News Releases

NEW

WARMAN RD NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 5TH AVE
(Water valve installation)
Start: August 17, 7:00 a.m. End: August 17, 6:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE BOTH NB LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 10TH ST E AND MAIN ST
(Water connection repair)
Start: August 17, 9:00 a.m. End: August 17, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES TO CLARENCE AVE
(Bridge deck cleaning)
Start: August 17, 9:00 p.m. End: August 18, 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.

NEW

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CAIRNS AVE TO WIGGINS AVE S
(Restore water service)
Start: August 16, 8:00 a.m. End: August 16, 4:00 p.m.

22ND ST E EB CENTRE LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO WALL ST
(SaskEnergy gasline work)
Start: August 16, 6:30 a.m. End: August 16, 7:30 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 22ND ST
(SaskEnergy gasline work)
Start: August 16, 6:30 a.m. End: August 16, 7:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR W NB RAMP TO 33RD ST EB CLOSED
(SaskEnergy gasline work)
Ramp exit to 33rd St EB closed, right turn to 33rd St EB can still be made from left turn bay
Start: August 16, 8:00 a.m. End: August 16, 9:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
(Guard rail repair)
Start: August 16, 7:00 a.m. End: August 16, 4:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR E SB RAMP TO 108TH ST CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Start: August 16, 6:00 p.m. End: August 17, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR E NB RAMP TO ATTRIDGE DR WB CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Start: August 15, 6:00 p.m. End: August 16, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

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

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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.

Second quarter results as of June 30, 2015, from the City of Saskatoon’s 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage, will be presented to the Executive Committee of City Council August 19, 2015. The City’s key projects as outlined in the 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget are on track and initiatives are progressing well, despite this latest projection indicating a 0.28% ($1.2 million) unfavourable deviation from the City’s planned 2015 operating budget of $431 million (excluding utilities).

“This second quarter projection is primarily the result of our aggressive snow removal and street cleaning, decreased transit ridership, and lowered revenue following the launch of the new FlexParking system,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “An extremely dry spring season has also led to an $800,000 negative impact on our budget from extra watering to protect our park assets.  Our strategy is to undertake all reasonable measures to mitigate this forecast deficit.”

The 2015 budget projections to year-end are indicating a 0.28% variance from budget after applying transfers from reserves.  This latest projection includes transfers from the Snow and Ice Reserve ($0.520 million), the Parks Stabilization Reserve ($0.400 million) and non-transfers to the Landfill Replacement Reserve ($0.775 million).  It is cautioned that this projection relies on only six months of performance and subject to substantial variance as the remainder of the year proceeds. 

Full details of the Second Quarter budget results may be found in the Second Quarter Results – City of Saskatoon’s Corporate Business Plan & Budget – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage City Council Report.

City Administration will implement the following dedicated strategies to mitigate the deficit that is being forecast: 

-Reducing the contribution to the Landfill Replacement Reserve of $0.775 million to offset the variance in the Waste Services Utility due to the delay in Multi Materials Recycling Program and the corresponding loss of revenues. 
-A planned 25% reduction in the watering of well-established park areas.  Parks will be closely monitored to ensure no damage will occur to the asset.  This is estimated to save approximately $0.275 million assuming a return to normal rainfall from July 15 to August 31.
-Recreation fee changes approved by City Council aimed at increasing patronage at the Leisure Centres. The plan was to affect longer term increases in usage at the Leisure Centres.  There is no major change anticipated for 2015.
-Transit is undertaking a major marketing campaign starting in August to increase ridership, to help reduce the deficit in the short-term but also aimed at increasing long-term ridership.  Additional cost controls have been implemented for 2015 which are projected to save over $0.500 million in 2015.

Quarterly status updates on the City’s Corporate Business Plan and Budget help to ensure that City Council and the Administration are aware of emerging business plan and budget issues and challenges, so they can react accordingly.  By providing these quarterly reports, this helps the City to diminish any financial or corporate risks that may result from unplanned events or new challenges that emerge throughout 2015.

The City’s long-term Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability focuses on continuous improvement, openness, accountability, and transparency when it comes to resource allocation,  so that the City of Saskatoon can be the best-managed city in Canada.

The City of Saskatoon limits will change effective September 1, 2015.  The change has been approved by the Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Government Relations, following successful negotiations with the Rural Municipality of Corman Park (RM), stakeholder and public consultation, and resolutions passed by the RM and City of Saskatoon Councils.

