Yorkton

Yorkton is a city of 16,000 people (2016) in East Central Saskatchewan, Canada.

Understand

In 1882 a group of businessmen and investors formed the York Farmers Colonization Company. The company founded the settlers' colony on the banks of the Little Whitesand River where lots were given freely to settlers who purchased land from them. The colony remained at its site until 1889 when the rail line was extended to the Yorkton area. The colony townsite was relocated alongside the new rail line.

The first settlers to the Yorkton colony were English from Eastern Ontario and Great Britain. 6 mi (9.7 km) west were Scottish settlers at the settlement of Orkney, Saskatchewan. A significant number of residents are also descended from immigrants from Ukraine who came in the early 20th century.

Yotkton is primarily a service centre for the farming industry in the region.

Get in

By car

Yorkton is 190 km (120 mi) northeast of Regina on Saskatchewan Highway 10, or 330 km (210 mi) southeast of Saskatoon on Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway). Once into Manitoba Highway 16 is renamed Provincial Trunk Highway 16.

By bus

By plane

The closest major airport with scheduled service is in Regina, served by Air Canada and Westjet. The Yorkton Shuttle provides ground transportation to/from Regina Airport.

  • 🌍 Yorkton Municipal Airport, Highway 9 (3 km north of the city). A base for commercial, private helicopter and fixed wing aircraft. (updated Mar 2021)

Get around
  • Taxi: Yorkton is served by Redline Taxi (+1 306-783-1010), York City Taxi (+1 306-782-6666), and G & M Taxi (+1 306-782-4420).
  • Bus: The Yorkton Community Dial-a-Bus is personalized transportation that uses a central dispatch centre which takes your call, and dispatches the bus to the stop you require when you need it, M-F 7AM-7PM and Sa 9AM-4PM. The bus operates on two routes covering the north and south halves of the city. If you are downtown, you can catch the bus at the Transit Center on the hour and half hour. Call (306) 786-1789:

Local maps are available at the Yorkton Tourism Centre, at the junction of Highways 9 and 10.

See

Located on several buildings in downtown Yorkton are murals depicting historic personalities.

Parks

There are ten parks in or near the city, including three provincial parks. Highlights include

  • York Lake Regional park with a 18-hole golf course, four-diamond slowpitch complex including two lighted fields, and the Yorkton Canoe and Kayak Club's facilities.
  • BMX bike course located east of Columbia School.
  • Skateboard Park: on the Gallagher Centre grounds, just to the east of the main entrance on the north side of Broadway. Skateboard park users are welcome to use the washroom and food service facilities at the Gallagher Centre. Includes obstacles such as a bowl, ramps, grind bars, and staircase.
  • Heritage Heights Park: tennis courts; in the northeast end of Yorkton on McBurney Drive.
  • Knights of Columbus Park: tennis courts; on Circlebrooke Drive, southwest side of Yorkton.
  • Silver Heights Water Park and Playground: water park and tennis court; located on the southwest end of Yorkton, on Sunset Drive North.

Museums
  • 🌍 Western Development Museum Yorkton, Highway 16A West, ☏ +1-306-783-8361, . M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa Su noon-5PM; closed on holidays and on Mondays from Jan-Mar. The YWDM tells the story of early immigrants and their struggles in early Saskachewan, it houses the gigantic Twin City gas tractor, one of only two in North America! Adult $10, senior (65 +) $9, student (any age with valid student card) $7, children 6-12 $4, children under 6 free. (updated Mar 2021)
  • 🌍 Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 455 Broadway Street W (in the Gallagher Centre), ☏ +1 306-786-1740. It holds preserved sport memorabilia, historic archives, and collectibles. (updated Mar 2021)
  • 🌍 Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, 49 Smith Street E (Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre), ☏ +1 306-786-2992. M-F 11AM-5PM; Sa 1PM-4PM. The only professionally-operated public art gallery within a 100-km radius of Yorkton. It curates, exhibits and promotes the work of local, provincial and national contemporary artists who address issues affecting the Yorkton region. The Dean opens exhibits in its 2 galleries about every 6 weeks. It also opens its doors to the cultural and artistic programming of local organizations and schools. (updated Mar 2021)

Sports

Yorkton is home to the Yorkton Terriers, Yorkton's SJHL hockey team. It is also home to the Yorkton Cardinals, a baseball team playing in the Western Major Baseball League. Yorkton has many other sports teams, ranging from children's to adults.

