News Releases

The City of Saskatoon has partnered with the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre and the University of Saskatchewan Master Gardeners to develop the Healthy Yards demonstration garden at the Garden Patch for the public to visit and learn about gardening.

 “This new partnership has allowed us to create a garden that shows real Saskatoon examples of healthy choices for the garden and for the gardener,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives. “Whether you’re a new gardener or an experienced gardener, there is something for you at the Garden Patch.”

The public is invited to learn about gardening with less watering, less weeding and less fertilizing. The Garden Patch, located on the 900 block of 3^rd Avenue North (near 33^rd Street), is open during gardening hours: Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s free!

Self-guided tours include information on:

• Backyard composting
• Rain barrels and water conservation techniques
• Pesticide-free gardening
• Mulch to reduce weeding and watering
• Gardening tips
• Knowledgeable staff will be on site to answer questions.

The Garden Patch started as a community-driven urban agriculture initiative of the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre.  All produce grown on site is distributed to the community at harvest time.

For more information, visit Saskatoon.ca/HealthyYards.

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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As a thank you to customers, admission will be free at the following City of Saskatoon outdoor pools:

• George Ward Outdoor Pool and Mayfair Outdoor Pool – Sunday, August 23, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Riversdale Outdoor Pool and Lathey Outdoor Pool – Sunday, August 30, from   11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

General admission fees will still apply at the indoor pools in Lawson Civic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, and Shaw Centre.

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.

NEW

WARMAN RD NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 5TH AVE
(Water valve installation)
Start: August 20, 7:00 a.m. End: August 20, 4:00 p.m.

HIGHWAY 16 WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT BOYCHUK DR
(Street light repair)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 20, 3:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Concrete work)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 20, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 40TH A ST E TO 44TH ST E
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 20, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM STEEVES AVE TO 33RD ST W
(Road dip repair)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 20, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

33RD ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED JUST AFTER CIRCLE DR OVERPASS
(Natural gasline work)
Start: August 18, 8:00 a.m. End: August 21, 6:00 p.m

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.                                                                                                                                                                  

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

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! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

SPC on Transportation

7.1.1 Parking Services Update (Delegated Authority Matter)

*The City continues to roll-out the FlexParking system and enforcement has steadily increased. Allowing parking session top-ups is set to be activated and the smartphone parking application will be launched this fall.

*The City is collaborating with the Broadway BID to accelerate the program’s inception in that area to September 9 in order to utilize the Street Fair on September 12 to educate the public on the parking stations.

7.2.1 Pedestrian Crossing Control Criteria and Prioritization (Matters Requiring Direction)

*this report contains a prioritized list of pedestrian crossing control device projects.

*The prioritized list of locations recommended to install a Pedestrian Actuated Signal is as follows: 1. Broadway Avenue / 9th Street 2. Confederation Drive / Milton Street

*The prioritized list of locations recommended to install an Active Pedestrian Corridor is as follows: 1. Taylor Street / McEown Avenue 2. 20th Street / Avenue G 3. Cowley Road / Forsyth Way 4. Konihowski Road / Pezer Crescent (South) 5. Lowe Road / Ludlow Street 6. Konihowski Road / Garvie Road 7. Kingsmere Boulevard / Crean Crescent 8. 33rd Street / Avenue C

*The prioritized list of locations recommended to install a Pedestrian Corridor is as follows: 1. Konihowski Road / Pezer Crescent (North) 2. Adilman Drive / Russell Road 3. Hart Road west of Bowlt Crescent (midblock) 4. Cumberland Avenue / Elliot Street 5. Dufferin Avenue / 11th Street 6. 23rd Street / Montreal Avenue 7. 7th Avenue / Princess Street 8. Clarence Avenue / Cascade Street

*The location recommended to be upgraded from a Pedestrian Corridor to an Active Pedestrian Corridor is the intersection of Pendygrasse Road and St. Mark School (midblock).

*the report will be forwarded to City Council for information during 2016 Budget and Business Plan deliberations.

