Work is moving forward regarding plans to establish the Western Canadian Crop Technology Interpretive Centre in Yorkton.
That was the news Yorkton Council heard in a presentation regarding the Centre at its regular meeting Monday.
"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.
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 would build on past initiatives taken in the city.
"The Crops of the Parkland demonstration site located near the Tourism/Chamber building has been a good start. While it demonstrates the crops grown in the parklands, it also demonstrates some of the current agronomic practices and the importance of agriculture to the area. It is also a significant agri-tourism initiative. The success of the summer plots indicated a year round program could increase visitation, spending and overnight stays by targeting tours, conventions, conferences, events and schools," she said.
With the success of crops demonstration, it was a natural to look at other opportunities for agricultural tourism, said Polegi.
"In the fall of 2008, a Steering Committee was established to prepare a development plan for a potential Crop Technology Centre. Funding for the preparation of the plan was received from the provincial Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture and the Ag Council of Saskatchewan," she said.The goal of the resulting plan is "to establish a popular and interactive science and technology centre that draws visitors to explore the grains based economy and industry of western Canada."The group has also established a four point vision;
*Place: connected to the Tourism/Chamber building
*Program: year-round with special outdoor features in summer and regular new features to draw repeat visitors
*Focus: Technology, Sustainability, Stewardship and the Future
*Tourism & Education: all ages, locals and visitors, all interests
The next step is to finalize what the Centre will actually include.
The Board will meet Jan. 22, "to discuss what we would like to see and need to have in the Centre," said Polegi.
Once the conceptual package is complete, a fundraising strategy will be formulated and we will "hit the road" to drum up funding for capital, operations and maintenance. It is the goal of the Board to begin construction in late 2012 or early 2013.
Councillor Les Arnelien wanted to know if similar centres exist in Western Canada?"This would be the first one. There is nothing like it," said Polegi.
The building is planned to be 4-to-5,000 square feet, with a cost of $500-to-$800,000.
