News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Weekend Road Report - March 5-6, 2022
March 4, 2022 - 4:54am
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
2ND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO SAUNDERS PL
(Crane lift)
Start: March 5, 6:00 a.m. End: March 5, 6:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO ALBERT AVE
(Tree trimming)
Start: March 5, 7:30 a.m. End: March 5, 5:30 p.m.
3RD AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM DUKE ST TO DUCHESS ST
(Fibre install)
Start: March 6, 7:00 a.m. End: March 6, 1:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MCKINNON AVE S TO WIGGINS AVE S
(Tree trimming)
Start: March 6, 7:30 a.m. End: March 6, 5:00 p.m.
33RD ST W INTERSECTION CLOSED AT VALENS DR
(Watermain repair)
Start: March 6, 8:00 a.m. End: March 6, 5:00 p.m.
ONGOING
No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.
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.
Last day to submit nominations for 2022 Living in Harmony Awards
March 4, 2022 - 5:45am
Today is the last day to nominate an individual or organization for a 2022 Living in Harmony Award. The annual awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination in our community.
Any Saskatoon resident or organization is eligible for nomination. Saskatoon schools are also invited to have their students send in submissions in any expressive form (photos, art, written, video). The nomination form is available at saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony.
The winners are selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. They’ll be announced on March 21st, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Spring/Summer Leisure Guide available Friday, March 4; Program registration begins Sunday, March 20
March 4, 2022 - 10:00am
- Saskatoon’s six civic Leisure Centres (Cosmo, Lakewood, and Lawson Civic Centres; Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre; Saskatoon Field House; and Shaw Centre);
- the return of the discounted Summer Indoor LeisureCard and other seasonal admission products such as Bulk Tickets (10 pack) for outdoor pools;
- spray pads, paddling pools, outdoor and indoor pools, including parent & tot, family and lane swimming opportunities;
- Red Cross swimming lessons and lifeguard certification training opportunities;
- rates for Holiday Park, Wildwood and Silverwood golf courses;
- drop-in and registered programs for children and youth, including free School Break Camps, Summer Play Programs and Youth Centres, featuring various sports and activities;
- Saskatoon’s best summer attractions: Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park and the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.
- Modifications to Red Cross swim lessons will remain in place for the spring season (lessons beginning in April). This means water safety instructors will deliver swim lessons from the pool deck and Red Cross Swim Preschool and Swim Kids 1-4 programs will require a parent/guardian in the water for the full duration of the class to assist with swimmers. A maximum of 2 children in the same class can be with one parent/guardian. Deep water activities for these levels will be changed to chest deep water (where applicable) to accommodate parents/guardians who may not have swimming abilities.
- For the summer season (lessons beginning July), parents/guardians will no longer be required to participate in Red Cross preschool programs for children ages 3 and up and Red Cross Swim Kids levels 1-4.
- Current City Council direction requires face masks be worn in civic facilities with the following exceptions.
- Patrons that are 18 and older utilizing weight rooms, fitness classes, courts and the walking tracks are permitted to remove their masks.
- Youth athletes under the age of 18 are exempt from wearing a mask while they are participating in sports for the duration of the sport only.
- All patrons must remove their mask while in the water.
The City of Saskatoon Leisure Guide is the community’s go-to source for sport, culture and recreation information in Saskatoon.
The Spring/Summer Leisure Guide is available online at saskatoon.ca/leisureguide and on display at pick-up locations beginning today, Friday, March 4.
Highlights of the Spring/Summer Leisure Guide (April 1 to August 31, 2022) include information on:
Mark your calendars! Registration for Spring and Summer programs begins Sunday, March 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. by logging into to your account on Leisure Online at leisureonline.saskatoon.ca, or by calling 306-975-2800.
Know before you go! The following COVID-19 protocols continue to be in place to ensure the safety of staff and participants:
Updates to the COVID-19 protocols at Leisure Centres will be posted on saskatoon.ca/leisurecentres.
33rd Street intersection closed at Valens Drive on Sunday
March 4, 2022 - 9:00am
The intersection at 33rd Street and Valens Drive will be closed on Sunday, March 6, at 8:00 a.m. for water main repair work. 33rd Street will be closed from Avenue L to Howell Avenue during this project. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take one day to complete, barring any unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is 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.
Snowfall Warning continues; City crews applying de-icing materials, plowing and grading snow during snowfall
March 4, 2022 - 1:05am
Environment & Climate Change Canada issued a snowfall warning for Saskatoon today forecasting total accumulations of 5 to 15 cm of snowfall by this evening.
Snowfall began overnight and total accumulation by the morning commute is about 5 cm.
City crews worked through the night plowing Circle Drive and expressways and applying de-icing materials to improve traction on Circle Drive, freeways, high traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections.
