Christopher J. Yorath
Encyclopedia
Christopher J. Yorath went to grade school in Cardiff, Wales (1889-1895) and graduated in engineering from the University of Wales
in 1898.
He worked for an engineering contractor in Cardiff until 1900 when he became Assistant to the Cardiff City Engineer; later in 1908 becoming Chief Assistant Engineer & Surveyor to the Acton Urban District Council
; in 1912 becoming Deputy Engineer to the Acton Borough Engineer while from 1908–09 lecturing at the Westminster Technical Institute in London.
In 1913 he emigrated from England
to Saskatoon
, Saskatchewan
, Canada
to take on the role of commissioner of Saskatoon and city treasurer during the war years. As commissioner he developed an urban plan for the city that emphasized park space, civic areas, roads, tramways, and a “ring road” (eventually realized as Circle Drive
).
He was quoted as saying "Our aim should be to make Saskatoon a `garland city'.... Our city should be beautiful and well planned, characterised by cleanliness and with a residential section assuring amenity from the turmoil and stress of public life." and "My conception is a garden city. It should be beautiful and flowery. If we allow Saskatoon to grow on the check-board system, we will come in for the contempt of the future generation. We should plan out our city so that sewerage and waterworks will be laid that it may be best used for a large city." After extensive debate with the mayor of the day Alexander MacGillivray Young
, he resigned to take on the role of Commissioned of Edmonton
,
From 1924 until 1926 he moved into a new role as President of both the Northwestern Utilities Limited (electrical and gas supplier to Edmonton) and the Canadian Western Natural Gas, Light, Heat & Power Co. (supplier to Calgary and Lethbridge).
In 1926 he moved to Nanaimo, British Columbia
to take on the role of President and Managing Director of the Nanaimo Electric Light, Power and Heating Co.
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
in 1898.
He worked for an engineering contractor in Cardiff until 1900 when he became Assistant to the Cardiff City Engineer; later in 1908 becoming Chief Assistant Engineer & Surveyor to the Acton Urban District Council
Municipal Borough of Acton
Acton was a local government district in Middlesex, England from 1865 to 1965.In 1865 the Local Government Act 1858 was adopted by the parish of Acton, and a twelve-member local board of health was formed to govern the area. The Local Government Act 1894 constituted the area an urban district, and...
; in 1912 becoming Deputy Engineer to the Acton Borough Engineer while from 1908–09 lecturing at the Westminster Technical Institute in London.
In 1913 he emigrated from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to take on the role of commissioner of Saskatoon and city treasurer during the war years. As commissioner he developed an urban plan for the city that emphasized park space, civic areas, roads, tramways, and a “ring road” (eventually realized as Circle Drive
Circle Drive
Circle Drive is a major road constructed as a ring road in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The northeastern portion of the road is part of the Yellowhead Highway.-History:...
).
He was quoted as saying "Our aim should be to make Saskatoon a `garland city'.... Our city should be beautiful and well planned, characterised by cleanliness and with a residential section assuring amenity from the turmoil and stress of public life." and "My conception is a garden city. It should be beautiful and flowery. If we allow Saskatoon to grow on the check-board system, we will come in for the contempt of the future generation. We should plan out our city so that sewerage and waterworks will be laid that it may be best used for a large city." After extensive debate with the mayor of the day Alexander MacGillivray Young
Alexander MacGillivray Young
Alexander MacGillivray Young was a Canadian physician and politician. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Member of the Liberal Party for the riding of Saskatoon in 1925 and re-elected in 1926 and defeated in 1930. He was re-elected in 1935 to the riding of Saskatoon City...
, he resigned to take on the role of Commissioned of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
,
From 1924 until 1926 he moved into a new role as President of both the Northwestern Utilities Limited (electrical and gas supplier to Edmonton) and the Canadian Western Natural Gas, Light, Heat & Power Co. (supplier to Calgary and Lethbridge).
In 1926 he moved to Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo is a city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It has been dubbed the "Bathtub Racing Capital of the World" and "Harbour City". Nanaimo is also sometimes referred to as the "Hub City" because of its central location on Vancouver Island and due to the layout of the downtown...
to take on the role of President and Managing Director of the Nanaimo Electric Light, Power and Heating Co.
Honors
In recognitions of Christopher Yorath contribution to the community:- Yorath Avenue in Avalon, SaskatoonAvalon, SaskatoonAvalon is a mostly residential neighbourhood located in south-central Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is a suburban subdivision, consisting mostly of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2007, the area is home to 3,214 residents...
is named in his honor - Yorath IslandYorath IslandYorath Island is a small island, in size, in the South Saskatchewan River just outside the southern boundaries of the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The island is relatively new, and did not exist when the land was first surveyed in 1903...
in the South Saskatchewan RiverSouth Saskatchewan RiverThe South Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada that flows through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan....
is named in his honor - Holiday Park Community AssociationHoliday Park, SaskatoonHoliday Park is a geographical section or subdivision of the Confederation Suburban Development Area, Saskatoon, which has a distinct existence recognized by the municipality. Located within Saskatoon's Ward 2, Alderman Owen Fortosky represents the area's interests at City Hall...
has petitions for the new Circle Drive South BridgeCircle Drive South BridgeCircle Drive South Bridge spans the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. It is a steel girder bridge, under construction as part of the Circle Drive freeway system in southern Saskatoon. At the time of construction, it was projected to cost $272.5 million to build. It is...
named in his honor