News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Work underway on City’s third dry storm pond project
February 15, 2023 - 2:15pm
Construction has started on a dry storm pond in Weaver District Park. It’s the third of nine Flood Control Strategy (FCS) projects the City of Saskatoon has undertaken, and it will be completed in 2024. The FCS, aimed at reducing neighbourhood flooding during intense rainfalls, was approved by City Council in 2018.
The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward the nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue generated from Storm Water Utility charges.
“Prairie communities have long excelled at finding new and innovative ways to protect their citizens from flooding hazards,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “We will continue to be guided by their expertise in delivering infrastructure projects that create more resilient communities, in Saskatchewan and across the country.”
Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause flooding in intersections and nearby properties during intense rainfalls. The water flows into the pond instead, then slowly drains into the storm sewer system. Whenever dry, it is used as recreational or park space.
“Once operational, the Weaver Park dry storm pond will reduce flooding to properties near the intersections of Cascade Street and Dufferin Avenue, and Bute Street and Dufferin Avenue,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The project is being built in the north end of the park where a recreation field is also being incorporated into the design between the playground and dry storm pond.”
The City of Saskatoon opened the W.W. Ashley District dry storm pond in 2022 and the Churchill Park dry storm pond project will be completed later this year. Six more FCS projects will be built in Saskatoon over the next four years.
For more information about the FCS program and future project locations, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.
City of Saskatoon to host “atoskewin – Engaging an Indigenous Workforce” Career Fair
February 15, 2023 - 11:15am
The City of Saskatoon is pleased to host its first “atoskewin – Engaging an Indigenous Workforce” Career Fair on February 16, 2023.
The career fair is a collaborative effort between the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and Gabriel Dumont Institute Inc (GDI).
“We know from previous job fairs that these events are a great resource, not only for those seeking employment, but employers as well,” says Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand. “The job fair could open doors for anyone and the Saskatoon Tribal Council encourages all and especially our relatives to explore the opportunities available to have a good quality of life.”
Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #92: Ensuring Indigenous peoples have access to jobs, training, and education opportunities, the event is looking to engage Saskatoon’s Indigenous Community to make the City’s workforce reflective of the community it serves.
“The career fair is a key action to achieving a more inclusive workplace,” says Marno McInnes, Chief Human Resources Officer, City of Saskatoon. “We look forward to welcoming new employees that will work with us to make Saskatoon a great place to live, work, learn and play.”
“SIIT is pleased to support the City of Saskatoon in the hosting of the career fair, and in their continued engagement of Saskatoon’s Indigenous community,” says Lisa Shingoose, Vice-President of Employment Development and Career Services, SIIT. “Indigenous participation in all workforces is critical for economic reconciliation and we have such an opportunity in communities like Saskatoon to shape that reconciliation. Our Indigenous voice and perspectives will continue to enrich Saskatoon’s economic growth and labour force development.”
Through this event, the City of Saskatoon will be leveraging the expertise of the community partners to identify and remove systemic barriers in the recruitment of Indigenous people.
“Creating a strong link between the training and sustained employment of Métis people is part of GDI’s Training and Employment Department mandate,” says Lisa Bird-Wilson, Executive Director, GDI. “We are thrilled to join our partners in the career fair, in efforts to connect our Métis community clients to opportunities for sustainable employment with the City of Saskatoon.”
The career fair will be held Thursday, February 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge (602 – 20th Street west). Prior to the career fair, workshops were held for participants by the community partners to prepare resumes. Attendees can ask questions of City staff and take part in job interviews on site.
The event is open to everyone looking to explore a career opportunity with the City.
For more information, contact: talentacquisition@saskatoon.ca.
Saskatoon taking a major step toward moving the needle on waste diversion
February 13, 2023 - 2:00pm
A city-wide initiative is rolling out this spring that will help divert up to 20,000 tonnes, or about 3,300 garbage truck loads, of organics from the Saskatoon landfill every year. Throughout March and April, all households with black garbage carts and blue recycling carts will receive a third cart - a green cart - specifically for materials like food and yard waste.
