News Releases

For Immediate Release:  June 30, 2014

Travel on Saskatoon Transit for fast, convenient service to and from the Canada Day celebrations at Diefenbaker Park on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.  Customers are reminded that adjustments to routes and schedules began on June 29, and that Routes 1 and 17 will be running in the vicinity of Diefenbaker Park on their regular Sunday/Holiday service until 9:00 p.m.  Normal fares apply.

After the fireworks, catch a free ride from Diefenbaker Park with Saskatoon Transit. 

Saskatoon Transit is pleased to provide special night service free-of-charge from Diefenbaker Park to the four quadrants of Saskatoon following the fireworks show on July 1.  Four special routes will leave Diefenbaker Park (St. Henry Avenue) approximately 15 minutes after the fireworks show is over.  Buses will follow a designated route and will stop on request at bus stops or locations where it is safe to stop.

Bus #1 – will travel to the Downtown Terminal, then continue on 2^nd Avenue and Warman Road and will end at the Lawson Terminal

Bus #2 – will travel to the Downtown Terminal, then continue on 22^nd Street and will end at the Confederation Terminal

Bus #3 – will travel via Ruth Street to the Market Mall Terminal, then continue on Taylor Street and Acadia Drive and will end at the Centre Mall Terminal

Bus #4 – will travel via 8^th Street to the Centre Mall Terminal, then continue on to Central Avenue and 115^th Street and will end at the bus stop at Berini Drive and 115^th Street

For more information call Customer Service at 306-975-3100.

Access Transit will also provide additional service until midnight on Canada Day, July 1, for the fireworks at Diefenbaker Park.  Trips must be booked in advance as per normal booking procedures.  Access Transit customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on statutory holidays.

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.

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2014
                                           

SPADINA CRESCENT 

Beginning at 12:00 p.m. Noon on Tuesday, July 1, Spadina Crescent will be closed from 20th Street to 3rd Avenue to accommodate the Canada Day Arts and Cultural Festival. The road is expected to reopen by 9:00 p.m. the same day.

CIRCLE DRIVE SOUTH BRIDGE

Starting at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, the speed limit approaching the Circle Drive South Bridge will be reduced to 60 km/h in both directions for the duration of the Canada Day fireworks display at Diefenbaker Park. Vehicles are not permitted to stop on the bridge. The speed restrictions are expected to be lifted by 11:30 p.m.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

CP14-141

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Canada Day on Tuesday, July 1, 2014:

City Hall will be closed.

Parking meters will not require payment.  Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.

Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public.

Saskatoon Landfill will be open with regular summer hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Compost Depots will be open with regular hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Garbage, Recycling and Leaves & Grass collection will take place as scheduled.

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed.

Mendel Art Gallery and Saskatoon Civic Conservatory will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

TRANSIT SERVICES

Saskatoon Transit will operate with regular Sunday/Holiday Service.

Access Transit will operate with regular Holiday Service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.  Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures.  Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.

Transit Customer Service Centre will be closed.

Transit Customer Service phone lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION & SPORT

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo:  Regular hours of operation.

Golf Courses: Regular hours of operation (dawn to dusk) for Holiday Park, Wildwood and Silverwood.

Lions SkatePark and Satellite SkateSites: Regular hours of operation (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).

Leisure Centres

Cosmo Civic Centre: CLOSED

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre): CLOSED

Lakewood Civic Centre: Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED.

Lawson Civic Centre: Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED.

Saskatoon Field House: Open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Special holiday fitness class from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED.

Shaw Centre: Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED.

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre:  Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED.

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times, please visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.  For more information on operating hours and programs, please contact the Leisure Centres or 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.

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2014
   

11TH STREET & FAIRLIGHT DRIVE, JULY 2-3 

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 11th Street will be closed from Chappell Drive to Crescent Boulevard and Fairlight Drive northbound will be closed from 11th Street to Pendygrasse Road while crews pave the road.

The work is expected to last 2 days.

20TH STREET EASTBOUND FROM AVENUE F TO AVENUE G, JULY 2 – 30

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 20th Street eastbound lanes will be closed from Avenue F to Avenue G as the city commences phase 1 of the 20th Street West Streetscape Improvement Project. Two way traffic will be accommodated in the westbound lanes.

Avenue G will also be closed south of the 20th Street intersection for one block. The work is expected to last 4 weeks.

33RD STREET WEST EASTBOUND

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 33rd Street West eastbound lanes will be closed between Edmonton Avenue and Avenue P while SaskEnergy works on the road. Two way traffic will be accommodated in the westbound lanes.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 2:00 p.m. the same day.

SPADINA CRESCENT FROM 2ND AVENUE TO 3RD AVENUE

Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, Spadina Crescent will be closed between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue to accommodate the Drive the River golfing event.

The road is expected to reopen by 1:00 p.m. the same day.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS ATTRIDGE DRIVE/PRESTON AVENUE ON RAMP TO CIRCLE DRIVE WESTBOUND, JULY 2

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, the Attridge Drive/Preston Avenue on ramp to Circle Drive westbound will be closed while crews repair a SaskTel manhole.