“The approved boundary alteration will enable continued growth of the City of Saskatoon, bring City-owned land and City infrastructure into City limits, and correct inconsistencies in the current City limits,” says Laura Hartney, Regional Planning Manager.

All of the ratepayers in the RM who are affected by this boundary alteration have been engaged in the process from the outset.  A further notice will now be sent out, including a brochure to answer many common questions, such as information on property assessment and taxes, bylaws, municipal services, roads, and important contact details.

“We will be communicating directly with those affected by the change to ensure they have the information they need to go about their daily routines,” Hartney explains.  “We want to ensure the transition is as smooth and positive as possible on all ends.”

Boundary alteration, also referred to as “annexation”, is the process of altering municipal boundaries to add land area from one municipality to another.  The 2015 boundary alteration is in compliance with the requirements of Section 43 and Section 43.1 of The Cities Act.

For more information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/regionalplanning.

Boundary Alteration Map

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

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
Attridge Dr. WB exit ramp will be closed. Access Circle Dr. via College Dr./Preston Ave.
(Paving)
Start: August 14, 7:00 p.m. End: August 15, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

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

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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.

Roughly midway through the summer construction season, the City of Saskatoon has currently completed 135 of the 196 lane kilometres scheduled for 2015. This amounts to approximately 70 per cent completion of the planned roadway preservation and rehabilitation for the summer.

“In both the 2014 and 2015 Civic Services Survey, Saskatoon residents identified road repair and maintenance as their number one priority,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design for the City. “As a result, $26.9 million was allocated for road and sidewalk rehabilitation this year. That’s $1.7 million more than in 2014 to ensure we continue to improve our roadways.”

Work has been steadily progressing throughout the city on high traffic and residential streets. There have been few disruptions or schedule adjustments thanks to the hard work of City crews and contractors in conjunction with the dry weather experienced so far this summer.

Work has been completed on major rehabilitation projects such as the resurfacing of Warman Road and Wanuskewin Road, the 22nd Street and Circle Drive interchange, Lorne Avenue, Taylor Street and 3rd Avenue downtown. Most of these projects wrapped up by or within one week of their scheduled completion date.

Projects still in progress include resurfacing the Circle Drive ramps at College Drive and 108th Street and Attridge Drive; widening of Attridge Drive between Circle Drive and Central Avenue; streetscaping on 20th Street; and new roadway construction on McOrmond Drive north of Fedoruk Drive, Fedoruk Drive and Zimmerman Road.

New roadways on McOrmond Drive south of College Drive, and Claypool Drive are beginning construction shortly.

Other major construction projects, such as the repair of the Circle Drive cloverleaf interchange, and the roadway construction around the airport are in progress and expected to complete on schedule. On August 4 the University Bridge deck rehabilitation was completed, opening the bridge to the public almost four weeks in advance of the anticipated completion date.

Establishing and maintaining infrastructure for Saskatoon’s new and existing neighbourhoods is also a key part of the construction season, and to date 3.8 kilometres of water, storm and sewer mains have been rehabilitated. Great effort has been made throughout the summer to minimize impact on residents, while maximizing work efficiencies. Where possible night work has been, and continues to be, used.

“It’s been a busy construction season so far,” says Anger, “but we’re not done yet. We’ve made great progress on our projects, and we thank the residents of Saskatoon for their patience in dealing with the traffic detours that come as a result of the many roadways projects underway.”

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.

Saskatoon taxpayers continue to benefit from the City’s renewed commitment to continuous improvement and performance monitoring. Through Continuous Improvement efforts, the City was able to increase savings in 2014 by reviewing its Civic Services and thinking ‘outside-the-box.’

“With a vision of being the best-managed city in Canada, we’ve set our sights on doing better with what we have, to deliver better value for taxes,” said Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “We’ve seen those efforts pay off and the City will keep making strides toward better service, more savings and sustainable growth.”

Better service to citizens, increased savings, and sustainable environmental programs are all results of the City’s Continuous Improvement Strategy.  The 2014 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability: How the City of Saskatoon is Improving Productivity demonstrates the City’s accomplishments in those areas.

The City’s attention to innovative thinking and improved service levels contributed to building better roads, providing online business licence applications and renewals, opening a new outdoor fitness centre at River Landing, and many other program and operation improvements.