  • Jubillee Baseball Park: On Foster Street, the city's main baseball park. A batting cage, 4 diamonds including 2 senior (one with grass infield), 1 bantam and 1 pee wee diamond.
  • Cherrydale Golf and Campground (4 miles (6.4 km) east of Yorkton, 2 miles (3.2 km) south on Cherrydale Road, half mile east), ☏ +1 306-786-6877. Par 23/27 golf course, campground, showers, fire pit, ball diamond, horse shoes, driving range, nature trails, beach volleyball. 1-May-2017 to 1-Oct-2017 9 holes adult $13, junior $9. (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 Deer Park Golf Course, Highway 52 west of Yorkton, ☏ +1 306-786-1711, toll-free: +1 877-786-1711, . 18-hole public golf course, par 72, 6,200 yards, with driving range and practice areas. Cart and equipment rentals, pro shop, food and beverage service. Located on the west boundary of the city along Broadway. (updated Mar 2021)
  • 🌍 York Lake Golf & Country Club (2 miles (3.2 km) south of Yorkton, off Highway 10 South), ☏ +1 306-783-8424, . 18-hole green grass golf course with driving range, and licensed clubhouse, club and cart rentals available. (updated Mar 2021)

Do
  • Yorkton Film Festival, ☏ +1 306-782-7077, . Late May. The Yorkton Film Festival started in 1947. The first international festival took place in 1950, and is North America's longest-running film festival. Film makers from across Canada make their way to Yorkton for workshops and showings. For the public, this is an opportunity to view the very best of Canadian short films and videos (under 60 minutes) free of charge. The festival's LobsterBlast, a lobster meal followed by skeet shooting. (updated May 2017)
  • Painted Hand Casino Pow Wow, Farrell Agencies Arena – Gallagher Centre. Held annually in May or June (June 3-4, 2017), with hundreds of dancers expected from Western Canada and north-west United States, it is a dazzling experience. (updated May 2017)
  • Yorkton Summer Fair, Yorkton Exhibition Grounds, 455 Broadway Street West. July 5-8, 2017. The Yorkton Exhibition Association offers year-round activities and events , including the annual summer fair held annually in early July. Chuckwagon and chariot races, parimutuel horse races, midway, grandstand entertainment, 4-H livestock shows, and a variety of displays and food concessions. (updated May 2017)
  • Threshermen's Show and Seniors' Festival, Western Development Museum, Highway 16A West, ☏ +1 306-783-8361. Held annually in August. Horse-drawn wagons, stooking and threshing crews, and steam tractors spring to life each summer at the annual Threshermen's Show and Seniors' Festival. Visitors can try their hand at stooking, visit the sawmill, watch the Story of Harvest as methods from single horse plows to giant steam engines are demonstrated. The museum schedules special events and has permanent displays open for viewing. Among the special events is a demonstration by the York Colony Quilter's Guild, a group of ladies who keep alive this very practical pioneer art form. (updated May 2017)
  • Yorkton Historical Walking Tour: A self-guided walking tour, taking approximately one hour, that passes by 30 private and public buildings that capture the essence of Yorkton's early years, and the many beautiful yards and gardens in the city. Brochures are available from Tourism Yorkton and City Hall.
  • Ravine Ecological Preserve. The starting point for this self-guided nature trail of 2½ km is at the Gallagher Centre, on Broadway Street West, or the parking area to the west of the preserve. A boardwalk crosses the marsh. Station markers and an interpretive brochure guides walkers across the marsh and through the flora and fauna. Shorter walks may be taken. The preserve is open all year round. Guided tours are available upon request. (updated May 2017)
  • Yorkton Events Calendar. Events in the Yorkton area. 
  • Water Park at the Gallagher Centre, Broadway Street West, ☏ +1 306-786-1744. A lane pool and a large water park with many features, including a waterslide. Various fees apply. (updated May 2017)
  • Gloria Hayden Centre, 397 Darlington St. E., ☏ +1 306 786-1777. M-Th noon-4:30PM and 5:30PM-9PM; Fridays noon-6PM; S closed; Su 2PM-5PM. Gymnasium, racquetball and squash courts; walking track. Various fees apply. (updated May 2017)
  • Yorkton Bowl Arena, 49 Broadway St E, (In downtown Yorkton), ☏ +1 306-783-5183. Open bowling: daily 1PM-5PM, 7PM-late. Open bowling for all ages, glow bowling, and a licensed facility. $29.15 (tax included) per hour. (updated May 2017)

