City in negotiations with Ideas Inc. to manage Farmers’ Market Building

The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce that Ideas Inc. has been selected through a public Request for Proposal process as the preferred proponent to lease the Farmers’ Market Building. The City and Ideas Inc. have been working together since February 2020 to negotiate a formal lease agreement to manage the public facility at River Landing.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our organization to bring vibrancy and animation back to the area. We are currently in the process of negotiations with the City and we remain committed to the project. We hope that we can reach an agreement in due course and help create an amazing facility here in Saskatoon,” says Depesh Parmar, Executive Director of Ideas Inc.

At its August 30, 2021 meeting, City Council was advised that Ideas Inc. was the proposed tenant for the Farmers’ Market Building. The Administration also outlined next steps to continue negotiations and options to renovate the Farmers’ Market Building so it may operate with business activities a minimum of six days per week with an emphasis on local foods and products and a farmers' market component. 

“Ideas Inc. is an established business incubator and has helped provide a platform to numerous startups to launch and grow into successful businesses,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “As advocates of small business and entrepreneurship, they are the perfect organization to manage this exciting project.”

Ideas Inc. is conveniently located adjacent to the Farmers’ Market Building and has been managing the outdoor Street Stall Saturdays and the seasonal outdoor farmers’ market for two seasons. Ideas Inc. will also continue to manage the seasonal outdoor farmers’ market in Market Square. 

The proposed vision for the Farmers’ Market Building is an animated public facility with vendor spaces and dedicated farmers’ market days. This vision includes the building being fully utilized and open to the public six days per week, year-round.

“Our vision for this space draws inspiration from national and international facilities that have become landmarks for their respective cities. We are inspired by their ability to create a vibrant, animated space for local communities, and a dynamic and diverse destination where patrons can enjoy everything local from produce and artisan goods, to locally produced food and beverage,” says Depesh Parmar, Executive Director of Ideas Inc.

City Council approved the hiring of a design consultant to prepare the building for the next phase. The City anticipates that pending approval of capital funding for 2022, the upgraded public facility could be operational by Fall 2022.

For more information on the Farmers’ Market Building at River Landing, visit saskatoon.ca/farmersmarket.