The result for savings is approximately $15.4 million in financial returns from Saskatoon Land, $17.7 million in operational efficiencies and service level enhancements as well as $29.6 million in deferred capital spending, including:

- $10.6 million in Water and Sewer upgrades were completed using “trenchless methods” to extend the service life of the main, saving 33 per cent over traditional open excavation replacement methods; allowing the City to do more preservation work for the same amount of money.

- Over $2.0 million through the Saskatoon Fire department in immediate short term operational savings as well as over $14 million in capital savings and improvements to citizen safety resulting from rethinking deployment of current and future fire stations.

- Over $1.4 million rebate from the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) as a result of a positive performance between 2011 and 2013 and a positive investment year for WCB.

City environmental programs are also contributing to sustainable growth by helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of removing 18,750 cars off city roads.  Continued focus on recycling programs also diverted approximately 20,000 tonnes of waste from the Saskatoon Landfill in 2014.

Gryba notes concentrating on Continuous Improvement is central to planning for the City’s future growth.

“Improving effectiveness and efficiency in our current operations ensures we deliver affordable and sustainable programs and enables us to be collaborative and responsive in our growth to half a million people,” says Gryba.

Focusing on our long-term goal to manage the City in a smart, sustainable way, supports the City’s seven Strategic Goals and being the best-managed city in Canada. 

Household hazardous waste requires proper disposal to reduce risks to humans and animals, and prevent pollution of our land, water and air. These materials should not be placed in your garbage or recycling bins, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials. A temporary site will be set up at SaskTel Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the following dates in 2015:

2015 Household Hazardous Waste Days:

• August 15
• September 19
• October 17
• November 21

For a complete list of materials accepted at HHW Days, please visit Saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste. A number of items can also be returned to local retailers for convenient and safe disposal or recycling – for current opportunities in the community, please visit Saskwastereduction.ca.

Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days. Leftover paint and empty paint cans are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. A complete list of paint/paint products accepted at SARCAN locations can be found at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint.

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.

- 30 -

NEW

CENTRAL AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM BEEF RESEARCH RD TO ATTRIDGE DR
(Installation of a catch basin)
Start: August 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: August 13, 9:00 a.m. End: August 13, 4:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM FIELD HOUSE RD TO COLLEGE DR
(Manhole work)
Start: August 13, 9:30 a.m. End: August 17, 4:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
Attridge Dr. WB exit ramp will be closed. Access Circle Dr. via College Dr./Central Ave.
(Road resurfacing)
Start: August 13, 7:00 p.m. End: August 13, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

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

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – A grand opening ceremony is being held Wednesday, August 12, for PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park – Saskatoon’s new, must-see family-friendly attraction.

To officially open PotashCorp Playland, representatives from the City of Saskatoon, PotashCorp, Canpotex, and Canadian Pacific (CP) will help hammer in “the last spike” for the train track that loops around the park.  The fun ceremony was inspired by a similar one held in 1885 in British Columbia when the Canadian Pacific Railway completed its transcontinental railroad across Canada.

PotashCorp Playland features a $1.025 million train provided by Canpotex and CP, as well as a larger Ferris wheel and a refurbished carousel.  PotashCorp provided $7.5 million of the $9.5 million cost of PotashCorp Playland, which also includes a unique, new play area.  This part of PotashCorp Playland is free of charge and has lots of room for climbing, sliding, swinging – and riding down the double cable ride.

“Visiting the Kinsmen Park rides has long been a tradition in Saskatoon – and with the opening of PotashCorp Playland, the experience is better than ever,” says Lee Knafelc, PotashCorp Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. “Every child will find something fun to do at PotashCorp Playland, and that was our goal.”

PotashCorp strives to improve the well-being of the communities in which it operates, and this motivated its investment in PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park.

“I am so proud of the partnerships that created this one-of-a-kind family centre right in downtown Saskatoon,” says Mayor Donald Atchison. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to PotashCorp, Canpotex, and CP for their financial commitment to the people of Saskatoon.  Thousands of families will come here in the decades ahead and create wonderful memories of PotashCorp Playland and Kinsmen Park.”

To celebrate Wednesday’s grand opening, rides are free from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at PotashCorp Playland.  There is also entertainment, carnival games, prizes, and snacks, all courtesy of PotashCorp.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.