News Releases

The Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council (GPC) unanimously approved a process to find a private industry partner to oversee the management and operation of future downtown arena and convention centres. 

“Many municipalities that own event centres are moving towards private contracted management,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “It’s nearly unheard of for a facility to move from private management back to public management.” 

Right now, SaskTel Centre is managed by a private company. The proposed option would mean, subject to successful procurement and contract negotiations with the preferred proponent, both future facilities could be managed by a single company but remain City-owned.  

This approach will enable the City to: 

• Negotiate a management agreement at a level playing field after receiving competitive bids from all qualified and interested parties; 

• Optimize and streamline governance structures of both facilities; and  

• Obtain the most favourable agreements for the City that will also elevate the new venues. 

Willems says that no third-party management firms will be given preferential treatment through the procurement process, adding that an independent Fairness Advisor will be brought on to monitor the process.  

“This will be a clean slate with the goal of obtaining the highest overall value for Saskatoon. We want to ensure any future management arrangement will maximize seat sales, profits and animation of the facilities, which will in turn create spinoff benefits to the surrounding Downtown area and entire community.” 

Securing a private partner to contribute capital funding towards the facilities will reduce the overall funding required to be secured from other sources.  

The next steps involve securing an Owner’s Representative to assist City Administration with preparing the Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposal documents for the private partner procurement. The Administration will be reporting back to GPC to outline the anticipated schedule for the procurement, in addition to seeking City Council’s endorsement of key elements and principles within the Request for Proposal prior to it being issued – likely in April or May. 

At today’s meeting of the City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC), members debated various options to fund the activation of the Roadways Emergency Response Plan (Plan), which prompted city-wide snow grading and planned snow removal for every street following the December 2022 major snowfall. Snow grading and snow removal on local residential streets are not currently funded in the annual $14.8 million snow and ice management budget.

“To be clear, residents will not see an additional tax increase in 2023 related to the City’s ongoing city-wide snow response. The City will proceed with a borrowing strategy to fund the anticipated $20 million cost of the 2022/2023 response.  Further options will be brought back to City Council for a combination of dedicated property tax and deferral of capital funding for the 2024 budget deliberations to repay the borrowing and build a base for future emergency snow responses,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.

 “Through this direction, it’s clear Committee members are committed to ensuring sufficient funding to enact the Roadways Emergency Response Plan when required while also trying to minimize the impact on taxpayers.”

The total cost of the December 2022 city-wide snow clean-up is estimated to be up to $20 million, about $6 million more than in 2020 because of more accumulated snow and higher costs of diesel fuel and equipment. 

The storm in November 2020 is the most recent event with similar snowfall at 30-40 cm and was the largest single snowfall event since January 2007. The Administration applied the lessons learned from the clean-up response to develop a comprehensive Roadways Emergency Response Plan (Plan). While it’s difficult to determine the frequency of large snow events requiring emergency response, with assuredness, more frequent and erratic weather events appear to be increasing globally. 

Find the full agenda from the January 17, 2023, Governance and Priorities Committee and the link to watch the archived video of today’s decision-making later this week at Agendas, Minutes and Meeting Video on our website.  

Members of City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) will discuss funding options following the activation of the Roadways Emergency Response Plan (Plan), which prompted city-wide snow grading and removal. The Plan was meant to be used in exceptional circumstances, but this undertaking has occurred twice since November 2020 because of extreme snowfalls. The Administration recommends City Council consider introducing a four-year property tax phase-in of 0.75 per cent for the 2024 to 2027 budgets. 

“A levy would not only repay the borrowing for the 2022 snow event but would also put money in a reserve to fund future responses,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.  “Should the committee approve this recommendation, such a move would have the least impact on the City’s asset management programs and overall service levels that residents expect.” 

Snow grading and snow removal on local residential streets are not funded in the annual $14.9 million snow and ice management budget and are not in the level of service when it snows. However, the latest snowfall this December and the storm in November 2020, required immediate grading, followed by snow removal on every street.  

“Snow removal is a costly undertaking because it requires a variety of equipment, extra operators and lots of hauling costs,” says Hack. “However, it’s necessary to restore sightlines at intersections and the full width of driving lanes for safety reasons, and parking availability along streets.” 

The total cost of the clean-up this time is estimated up to be $20 million, about $6 million more than in 2020 because of more accumulated snow and higher costs of diesel fuel and equipment.  

The storm in November 2020 is the most recent event with similar snowfall at 30-40 cm and was the largest single snowfall event since 2007. The Administration applied the lessons learned from the clean-up response to develop a comprehensive Roadways Emergency Response Plan (Plan).  

On Tuesday, January 17, GPC will review four funding options: 

1. Use cash from reserves and deferral of capital projects like road maintenance;  
2. Repay borrowing by reducing reserve transfers to the Paved Roadway and Sidewalk Capital Reserves or others; 
3. Repay borrowing by making reductions to the 2024-2035 Major Capital Plan, which could impact proposed new and replacement Fire Halls, White Buffalo Youth Lodge Refurbishment/Replacement, Fleet Electrification (including Transit) or other priorities; and 
4. Create a dedicated property tax phase-in to build base for future events and repay borrowing.  

Find the full agenda for the January 17, 2023, Governance and Priorities Committee and the link to watch live at Agendas, Minutes and Meeting Video on our website.  

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is saddened to announce the loss of Georgia the North American Porcupine that passed away on December 31, 2022. Georgia was being treated by veterinarians and our animal care team in the days leading up to her death.

