Situated in the central town of Rosthern is a rural Saskatchewan gem: the Station Arts Centre. Housed in a 1902 Canadian National Railway station that has been restored and preserved, the Station Arts Centre is a hub for arts, culture and history, welcoming visitors year round from across the province and beyond. 

“The Station is sort of the icing on the cake here, because you don’t always have a centre like this in a rural community,” said Nicole Thiessen, the director of programming. “People often stop here on their way to the lake and it brings in summer crowds, so it’s a really great community spot.”

Photo Supplied by the Station Arts Centre

At the Station Arts Centre, you’ll find a gallery, in-house theatre, seasonal gardens and plenty of live events and workshops to take in. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also delicious food and drink. For years, it was home to the beloved Tea Room, which operated for three decades until 2021. After it closed, the Station Arts Centre underwent a series of renovations, adding a brand-new space for events, plus a café-style eatery that is now open to the public. 

The new menu includes rotating desserts like cakes, cookies and cheesecakes. Many of the food items are outsourced and supplied by local businesses, including the cakes, which are made by Waldheim-based Jae Creates. The cakes are beautifully decorated and the flavours change regularly, but past ones have included apple spice and coconut cream. There are also snack-style offerings like charcuterie boards and homemade baked pretzels served with dip.

Photo Supplied by the Station Arts Centre

“We’ve partnered with Valley Action Abilities [in Rosthern] to make the pretzels. They’re a huge hit and sell out almost each week!” said Josie LaChance, Station Arts Centre’s director of operations. “On Saturdays, we also bring in sandwiches and bagels, made right here in town.”

Its drink menu highlights Saskatchewan-made beverages, including an espresso bar featuring Road Coffee beans and a house coffee made by Loewen Roasting, which is based in Rosthern. Station Arts Centre has also partnered with Maker’s Malt to offer a craft beer and cider bar, with six rotating taps, all made in the Rosthern area.

Whether you’re driving for dessert – or a snack or drink in this case too – you’ll also want to plan your trip around some of the centre’s summer events like live music, book readings, garden activities and trivia and game nights. Stay tuned to its website for all of the latest summer event details! 

Photo Supplied by the Station Arts Centre

Make it a day trip

Turn dessert at the Station Arts Centre into a day trip and explore what the Rosthern area has to offer.

What to see/do

Check out Lil Bean Ice Cream, which offers treats like hard and soft ice cream, Dole Whip, milkshakes, sundaes and more. As a popular local spot in Rosthern, Lil Bean is run by three sisters and is now entering its fifth season. It’s the perfect place to stop on a hot summer day! If you’re looking to enjoy a sit-down meal, visit Sixth & Railway Grill, which has classic pub fare like burgers, fries, pizza and wings in a relaxed setting. If you’re visiting in summer, it has a patio too.

Photo Supplied by Lil Bean

Just outside of Rosthern, you’ll find the Seager Wheeler Farm National Historic Site, which is the former home of Dr. Seager Wheeler, renowned for his contributions to farming in the province. Seager Wheeler Farm is open seasonally and offers tours, events and dessert nights, which run on Thursdays starting in July and feature made-from-scratch desserts like freshly baked pie (reservations recommended).

Photo Supplied by Seager Wheeler Farm

Bonus points

While in Rosthern, check out Valley Regional Park, which is just a five-minute drive from town and is home to one of the province’s top 18-hole golf courses. If you want to turn your visit into an overnight or weekend stay, the regional park also has a campground, with both tenting and electric sites. It’s a gorgeous stop for an afternoon too – complete with picnic sites, plenty of nature and a large playground.

Photo Supplied by Valley Regional Park
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Station Arts Centre is located at 701 Railway Avenue in Rosthern, SK. For more information and hours, visit its website. Station Arts Centre is also featured in Naomi Hansen’s book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.

 

Author: Naomi Hansen

Naomi Hansen is a writer and editor based in Saskatoon, SK. She is the author of the book Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries, which was published by TouchWood Editions in April 2022. Find her on Instagram @onlyinsaskatchewan, Twitter @naomihansen_ or at www.naomihansen.ca.