25 YEARS OF HISTORY

In 1984 the federal government made a decision to close several stations located along what was known as the Northern Pine Tree Line. For our region that meant that the Canadian Forces Station Dana would close. That closure meant an immediate loss of 400 people in the region, 42 civilian jobs and millions of dollars that would no longer be spent in our local economy.

The communities most affected by this closure included Bruno, Cudworth, Prud’homme, Vonda, Meacham, Colonsay, Viscount and Wakaw.  Representatives from these communities, at the invitation of the Department of Defense and Department of Employment & Immigration (now HRSDC) embarked on a planning process that included commissioning a study to identify strategies to ensure the local economies would stay strong after the closure of CFS Dana.  The study identified that a more intense focus on business and community economic development would be most critical for each community.

To be able to implement these strategies the local group made an application for funding to a federal program called Community Futures.  The intent of the program was to provide funding to regions that met certain stringent requirements one of which was that they were experiencing a traumatic labor market event and consequently had an unemployment rate higher than the provincial average.  

Our region was awarded Community Futures status in 1985. Leaders from 13 municipalities incorporated our group as a non-profit under the name Sagehill to honor the important contribution made to the local region by CFS Dana.  We haven’t looked back since.

Many years have passed since that first meeting in the Officer’s Mess at CFS Dana. And certainly programs, services, and circumstances have changed. During that time the region we proudly serve has changed, too. We’ve grown from the original 13 municipalities to 77. What hasn’t changed through the years is that Sagehill has been extremely well served by each of the volunteers who commit their time and energy to the governance of our Corporation. Each of them has a special spot in their heart for Sagehill and that place we call home.