News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City of Saskatoon announces significant progress in Sidewalk Safety Repair Program
September 8, 2023 - 8:00am
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Criteria such as safety and pedestrian use has been adopted to more effectively prioritize sidewalk repair work.
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Improved tool and method for capturing relevant inspection information enables better decision making.
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A new work planning system empowers crews to prioritize and execute work orders more efficiently.
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A new process for tracking and reporting Key Performance Indicators has improved transparency, accountability, and program management.
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The creation of a central information database enables prompt and comprehensive responses to residents' inquiries.
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Improved cross-departmental collaboration has resulted in better coordination of repair work with other programs such as sidewalk replacement program.
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Improved resourcing has resulted in timelier and better-quality inspections, including improved capacity to deliver more work.
In addition to the City’s Major Preservation Program for sidewalks, City crews undertake minor repairs to numerous sidewalks to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians.
The Sidewalk Safety Repair Program has undergone major enhancements over the last three years. This has led to the completion of nearly 18 km of sidewalk safety repairs in 2021 and 2022, representing a substantial increase to an average of 2.6 km typically completed in the years leading up to 2021. The program remains on track for continued progress in 2023, with 2.8 km of sidewalk repairs already completed this season.
“The City of Saskatoon remains committed to keeping sidewalks well-maintained, accessible and safe for all pedestrians,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support.
Recognizing the importance of well-maintained sidewalks, the City's new process for inspecting, prioritizing, and then repairing damaged sidewalk panels that create safety concerns has yielded substantial increase in accomplishments. More than 1,600 sidewalk concerns were resolved in 2021 and 2022.
The advancements in the program included several process and resource improvements:
“The success of the Sidewalk Repair Program exemplifies City’s dedication to continuous improvement and serves as a testament to the positive impact of collaboration, innovation and effort,” says Saric.
Saskatoon boasts a network of 2,386 km of sidewalks, spanning a distance of about half the width of the United States. This essential infrastructure is crucial to the mobility and safety of residents across the city.
To report a sidewalk safety concern, please call our Customer Care Center, available 24/7 at 306-975-2476.
More information on sidewalk repairs is available at saskatoon.ca/sidewalks.
McKercher Drive access ramp to College Drive westbound closed Sunday
September 8, 2023 - 7:00am
McKercher Drive access ramp to College Drive westbound will be closed on Sunday, September 10, at 6:00 a.m. to replace streetlights. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take six hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Broadway Avenue closed between 8th and 12th streets on Saturday
September 8, 2023 - 6:45am
Broadway Avenue will be closed between 8th and 12th streets on Saturday, September 9, starting at 6:00 a.m. for the Broadway Street Fair. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This event is expected to end by 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Bus service to The Chicks
September 8, 2023 - 6:00am
- 6:15 p.m.
- 6:55 p.m.
- 7:35 p.m.
Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see The Chicks in concert at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m., is available at the following times:
Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.
Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.
Daily Road Report - September 8, 2023
September 7, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
BOYCHUK DR ROAD CLOSED AT MCMASTER CRES
(Crack sealing)
Start: September 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 12:00 p.m.
HIGHWAY 11 NB SPEED REDUCTION FROM VELTKAMP CRES TO HIGHWAY 16
(Transformer work)
Start: September 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 3:30 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB LANES SPEED REDUCTION FROM 4TH ST E TO RUTH ST E
(Mowing)
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: September 8, 3:00 p.m.
3RD AVE S CURB LANES CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 22ND ST E
(FASD Walk)
Start: September 8, 9:30 a.m. End: September 8, 11:30 a.m.
ONGOING
SPADINA CRES E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 22ND ST E
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 5:00 p.m.
2ND AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Road resurfacing)
Start: September 5, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 9:30 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT JASPER AVE
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 15, 5:00 p.m.
DUNDONALD AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM MOUNTBATTEN ST TO DIEPPE ST
(Catch basin & manhole installations)
Start: September 5, 8:00 a.m. End: September 20, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes.
