It was an interesting night at Yorkton Council Jan. 10, at least in terms of a look at the state of tourism in the city.
Neil Thom, chair of Tourism Yorkton appeared before Council to give that organization's annual report to Council since the city is a major financial supporter. He told Council tourism was a strong element of Yorkton's economy in 2010, and is expected to see continued strength through 2011.
"From a tourism standpoint, 2010 was a great year for Yorkton and Saskatchewan. Starting with the January torch run and the great exposure at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Yorkton was on the map. With partners like the Yorkton Exhibition bringing new events like the parimutuels and chuck wagon races to the City and the work going on with a patent crop interpretive centre, 2011 is going to be a great year for Tourism in Yorkton," he said.
That statement went a long way to fully illustrate the actual state of tourism in the city.
On the one hand tourism is obviously a major economic stimulator in the city. There are a range of events in Yorkton which regularly bring people here.
Events such the Yorkton Film Festival and Sunflower Craft Show have gone a long way in putting the city on the maps in terms of being a travel destination.
On weekends where events such as the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown, or Threshermen's Show are held ensure no vacancy signs on local hotels and motels, and busy days for restaurants, gas stations and other businesses.
However, if there is a hole in the tourism fabric of the city it is the lack of a major static draw which is open throughout the year with extensive hours.
The Western Development Museum, Saint Mary's Church dome and other features in the city draw people to Yorkton, but their hours of operation are limitations.
That is where plans to establish the Western Canadian Crop Technology Interpretive Centre in Yorkton are important, provided operational plans allow for operation near 365-days a year.
"More than 80 per cent of Canadian population is considered to be urban. Yet fewer than one per cent of Canadians are actively engaged as primary food producers- the farmers and ranchers. However, 100 per cent of all Canadians participate in the agri-food sector every time they go grocery shopping and make food choices," explained a report circulated to Council from the the Centre's Steering Committee.
That is why an Interpretive Centre is an important development, said Juanita Polegi who made a presentation to Council.
With such disparity between the number of people producing food and the number who have no contact with the farms and ranches, what can be done to facilitate the urban residents making a connection with their food supply? she noted.
Polegi said the Centre will be the first of its kind, and that will mean a unique tourist experience, and that also means it will be a major draw to the city.
The Centre is something which can indeed make the tourism sector even stronger and more vibrant in the years ahead.
