Heritage Timeline 1980-1989

1980

  • George H. Morris, President of Morris Rod Weeder Company of Yorkton received the ORDER OF CANADA on June 23, 1980. Recognized for his contribution to industrial development, farming and his own community. (Source: The Governor General of Canada Web site.)
  • The Orkney Historical Society was formed to plan the restoration of the Orkney Church and School.

1981

  • The population of the city was 15,339.
  • The Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre's official opening took place on October 28th, 1981. (Source: Letter signed by G.W. Crowder, City Commissioner Dec. 24, 1981.)

1982

  • The Yorkton Centennial Committee and the City of Yorkton produced the history book: YORK COLONY TO TREASURE CHEST CITY.
  • In January, the City's new flag designed by Dean Printz was unveiled at City Hall.
  • The "Yorkton Centennial Song" was composed by Paul Malec and the Grade 6 students of Columbia School.
  • The Ravine Ecological Preserve was established.
  • A cairn was unveiled in July in Patrick Park to commemorate Dr. T. A. Patrick's efforts with conservation issues, as well as his work as a pioneer physician and legislator.
  • The Yorkton and District Historical Society buried a capsule at the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre, with Norman Roebuck officiating. The capsule was manufactured and donated by RAM Industries of Yorkton.
  • This was the year the Yorkton Lions Club, along with The Parkland Lions, the Lionelles, and the Sunrise Lions and Sunrise Lionelles organized the Annual Bunny Drive.
  • City grocery stores were converting their meat and produce scales to Metric from Imperial units. (Yorkton This Week May 5, 1982)

1983

  • A group of theatre enthusiasts founded the Paper Bag Players.
  • St. Mary's Parish Ukrainian Catholic Cultural Centre held its official opening.
  • A thunderstorm deposited four inches of rain in a four hour period, causing flooding around Laurier and Assiniboia Avenue.
  • Christie's Funeral Home was established 100 years ago.
  • Yorkton Regional High School Curling team took the Provincial Championship.
  • Yorkton Terriers claimed the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League championship. (Yorkton This Week Special Salute Edition 1983)

1984

  • The Synchronize Swimming Provincial Championship event was held in Yorkton April 14th.
  • The Ukrainian Catholic Women's League donated $10,000 to the St. Mary's Ukrainian Cultural Centre.
  • The new facilities at the Western Development Museum were opened this year.
  • June 15th, the York Lake Ladies Golf Club invited the Deer Park Ladies Club for a "Fun Day."

1985

  • A prominent historical landmark, the famed Balmoral Hotel was destroyed by fire on February 12th.

1986

  • A group of writing enthusiasts founded the Parkland Writers' Alliance.
  • Yorkton hosted the Saskatchewan Winter Games attended by 2500 athletes, plus coaches, officials and spectators.

1987

  • The City of Yorkton Council established a Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee.
  • Norman Roebuck was nominated for the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame by the Yorkton Exhibition Association.

1988

  • The Yorkton Court House was declared a Provincial Heritage Property on February 15th.
  • The City of Yorkton opened the H. M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant.
  • On September 7, George Morris, inventor, was the recipient of the 1988 Saskatchewan Order of Merit.
  • In September, Mayor Brian Fromm attended the sod turning ceremony for the new Yorkton Coop Shopping Centre.
  • The Provincial B Men's Playdown Slo-pitch event was held here this year.
  • The opening of the White Spruce Youth Treatment Centre took place in June.
  • St. Paul's Lutheran Church celebrated its 75th Anniversary May 21 and 22.

1989

  • The old Land Titles Office achieved Municipal Heritage status on November 20th.
  • The Saskatchewan Provincial Parks & Recreation Association Conference was held at St. Mary's Cultural Centre in October this year.
  • Ruth Shaw received the "Yorkton Citizen of the Year" award during the Canada Day Celebrations at the Western Development Museum.
  • Yorkton hosted the Provincial Bantam Baseball Playdowns, and the Provincial Playdowns & National Qualifiers for Slo-pitch National.