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
New project in Churchill Park will significantly reduce neighbourhood flooding
September 7, 2023 - 2:00pm
Devastating floods are less of a concern for dozens of property owners in the Adelaide/Churchill Park neighbourhood, thanks to a new project in the north end of Churchill Park. A dry storm pond, which serves as park and recreational space when dry, officially opened today.
The new dry storm pond is the second of nine flood mitigation projects to be completed under the Flood Control Strategy (FCS) by 2027. The FCS was approved by Saskatoon City Council in 2018. The first project, also a dry storm pond, opened in W.W. Ashley District Park in 2022 and construction is now underway on a dry storm pond in Weaver Park. The Government of Canada has contributed $21.6 million towards Saskatoon’s FCS through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
“Due to climate change, extreme weather events are occurring more frequently all over the world,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “This is why we are proud to celebrate the opening of the Churchill Dry Storm Pond in Saskatoon. This important infrastructure will protect neighbourhoods and businesses from future flooding events. We will continue investing in projects that enable communities to withstand natural disasters and thrive for generations to come.”
“Dry storm ponds provide tremendous value in preventing flooding in neighbourhoods that historically have been prone to floods,” said Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark. “These ponds help to mitigate the damage from weather events and can provide peace of mind to residents. The Churchill Dry Storm Pond will provide this same reassurance to residents in the surrounding area. Thanks to continued funding partnerships, we’re able to build infrastructure that protects against more frequent extreme weather events.”
“We have a plan in place to ensure all of our flood mitigation projects are built and functioning before the end of 2027,” said Mitch McMann, Storm Water Utility Manager. “With more severe and less predictable rain events, these projects are important to our residents. During a heavy rain event on June 3 of this year, storm water that would have previously flooded nearby intersections and properties, drained into this dry storm pond instead. The new project functioned very well and as it was intended to.”
Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows into storm drains, then through underground pipes into the dry storm pond, where it then flows toward and empties into the South Saskatchewan River.
The Churchill Park dry storm pond will help prevent flooding at more than 50 properties around Ruth Street and Cairns Avenue, Bute Street and Munroe Avenue, Ruth Street and York Avenue, and Bute Street and Albert Avenue. The project also included the establishment of new trees, a new pathway, multi-purpose sports fields, and spectator seating built into the slopes.
Once all FCS projects are completed, the City anticipates seeing a substantial decrease in the amount of neighbourhood flooding in the top 10 highest risk areas of Saskatoon.
For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.
Surveys show residents remain satisfied with City services
September 6, 2023 - 4:15pm
- Reliability of electrical services (8.7 out of 10)
- Quality of drinking water (8.3 out of 10)
- Fire protection (8.1 out of 10)
- Garbage collection (8.0 out of 10)
- Recycling collection (8.0 out of 10)
- Indoor leisure centres (7.9 out of 10)
- Outdoor sports fields (7.9 out of 10)
- Indoor ice rinks (7.9 out of 10)
- Recreation programs and services (7.9 out of 10)
- Maintenance of city parks (7.7 out of 10)
- Speed of water main break repairs (7.6 out of 10)
- Police services (7.6 out of 10)
- Landfill services (7.6 out of 10)
A pair of civic surveys conducted for the City of Saskatoon earlier this year show most residents remain satisfied with life in their community and the municipal services they receive. The surveys also reveal trends in where respondents would like to see the City focus future efforts.
The 2023 Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey and Civic Services Survey on Performance, Priorities and Preferences were conducted by Forum Research Inc. through their online panel in May and June 2023, respectively. Due to the random sampling for these online surveys, the sample is reflective of Saskatoon’s population and therefore the data is reliable and representative of the community.
“These two surveys are a very important measure of how residents feel about their city and the services their municipal government provides,” says Celene Anger, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer. “Results of both surveys will be used to inform decisions related to strategic priorities, budgeting and service delivery, as well as to highlight opportunities for continues improvement.”
Survey Highlights
When asked as part of the Civic Satisfaction and Performance Survey, a large majority of respondents (86%) say they are satisfied with living in Saskatoon – this is consistent with the 2021 survey results. When asked about quality of services provided by the City, eight in ten people (81%) indicate satisfaction; and the large majority of respondents (83%) rate the value of services they receive from the City as very good or good value. This is also consistent with 2021 survey results.