Buy
  • Sunflower Arts and Crafts Show and Sale, Gallagher Centre (Broadway Street West), ☏ +1 306-783-8722. The largest unjuried show and sale in Saskatchewan. Yorkton Arts Council's annual September event attracts thousands of visitors; 190 artists and crafters show their work. 
  • 🌍 Parkland Mall, 277 Broadway St E, ☏ +1 306-782-2132. M-Tu, Sa 11AM-6PM, W-F 11AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. Small indoor shopping mall. (updated Mar 2021)

Eat

Budget
  • Humpty's (Junction Highway 9 & 16), ☏ +1 306-782-0640. 7AM-11PM. Specializes in breakfast, good selection of lunch and supper features. 
  • Ice Cream Cabin, 332 Broadway St W, ☏ +1 306-783-1319. Homemade soups, sandwiches and ice cream. 

Mid-range
  • Scoops, 37 Broadway St. W., ☏ +1 306-782-2013. Yorkton's only open-air café. Smoothies, ice cream, coffee. 
  • Touch of Asia Buffet, 14 Dracup Ave, ☏ +1 306-783-2742. 
  • West Broadway Grill, 328 Broadway St W, ☏ +1 306-782-2422. Home-style breakfast and lunch. 
  • Wings, 21 Betts Ave, ☏ +1 306-782-0278. Chinese food. 

Splurge

Drink
  • 5th Ave Cup & Saucer, 60 5th Ave. N, ☏ +1 306-890-0184. Home-style coffee shop, variety of drinks and food items. Often hosts live musical performances. 
  • Pockets, 366 Broadway St. W, ☏ +1 306 782-0922. Sports bar. Pool tables, Arcade Games, VLTs. 
  • Holly's Nightclub. Only Top-40 dance music club in town, often referred to as the "Meat Market" by locals and generally frequented by the city's youngsters; occasionally middle-aged people go there. 

Sleep

Hotels and motels

Beds and Breakfasts
  • Lazy Maple Bed and Breakfast, 111 Darlington Street West, ☏ +1 306-783-7071. A quiet, cozy, smoke-free authentic Ukrainian home. Two bedrooms; kitchen/living area and a full bath. Large flower and vegetable gardens; home cooked breakfast, Ukrainian food and souvenirs. Bicycles available for guests. Within walking distance of the ecological preserve, tennis courts and playgrounds. (updated May 2017)
  • Lorraine's Bed and Breakfast, 146 Franklin Drive, ☏ +1 306-783-6007. Three bedrooms, private bathroom, living room, TV, and fridge. Non-smoking. (updated May 2017)
  • Patrick Place Bed and Breakfast, 88 Fifth Avenue North, ☏ +1 306-783-3762, +1 306-621-8656 (cellular), fax: +1 306-786-8888, . Four luxury suites: Sleeping porch with whirlpool tub and private verandah; The Garret; William's Room; and Sadie's Room. In-room tea and coffee facilities, television, telephone and wireless internet. Situated downtown in a Yorkton heritage home. Non-smoking house. Breakfast is included. $90-125 single, $110-145 doubke. (updated Mar 2017)

Stay safe

Although generally safe and pleasant, there has been an increase in gang activity. It is not recommended to venture alone after dark unless you plan on staying on the main streets.

Be alert when leaving bars or nightclubs at closing time on weekends. As with anywhere else in the world fights occur.

Go next
Routes through Yorkton
Saskatoon ← Quill Lakes ←  W  E  → Russell → Winnipeg
Hudson Bay ← Canora ←   N  S  → Whitewood → Carlyle
Regina ← Melville ←  W  E  → becomes → Roblin → Dauphin


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