News Releases

The Spring Pothole and Spring Street Sweeping Blitzes resumed in full force on Wednesday upon the return of warmer weather and dry streets. The moisture from the rain and snow over the past week and a half prevented us from performing much of the planned sweeping and interrupted the repairing of potholes.  The snow, rain, cooler temperatures and frost coming out of the ground caused many new potholes to develop on all Saskatoon streets. 

Spring Pothole Blitz

The City has been repairing potholes along the high-traffic streets since the start of the Spring Pothole Blitz on April 14.  As a result of the recent snow/rain and cooler temperatures, many of those same streets are littered with new holes.  Standing water on the streets has a significant impact on the formation of new potholes. In order to make up for the delays due to weather interruptions, additional City and contractor crews will be engaged for the next two weeks patching potholes in the driving lanes of the priority one and two streets.  A schedule is available for the Spring Pothole Blitz on the City’s website.

The online Report-a-Pothole map usage was up 40 per cent over the past seven days, as the collection of potholes grew.  We thank those who are reporting these locations and remind everyone to please call the Customer Service Call Centre to report the dangerous locations so that we may address them immediately.

“The blitz program for patching potholes in the driving lanes of the major streets and bus routes is designed to improve the safety and ride comfort of motorists,” says Director of Public Works Pat Hyde.  “Tackling these existing and new locations that arise will prove to be a benefit for all.” 

Gravel-covered areas from construction and water main breaks (Utility Cuts)

Asphalt patching is occurring along priority streets where water main breaks occurred over the winter months.  Other gravel-covered areas caused by construction or other underground utility work will be repaired beginning in June.  The utility cuts on the priority streets are monitored daily.  Maintenance grading is performed as required and in many cases is done daily.  Graders will continue to maintain these gravel areas until they can be permanently repaired with asphalt.  Residents are reminded to please call our Customer Service Call Centre at 306-975-2476 to report utility cuts that are severely rutted.  

 Your Tax Dollars at Work – Building Better Roads

Part of the new 4.29% dedicated tax levy is for improved roadway repairs and maintenance.  Residents and businesses will see improvements as a result of an additional $605,000 for the street sweeping program which includes the Spring Street Sweeping Blitz and the Accelerated Residential Sweeping programs; and an additional $550,000 for the Spring Pothole Blitz program. Learn more about Building Better Roads.

Spring Street Sweeping Blitz

Prior to moving into the residential areas, City and contract street sweeping crews are cleaning up along the high-traffic priority streets.  Since April 14, the focus has been sweeping centre medians where grass or trees are located, in order to promote growth and improve street aesthetics, and as well sweeping on the priority one and two streets.  The moisture over the past week also impacted and delayed this program. Extra staff are being assigned and contractors were called in to help move the sweeping along.

The Spring Sweeping Blitz is designed as a quick pass through in order to remove the heavier dirt and debris so that once the Accelerated Residential Area Sweep program commences later in May, it will enable a more effective and complete curb-to-curb sweep program.  As a result during the Spring Sweeping Blitz the sweepers will be going around parked vehicles and focus mainly on the driving lanes of the roadway. 

Accelerated Residential Street Sweeping and Pothole Patching

Upon completion of the Spring Sweeping Blitz, the Accelerated Residential Area Street Sweeping program begins.  This is designed as a six week program where every street will be swept curb-to-curb by neighbourhood including the business improvement districts and also those streets that were done during the Spring blitz.  This program will also see applied for the first time a city wide application of parking enforcement.  This will include both a relocation towing and a $100 fine that will be applied for parking on a scheduled street.  The yellow ‘sandwich style’ No Parking signs will be used during day time operations and augmented with yellow replica paper signs throughout the program where on-street vehicle parking is an issue. 

Weather permitting, the scheduled start of the program is Monday, May 12.  Further information and schedules will be provided closer to the launch date of the Accelerated Residential Area Street Sweeping program.

