News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
First phase of engagement for Downtown Event & Entertainment District designs to begin
April 27, 2023 - 9:00am
- An opt-in online public survey - Saskatoon residents, as well as those from other communities, can self-select to participate;
- Pop-up “storefronts” at malls and other convenient locations where the community is invited to stop by at their own convenience, see information, talk to City staff and provide feedback through worksheets or the online survey; and
- Many community-led workshops.
The City of Saskatoon is starting the exciting first phase of engagement for the Downtown Event & Entertainment District and we want to hear your ideas!
“The public is invited to come on the journey with us to create a thriving Downtown, built around great public gathering spaces and amenities,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.
In November 2018, City Council directed the Administration to plan for a Downtown event centre/arena and new or expanded convention centre as part of a Downtown Event & Entertainment District. Following public consultation in November 2022, City Council approved the purchase of the Midtown Shopping Centre North Parking Lot as the site for the future Downtown event centre/arena.
City staff are working on a comprehensive District Plan that will establish the Downtown as a hub for entertainment and culture, with vibrant spaces that are welcoming for everyone and attractive for new residential development. The District Plan will also guide the designs for the surrounding streets, parks and other public spaces to be accessible to all residents and visitors. Stantec, HOK and LMN have been hired to create conceptual designs for the new event centre/arena and convention centre, as well as the surrounding outdoor spaces.
The City is now seeking public input on things we should incorporate into the design of the District, new event centre/arena, and new or expanded convention centre and outdoor public space, so they are welcoming, inviting and accessible to all who visit or live in Saskatoon.
“What we hear from the community, along with research and funding considerations, will be considered in the development of the District Plan and conceptual designs for the Downtown event centre/arena and convention centre,” says Willems.
Engagement Opportunities
From April 27 to May 18 the public is invited to share their thoughts in the following ways:
A full listing of engagement opportunities is available on saskatoon.ca/engage.
Next Steps
Initial designs for the event centre/arena, convention centre and outdoor gathering spaces will be developed using community feedback, technical research and early budgeting.
The initial ideas, feedback and an early funding strategy will then be presented to City Council’s Governance & Priorities Committee in July 2023.
“After direction from Council, the City will be coming back to the public in the summer and late fall-early winter to get further thoughts and feedback,” Willems explains. “Final draft designs will be presented to City Council for decision and this is expected by the end of 2023.”
A timeline of the decision-making process and next steps for the public to get involved is available here.
Details including the complete background on the Downtown Event & Entertainment District, timelines and decisions are here: saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.
2nd Avenue closed between 21st and 22nd streets on Friday
April 27, 2023 - 7:00am
2nd Avenue will be closed between 20th and 21st streets on Friday, April 28, at 7:00 a.m. for crane work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take 12 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 - April 27, 2023
April 26, 2023 - 3:15pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
LENORE DR EB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO CREE CRES
(Catch basin repair)
Start: April 27, 8:00 a.m. End: April 27, 4:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT STONEBRIDGE BLVD
(Pole replacement)
Start: April 27, 9:00 a.m. End: April 27, 1:00 p.m.
AVE C N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST W TO 45TH ST W
(Streetlight replacement)
Start: April 27, 9:00 a.m. End: April 27, 2:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SB LANES CLOSED FROM 31ST ST E TO 29TH ST E
(Hydrant repairs)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the NB lanes
Start: April 27, 9:00 a.m. End: April 27, 3:00 p.m.
NIGHTWORK
CIRCLE DR W NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO CLANCY DR
(Median sweeping)
Start: April 26, 8:00 p.m. End: April 27, 6:00 a.m.
ONGOING
LORNE AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM EXHIBITION GROUNDS RD TO JASPER AVE
(Water service)
Start: April 25, 7:00 a.m. End: April 28, 6:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED BETWEEN MARLETTE CRES AND ORBAN WAY
(Building construction)
Start: April 17, 7:00 a.m. End: May 5, 5:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E WB LANES CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WARMAN RD
(Bridge Rehab)
Two-way traffic will be maintained across the bridge. Max Load width is 4.5m
Start: February 28, 6:00 a.m. End: June 10, 7:00 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.
Saskatoon Transit signs contract with Nova Bus for first two battery-electric buses
April 26, 2023 - 1:30pm
Saskatoon Transit is taking the first step in electrifying its bus fleet by signing a contract for two Nova LFSe+ electric buses. These will be the first two permanent battery-electric buses in Saskatoon Transit’s fleet and the first in Saskatchewan.
The long-range battery-electric bus can travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge. This will save Saskatoon Transit approximately $44,000 in fuel costs annually per bus and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 tonnes per bus annually once in operation.
"Taking transit is already one of the best ways people can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but through electrification and other actions outlined in the Low Emissions Community Plan, we’re working to further reduce our impact on the climate,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction.
This is a critical step towards achieving climate targets outlined in the City of Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan and Climate Action Plan. Some of these targets include emission reductions of 55,000 tonnes CO2e by 2050, increasing transit trips to 5 per cent of total trips by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2050.
This $2.7 million investment in battery-electric buses was approved by City Council in December 2021. We expect delivery of these new buses in 2024.
“We are very excited that Saskatoon Transit will be experiencing the long-range electric version of the safe and reliable Nova Bus buses,” says Ralph Acs, President of Nova Bus. “Electrifying transit bus fleets is the smartest option for transit authorities to reduce GHG emissions, and we’re glad Saskatoon Transit is leading the way in Saskatchewan by acquiring the province’s first all-electric buses.”
More information
City of Saskatoon Climate Action Plan webpage
For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. Plan your route in advance using Google Transit or the Transit App on your mobile device.