7.2.2 Intersection Improvement Project Selection Process (Matters Requiring Direction)

*this report identifies the criteria and process used to select and prioritize the intersections requiring reviews for improvements to road safety conditions, operating conditions, or quite often both.

*The committee recommends to City Council at its meeting to be held on September 28, 2015:

That the Administration be directed to draft a policy pertaining to the prioritization of intersections requiring traffic reviews based on the selection process outlined in the report;
That the policy be reviewed upon approval of City Council of the Active Transportation Master Plan and Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon Plan (Growth Plan); and

The Committee further resolved that when this report is presented to City Council, the Administration provide an update on the state of relevant reserves for capital expenditures.

7.2.5 Transit Update – Customer Service and Marketing (Matters Requiring Direction)

*the report provides an overview on the customer service initiatives and the Back to School Transit Marketing Campaign being launched at the end of August 2015.

*the report will be forwarded to City Council for information at its meeting to be held on September 28, 2015.

SPC on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services

7.2.1 Evoqua Water Technologies - Supply of Proprietary Parts - Blanket Purchase Order (Matters Requiring Direction)

*the committee will recommend to City Council at its meeting held on August 20, 2015 that Administration prepare a blanket purchase order with Evoqua Water Technologies for the supply of proprietary wastewater treatment equipment for the next three years, for a total estimated cost of $450,000 (including taxes); and that Purchasing Services issue the appropriate blanket purchase order.

7.2.2 Capital Project No. 2558 - WTP - Clarifier Tube Settlers - Award of Engineering Services (Matters Requiring Direction)

*the committee will recommend to City Council at its meeting to be held on August 20, 2015 that the proposal submitted by Catterall & Wright for engineering services and construction management for the upgrade of Clarifier #3, at a total upset fee of $258,000 (including GST and PST), be accepted; and that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate agreement and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement under the Corporate Seal.

As the end of August approaches, the City of Saskatoon’s (City) summer programming will be coming to a close for the season.  The last day of operation will be:

• Summer Youth Centres and Travelling Skateboard Program - Wednesday, August 19
• George Ward Pool and Mayfair Pool – Sunday, August 23
• Summer Playground Programs – sites close Tuesday, August 25, or Wednesday, August 26.  Visit the interactive map www.saskatoon.ca/play) to see the closing date of each site.
• Lathey Pool and Riversdale Pool – Sunday, August 30
• PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park – Monday, September 7

Thank you to all residents who used the City’s summer facilities.

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.

NEW

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM MCKINNON AVE S TO WIGGINS AVE S
(Sanitary sewer lining)
8^th St E EB lanes open between Munroe Ave S and Cairns Ave
Start: August 19, 8:00 a.m. End: August 19, 4:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 5TH AVE
(Water valve installation)
Start: August 19, 7:00 a.m. End: August 19, 4:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Concrete curb pouring)
Start: August 19, 9:00 a.m. End: August 19, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

33RD ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED JUST AFTER CIRCLE DR OVERPASS
(Natural gasline work)
Start: August 18, 8:00 a.m. End: August 21, 6:00 p.m

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN
Ongoing work with limited lane restrictions to occur during off peak hours

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

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! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

SPC on Finance

7.1.3 Western Development Museum Parking Lot (Delegated Authority Matters)

*The Western Development Museum (WDM) has requested financial support from the City of Saskatoon to improve the parking lot at the Museum. The City currently leases the land to the WDM for $1/year; the market value of the lease is approximately $1.1 million. The Lease Agreement states WDM is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the parking lot.
*The Committee deferred consideration of the following motion to the next meeting of the SPC on Finance to provide an opportunity for the WDM to meet with the Province regarding their finding request and report back on those discussions:
"that the matter of a potential contribution to the $1.8 million parking lot project at the Western Development Museum be referred to the 2016 Business Plan and Budget deliberations to consider an amount that would take into consideration fundraising by the Western Development Museum and any cost-sharing by the Province."

