Yorkton

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.

Getting there

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 Yorkton Shuttle. Shuttle service from Regina. (updated Nov 2021)

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.

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

Getting 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 1 Western Development Museum Yorkton, Highway 16A West, ☏ +1-306-783-8361, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa Su noon-5PM; closed on some holidays. 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 $13, senior (65 +) $12, student (any age with valid student card) $10, children 6-12 $6, children under 6 free. (updated Oct 2025) 2 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) 3 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

Do

Yorkton Film Festival, ☏ +1 306-782-7077, [email protected]. 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

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. 1 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.