Swift Current facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swift Current
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City
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| City of Swift Current | |
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| Nickname(s):
"Speedy Creek"
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| Motto(s):
Where Life Makes Sense
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 Swift Current
Location in Saskatchewan
Swift Current
Location in Canada
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Established | 1883 |
| Incorporated (village) | September 21, 1903 |
| Incorporated (town) | March 15, 1907 |
| Incorporated (city) | January 15, 1914 |
| Area | |
| • Land | 29.31 km2 (11.32 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 817 m (2,680 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 16,750 |
| • Density | 571.6/km2 (1,480/sq mi) |
| • Agglomeration | 18,536 |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| Forward sortation area |
S9H
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Swift Current is a city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is the sixth-largest city in the province. You can find it along the Trans Canada Highway. It is about 177 kilometers (110 miles) west of Moose Jaw. It is also 223 kilometers (139 miles) east of Medicine Hat, Alberta. In 2024, about 18,430 people lived in Swift Current. The city is often called "Speedy Creek."
Contents
Swift Current's History
The story of Swift Current began with Swift Current Creek. This creek starts in the Cypress Hills. It flows for about 160 kilometers (100 miles) across the prairie. The creek then joins the South Saskatchewan River at Lake Diefenbaker. For hundreds of years, First Nations people camped by this creek.
The name "Swift Current" comes from the Cree language. They called the South Saskatchewan River Kisiskâciwan. This means "it flows swiftly." In the 1800s, fur traders found the creek. They called it "rivière au Courant," meaning "river of the current." The area has always been known for its fast-flowing water.
Swift Current became a settlement in 1883. This happened after the CPR built a railway line there. The first settlers arrived in the spring of 1883. At first, the town's economy was mostly about serving the new railway and its workers. There were also large ranches nearby. One ranch raised over 20,000 sheep.
Early businesses included collecting bison bones. These bones were used to make fertilizer. Métis residents also ran a successful business. They used Red River ox carts to carry goods to Battleford. This was along the Swift Current-Battleford Trail.
During the North-West Rebellion in 1885, Swift Current became a military base. This was only for a short time. On February 4, 1904, Swift Current became a village. It became a town on March 15, 1907. By then, 550 people lived there. Swift Current officially became a city on January 15, 1914. Frank E. West was the mayor.
During World War II, Canada was a safe place to train pilots. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan built a school east of Swift Current in 1941. Over a thousand servicemen trained there. The school closed in March 1944. Today, this site is the Swift Current Airport.
In 1952, oil was found near Fosterton. This was about 30 miles northwest of the city. Since then, almost 4,000 oil wells have been drilled. The area has produced over 500 million barrels of oil.
Swift Current is often called "Speedy Creek." This fun nickname is used by many local businesses. People also sometimes call the city "Swift" or "Swifty."
Cool Places to Visit
Swift Current has Saskatchewan's oldest working theatre. It is called the Lyric Theatre. It was built in 1912. This building is a "crown jewel" of the city's downtown. You can still see old advertisements painted on its sides from the 1920s. The Lyric Theatre has been many things. It started with live shows, then became a movie theatre. Later, it was a nightclub. Now, a group of volunteers owns it. They are working to save the building. They also host cultural events there.
The Imperial Hotel is the longest-running business in Swift Current. It was built in 1903. It is also known as "The Big Eye" because of a large eye painted on its side.
The Swift Current railway station is a historic building. It was named a historic railway station in 1991. The Court House is also a designated historical building.
Swift Current is at the start of the old Swift Current-Battleford Trail. You can still see parts of this historic trail today. It is called the Battleford Trail Ruts Heritage Site.
People in Swift Current
| Population History | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1901 | 121 | — |
| 1906 | 554 | +357.9% |
| 1911 | 1,852 | +234.3% |
| 1916 | 3,181 | +71.8% |
| 1921 | 3,518 | +10.6% |
| 1926 | 4,175 | +18.7% |
| 1931 | 5,296 | +26.9% |
| 1936 | 5,074 | −4.2% |
| 1941 | 5,594 | +10.2% |
| 1946 | 6,379 | +14.0% |
| 1951 | 7,458 | +16.9% |
| 1956 | 10,612 | +42.3% |
| 1961 | 12,186 | +14.8% |
| 1966 | 14,485 | +18.9% |
| 1971 | 15,415 | +6.4% |
| 1976 | 14,264 | −7.5% |
| 1981 | 14,747 | +3.4% |
| 1986 | 15,666 | +6.2% |
| 1991 | 14,815 | −5.4% |
| 1996 | 14,890 | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 14,821 | −0.5% |
| 2006 | 14,946 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 15,503 | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 16,264 | +4.9% |
| 2021 | 16,304 | +0.2% |
| Source: Statistics Canada |
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In 2021, the Census of Population counted 16,750 people living in Swift Current. This was a small increase from 2016. The city's official website says there are about 18,500 people now. Swift Current covers an area of about 29.3 square kilometers (11.3 square miles).