7.2.3 Purchase of Abandoned Spur Lines from Canadian National Railway (Matters Requiring Council Direction)

*As rail companies change operations, portions of their rail system become redundant. CN has offered the City the opportunity to purchase portions of its rail system that have been deemed surplus to its operational needs. In addition to the direction from the Official Community Plan, the purchase of these lands would allow the City to increase its land holdings in the North Downtown Redevelopment Area and further enhance the ability to implement the proposed plan.
*This item will be reported to City Council on August 20, 2015 in support of the recommendations in the report (purchasing the spur lines in the North Downtown and Kelsey/Woodlawn areas for $2,235,000)

7.2.8 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge – Intent to Borrow (Matters Requiring Council Direction)

*At its meeting on March 31, 2014, City Council approved that the NCPTB project use a P3 delivery model, subject to the City’s approval of a funding application to PPP Canada. On June 9, 2014 the Government of Canada, through the P3 Canada Fund, announced a contribution of up to $66M, and the Province of Saskatchewan announced a contribution of $50M. At its meeting on June 9, 2014, City Council approved the funding plan for the NCPTB project and also approved that the Administration proceed with the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) stage of procurement.
*Administration will submit a report to City Council recommending that the planned Public Private Partnership range of borrowing from $109M to $122M, plus or minus a 10% variance, for the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge project (Capital Project 2407), through a capital asset financing agreement between the City of Saskatoon (City) and the Preferred Proponent be approved (such borrowing structured as payments to the Preferred Proponent over a period of 30 years, including to repay the capital costs of the project).

The University Bridge will be cleaned overnight tonight (August 17) and tomorrow night (August 18) between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. This will be followed by sealing and crack filling, which will take approximately 2-3 nights and will begin later this week.

To ensure minimal impact on drivers, the sealing will also be scheduled for overnight. However, this process is dependent on the weather as the sealant requires that the surface be dry for at least 72 hours before the sealant can be applied.   

Lane restrictions will be in place during washing and sealing for the safety of workers and drivers, and so equipment can access the work zone.

Drivers are further reminded other lane restrictions will be required during off-peak hours on University Bridge this summer for items such as permanent lane markings. Rehabilitation also continues under the bridge deck.

This work is part of the University Bridge rehabilitation project. It was planned to be completed after opening to allow time for the concrete to cure, and to apply sealant and crack-filling epoxy. The washing is required to remove road dirt and prepare the deck surface for the sealant and epoxy. Once clean, sealant is applied to the concrete, then epoxy is used to fill the shrinkage cracks for added protection against sand and salt. 

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! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE or like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW

CIRCLE DR E SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AFTER WARMAN RD ON RAMP
(Guardrail repair)
Start: August 18, 9:00 a.m. End: August 18, 11:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR W NB/SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT AIRPORT DR
(Guardrail repair)
Start: August 18, 9:00 a.m. End: August 18, 4:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE 
(Concrete curb pouring)
Start: August 18, 9:00 a.m. End: August 21, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED JUST AFTER CIRCLE DR OVERPASS
(Natural gasline work)
Start: August 18, 8:00 a.m. End: August 21, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: UNIVERSITY BRIDGE EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED
(Bridge deck cleaning)
Start: August 18, 9:00 p.m. End: August 19, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: COLLEGE DR EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO CLARENCE AVE N
(Bridge deck cleaning)
Start: August 18, 9:00 p.m. End: August 19, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN
Ongoing work with limited lane restrictions to occur during off peak hours

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

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! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The activation of the newly installed traffic signal at the intersection of Marquis Drive and Highway 16 has been rescheduled for later this week. The traffic signal was originally expected to be activated today (August 17), however, City engineers require additional time to make adjustments to ensure the safety and operations of the intersection.

The lights are currently set to flash red so drivers can acclimate to the arrival of the new traffic signals. While they continue to flash red, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Additional improvements, such as widening the shoulder of the road, are scheduled to be completed in the near future.

The installation of these new traffic signals is intended to improve safety as development in the area continues to generate more traffic through this intersection.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.