The road is expected to reopen by 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON 51ST STREET, JULY 2

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, the following restrictions will be in place on 51st Street while crews resurface the road.

- 51st Street eastbound median (inside) lane from Wentz Avenue to Millar Avenue will be closed
- 51st Street westbound left turn lane to Wentz Avenue southbound and Cleveland Avenue southbound will be closed
- 51st Street westbound curb (outside) and centre lanes from Millar Avenue to Miners Avenue will be closed.

To minimize the impact to traffic and inconvenience to businesses in the area the work has been scheduled to take place overnight between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

The restrictions will last one night. All lanes will be open during the day.

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! 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.

For Release: Friday, June 27, 2014

As of this morning, Friday, June 27, 2014, the Saskatoon Fire Department has reopened the Public Boat Launch. River levels are once again going down, reducing the risk associated with using the river for boating activities. Current river levels are 1000 cubic metres per second (m³/s) and are expected to continue to go down.

Saskatoon Fire Department advises residents to exercise extreme care and caution around the river throughout this period of elevated water levels.  

The 10-day forecast for stream flows and any other relevant updates are posted to the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) website at wsask.ca.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation & Sport Division reminds residents that the last day to take advantage of the special Family Fun Pack promotion is Monday, June 30, 2014. 
Family Fun Packs provide more than 25% off family admissions to the City’s most popular attractions, including:
• three Leisure Centre passes; 
• three outdoor pool passes;
• one Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo pass; and
• two indoor rink passes.
Family Fun Packs are available for purchase for the discounted price of $100, plus GST, ($137 value) at any of the six indoor Leisure Centres (Cosmo Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre, Saskatoon Field House and Shaw Centre).
For more information on Family Fun Packs and more, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/leisure.
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-

SPADINA CRESCENT NORTHBOUND FROM AVENUE G TO AVENUE C, JUNE 28

Starting at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, the Spadina Crescent northbound lanes between Avenue G and Avenue C will be closed for the Kids of Steel Triathlon. The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 1:00 p.m. that day.

VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS ALONG VALLEY ROAD AND CIRCLE DRIVE FOR SUBARU TRIATHLON, JUNE 29

Starting at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 29, the following road restrictions will be in place for the Subaru Triathlon event:

- Valley Road northbound median lane at Dundonald Avenue will be closed

- Valley Road to Circle Drive northbound loop will be closed

- Circle Drive westbound curb lane approaching Valley Road to 11th Street West will be closed

- 11th Street eastbound curb lane from Circle Drive to Dawes Avenue will be closed

Additional road restrictions will be in place along the triathlon route including Spadina Crescent and near the downtown area. 
The landfill entrance will not be affected. Motorists exiting the landfill and wanting to access Circle Drive northbound will be detoured across the river, turning around at Lorne Avenue. All restrictions are expected to be lifted by 12:00 p.m noon that day.
REMINDER: PRESTON AVENUE NORTHBOUND FROM 3RD STREET TO 8TH STREET, JUNE 27-JULY 2

Preston Avenue northbound lanes between 3rd Street and 8th Street continue to be closed for sanitary sewer upgrades. Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the southbound lanes. All restrictions are expected to be lifted by 6:00 p.m on July 2.
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.

Canada Day is a great time to celebrate our nation’s birthday and often fireworks are a part of that celebration. The Saskatoon Fire Department understands this and wants residents to know that the ban on detonating fireworks is lifted for Canada Day between the hours of dusk and 11:00 p.m. It is important to understand that during those hours only low-hazard or family fireworks can be detonated and then ONLY on private property.

Low-hazard or family fireworks are designed for public recreational use and include some roman candles, sparklers, fountains, wheels, volcanoes, mines and snakes that do not travel above 18m (60ft.). High-hazard fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by persons holding a valid Fireworks Supervisor – Level I or Level II card issued by Natural Resources Canada.

Before setting off fireworks on your private property choose your location wisely and carefully follow all of the instructions on the fireworks. You will need a wide clear site with no overhead obstructions. For example, a roman candle needs an area of about 30m (100ft) by 30m (100ft) with enough room for spectators around the perimeter. Keep in mind that you are responsible for any debris that may land on your spectators or another person’s property. 

After dusk, when you are ready to fire, make sure that it is not windy, that everyone under 18 is supervised by an adult and that you always carefully light the fuse at its tip. Other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand.  

Wait at least 30 minutes for the fireworks to cool before beginning the clean-up process. It is safest to dispose of used fireworks and debris in a pail of water. Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that didn’t ignite.

Detonating low-hazard fireworks outside of the specified timeframe or on public property is prohibited in the Fire and Protective Services Bylaw No. 7990. Please report unauthorized use or discharge of fireworks to the Saskatoon Fire Department by calling 306-975-3030.

Persons wanting to have a fireworks display that includes high-hazard fireworks, detonating low-hazard fireworks on public property, or any fireworks display outside of the designated times, must first obtain a Fireworks Permit. For information on Fireworks Permits, please contact Acting Fire Marshal Luc Durand at 306-975-2520 or visit www.saskatoon.ca.

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.

- 30 -