Avonlea, Saskatchewan, is a charming village nestled in the heart of the Canadian province. With a population of 393 as of 2016, this quaint community is located within the RM of Elmsthorpe No. 100 and Census Division No. 2. Approximately 82 kilometres (51 mi) south-west of the city of Regina, Avonlea is home to the head office of the Southern Rails Cooperative. The village is also bordered by the Avonlea Creek, a tributary of the Moose Jaw River.
Avonlea was officially incorporated as a village on February 10, 1912. The village's name was inspired by the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, featured in Lucy Maud Montgomery's beloved novel, "Anne of Green Gables." This literary connection extends to the television series "Road to Avonlea," which is based on Montgomery's book.
Avonlea, Saskatchewan, boasts a rich array of attractions for visitors to enjoy. The Avonlea Heritage Museum, located in the train station, houses a vast collection of local artifacts. The museum also features an indoor Main Street, agricultural displays, and murals by accomplished local artist Paul Geraghty.
Just four kilometres west of the village, on private land, lie the Avonlea Badlands. Guided tours of this stunning natural landscape are available through the museum. The nearby Dirt Hills, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, are the largest push moraine in the world.
Dunnet Regional Park, named after a local medical doctor, was established on the west side of the Reg Watson Reservoir in 1967. The park offers RV parks, camping, fishing, boating, a swimming pool, and eight baseball diamonds. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, white sucker, and burbot.
For sports enthusiasts, Avonlea, Saskatchewan, offers a range of recreational activities. The Long Creek Golf & Country Club, located four kilometres east of the village along Avonlea Creek, is an 18-hole championship golf course. The village is also home to the Avonlea Arrows, a senior men's team in the Highway Hockey League. The team plays at the village's Avonlea Arena.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Avonlea had a population of 411 living in 174 of its 193 total private dwellings. This represents a 4.6% increase from its 2016 population of 393. With a land area of 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi), the village had a population density of 316.2/km2 (818.8/sq mi) in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population, Avonlea recorded a population of 393 living in 172 of its 191 total private dwellings, a -1.3% change from its 2011 population of 398. With a land area of 0.96 km2 (0.37 sq mi), it had a population density of 409.4/km2 (1,060.3/sq mi) in 2016.