When asked what the single most important issue is facing the City, nearly one in five (19%) of respondents say it is homelessness, followed by crime/public safety/policing (15%) and roads and sidewalk maintenance (8%).
Similar issues are highlighted in responses to the Performance, Priorities and Preferences Survey as the top three service areas where they would like to see the City provide more service: affordable housing (60%), road maintenance (58%) and snow & ice management (55%).
To a much smaller degree, the top three areas where respondents indicate they would like to see the City provide less service were community grants (19%), planning and growth (17%) and recreation and culture programs (16%).
Meanwhile, overall satisfaction remains the same or higher for many of the 29 civic services asked about in the Performance, Priorities and Preferences Survey.
Ranking with the highest satisfaction among the services that survey respondents were asked about:
Both surveys and their respective results will be part of an information report at City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 13.
Full summaries and the detailed results of both surveys are also available on the City website by visiting saskatoon.ca/civic-services-surveys.
Boychuk Drive closed at McMaster Crescent on Friday
September 7, 2023 - 7:00am
Boychuk Drive will be closed at McMaster Crescent on Friday, September 8, starting at 7:00 a.m. for crack sealing. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take five hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Daily Road Report - September 7, 2023
September 6, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
22ND ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE M S TO AVE M S
(Roadway patching)
Start: September 7, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 3:00 p.m.
BROADWAY AVE INTERSECTION CLOSED AT HILLIARD ST E
(Catch basin lead repairs)
Start: September 7, 8:00 a.m. End: September 7, 4:00 p.m.
MCKERCHER DR NB LEFT TURN BAY & MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 8TH ST E
(Manhole repairs)
Start: September 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 10:00 a.m.
MCORMOND DR NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM KERR RD TO STENSRUD RD
(Streetlight pole replacements)
Start: September 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 1:00 p.m.
BOYCHUK DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT HIGHWAY 16
(Guardrail repair)
Start: September 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 1:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO WILLIAM AVE
(Construction)
Start: September 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 3:00 p.m.
WARMAN RD SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO HAZEN ST
(Manhole repairs)
Start: September 7, 10:00 a.m. End: September 7, 11:00 a.m.
WARMAN RD SB CURB LANE CLOSED AT BALMORAL ST
(Manhole repairs)
Start: September 7, 11:00 a.m. End: September 7, 12:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Collier Cup Event)
Start: September 7, 5:00 p.m. End: September 8, 7:00 p.m.
ONGOING
SPADINA CRES E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 22ND ST E
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.
2ND AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Road resurfacing)
Start: September 5, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 9:30 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT JASPER AVE
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 15, 5:00 p.m.
DUNDONALD AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM MOUNTBATTEN ST TO DIEPPE ST
(Catch basin & manhole installations)
Start: September 5, 8:00 a.m. End: September 20, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes.
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Holiday Park Golf Course receives SoloRider golf cart from Golf Saskatchewan
September 6, 2023 - 1:30pm
Thanks to a generous donation from Golf Saskatchewan, Holiday Park Golf Course now has a SoloRider golf cart available for mobility-impaired players.
SoloRider golf carts are single-passenger carts that allow golfers to play from tee to green without leaving the cart. The golf cart is equipped with a swiveling, elevated seat and ergonomic controls.
“The cart can go almost anywhere on the course including the bunkers and greens and there is no fear of it damaging the grass”, says Brian Lee Executive Director / CEO of Golf Saskatchewan.
“These unique features have helped both the City and Golf Saskatchewan strive to provide recreation for all who want to participate by increasing accessibility and encouraging opportunity within the sport,” says Roxane Melnyk, Recreation Services Manager for the City of Saskatoon.
This is the second SoloRider golf cart that Golf Saskatchewan has made available in Saskatoon and it is free of charge to use. The City of Saskatoon’s Silverwood golf course has been home to a SoloRider since 2014. The SoloRider carts can be booked by calling the pro shops at Holiday Park or Silverwood golf courses when making a tee time reservation.