Schedules and more information are available at saskatoon.ca as part of the Building Better Roads campaign.  Saskatoon’s Road Plan is a coordinated approach to repair, maintenance and construction, Building Better Roads in Saskatoon.

As part of a new initiative, the City of Saskatoon will be applying small plastic tags to black garbage carts across the city, which will allow the City to confirm garbage collection.

Each tag contains a barcode for our trucks to scan on collection day. The barcode links a resident’s garbage cart with their address and nothing more. The tags are similar to those used by Loraas Recycle to confirm blue cart collection of recycling.

These little tags will make a big difference in how we provide residents with this essential service:

- The assigned tag and barcode will confirm when carts have been emptied, helping us avoid missed collections. Missed collections are estimated to cost Saskatoon taxpayers $155,000 a year.

- We will be able to track and record carts that require repair or replacement, ensuring that a resident’s black garbage cart is always ready for use.

“This little tag will let us make a big improvement in how we provide this service to people across the City,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “Our initial research suggests that this entire project could save the City approximately $200,000 per year, and we are hoping for even more savings in the future.”

In order to get carts tagged, the City is asking residents to make sure theirs and neighbours’ black garbage carts are out until 5 p.m. on the scheduled collection day, giving our crews time to apply the new tag to the cart.

If you have any questions about these tags or how they work, learn more at saskatoonrecycles.ca or call (306) 975-2486.

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.

Having fulfilled their purpose and as part of the agreement with the artists, two short term art installations, Found Compressions One and Two and INFRA are being removed today, April 30, 2014.

Intended as a short-term installation, Found Compressions One and Two, by Saskatoon artist Keeley Haftner, is a sculpture of two cube-shaped cellophane wrapped bales of recyclable materials.

“The artwork has realized its full potential in terms of generating dialogue,” Haftner says and adds she now wants to think about a venue to show a new rendition of the work to discuss the project in its entirety.

INFRA, by Toronto artist Tonya Hart, was originally installed November 2013, on College Drive near Bottomley Avenue and was later relocated to the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink.  The artwork is a group of sculptures comprised of eight life-sized wolves created with fiberglass.  A fluorescent pigment gives the wolves their bright colours during the day and LED lighting provides their glow at night.

Both installations were placed within the City as part of our Placemaker Program, which aims to promote contemporary arts in a public space, by leasing artworks from the artist. The artwork is adjudicated by the City of Saskatoon’s Visual Arts Placement Jury.

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.

Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, sections of 7th Street between Preston Avenue and Early Drive will be closed for sanitary sewer upgrades. The sanitary sewer construction will be staged by the following sections:

- Preston Avenue to Argyle Avenue (including the Argyle Avenue/7th Street intersection)      

- Argyle Avenue to Campbell Avenue  (including the Campbell Avenue/7th Street intersection)

- Campbell Avenue to Early Drive (including the Early Drive/7th Street intersection)

- Preston Ave/7th Street intersection (affecting Northbound traffic)                   

Following the sanitary sewer work, road restoration will occur.

“No Parking” signs will be posted in advance of when the work will commence. Signs will also be posted to advise motorists of detour routes.

This project is part of the City of Saskatoon Flood Control Strategy and is designed to provide added protection against sanitary backup in basements during intense rain events.  This project is partially funded by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Canada Saskatchewan Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.

All restrictions are expected to be lifted by June 27, 2014, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

The City thanks everyone for their patience during this time.

Motorists are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

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

To accommodate a marathon event on Sunday, April 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., no parking signs and lane restrictions will be in place along marathon routes in the downtown area and along Spadina Crescent. The main road restrictions will include:

- Full closure of 4th Avenue between 22nd Street and 23rd Street
- Full closure of Avenue A between 19th Street and Spadina Crescent
- Spadina Crescent northbound between 20th Street and 33rd Street (including the exit from University Bridge) 
- 25th Street westbound curb lane from University Bridge to 6th Avenue

Drivers are reminded to drive carefully, watch for participants and officials and to be aware of “no parking” signs along the marathon route. The City thanks everyone for their patience.

