Downtown shines at night with the 21st Street Back Alley Lights Project
A unique, new light installation in Downtown will see Saskatoon shine day… and night! Made possible through a partnership with and funding from Downtown Saskatoon (the Business Improvement District) and local business and property owners, programmable fiberglass mesh light ‘orbs’ have been placed through a back alley, illuminating these spaces like never before.
“The City and Downtown Saskatoon continue to work closely to make Saskatoon’s Downtown an attractive, year-round destination,” says Lesley Anderson, Director, Planning & Development. “This one-of-a-kind lighting project invites residents and tourists to visit spaces less travelled and discover a side of the city they might have never seen before.”
Using the Chubb Block as a power source, the lighting is now installed on the back of the Hotel Senator (243 21st St E) and the side of O'Shea’s Irish Pub (222 2nd Ave S). Together, these light up the back alley south of 21st Street East between 2nd and 3rd Avenues South. Each orb will be lit with LED lighting and has an infinite number of programming options which will keep the light display fresh throughout the year.
Anderson says, “through the City’s Downtown Where You Belong consultations in 2018, one item we heard from residents and businesses that could be improved in the city’s centre were the back alleys, making them safer, brighter and more inviting. This initiative is one way we have supported this request.”
Additionally, the orbs support the City’s WintercityYXE Strategy. WintercityYXE celebrates what makes Saskatoon an inviting, vibrant, safe and prosperous place in the winter.