# Melfort

Melfort is a small city of 6,000 (2016) in East Central Saskatchewan.

## Understand

Melfort is in the Carrot River valley in north-central Saskatchewan. Melfort used to be known as the "City of Northern Lights" due to the frequency with which the aurora borealis appears; however, in 2016, Melfort's slogan was changed to "Play Melfort" to celebrate its vast recreation programs and facilities.
The Melfort Research Farm near Melfort was established in 1935 by the Federal Minister of Agriculture. It is one of the three field sites of the Saskatoon Research Centre (SRC), a branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Melfort is near a large diamond exploration site. The ongoing diamond exploration in the Fort à la Corne district is expected to lead to mine construction beginning in 2023.

### History

A few kilometres southeast of current location of Melfort, European settlers established themselves on the banks of Stoney Creek before relocation due to the surveying of the Canadian Northern Railway. Melfort was named to honour Mrs. Reginald Beatty (née Mary Campbell, 1856–1916), wife of one of the early settlers (1884). She was born on the Melfort estate, south of Oban, in Argyllshire, Scotland.

## Get in

Melfort is located approximately 95 km (59 mi) southeast of Prince Albert on Highway 3, 172 km (107 mi) northeast of Saskatoon on Highway 41, and 280 km (170 mi) north of Regina on Highway 6. The nearest international airport is in Saskatoon.
Melfort (Miller Field) Aerodrome (TC LID: CJZ3), is 2.6 NM (4.8 km; 3.0 mi) west of Melfort.

## See

* 52.86369-104.60741 Kerry Vickar Centre, 206 Bemister Avenue E, ☏ +1 306-752-4177, kvc@melfort.ca. Multi-use facility, houses a 370-seat theatre, meeting rooms, Swartout Hall, and the Sherven-Smith Art Gallery. The gallery is a public art gallery dedicated to showcasing local art, and also includes wet and dry craft rooms. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.85635-104.62052 Melfort & District Museum, 401 Melfort Street W, ☏ +1 306-752-5870. Showcases the agricultural and social/cultural history of Melfort and area. Pioneer village with period log house, various businesses, church and school. Large agricultural display. Sawmill, blacksmith and gristmill demonstrations. (updated Feb 2019)

## Do

* Hodgson Farms (travel S of Melfort along Hwy 6 to Resource turn off (Grid 776), go 4 km E then 1.6 km S; on E side of road - watch for farm sign), ☏ +1 306-921-7584. Family-farm operation southeast of Melfort. Farm features U-pick strawberries and raspberries, fresh vegetables and onsite butcher shop with free range pork, selection of meats and wild game. Educational farm tours available upon request. Clydesdale horse wagon and sleigh rides available for all functions or events. (updated Feb 2019)
* Gronlid Trails, +1-306-277-5756, floyd.lynne16@gmail.com. The Gronlid Trails near Melfort are perfect for beginner and intermediate cross-country skate and classic skiers. The area boasts several trail loops - totalling 20 km. (updated Feb 2019)
* Melfort & District Trailriders Snowmobile Trails, ☏ +1 306-752-2751, mdtr@sasktel.net. Dec 15 to Mar 15. Groomed sledding trails over prairie, rolling hills and forested terrain. Figure eight-style formation affords riders the choice of traversing the entire 230 km (140 mi) of trail or selecting shorter loops of about 100 km (62 mi). Trail passes through Wapiti Valley Ski Resort, Gronlid, Ridgedale, Star City, Pleasantdale and Melfort. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.85156-104.59381 Melfort Golf and Country Club, 700 South Street, ☏ +1-306-752-3279, melfortgolfclub@sasktel.net. 18-hole golf course; clubhouse has a fully stocked proshop, licensed restaurant and lounge (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.86178-104.612 Northern Lights Palace Pool and Arena, 110 MacLeod Avenue W, ☏ +1-306-752-7200. Northern Lights Palace features a multi-purpose arena with seating for 1,800 or a concert capacity of 3,400; a five-lane, 25-m pool, whirlpool, sauna, beach area, wave pool, suntan area, spray splash pool, 150-ft waterslide and a wet and dry cafe. Tourist information centre on site. (updated Feb 2019)

## Buy

* Melfort Mall, 1121 Main St. M–W F Sa 9AM–6PM, Th 9AM-9PM, Su noon-5PM. About 15 stores, including a Fields department store. (updated Jul 2019)

## Eat

* RJ's Urban Garden Cafe, 101B Burrows Avenue W, ☏ +1 306-752-4736. Upscale modern cuisine. (updated Jul 2019)
* Nickle's Corner, 719 Main Street, ☏ +1 306-752-0220. Daily 7AM-11PM. Home cooking and homemade pierogies. (updated Jul 2019)
* Venice House Pizza, 620 Saskatchewan Ave E, ☏ +1 306-752-7227. M-F 10AM-7PM, Sa Su 9AM-6PM. Greek food, pizza, burgers. (updated Jul 2019)

## Sleep

* 52.8717-104.61611 Canalta Hotel Melfort, 100 Stonegate, Hwy 6 South. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.857337-104.5941942 Carra Valla Inn, 708 Saskatchewan Dr E, ☏ +1 306-752-2828, toll-free: +1-877-664-6690. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.8418-104.59633 Melfort Campground (1.6 km (1.0 mi) south of Melfort on Hwy 41, near the junctions of Hwys 3, 6 and 41.), ☏ +1 306-752-7638. Electric and non-electric sites, and several pull-through sites. A modern shower and washroom facility. Usually open in late May until the end of September (weather dependent). $23-28/day. (updated Feb 2019)