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

CY14- 143
 
The City of Saskatoon Municipal Golf Courses are now open for the season with the exception of the Holiday Park Executive Nine and the Silverwood Front Nine, which will open on Wednesday, April 30, weather permitting. 

Holiday Park (Phone:  306-975-3325; 1630 Avenue U South)
• Driving Range now open
• Holiday Park 18:  now open
• Holiday Park Executive Nine:  opening Wednesday, April 30

 Silverwood (Phone:  306-975-3314; 3503 Kinnear Avenue)
• Driving Range now open
• Silverwood Lake (Front) Nine:  Wednesday, April 30
• Silverwood River (Back) Nine:  now open

Wildwood (Phone:  306-975-3320; 8th Street East)
• Now open

Online tee time reservations are now being accepted at www.saskatoon.ca/go/golf.  Golfers are able to book 9 or 18 holes of play for groups of 1-4 players up to ten days in advance at any of the three municipal golf courses.  Online tee time reservations are not available for same day bookings.  Same day bookings can be completed by phone or in person.  A valid email address is required to make tee time reservations. 
For more information on the City of Saskatoon golf courses, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/golf.

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.

Saskatoon Transit customers using Google Transit for trip planning assistance over the next week may receive incorrect information when using the application while we work to update the database.  

While City Information Technology staff are working quickly to correct the issue, they anticipate that it will take a week to correct due to Google processing times. Google has strict requirements on how data must be sent for our information to be integrated in their system.  Prior to each data upload a validation process is performed to try and avoid this situation. Unfortunately, for the most recent upload some errors were not identified and the City must restart the process.

Customers requiring a trip plan during this time should use the Click & Go service on the City’s website, which is unaffected, or phone Customer Service at 306-975-3100 where a representative can help you. Customers are also always welcome to visit us in person at our downtown bus terminal located at 226 23rd Street between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends.

Saskatoon Transit would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  

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.

As part of its Earth Day celebrations, the City is pleased to announce the winners of the Assistance to Community Groups – Cash Grants – Environmental Component for 2014.

“These grants are handed out each year to recognize local non-profit organizations implementing initiatives that support the City’s strategic goal of Environmental Leadership,” says Brenda Wallace, Director, Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “Funds are allocated to community groups for protection of the environment, conservation of natural resources, environmental communications and education, and environmental research, and our grant recipients this year are certainly deserving of their awards.”

Projects that will be funded in 2014 include:

• Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. ($1,000): Outreach and educational programming to increase awareness and appropriate responses to injured or orphaned wildlife in the city.
• SOS Elms Coalition, Inc. ($1,250): Revision and reprinting of the educational booklet, "Saskatoon Tree Tour - A Guide to the Unique and Unusual Trees in Saskatoon.”
• Safe Drinking Water Foundation ($1,400): Hands-on educational kits for schools, focusing on drinking water quality issues and solutions.
• Saskatchewan Environmental Society ($1,425): Earth Day Celebration to inform and educate the public about sustainable initiatives and how they, in turn, can live more sustainable lives.
• Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin ($1,425): Education on the importance of aquatic and riparian ecosystems through the curriculum based "Stan the Sturgeon Fish Habitat Program.”
• Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-operative Ltd. ($1,750): Educating inner-city youth on concepts of environmental responsibility, nutrition, gardening and general healthy living through the Community Seed Harvest Initiative: Part of CNYC's Growing Our Future program.
• FH Canada ($1,750): Collection, recycling and refurbishment of locally donated medical equipment and supplies, as part of the International Medical Equipment Distribution program.

More information on the City of Saskatoon’s environmental initiatives can be found at www.saskatoon.ca, and click on “E” for “Environmental Services”.

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.

