On June 8, 2013 Pike Lake School, ‘A Small School With A Big Heart’, celebrated its 100th birthday. Construction of the school began in 1912 and was completed for a cost of $260.00. The first students attended in September of 1913 with an enrollment of 24 students. Originally located west of Highway 60, it was moved to its present location in 1947. Community support has characterized the school’s 100 year history. The land for the present school location was donated, while volunteers prepared the site, including building a basement for the original school.
Enrolment in 1913 was 24 students. In 1964 with only 14 students enrolled, the West School Unit considered closure. The community convinced the unit to keep the school open if costs could be kept down. So for several years, families formed teams to do the cleaning throughout the year. In the summer, a team of volunteers sanded and painted floors, although the West School Unit provided the supplies. Enrolment grew to 70 students and two additional school buildings were moved onto the site. One was the old Smithville School and the other was a portable classroom. In 1973, the original school building was closed and in 1992 the remaining two buildings were retired. One of those buildings is resting a block north and then west, just off of Churchill Road nearby. A new portable school module was moved to this site from Fulda, Sask. Today this building houses students from Kindergarten to Grade Four with physical education taking place in the community hall nearby. The school has been recognized over the years for its educational excellence from government bodies to various organizations. Not without reason, students who graduate and move on to Delisle Elementary School, are known for their strong academic skills and their love of learning. Although we are at a lower enrollment, registration reached a high of 76 students about 15 years ago. The slogan ‘A Small School With A Big Heart’ truly captures the ambiance of this special school that has family appeal. The support of parents and community and the dedication of the staff have been and continue to be very strong. The close relationship between the staff, students and parents makes this school exceptional. It is truly a Saskatchewan gem!
The cache is hidden in an area that may be crowded with muggles at certain times. As there are a few houses that can look out on this area, stealth is required to keep the cache from being muggled. Please re hide well to keep it viable for the next geocachers who come exploring this neck of the woods!