For 16 wonderful years, Georgia was a resident at the Zoo and played a key part in educating visitors and students of all ages on the importance of her species and habitat. She was regularly visited by many who loved to see her and her majestic quills up close and in person.

“Georgia was special,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “She played such an important role in the Zoo’s educational programming and the Affinity Learning Centre for these many years and she will be missed by all of us here who interacted with her on a daily basis.”

The average life expectancy of a porcupine like Georgia is eight to 10 years in the wild and up to 18 years in zoological facilities. The porcupine is classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list.

Saskatoon remains under a Snowfall Warning and the City of Saskatoon has activated a city-wide snow response plan after receiving approximately 34 centimetres since December 25. Once crews are finished clearing all the major routes in the coming days, efforts will switch to a city-wide snow grading and removal program.

“Public safety is our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to get everyone moving around normally again, including those who live along streets that aren’t typically graded,” says Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support Services, Goran Saric. “This is a challenging situation with many residential streets impassable for light vehicles.”

City and contractor crews have been steadily working since the December 25 storm. They were just finishing up the priority streets when last night’s snowfall hit. Some City services that have been affected, like waste collections, will resume as soon as possible or be rescheduled.

Saric says a residential street grading schedule is being developed and will be posted to saskatoon.ca/snow later this week.

The criteria for activating the city-wide Roadways Emergency Response Plan for responding to extreme or unusual snow events is when the snow accumulation is greater than 25 centimetres and/or there’s a combination of snow, freezing rain and wind; and mobility is reduced to the point that light vehicles cannot travel on city streets; mobility across the city is severely impacted, and the regular winter maintenance level of service applicable to typical snow events cannot be met.

“With the recent back-to-back snowfalls of 34 centimetres, Saskatoon has now received a total of 90 centimetres of snowfall this winter. With several months of winter still ahead of us, grading and removing snow across the entire city now will help us avoid compounded mobility issues and potential spring drainage concerns in the coming months,” says Saric.

Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the Snow by checking the latest Snow & Ice Report posted to saskatoon.ca/snowreport.

Once again, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late-night transit service on New Year’s Eve.

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Cory Shrigley, Manager Customer Support & Engagement, Saskatoon Transit. “We encourage everyone to plan their route before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit.”   

Residents are encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Multi-modal options are available on the Transit app. You can plan your trip taking the bus out of the downtown or busy areas and book your ride share for the short distance home all from inside the app. Transit+ seamlessly integrates a Riide or Uber vehicle with a transit connection.

By combining transportation modes residents can minimize wait times and costs.

Free bus service will be available on Saturday, December 31, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route).

For a transit schedule go to SaskatoonTranist.ca/route-and-schedules, use the transit app or call 306.975.3100 for help with trip planning.

“There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” Shrigley says. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

Access Transit is free for registered customers as well but must be reserved.

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 21^st St E) and the side of O'Shea’s Irish Pub (222 2nd Ave S). Together, these light up the back alley south of 21^st Street East between 2^nd and 3^rd 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.

The City and Pelican Lake First Nation have cleared a path to designate the First Nation’s land at 1944 St. George Avenue, the site of Adam’s Lumber, as an urban reserve. 

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and Pelican Lake First Nation Chief Peter Bill, along with the Council of Pelican Lake First Nation, and Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Jyotsna (Jo) Custead, today signed urban reserve agreements during a special signing ceremony.

“This exciting purchase of the historic Adams Lumber by Pelican Lake First Nation will create a new chapter for this business, the city and the province,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “I have been impressed with the vision that Chief Bill and his Council have for creating opportunity in the lumber and building industry. I’m grateful that they have chosen to invest here in Saskatoon. The continued establishment of Urban Reserves in our city helps build opportunity for everyone into the future.” 

At its regularly scheduled meeting on November 21, 2022, City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement negotiated with Pelican Lake First Nation. The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners also approved the Police Services Agreement at their regularly scheduled meeting on November 17, 2022. These agreements fulfill the municipal requirements for urban reserve designation. 

The agreements address:

• municipal and police services the City will provide;
• service fees Pelican Lake First Nation will pay the City in lieu of property taxes; and,
• compatible land-use and development standards.  

“This is a significant achievement for Pelican Lake First Nation. It is an honour to work with the City of Saskatoon. They have opened their arms to us and worked with us,” says Chief Peter Bill. “This is just the beginning of our engagement with the City to create opportunities for our urban Band Members. During these times in which we are all attentive to Truth and Reconciliation and healing, we look forward to our participation in the economy and life in Saskatoon as a path to building strong and positive relationships. We are here to do business and commit to active participation in Saskatoon as we move forward together.”

As part of the signing ceremony, through a special livestream feed, the Pelican Lake First Nation proudly revealed and lit the Adams Lumber sign which originally graced the site and is highly visible from the Idylwyld Drive Freeway. The iconic sign has been beautifully restored to its original state.

Decisions on reserve designation are made by the federal government. Once the property is designated as a reserve, it will become the ninth urban reserve in Saskatoon. When a property transfers to reserve status, it is no longer under City jurisdiction.

For more information on urban reserves, please visit saskatoon.ca/urbanreserves.

About Pelican Lake First Nation

Pelican Lake First Nation is a member of the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council whose home reserve is located on Chitek Lake, Saskatchewan approximately 270 km northwest of Saskatoon. A signatory of Treaty No. 6, approximately 1277 members reside on the home reserve and 416 members live in other communities throughout the province.