Exploring Near Northern Lights Casino

1Parks and the Rotary Trail

Prince Albert counts 35 parks and 1300 acres of parkland. That is plenty of room for a walk before or after your visit to Marquis Road. Little Red River Park gets its own mention from the casino, so it is worth putting on your list.

The Rotary Trail suits whatever the season allows. You can walk it, run it, skate it or bike it. A lap on the trail is an easy way to stretch your legs before the evening. Dress for the weather, bring water, and decide on a route before you set out from your car.

2Golf and curling

Cooke Municipal golf course is the spot the casino points to if you want a round of golf in Prince Albert. In winter, the game changes. Curling happens at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Centre, so a day in town can include some sport in either season. Check with the course or the centre for times before you go, since this guide does not list them.

3Art and old buildings

For an afternoon indoors, begin at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre. The casino also names the John V Hicks Gallery as a cultural stop for visitors. Fans of older buildings may want to see Prince Albert's heritage properties too. Confirm the hours of each place before leaving, particularly on a Sunday, since city buses do not run then.

4Its history and its name

March 1996 marked the official opening of Northern Lights Casino. SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority) has seven casinos, and Northern Lights counts as one. A First Nations, non-profit organization, SIGA reinvests all net proceeds in Saskatchewan and lists the Prince Albert casino with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. One SIGA Rewards card is valid at all seven, and it costs nothing to join.

The name comes from the northern lights. As the casino puts it, the lights are believed to be the spirits of earlier generations, of relatives and friends who have passed on, dancing through the night. It also refers to Prince Albert as "The Gateway to the North".