Named after the creek that snakes its way through the city, Swift Current lies on the Trans Canada Highway in the south of Saskatchewan. It was established in 1883 on the route of a Canadian Pacific Railway line and was once an important ranching hub. During World War II, it hosted over 1,000 servicemen undergoing flight training.
Things to do in Swift Current
Stroll through the centre of Swift Current to admire its historic buildings, including the oldest operating theatre in Saskatchewan, the Lyric Theatre. Stop by the early-20th-century Swift Current railway station and the Edwardian Classical-style Court House before marvelling at the “Big Eye” painted on the side of the historic Imperial Hotel.
Keen golfers can hit the fairways of the Chinook Golf Course, which winds along the marshy banks of Swift Current Creek. In addition to its 18 holes, there is a driving range and practice greens where you can develop your skills, plus a restaurant and a pro shop stocked with golfing apparel.
A short drive from Swift Current is the Broncos Memorial Site, which honours members of the local ice hockey team who died in a bus crash here in 1986. The two-metre-high granite memorial is designed in the shape of a four-leaf clover, with each of the four players recognised. Nearby is the bright red Helicopter Weathervane, which features a real helicopter mounted atop a 14-metre-high pole.
Getting around Swift Current
Swift Current is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Regina and Regina International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Canada. Regular buses connect to Swift Current while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area. The centre of Swift Current can easily be explored on foot.