By Lizz Bottrell
Citizen Staff

More and more people are discovering Saskatchewan as an attractive place to live. In 2007, the population jumped by 16,492 people. That’s a 1.7 percent growth, the biggest since 1952. During the last three months of the year, Saskatchewan experienced a larger population growth than any other province in Canada.

The town of Kipling is also experiencing a population increase. The 2006 census stated 972 people called Kipling home. As of March 31, 2008, that figure jumped to 1,101, according to Saskatchewan Health Figures.

As great as growth is for a community, it does have its pitfalls. “It’s really hard to find a place to rent or buy right now,” said Gail Dakue, Town Administrator. “We were getting calls pretty much daily about places to rent or buy.”

To help combat the housing situation, Kipling proposed a new development. “We have our new subdivision in the process of being built,” said Dakue. The new subdivision includes seven residential lots. “There’s already people on a list,” said Dakue. “They want me to call them as soon as it’s ready.” The town hopes to have the residential lots serviced and ready to build on by fall.

The town also looked into developing industrial lots. “Council has been working on this concept for over a year,” said Dakue. “But everyone’s busy, so it’s hard to get stuff done. We’re hoping they’ll be ready for late or early fall.” By then, there will be five new industrial lots.

Housing shortage isn’t the only problem caused by a substantial population increase. “They are having trouble filling positions,” said Loretta Demyen, Community Development Officer. “There’s definitely a shortage of people to fill positions.”

In order to halt the worker shortage, Kipling needs to retain the young people to enter into the workforce at home. “Right now, Seed Hawk and PIC are looking at immigration,” said Demyen. But even when immigrants come to work at these places, there’s no where to live. That’s why it’s so important to try and keep the young people here.

“I believe everyone’s aware of what’s going on right now,” said Demyen. She’s talked to numerous people in the area and they all realize there is a problem. “Any meeting I go to with Community Development Officers, they’re saying you can’t find anywhere to rent or buy.” So it’s not just an issue effecting Kipling, it’s province wide.