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Binscarth is an unincorporated urban community (pop. 425 in 2011) in the Municipality of Russell – Binscarth within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held village status prior to January 1, 2015. It is located approximately 167 kilometres (104 mi) northwest of Brandon and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) south from Russell.
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Map of Binscarth, MB, Canada
The community was originally formed around a stock farm established by the Scottish Ontario and Manitoba Land Company some three miles northwest of the current townsite. It was named after the Company founder's ancestral home in the Orkney Islands. When the Manitoba and Northwestern Railway (later CPR) was built through the area in 1886, the railway station was established at the current site of SE15-19-28W, and the community soon relocated itself there, incorporating as a village in 1917. In 2015, Binscarth amalgamated with the town of Russell and the Municipality of Russell to form the Municipality of Russell-Binscarth.
The economic base of Binscarth and area is a mix of agriculture and service businesses. Major industrial employers in the area include three potash mines nearby in Saskatchewan (PCS Rocanville, Mosaic K1 Esterhazy and K2 Gerald) and a canola crushing plant (Bunge) at Harrowby Manitoba.
NHL player Cody McLeod was born in Binscarth.
Major attractions
The Binscarth & District Gordon Orr Memorial Museum has a large collection of Native artifacts. The museum is also one of only a handful of museums to exhibit an extinct bison skull. Also on display is a Massey-Harris tractor, a binder, a seed drill, and a 6 H.P. International Engine dating from 1905. There is also a general store, summer kitchen, chapel, and school room. The museum is open in July and August.
Binscarth is home to the "largest outdoor swimming pool on the Yellowhead highway". The pool, park and campground are located just south of the community in the Silver Creek valley.
You can also take in the drama of the thriving local theatre group there. They have productions throughout the year and draw talent from all the surrounding communities. Check them out on Facebook, or Vagabond website (see below) to see what they are presenting this season.
Seekaywye
In 1964, Binscarth residents narrowly defeated (by ten votes) a proposal to rename itself Seekaywye, after the Winnipeg radio station CKY. If successful, the station would have promoted Binscarth/Seekaywye as a vacation resort. CKY also offered the same deal to La Riviere, Manitoba, who also said no.
For many years, the radio frequency of CKY 580 was remembered in local business names the 580 Hotel and 580 Plumbing and Heating