# Biggar (Saskatchewan)

Biggar is a small town in West Central Saskatchewan, with a population of around 2,100 (2021). The town is known for its slogan "New York is big, but this is Biggar."

## Understand

The town's slogan was created in 1914 by a survey crew who painted it onto a town sign as a drunken prank. According to the Biggar Museum and Gallery, the graffiti remained unchanged until 1954 when the slogan was officially adopted.
Biggar was incorporated as a village in 1909. It was named not after Biggar, Scotland, but after William Hodgins Biggar, general counsel of the Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) railway which had come through the area in 1908. The GTP made Biggar a divisional point on its line, building a large station and roundhouse. The population grew as Biggar became a home terminal where train crews were changed.
Biggar's prosperity was directly tied to the railway for many years. Up to 500 local people were at one time employed by Canadian National Railway (CN), which took over the GTP. That number has now dropped to under 200. As the railway industry has decreased, Biggar has shifted its economy to agriculture and related industries.
Biggar is home to Prairie Malt Limited, a large barley processing plant. The malthouse has an annual capacity of 220,000 metric tonnes. Malt is a primary ingredient in beer and whisky. Prairie Malt employs approximately 70 full-time employees. It creates significant spin-off employment among local trucking firms such as Biggar Transport, with a fleet of over 50 trucks.
The Town of Biggar's businesses include a manufacturer of petroleum and hazardous material containment tanks, a sodium sulphate plant, a large greenhouse and a variety of financial, farm and health services.

## Get in
### By car

Biggar is located on Highway 14, 93 km (58 mi) west of Saskatoon at the junction of Highways 4, 14, and 51.

### By train

52.0534-107.98671 Biggar station. (updated Oct 2023) Train operator:
* VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Operates train routes across Canada. (updated Mar 2022) Operates The Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as Sudbury, Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Kamloops.

## See

* 52.056315-107.9860671 Biggar Museum & Gallery, 105 3rd Avenue W, ☏ +1 306-948-3451, biggarmuseum@sasktel.net. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.056526-107.9842412 Majestic Theatre, 322 Main Street. A local landmark since it was built in 1911. The original building was enlarged substantially in 1916 and was again enlarged and renovated to its present size and appearance in 1929. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.059866-107.9763223 Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park, 702 Dominion Street. Named in honour of Canadian, World and Olympic Curling Champion Sandra Schmirler, it celebrates the accomplishments of Team Schmirler. There is a gazebo, playground, memorial and wall of fame. (updated Feb 2019)

## Do

* 52.079125-107.9736431 Biggar Golf Course, Highway 4 (2 km north of Biggar), ☏ +1 306-948-5488. A nine-hole, grass green course with two tees on every hole. Lunch available. (updated Jul 2019)

## Eat

* 52.06011-107.9819291 Hannigan's Restaurant, 706 Main Street, ☏ +1 306-948-3335. Daily 11AM-9PM. Burgers, pizza, fried chicken. (updated Jul 2019)
* 52.054473-107.9864162 Snow White Family Restaurant, 111 Main Street, ☏ +1 306-948-2861. Daily 11AM-8PM. Chinese restaurant. (updated Jul 2019)
* 52.054307-107.9860133 Town & Country Restaurant, 110 Main Street, ☏ +1 306-948-5300. Tu-Su 11AM-8PM. Chinese restaurant. (updated Jul 2019)
* 52.055391-107.9852734 Pizzeria Adria, 212 Main St, ☏ +1 306-948-4800. Daily 11AM-7PM. Pizza, salads. (updated Jul 2019)

## Drink

* 52.054399-107.9872661 The Biggar Bar, 115 1 Ave W Biggar, ☏ +1 306-948-3373. Su M 11AM-6PM, Tu-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-1AM. Breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, steaks. Casual & cosy. (updated Jul 2022)

## Sleep

* 52.061095-107.9803711 Westwinds Motor Hotel, 902 Main Street, ☏ +1 306-948-3301, toll-free: +1-844-948-3301. Restaurant on site. (updated Jul 2019)

## Go next

* Drive east for 1 hour on Highway 14 to Saskatoon.