The City of Yorkton has launched a new website to assist both newcomers to the city and those thinking of moving here.
The website is to provide a one-stop shopping experience for those looking for information on Yorkton and the surrounding area.
"The new economic opportunities in our city and region have led to a corresponding need to attract people to fill jobs in the commercial, industrial, construction and service sectors," explained Yorkton Mayor Bob Maloney who officially launched the website Friday.
"We hope that this new website will be an important tool in not only promoting our city and region but also providing immigrants and prospective newcomers to our community with the tools to adjust to their new lives."
Local staff came up with the idea, said Maloney, adding they did so after regularly fielding calls from people seeking help with housing and other issues related to possibly moving to Yorkton.
"I looked at it and thought 'this is pretty cool'," he said.
Maloney said the website (www.movingtoyorkton.com) is quite unique.
"I think this is the first in the province. I don't think anybody else has done this in Saskatchewan," he said. He added "to have all the information in one place just made sense."
The new website provides information on everything from employment and education opportunities, to health and retail services, housing and the quality of life.
It also includes links to agencies like the Yorkton Newcomer Welcome Centre, Sask Immigration, SaskJobs, financial institutions and the Sunrise Health region, plus how to start a business in Yorkton and a list of city services.
One of the special features of the site will be a searchable listing of rental properties, where landlords may post available units. Listings and contacts for retail housing will also be available, said Maloney.
Seed funding of $30,000 for the site was provided through the provincial Ministry of Economy under the Municipal Online Information for Immigrants Grant Program. Ongoing hosting will be handled by the city.