New summer hours at the zoo
April 26, 2023 - 10:00am
The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo will be switching to summer hours on Monday, May 1, 2023. The seasonal hours mean the Forestry Farm Park gates will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and new in 2023, the Zoo will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last person will be admitted to the Zoo thirty minutes before close. Parking fees also come into effect on May 1.
The public is reminded that the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is a pet-free park.
Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your next visit.
Daily Road Report - October 17, 2022
October 14, 2022 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
KONIHOWSKI RD EB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT MCWILLIE AVE
(Concrete)
Start: October 17, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 5:00 p.m.
2ND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Roadway paving)
Start: October 17, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 5:00 p.m.
25TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(Stump removal)
Start: October 17, 9:00 a.m. End: October 17, 2:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE NB & SB CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM 108TH ST TO 109TH ST W
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 17, 9:00 a.m. End: October 17, 3:00 p.m.
LENORE DR EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM CYPRESS CRT TO REDBERRY RD
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 17, 9:00 a.m. End: October 17, 3:00 p.m.
25TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO 2ND AVE N
(Stump removal)
Start: October 17, 10:30 a.m. End: October 17, 12:30 p.m.
ONGOING
FAITHFULL AVE SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST E TO 46TH ST E
(Curb work)
Start: September 27, 8:00 a.m. End: October 17, 4:30 p.m.
21ST ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Road resurfacing)
Start: October 11, 7:00 a.m. End: October 17, 4:30 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E ROAD CLOSED AT ROSEWOOD GATE N
(Road construction)
Start: October 12, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 5:00 p.m.
NELSON RD EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM HEATH AVE TO HEAL AVE
(Material laydown)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: October 21, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MANEK RD TO MCORMOND DR
(Parking lot work)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 22, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: October 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.
4TH AVE S NB CURB & PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Vault work)
Start: October 7, 7:00 p.m. End: December 31, 4:30 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.
Weekend Road Report - October 15-16, 2022
October 14, 2022 - 2:30pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
25TH ST E WB CURBLANE CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO 4TH AVE N
(Tree stump removal)
Start: October 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 15, 3:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB MEDIAN & LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT 1ST AVE N
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 15, 5:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM NORTHRIDGE DR TO AVE C N
(Cable pull)
Intersections will remain open
Start: October 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 5:00 p.m.
BROADWAY AVE NB & SB TRAFFIC SQUEEZED OVER FROM CASCADE ST TO BUTE ST
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 15, 8:00 a.m. End: October 15, 6:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB LANES CLOSED; WB MEDIAN & CURB LANES CLOSED FROM DUFFERIN AVE TO LANSDOWNE AVE
(Connection replacement)
Start: October 15, 8:00 a.m. End: October 16, 5:00 p.m.
8TH ST E VARIOUS SINGLE LANE CLOSURES AT EMERSON AVE
(Groundwater monitoring)
Start: October 15, 9:00 a.m. End: October 15, 5:00 p.m.
ATTRIDGE DR NB EXIT RAMP CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Pole replacement)
Start: October 16, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 9:00 a.m.
25TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 5TH AVE N TO 2ND AVE N
(Tree stump removal)
Start: October 16, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 12:00 p.m.
ATTRIDGE DR WB SHOULDER CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Pole replacement)
Start: October 16, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 2:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB CURB & CENTRE LANE CLOSED FROM MCKERCHER DR TO BOYCHUK DR
(Roadway patching)
Start: October 16, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 3:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 108TH ST TO 109TH ST W
(Roadway patching)
Start: October 16, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 3:00 p.m.
BROADWAY AVE NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 3RD ST E TO 4TH ST E
(Roadway patching)
Start: October 16, 9:00 a.m. End: October 16, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
MCORMOND DRIVE NB LANES CLOSED FROM FEHEREGYHAZI TO ASPEN RIDGE ST
(Hydrant Repair)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the SB lanes
Start: October 14, 8:00 a.m. End: October 15, 4:00 p.m.
21ST ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Road resurfacing)
Start: October 11, 7:00 a.m. End: October 17, 4:30 p.m.
FAITHFULL AVE SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST E TO 46TH ST E
(Curb work)
Start: September 27, 8:00 a.m. End: October 17, 4:30 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E ROAD CLOSED AT ROSEWOOD GATE N
(Road construction)
Start: October 12, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 5:00 p.m.
NELSON RD EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM HEATH AVE TO HEAL AVE
(Material laydown)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: October 21, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MANEK RD TO MCORMOND DR
(Parking lot work)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 22, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: October 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.
4TH AVE S NB CURB & PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Vault work)
Start: October 7, 7:00 p.m. End: December 31, 4:30 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.
2nd Avenue closed between 19th and 20th streets starting Monday
October 14, 2022 - 4:07am
2nd Avenue will be closed between 19th and 20th streets starting Monday, October 17, at 7:00 a.m. for roadway paving work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take three days 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.
Central Avenue closed between 108th and 109th streets on Sunday
October 14, 2022 - 3:02am
Central Avenue will be closed between 108th and 109th streets on Sunday, October 16, at 7:00 a.m. for roadway patching work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take eight 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.
Attridge Drive exit ramp to Circle Drive northbound closed on Sunday
October 14, 2022 - 2:30am
- The Attridge Drive eastbound exit ramp to Circle Drive northbound will be closed
- Attridge Drive westbound exit ramp lane restrictions to Circle Drive northbound
The Attridge Drive exit ramps to Circle Drive northbound will have lane restrictions and road closures on Sunday, October 16, at 7:00 a.m. for roadway work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this detour. This project is expected to take seven hours to complete, barring unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Road restrictions in place from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.:
Road restrictions in place from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.:
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.