While the snow is falling today, City and contractor crews will stay focussed on applying de-icing materials and keeping driving lanes clear on Circle Drive and streets with three or more lanes each way like Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street and College Drive.
When it stops snowing, a snow event will be declared and clean-up across the city commences including clearing snow from City-maintained sidewalks and snow grading of priority streets.
Please keep back when you see blue and amber flashing lights to let road equipment complete their pass.
Snow crews are at work this winter 24/7. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/snow and follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.
2nd Avenue closed between 19th Street and Saunders Place on Saturday
March 4, 2022 - 8:00am
2nd Avenue will be closed between 19th Street and Saunders Place on Saturday, March 5, at 6:00 a.m. for crane lift 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 is 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.
3rd Avenue closed between Duchess and Duke streets on Sunday
March 4, 2022 - 7:00am
3rd Avenue will be closed between Duchess and Duke streets on Sunday, March 6, at 7:00 a.m. for cable installation work. 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 is 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.
Big snowfall in the forecast; City road crews ready to respond
March 3, 2022 - 10:18am
Environment & Climate Change Canada issued a snowfall warning for Saskatoon today anticipating a long period of snow with total accumulation of 10 cm – 20 cm starting overnight into Friday afternoon. Visibility on roads and sidewalks may be challenging during the snowfall. Drivers are urged to slow down and adjust driving with changing road conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.
City and contractor crews are on standby and will grade the driving lanes along Circle Drive and the busiest freeway and arterial streets during the snow fall. When it stops snowing and Priority 1 streets have all been graded, crews move into the Priority 2 and 3 streets.
Sanders will be spreading de-icing materials on Circle Drive, freeways, high traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections overnight to reduce icing. Please watch for their blue and amber flashing lights and leave room for road equipment to do their work.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
Daily Road Report - March 4, 2022
March 3, 2022 - 9:16am
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 108TH ST W TO 109TH ST W
(Bridge inspections)
Start: March 4, 9:00 a.m. End: March 4, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO VALLEY RD
(Construction)
Start: March 3, 7:00 a.m. End: March 4, 5:00 p.m.
LORNE AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM ASH ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Connection repair)
Start: March 3, 8:00 a.m. End: March 4, 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.
Transit service strained by global auto parts shortage: recovery plan in place
March 2, 2022 - 10:06am
- Buses are being sent to third party garages to add to maintenance resources.
- Buses with long term defects or parts that are not available or delayed are being used to fix other buses.
- Check Engine Light calls are being investigated and sent back on the road more quickly.
- Issues that do not involve Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, brakes or steering are quickly checked and sent back on the road if it is safe to do so. HVAC, brakes and steering issues that need repair are booked for a mechanic as soon as possible, however fixing the issue is contingent on parts availability.
- Working with nearby Transit properties to determine what parts can be accessed from them. Transit has also been working with parts distributors to get as many parts as possible.
- To ensure more parts are on-hand, maximum/minimum stock levels have been changed for high-demand parts or for parts that take longer to obtain.
- Maintenance staff have been working overtime.
Saskatoon Transit continues to deliver service as world-wide supply chain shortages put a strain on service.
“The ability to source and obtain parts in a timely manner because of the parts shortages related to the pandemic and other recent events, globally and nationally, have been major contributing factors to getting buses repaired and quickly back into service,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.
McDonald says the challenges in obtaining parts in a timely manner, as well as increased probability of mechanical breakdowns with an aging fleet, differentiates this winter from other winters with prolonged extreme cold weather events.
“Fortunately, the extreme cold weather has subsided, but it will take a few days to address the backlog of mechanical repairs.”
What Transit is doing:
On average, Saskatoon Transit has been about five to ten buses short during weekdays. We know service cuts of any kind have a significant impact on those that rely on Transit Services. The team at Transit considers all options when required to make service reductions and decisions are based on minimizing impacts to riders.
The service impact is a reduction in some neighbourhood frequency, but no routes are completely cancelled and service to High Schools is covered, however riders may need to take alternate routes.
Solutions to get more buses on the road:
Tips for Transit riders:
Service alerts are posted to the Transit app and Google Maps Transit as soon as possible however riders are encouraged to check for service alerts one hour before they travel. Riders can “pin” the routes taken most often in the Transit app to receive push notifications about service disruptions. Alerts are also posted every morning and afternoon to SaskatoonTransit.ca/service-alerts and Twitter (@StoonTransit), with periodic updates as the situation changes. Riders can also call the Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100 for updates (7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. M-F).
If there is a service disruption on your route, riders can use the trip planning function in the transit app or Google Maps to find an alternate route. Simply type in where you are and where you want to go.
Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience during this challenging time.