News Releases

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) summer playground programs begin opening on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 with all 45 neighbourhood locations open by Friday, July 4, 2014.  The last day of the program will be Wednesday, August 27, 2014.
Designed for 2 to 12 year olds, these free drop-in programs include water play, sports, crafts, games, music, and much more.  Playground programs operate rain or shine Mondays to Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The same great activities that are offered during the week are also offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 16 locations around Saskatoon!  Weekend playground program hours are 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. beginning Saturday, July 5 and closing Sunday, August 17, 2014.
Please note that children under the age of six must be supervised by an adult or a responsible youth at all times during playground program and paddling pool hours.
As a reminder, the City’s 17 spray pads operate from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day, up to and including, Monday, September 1, 2014. Paddling pool hours are the same as the playground hours. Visit the interactive map at www.saskatoon.ca/go/playgrounds for more information on dates and times paddling pools are open or call 306-975-3378.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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The City of Saskatoon today unveiled a new interactive map to help drivers plan in advance to avoid road restrictions and traffic delays this road construction season. The map enables users to pinpoint the exact location of work zones using GPS technology and get the latest information, schedules and timelines for each project.

“A better commute is just a click away,” says Colleen McKee, Transportation and Utilities Communications and Marketing Manager for the City of Saskatoon. “This interactive online tool for desktop and mobile devices should make it easier for motorists to map their commutes ahead of time, making the trip easier and less frustrating.” Find the map on Saskatoon.ca under Check This Out! or click on the Building Better Roads link for the latest updates.

McKee says the new map is one in a series of initiatives the City has undertaken to help drivers navigate this year’s extensive and wide-ranging road construction. For the latest information on road closures and restrictions, motorists can visit Saskatoon.ca and subscribe for Traffic Detour Service Alerts, connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter (#betterroadsYXE) and Facebook (Saskatoon City News) and view the latest public service announcements posted on the City’s website.

“With over $50 million being invested in road-related work this season, road restrictions, closures and detours will be the norm,” McKee says. “We are committed to finding new ways of helping residents and visitors move through our city safely and as efficiently as possible.”

Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

OVERNIGHT ROAD RESTRICTIONS ON 51ST STREET, JUNE 26-27

To minimize the impact to traffic and inconvenience to businesses in the area the work has been scheduled to take place between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Tonight the following restrictions will be in place for road resurfacing:

- 51st Street westbound curb and centre lanes from Millar Avenue to Miners Avenue will be closed.

- 51st Street eastbound curb and centre lanes from the 1st Avenue intersection to Millar Avenue will be closed.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27.  All lanes will be open during the day.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE BETWEEN CIRCLE DRIVE SOUTH OVERPASS AND RUTH STREET, JUNE 26-28

Idylwyld Drive northbound will continue to be restricted to one lane from the Circle Drive South overpass to Ruth Street until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27. Idylwyld Drive southbound will be restricted to one lane from Ruth Street to the Circle Drive South overpass from 9:00 a.m. June 27 until 9:00 a.m. on June 28.

Crews are working around-the-clock to minimize the impact on traffic.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE SOUTHBOUND, JUNE 26-27

The Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane from 25th Street to 24th Street continues to be closed while crews carry out streetscaping work. One lane will remain open to traffic. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.
Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon’s Summer Youth Centres open for the season on Friday, July 4, 2014. The last day of programs will be August 20, 2014.  Youth ages 12 to 16 are invited to drop in for sports and games, listen to music, participate in special events, or just hang out with friends in a friendly environment supervised by fun and qualified leaders.
Hours of operation, unless otherwise stated, are Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Monday, August 4, 2014).
Youth Centre Locations:
• Brownell School  (274 Russell Road)
• St. Voldymyr School (302 Kellough Road)
• Pope John Paul II School (3035 Arlington Avenue)
• St. Peter School (202 Sumner Crescent)
Arts Only Location:
• Albert Community Centre (610 Clarence Avenue South) 
  Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Mè Ta Wè Tàn Youth Centre Locations:
• Westmount School (411 Avenue J North)
• St. Mary Wellness & Education Centre (327 Avenue N South)
• St. John School (1205 Avenue N South)
Sports Only Youth Centre Locations:
• Cosmo Civic Centre (3130 Laurier Drive) 
  Monday to Thursday 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Lakewood Civic Centre (1635 McKercher Drive)
  Monday to Thursday 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Youth are also invited to practise their boarding with our skilled skateboard leaders who travel to different sites each day. Equipment is provided or you can bring your own deck. Program runs from July 4 to August 20, 2014.
Skateboard Leaders are at the following locations at these hours:
• Lions Skate Park (Victoria Park - beside Riversdale Pool)
  Monday and Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Charlottetown Park  (behind Cosmo Civic Centre)
  Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Morris T. Chernesky Park (beside Shaw Civic Centre)
  Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Umea Park (behind Lawson Civic Centre off Pinehouse Drive)
  Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• W.W. Ashley Park (beside Lathey Pool)
  Friday 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Skateboard sites are open daily 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  For more information, please call 306-975-3378 or visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/teens.

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The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon initiative has launched the “Spotlight On” Summer Information Series to keep residents informed and engaged on the development of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan). 
“Growing Forward’s information series will break down each of the key elements being explored in the Growth Plan,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation.  “Throughout the summer we will post information on www.growingfwd.ca about the work being done for future core area bridges, transit, bus rapid transit, and growth near major corridors.” 

The first “Spotlight On” topic has been posted to the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon website www.growingfwd.ca, (look under Shaping Bridges), and focuses on Saskatoon’s future core area bridges, or those located within Circle Drive. 

“Demands for travel across the river to and from our city’s core will continue to increase as Saskatoon’s population grows,” Gardiner says.  “Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is looking ahead for the next 30 to 40 years and exploring options for our city’s core area bridges to accommodate this growth.”

For more information on the “Spotlight On . . .Core Bridges”, future “Spotlight On” topics, or to sign up for project update notifications, visit www.growingfwd.ca.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is a public planning initiative to help guide civic infrastructure investments as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.  A major outcome of this initiative will be the Growth Plan that focuses on sustainable growth and transportation choice. 

Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon process. Watch for more public engagement opportunities coming in October 2014. 

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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The Saskatoon Fire Department has closed the Public Boat Launch until further notice because the increased water flow has created a serious safety concern for everyone using the river.

As of this morning, Wednesday, June 25, 2014, the Water Security Agency (WSA) increased the outflows from the Gardiner Dam to over 1100 cubic metres per second (m³/s) and rising. Normal outflow is approximately 350m³/s. Although outflow levels have increased significantly, they are not expected to rise to the 2013 high of approximately 2000m³/s.

“We understand the desire of the public to use the river, especially during the long weekend,” Assistant Chief Morgan Hackl says. “However, public safety remains our primary concern. The river becomes unpredictable and dangerous when flows increase. At times like this, water activities are best done in surrounding area lakes rather than the river.”

The 10-day forecast for stream flows and any other relevant updates will be posted to the WSA’s website at wsask.ca.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Everyone is invited to Kinsmen Day at the Zoo on Friday, June 27, 2014. Free admission to the Zoo will be provided from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please note parking, rental strollers, and fishing fees will still apply.
In lieu of admission, visitors are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item to benefit the Saskatoon Food Bank.  Representatives of the Saskatoon Food Bank will be on site all day to receive donations and answer questions.  
Fun, kid-friendly entertainment is planned between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., including activities provided by the Saskatoon Zoo Society for children to learn about the animals at the Zoo. During your visit look for new zoo animals, including two feature animals in the PotashCorp Ark exhibit, a red panda, and cougars!
For more information on the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/zoo.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.
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Starting Sunday, June 29, 2014, routes will be adjusted to better serve our customers.

