Some southern Saskatchewan communities have experienced a population boom in the last few years. 

According to 2016 Census figures, places like Briercrest (from 111 to 159), Mossbank (327 to 360) and Rouleau (453 to 540) all made significant population gains compared to 2011 Census numbers. 

In Rouleau, the reason is simple. 

"A lot of kids that grew up here are returning here," said Town Administrator Guy Lagrandeur, who says he's seen steady growth in the nine years at the town office. "With that, their friends come over and get a good look at the town...and their friends join them (in moving)."

Lagrandeur says a number of years ago the Rouleau school had been on a list for potential closure due to low enrollment, but that has also changed. 

"With all these young (families) having young ones, the enrollment is high and it's looking really good for the future," he stated. "Last I heard there were around 140-150 kids (at the K-12 Rouleau school)."

Lagrandeur points to a number of recreational opportunities for families that make the community more attractive, including the addition of a new spray park, the building of which was helped along by Rouleau winning 800 CHAB's "Great 8" contest in 2015, that netted the town $5,000 from Hawk's Agro towards the project.  

Rouleau's Shannon Forrester during the Great 8 tour of the Rouleau spray park in 2015

Aside from residents, Lagrandeur is hoping to create more tourist opportunities for fans of the television sitcom "Corner Gas."  The popular show starring Saskatchewan-born comedian Brent Butt was largely filmed in Rouleau, with the town doubling as the fictional "Dog River".  The "Corner Gas" set was torn down in November of 2015, but Lagrandeur says they have another plan in the works. 

"We are looking at creating a walking tour of all the residences used in filming," explained Lagrandeur, who said "Corner Gas" producers will be coming to visit later this summer to explore opportunities. "They're going to create a plaque and you'll be able to pick up a postcard anywhere in Rouleau and do the walking tour to see where they did all of the filming."