Many different groups of people live in Swift Current. Most people are of European background. But there are also many people from Southeast Asia, Indigenous communities, South Asia, East Asia, Latin America, and Africa. This mix of cultures makes Swift Current a diverse place.
| Canada census – Swift Current community profile | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2006 | ||
| Population: | 15,503 (3.7% from 2006) | 14,946 (0.8% from 2001) | |
| Land area: | 24.04 km2 (9.28 sq mi) | 24.04 km2 (9.28 sq mi) | |
| Population density: | 644.9/km2 (1,670/sq mi) | 621.8/km2 (1,610/sq mi) | |
| Median age: | 42.4 (M: 40.1, F: 44.3) | ||
| Total private dwellings: | 7,266 | 6,957 | |
| Median household income: | $61,766 | ||
| References: 2011 2006 earlier | |||
Swift Current's Weather
Swift Current has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. It's called a humid continental climate. This means it gets all four seasons. Winters are long, dry, and cold. Summers are short, warm, and a bit wet.
January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of about -10.8°C (12.6°F). July is the warmest, with an average of about 18.3°C (64.9°F). The city doesn't get a lot of rain or snow overall. June is the wettest month, while February is the driest.
Sometimes, warm winds called Chinook winds blow through. These winds can make winter days feel much warmer for a short time. The highest temperature ever recorded was 41.7°C (107.1°F) in July 1886. The coldest was -47.8°C (-54.0°F) in February 1936.
| Climate data for Swift Current Airport, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1885–present | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.2 (72.0) |
33.8 (92.8) |
37.3 (99.1) |
40.0 (104.0) |
41.7 (107.1) |
40.1 (104.2) |
36.5 (97.7) |
31.7 (89.1) |
25.0 (77.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
41.7 (107.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −5.9 (21.4) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
2.1 (35.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
17.6 (63.7) |
21.3 (70.3) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.2 (77.4) |
19.5 (67.1) |
10.8 (51.4) |
1.7 (35.1) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
9.9 (49.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −10.8 (12.6) |
−9.3 (15.3) |
−3.1 (26.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
10.7 (51.3) |
15.2 (59.4) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
12.7 (54.9) |
4.9 (40.8) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−9.3 (15.3) |
4.1 (39.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −15.7 (3.7) |
−14.2 (6.4) |
−8.4 (16.9) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
3.8 (38.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
11.6 (52.9) |
10.8 (51.4) |
5.9 (42.6) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−13.8 (7.2) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −45.0 (−49.0) |
−47.8 (−54.0) |
−36.1 (−33.0) |
−28.9 (−20.0) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
−24.2 (−11.6) |
−35.0 (−31.0) |
−44.4 (−47.9) |
−47.8 (−54.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 16.1 (0.63) |
11.4 (0.45) |
16.2 (0.64) |
21.3 (0.84) |
45.3 (1.78) |
91.7 (3.61) |
46.2 (1.82) |
48.1 (1.89) |
40.6 (1.60) |
24.4 (0.96) |
17.9 (0.70) |
15.0 (0.59) |
394.2 (15.52) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.8 (0.03) |
1.0 (0.04) |
3.9 (0.15) |
15.4 (0.61) |
43.9 (1.73) |
81.5 (3.21) |
50.8 (2.00) |
47.6 (1.87) |
33.2 (1.31) |
14.3 (0.56) |
3.5 (0.14) |
0.9 (0.04) |
296.6 (11.68) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 15.6 (6.1) |
9.9 (3.9) |
14.5 (5.7) |
7.2 (2.8) |
2.7 (1.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.1 (0.8) |
6.1 (2.4) |
13.2 (5.2) |
16.9 (6.7) |
88.0 (34.6) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 98.4 | 122.7 | 166.4 | 230.1 | 275.6 | 299.8 | 340.4 | 301.1 | 202.5 | 175.6 | 110.4 | 83.9 | 2,406.9 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 37.1 | 43.3 | 45.3 | 55.7 | 57.6 | 61.2 | 68.9 | 67.1 | 53.3 | 52.6 | 40.6 | 33.3 | 51.3 |
| Source: Environment Canada (sun 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
Getting Around Swift Current
Swift Transit is the public bus service in Swift Current. It helps people get around the city. The Saskatchewan Abilities Council also offers a special transit service called Access Transit.
