Update on Plans for City Centre Recreation Facilities
Following extensive consultations and a Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study commissioned by the City, the YMCA of Saskatoon (YMCA) and the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), a community need for a city centre recreation facility was identified. However, to benefit everyone in the community now and in the future, the partners have determined that the soundest financial investment is to pursue two opportunities moving forward.
“This approach will provide the greatest value for all citizens who will have an opportunity to participate in not one, but potentially two, new or upgraded facilities with more program opportunities in the growing city centre area,” says Director of Recreation and Community Development, Lynne Lacroix. “In addition to being able to reach new community members and deliver increased programs and services for Saskatoon’s city centre area neighbourhoods, the facilities will bridge together the key growth areas of downtown and 20th Street to fulfill the needs of current and future area residents and workers.”
One facility opportunity would be a collaboration between the City, STC, and a new potential partner, Saskatoon Public Schools. Ideally, it could be located in proximity to White Buffalo Youth Lodge (WBYL) and Princess Alexandra School. The facility would provide access to education, social, recreation, and community programs for those living in the city centre.
“The long-term goal is to improve the health of Saskatoon families and individuals regardless of income and ethnicity. Working together on a city centre facility supports STC’s strategy to work with the community and governments to improve the quality of life of First Nations residents living in Saskatoon,” says Tribal Chief Felix Thomas.
“As we look to the future, we have begun exploratory talks with the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Tribal Council with regards to a new facility that may help us provide greater support to families in the community. If there is an opportunity to increase services to our students during their educational journey that will help them to be successful, we are open to looking at those possibilities,” says Ray Morrison, Board Chair for Saskatoon Public Schools.
The second opportunity involves the YMCA and the City exploring a full range of partnership models to meet various community needs in growing areas of Saskatoon. To do this, there is a commitment to continue to develop a long-term strategy that outlines the greatest benefit to the community. This approach includes creating a long-term strategy based on the needs assessment, the City Recreation Master Plan, as well as the YMCA’s strategic plan.
“Through the research process and partnership conversations, the YMCA has developed a fuller understanding of the needs of the community and has also increased its understanding for the valuable work that each organization does. We believe that at this point, the YMCA can make a significant impact in Saskatoon by focusing on specific gaps that were identified in the needs assessment. We will do this by ensuring our services and programs continue to adapt to meet children, family, and adult needs, and we feel this is best provided by staying in our current downtown location at this time. To reach our Vision, we will reinvest in the downtown YMCA location, which will help meet community needs by focusing on healthy living, helping families, and fostering belonging and connection,” says Dean Dodge, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA.
All the partners want to make sure their visions continue to align as they work on reducing barriers to achieve healthy lifestyles for everyone. To meet those goals, the best choice is to reduce overlap in services and facilities, and to invest in facilities that meet the needs of Saskatoon residents.
Based on these new developments and decisions by various partners, there are now two parallel tracks moving toward creating recreation facilities in the city’s central area. The next steps for the City, STC, and Public School Board will be to continue to solidify the financial and human resources for a project near WBYL to proceed. The City and the YMCA will keep working on a joint long-term plan, with the YMCA continuing to provide services in downtown Saskatoon.