If all goes as planned Yorkton will one day be home to a brand new half million dollar (plus) crop interpretive centre that will be the first of its kind in western Canada.
In a presentation to city council Monday evening Director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce Juanita Polegi provided details on the project and thanked council members for their support.
"More than 80 per cent of the Canadian population is considered to be urban, yet fewer that one per cent of Canadians are actively engaged as primary food producers," says Polegi. "However, 100 per cent of all Canadians participate in the agri-food sector every time they go grocery shopping and make food choices. With such disparity between the number of people producing the 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?"
Enter into the picture a new visitor friendly crop interpretive centre.
"The Crops of the Parkland demonstration site located near the Tourism/Chamber building has been a good start," suggests Polegi. It provides examples of crops that can, and are, grown in the area as well as demonstrates the importance of agriculture to Yorkton. It's also a significant agri tourism initiative.
An interpretive centre would take things a large step further.
The new facility when complete would provide an interactive science and technology experience that will invite visitors to explore the grains based economy of western Canada.
The goal says Polegi, it to feature year-round events and to welcome all ages - both locals and visitors.
"Displays will focus on solid, crops, growing crops, the equipment used in production, harvesting and agri-business as a whole.
In November the province announced its support for the initiative in the form of $20,000 in funding and plans are continuing to develop concept designs and as well as to secure additional funding.
"Once the conceptual package is complete," adds Polegi, "a fundraising strategy will be formulated and we will 'hit the road' to drum up funding for capital, operations and maintenance."
If all goes as planned construction will begin in late 2012 or early 2013.
