Forty-seven years have passed since the Prairie Lore and Living Society’s dream came to fruition in the form of Saskairie. They wanted to provide a place where both city and country kids could come and experience nature at its best.
Located on three quarters of land just west of Carlyle, in the foothills of the Moose Mountains, the site boasts a cabin capable of housing 28 people in what can only be described as rustic. The accommodations provide 2 communal rooms featuring wooden bunks with diamond willow supports, rubber covered mattresses, and a large kitchen with several wood burning stoves, fridges and tables, all inside a log cabin built in the middle of winter by Tom Scarrow, with help from the White Bear First Nations. Later a little house was added featuring a bathroom with running water, one double bed and four bunks. The group also added a cook shack with a woodstove and power for the fridges used to house the food for all the trail riders. This year the group added a large pavilion to provide shelter to those groups that may be interested in holding family reunions, weddings or group camping. The Jack MacKenzie Memorial Pavilion was completed just in time for this year’s trail ride and eight permanent picnic tables will be arriving shortly, all paid for from the funds raised at last years trail ride.
The board, headed by President Deb Morrow, works hard to maintain the property, keeping the grass cut, the buildings maintained and the power bills paid, but they have dreamed of renovating the bathroom and putting new flooring in the little house.
While there is water available at the property, it is not safe for drinking, but if you are looking for somewhere to have a family reunion, this might well be it! Of course, you will need generators for electricity, unless you really want to rough it, but the birds and wildlife won’t complain if your music is a little loud, or you get a little rowdy around the campfire. With trails, for hiking or quads, that lead right into the Moose Mountain Provincial Park you will have no shortage of nature to explore. There is a donation box located on the old cook shack and prices are posted for ease of information. Saskairie is a year-round facility so snowmobilers are welcome to enjoy themselves there as well.
The 5thAnnual Trail Ride took place July 5 and 6, with approximately 30 riders enjoying all Saskairie has to offer. Riders were supplied with a pancake breakfast Saturday morning and a pork dinner with all the fixing’s after the afternoon ride. Local business donated raffle items and a wonderful time was had by all in attendance.