This year, we have made several significant updates to our routes to improve the service we offer. Feedback from our customers is important to us and is reflected in the routes updates.

All Transit customers are encouraged to learn about the route adjustments before the changes take effect on June 29.  Information is available in information guides on each bus and distributed by Transit Ambassadors on routes and at major terminals. Information is also available online at www.saskatoon.ca or by phoning the Transit Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.

Over the next week, Transit staff will be updating affected bus stop signs with new route numbers that take effect on June 29. Saskatoon Transit appreciates customers’ patience during this time and apologizes for any inconvenience that may be caused.

As part of the route adjustments, starting September 2, Saskatoon Transit is also introducing four new university transit routes! New LIMITED-STOP EXPRESS ROUTES will offer service to residents in Fairhaven, Parkridge, Arbor Creek, Erindale and Willowgrove. Also new on September 2, is a full stop route with additional service to Market Mall for customers along Clarence Avenue and in Stonebridge.

For more information visit www.saskatoon.ca or phone Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

OVERNIGHT ROAD RESTRICTIONS ON 51ST STREET AND FAITHFULL AVENUE, JUNE 25-26

To minimize the impact to traffic and inconvenience to businesses in the area the work has been scheduled to take place between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Tonight the following restrictions will be in place for road resurfacing:

·    51st Street eastbound curb and centre lanes from Faithfull Avenue to Warman Road/Wanuskewin Road will be closed

·    51st Street westbound curb and centre lanes from Warman Road/Wanuskewin Road to Millar Avenue will be closed.

·    Faithfull Avenue from 50th Street to 51st Street will be closed.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26.  All lanes will be open during the day.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE NORTHBOUND BETWEEN THE CIRCLE DRIVE SOUTH OVERPASS AND RUTH STREET, JUNE 25-27

Idylwyld Drive northbound between the Circle Drive South overpass and Ruth Street continues to be restricted to one lane for road reconstruction.  Crews will be working around-the-clock to accelerate the length of construction and minimize impact to traffic. The restrictions are expected to be lifted by June 27.

REMINDER: CIRCLE DRIVE OFF RAMP TO WARMAN ROAD, JUNE 25-27

The Circle Drive eastbound off ramp to Warman Road southbound continues to be closed for roadway paving. Access to Warman Road southbound from the Circle Drive eastbound off ramp will be restricted. The ramp is expected to reopen by Friday, June 27. 

Crews will be working around-the-clock to accelerate the length of construction and minimize the impact to traffic.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE SOUTHBOUND

The Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane from 25th Street to 24th Street continues to be closed while crews carry out streetscaping work. One lane will remain open to traffic. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.
Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Today, Canpotex Limited (Canpotex), Canadian Pacific (CP), and the City of Saskatoon (City)  announced the funding support for the new Canpotex Train, which will be one of the main attractions at the future home of PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park.  “The Train is a major attraction to the Park,” notes Steve Dechka, Canpotex’s President and Chief Executive Officer, “and Canpotex, along with our partner CP, is excited to help the City of Saskatoon cultivate this experience for Saskatoon’s children, families, and visitors at this important landmark.”
Groundwork for the train began in April and will continue throughout the summer. The train is currently being constructed at Arizona Railroad Depot in Phoenix, Arizona, and is scheduled for delivery in early 2015.
The Canpotex Train will be a replica of a CP Train, complete with a one-third scale locomotive and caboose, and spacious seating for 44 adults or 66 children.  It will travel at a speed of approximately 8 kilometres per hour along the new 626 metre loop (176 metres longer than the previous one), completing a full loop in roughly five minutes.
“I want to offer my gratitude and thanks to Canpotex and CP for their commitment to the people of Saskatoon,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “The Canpotex Train at PotashCorp Playland will draw families from all over the Saskatoon region to this historic neighbourhood and improve the quality of life in City Park and the entire community.”
The Future Home of PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park is scheduled to open to the public in Spring 2015. Details on the project’s progress can be found at and video updates are available on the City’s YouTube channel.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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