 councillors, a move that was controversial. The elected councillors of the day requested that the provincial government not take action on the plebiscite.[15] However, the request was ignored and the municipal boundaries were redrawn with 8 divisions.[16] A new council was elected on February 29, 2012, with four incumbents and four new councillors.[17]
Emergency response
The RM of Corman Park No. 344 contracts with the City of Saskatoon and the other municipalities for the provision of fire protection.
The RM operates a police service of 10 officers who work in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Corman Park Police Service actively partners with all other law enforcement agencies in the Saskatoon and district police universe including the Saskatoon Police Service and Dalmeny Police Service.
The Corman Park Police Service acts in partnership with the RCMP under the terms of Order in Council (OIC) 109/2001 as amended by OIC 92/2006. The service operates out of the municipal office in Saskatoon.[18]
The Cranberry Flats Conservation Area (52°01′52″N106°42′02″W / 52.0311°N 106.7005°W / 52.0311; -106.7005) is a regional park operated by the Meewasin Valley Authority along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Saskatoon.[22] The park is a "sand-based conservation area" with sandy beaches, self-guided nature trails, and a lookout. Access is from Highway 219.[23] Adjacent to Cranberry Flats, in the middle of the river, is a protected area called Wilson Island. On the opposite shore is Poplar Bluffs Conservation area[24] and about 7 km (4.3 mi) to the south is Beaver Creek Conservation Area. These sites are also operated by the Meewasin Valley Authority.