Bus service started in April 2015. It replaced an older system. The Red line is the main bus route. It runs Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm. The Blue line started in 2017. It runs Monday to Friday, from 8:45 am to 3 pm. There is no bus service on Sundays or holidays. Swift Transit also has special routes for high school students.
The main bus stop is downtown at 41 Chaplin Street E. You can switch between bus lines there. There is also another transfer spot at the Swift Current Mall. In 2021, Swift Current bought three new buses. These buses help both the regular and Access Transit services.
Arts and Fun Things to Do
Swift Current has many places for arts and culture. These include the Swift Current Museum, the Art Gallery of Swift Current, the Lyric Theatre, and the Swift Current Library.
The city also hosts the Windscape Kite Festival. This is the biggest kite festival in Western Canada! It's a great event to see colorful kites flying high.
A local movie company called Dead Prairies filmed their first movie, Zombageddon, in Swift Current. It premiered in 2012 and raised money for the local animal shelter.
In 2016, Swift Current was the first city in Saskatchewan to have a permanent rainbow crosswalk. This shows the city's support for diversity.
Famous People from Swift Current
Many talented people have come from Swift Current, including:
- Jeff Buchanan - hockey player
- Steve Buzinski - hockey player
- Reggie Cleveland - former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Brandin Cote - hockey player
- Lorna Crozier - poet
- Ken Epp - politician
- Nancy Heppner - politician
- Bill Hogaboam - hockey player
- Eric Malling - journalist
- Patrick Marleau - ice hockey player, holds the NHL record for most games played.
- Trent McCleary - hockey player
- Travis Moen - ice hockey player, Stanley Cup Champion
- Caia Morstad - volleyball player
- Scotty Munro – ice hockey coach
- Darcy Regier - hockey executive
- Kelly Schafer - curler
- Darrel Scoville - hockey player
- Claire Drainie Taylor - actor
- Jeff Toms - hockey player
- Fred Wah - poet
- Brad Wall - former Premier of Saskatchewan
- Colter Wall - musician
- Dorothy Walton - badminton player
- Jack Wiebe - politician
Sports and Recreation
Swift Current is home to the Swift Current Broncos. This is a hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. They play their games at the Credit Union iPlex, which has 2,879 seats. Many players from the Broncos have gone on to play in the NHL, like Dave "Tiger" Williams, Joe Sakic, and Bryan Trottier. The Credit Union iPlex is also home to the Swift Current Rampage, a junior box lacrosse team.
Swift Current hosted the 2016 World Women's Curling Championship.
The city also has the Swift Current 57's. This is a baseball team that plays in the Western Canadian Baseball League. Some players from the 57's have even played in Major League Baseball. The 57's have won many championships, including 11 since 1992! They play at Mitchell Field.
Other sports and fun activities in Swift Current include:
- Speedy Creek Racing Club (for racing fans)
- Chinook Golf Course
- Elmwood Golf Course
Lake Diefenbaker and Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park are about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the city. You can go fishing, swimming, boating, camping, and hiking there. There are also places for RVs.
The Swift Current Motorcross Club has a track on the west side of town for dirt bike riding. Swift Current is also home to Kelly Wiebe, a Canadian professional runner.
Media in Swift Current
You can find local news and entertainment in Swift Current through different types of media.
- Southwest Booster
- Prairie Post
Radio
- AM 540 - CBK, CBC Radio One
- AM 570 - CKSW, plays country music
- FM 94.1 - CIMG-FM, "The Eagle 94 One" plays classic hits
- FM 95.7 - CBK-FM-4, CBC Radio 2
- FM 97.1 - CKFI-FM, "Magic 97" plays adult contemporary music
Television
- Channel 12 - CKMC-TV, CTV
- Southwest TV News is an online news program. It focuses on Swift Current and the surrounding area. Sometimes, it is shown on Citytv Saskatchewan.
