New tour for Corner Gas set locations launched

Dog River is back on the map.

On Wednesday, a new walking tour was launched in Rouleau, Sask., of Corner Gas fame. The producers of the show gifted the tour to the town.

“We wanted to do something that was really sustainable for this town that could tell the Corner Gas story and the story of this town,” Virginia Thompson, Corner Gas’ executive producer, said.

Tourists can use an app to scan the QR code on 14 different bronze plaques at various iconic locations throughout the town.

“The QR information opens up this wonderful digital story of the history of the building, the history of the town, how it plays into Corner Gas, a fun clip from Corner Gas, fun facts,” Thompson said.

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“It’s kind of like a living museum, and we can do that in this digital age, so it’s great,” she said.

The television sitcom ran for six seasons before ending in 2009. Corner Gas: The Movie was released in 2014.

“It’s fun, and it’s kind of exciting as well,” Rouleau Mayor Grant Clarke said. “We’ve been trying to do something like this for a long time, and we’re glad that Corner Gas participated in it and helped make it real.”

Thompson said Rouleau is still very popular with tourists.

“It’s literally thousands and thousands and thousands. I mean you can get sometimes several hundred people showing up in any given day,” Thompson said.

“The digital side of this allows them to come and really experience what it was and why people loved it so much,” Thompson said.

The full cast will be returning to the small screen for 13 episodes next year, but this time, they’ll be animated.

“There’s something deeply satisfying in watching Brent Butt take out his crayon on his pad and make revisions to his comedy, like you can be so specific in animation,” Thompson said. “It’s given him a freedom that I’ve never seen him have.”

The iconic Corner Gas set was torn down in November last year because it was too costly to repair. The town wants to build a replica in the future, and they’re hoping renewed interest in the show might help fundraise.