Pork Interpretive Centre

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Saskatchewan pork producers have funded the development of Canada's first Pork Industry Interpretive Centre, located at the Prairie Swine Centre farm at Elstow, Saskatchewan.
The Centre also includes the Sask Pork Viewing Gallery, which will provide the public with an excellent opportunity to see just how our industry works and how pigs are raised.

For more information or to book a tour call Lee Whittington at (306) 373-9922.

Comments about the Industry Preview – Pork Industry Interpretive Centre and Sask Pork Viewing Gallery

On April 24, following the Focus on the Future Conference, the industry had a chance to view the nearly completed Interpretive Centre and Viewing Gallery. Approximately 75 pork producers, service industry, government and a few neighbours from the Elstow area were the first to glimpse the new facility. Designed as an ‘open door’ to the pork industry, the facility was constructed to allow people unfamiliar with the industry to have a ‘birds eye’ view of life on the farm in a typical pig barn.

“The 600 sow farrow to finish facility uses a common western Canadian design and construction methods and makes a perfect example of the way we raise pigs today” notes Wayne Vermette, Chair of the Development Committee for the Interpretive Centre and Past Chair of Prairie Swine Centre.

“The final effect created by the large space in the attic is open, airy and more like an art gallery than a pig barn” said Dennis Hodgkinson (DGH Engineering), who designed the original production facility and worked with the Centre to conceptualize, design and construct the gallery over the barn. On the reaction expected from the visitors“The view from the gallery is even better than we had imagined, you can see the nurseries and farrowing rooms completely, including the pen immediately under the window, even the door to the room is visible, there is nothing to hide in looking into these rooms”.

Peter Voldeng of Fairway Farms, and also a member of the Interpretive Centre Development Committee, noted “the fact that a visitor is getting a better view of the operation than someone inside the barn excites me. When I look at how much space we are not using in our barn attic I wondered if this might be something that could be developed.”

Over 60 people touring the facility took the time to fill in our Visitor Comments survey. One question asked “How would you rate the facility for its effectiveness in interpreting the pork industry on a scale of 1 to 5?” with 1 being not effective and 5 being very effective. Our overall score achieved was 4.76 out of 5 or 95%. With this indication of clear industry support and approval for the project, plans are being made to open the facility for tours in late May once construction is complete.

Other comments left on the comment cards:
“Can only benefit the industry in my estimation”
“Wonderful model facility – you should market this globally”
“Excellent facility for educating and informing the public”
“Well done, need to get the message to schools. I am sure they will be excited about their visit here”

For a copy of the Pork Interpretive Center brochure in Adobe PDF format, click here.

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