Biggar, Sask, Town, pop 2243 (2001c), 2351 (1996c), 2353 (1991cA), area 15.75 km2, inc 1911, is located in west-central Saskatchewan, 93 km west of SASKATOON. Established by the GRAND TRUNK PACIFIC RAILWAY (GTPR), it was named for William H. Biggar, general counsel of the GTPR. The community's initial development was based on the railway's decision to establish a divisional point at that location. It has continued its role as a railway centre and it still serves as the commercial hub of a good grain-farming area.
Two large secondary industries process barley for malt and manufacture environmental storage tanks. A greenhouse comprising 2 ha for plant micropropagation, a salt mine and a poultry farm also provide employment. Its well-known slogan "New York is Big ... but this is Biggar" greets visitors as they enter the town. Biggar was the home town of Sandra SCHMIRLER, who skipped her team to an Olympic gold medal in curling in 1998.