Spring fever is in the air for both dogs and their owners. With the weather finally warming up it is a great time to get out and enjoy the six active Dog Parks operated by the City of Saskatoon (City). With exciting plans for two more parks to open this summer, the following Dog Park’s are accessible to all licensed dogs:
• Avalon - south end of Broadway Avenue;
• Briarwood - south of Wilson's Greenhouse on McOrmond Drive;
• Caswell (open Summer 2014) - next to the Mayfair Pool;
• Hampton Village - north on Range Road 3060, near the airport;
• Hyde Park (open Summer 2014) - south end of Hyde Park adjacent to Boychuk Drive;
• Silverwood - access off Kinnear Avenue or the east end of Adilman Drive;
• Southwest - off Valley Road by the landfill; and
• Sutherland Beach - west of Central Avenue, north of Attridge Drive.

With the increase of users expected in the Dog Parks, here are a few tips to being a responsible pet owner:
• Please pick up after your dog;
• Dogs must stay ON LEASH in all areas of the City unless the area is clearly designated (signed) as a Dog Park; and
• Please be considerate and courteous to other people and children enjoying the outdoors and keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable around dogs, even friendly ones.

For more information or to see a map of the Dog Parks, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/dogparks.
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 -

It’s Earth Day, and around the world events are being held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Throughout the week, the City will be participating in awareness events, sharing information about its environmental initiatives, and encouraging residents to THINK about their activities and how they affect the planet, to CHOOSE to live more environmentally friendly, and to DO something that many residents are already doing – living more green. 
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) Earth Day Celebrations, with financial support from the City, will take place today, April 22, at the Farmers' Market starting at 3:00 p.m. Activities will include eco­crafts and face­ painting, outdoor activities and a concert featuring local musicians. During the event, the City will be showcasing its recycling information and other environmental programs. For more information, please visit www.environmentalsociety.ca.
The City will also take part in four days of films, workshops and events at the Saskatchewan Eco Network’s Environmental Film Festival, which runs April 24-27 at the Roxy Theatre and Frances Morrison Library. The City will present a Waste Reduction Workshop on April 27 following the afternoon films. More information is available at www.econet.ca.
Throughout the week there will be daily posts on the City’s blog, saskatooncitynews.ca, providing more details on the City’s environmental programs. These programs include: 
Household Hazardous Waste Days

This program makes disposing of hazardous household chemicals and materials convenient and protects the environment. Visit Saskatoon.ca under “H” for Household Hazardous Waste Days.
Recycling Opportunities

The blue-cart recycling program has been utilized by 97% of residents who together helped divert over 8,000 tonnes of recyclable material from the Landfill. Visit saskatoonrecycles.ca and SaskWasteReduction.ca for more details. 
Be Water Wise

The Be Water Wise Campaign supports the City of Saskatoon’s efforts to reduce water consumption in Saskatoon in all sectors. Visit Saskatoon.ca under “B” for Be Water Wise.
Green Cart - Leaves and Grass Collection Program

This program has been expanded for 2014. Now any interested household can participate in the program! More details can be found at SaskatoonRecycles.ca.
Compost Depots

Residents may take their leaves, grass, and non-elm branches, stumps and tree trimmings to the City’s compost depots free of charge. The compost depots are now open! Visit Saskatoon.ca under “C” for “Composting.”
“Yer Dirt” Compost and Mulch Sales

Purchase compost and mulch for use on lawns and in gardens at the Highway 7 Compost Depot. Visit Saskatoon.ca under “C” for “Composting.”
Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Rebates

The City has a limited number of $20 rebates available to Saskatoon residents who purchase a rain barrel or compost bin from a Saskatoon retailer in 2014. Visit www.saskwastereduction.ca/rebate-form to download a rebate form. 
Pesticide Reduction

The City supports the Be Pesticide Free campaign, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. Learn about alternatives to harmful chemical pesticides and how to do your part to reduce your pesticide use. For more information, visit www.bepesticidefree.ca.
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.