It's been in the works for the past several years but now plans should begin to unfold and hopefully take shape.
In 2007, Yorkton was selected as one of four communities in Sask-atchewan to undertake a special cultural planning process as part of a pilot project initiated by SaskCulture - a community driven organization that works to build a more culturally vibrant province where all citizens participate in a rich cultural life.
Following the announcement a local committee was formed and subsequent work was done to obtain public input and a feeling of the attitudes of Yorkton residents toward their community, their cultural identity and their connection to culture.
On Monday, a plan for Yorkton was put forward and following a presentation by Dennis Garreck from SaskCulture, council voted in favor of examining recommendations and looking at ways to implement ideas.
"The community of Yorkton enjoys a variety of cultural activity," said Garreck to council. "The breadth and depth of their cultural programming is significant for a community of less than 20,000 people. Yet the capacity of the cultural community to contribute to the quality of life in Yorkton has not yet been acknowledged in a meaningful way by the city."
Currently, the only dedicated arts funding is to the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery and the Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival.
Garreck says more and more across Canada communities small and large are beginning to recognize the benefits of investing into cultural activities.
There are a number of ways to move in this direction - one being the dedication of as little as a half a mill rate - to start a plan in motion.
Referring to a detailed plan compiled and brought to council Garreck said, "Of critical importance is the task of ensuring that this document works in tandem with other municipal planning documents.
"The work that's been done in Yorkton has provided a significant framework or path toward a successful future. Ensuring that culture is recognized as a positive and powerful contributor to the future of this city will only serve to achieve the goals and objectives of the downtown plan and the city's own strategic plan."
That said, with any plan comes the question - who will do the work? Garreck believes the role of volunteers will be crucial. He also talked of the possibility of dedicated on full-time employee to the project who could provide leadership and coordinate proposed actions. "A dedicated employee can invest the time required to prepare grant applications, organize events, schedule meetings and coordinate communication strategies."
From surveys and dialogue with the public Garreck says the perception of quality of life in Yorkton between young and old is vastly widening. "If Yorkton is to remain a city of possibility, of hope for the future, the engagement of youth and their capacity to contribute in a meaningful way to the community has to be nurtured and allowed to grow."
The creative sector, points out Garreck, is the fastest growing sector in the global economy so it's through such things as music, visual art, television, sports and activities that today's youth will be engaged.
"We are long overdue for a cultural makeover. We are long overdue for a new approach to creativity. We encourage the City Of Yorkton to consider this plan as a framework, a blueprint for creative potential of your next generation of citizens," wrapped up Garreck. "Any investment made in culture today will pay dividends for generations to come..."
While no concrete decisions were made, council did agree to examine the findings and to bring forward recommendations as to how a cultural plan may be implemented in Yorkton.
