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. 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.

By car
Yorkton is northeast of Regina on Saskatchewan Highway 10, or  southeast of Saskatoon on Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway). Once into Manitoba Highway 16 is renamed Provincial Trunk Highway 16.

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.



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.

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.

Do

 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.

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.