“Our studies show that up to fifty-seven percent of what the average Saskatoon household throws into the garbage can actually be put to good, sustainable use,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “Lawn clippings, leaves, meat, dairy, and even soiled paper are among the many things that residents will be able to divert from their garbage to the green cart.”
When biweekly collection starts in May, green cart materials will be taken to a third-party processing facility that turns everything into nutrient-rich compost faster and at higher temperatures than at-home composting or a compost depot. Compost produced will meet the highest certification as a safe and healthy fertilizer for yards, gardens and farms.
The green carts, with an information package and kitchen pail attached, will be delivered to the front of each home between mid-March and the end of April. Subscribers to the previous Green Cart Program will continue to use their existing carts but will also receive the kitchen pail. The pail is to collect food waste inside before transferring it into the green cart.
Because so much of what we throw away can go into the green cart, Lemke says garbage cart collection will continue on a biweekly schedule once the green cart service begins in May. Green carts will be collected at the same location as the black and blue carts.
“If they’re not already thinking about it, then now is a great time for residents to consider how they will get rid of waste going forward. Is it really garbage or can it go into the green cart? Is it recyclable or could it be reused? By asking ourselves these questions and putting our waste in the right place, we are helping protect the health of our land, air and water while reducing the need for a new landfill.”
A monthly average utility fee of $6.73 will appear on City utility bills beginning in May. The fee covers collection, composting, cart maintenance, education programs and program management. The City is planning a multi-unit residential organics program, but for now, residents who utilize the large communal garbage and recycling bins are not affected by these changes and will not be charged monthly. This summer, businesses and organizations that generate food and yard waste will be required to separate it from the garbage.
For more information about green carts, and to download the ‘Saskatoon Waste Wizard’ app where you can check collection dates and sign up for collection reminders, please visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.
Flowerpot planting program to continue as City explores options for Greenhouse replacement
February 9, 2023 - 4:15pm
Since it was built in 1958, the City’s Greenhouse facility (Greenhouse) located within the Vic Rempel yards off Avenue P North, has provided plants for all the City’s flowerpots, flower beds and indoor greenery and has now reached the end of its service life.
In recent years, the Greenhouse has experienced escalating structural concerns due to its age and unique design and will soon need to be vacated for the safety of staff. In September 2022, an engineering assessment indicated increasing issues with the Greenhouse structure from the previous year and recommended that it be vacated.
The City wants everyone to know that bright and beautiful flowers will continue to be planted citywide by Parks staff every year. While options will be explored for the future of the Greenhouse, the City has secured a suitable private sector contractor to provide seasonal plants for the 2023 season.
Later this year, City Administration will bring a report back to City Council outlining longer-term recommendations for the future of the Greenhouse program.
Technical Advisor selected for Downtown Event & Entertainment District: draft vision, guiding principles to Council committee
February 8, 2023 - 4:15pm
- A distinctive identity through placemaking/placekeeping
- Architectural and public realm design excellence
- Reconciliation by honouring Indigenous histories, languages and culture
- Reliable and efficient transportation options
- Downtown density with a focus on housing
- Leadership in sustainability and resiliency
- A robust and diverse economy
- A healthy and safe community
Through a competitive process, Stantec has been chosen as the City’s Technical Advisor for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District. Stantec has partnered with HOK and LMN who have a wealth of experience in similar projects, including Rogers Place and Edmonton’s ICE District, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Calgary BMO Centre Expansion in Calgary.
“Stantec has put together a highly experienced team of experts for this project,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “When it comes to developing event centres and convention centres, our technical advisors bring international expertise to the project. This, combined with the ability to leverage Saskatoon-specific knowledge through City Council, the District Advisory Group, and local stakeholders and rightsholders, gives us confidence we will have a successful project.”
Additionally, at the February 14th Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting, a draft of the Vision and Guiding Principles for the District Plan will be presented in an Information Report.
The Vision and Guiding Principles are designed to outline the aspirations of the District Plan, with the goal of repurposing Downtown Saskatoon into an entertainment and cultural hub, with vibrant public spaces that are welcoming and accessible for everyone.
“The vision for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District will combine the new event centre, a new or updated convention centre and a plan for the larger area, including enhanced public spaces that will be accessible to everyone through the Bus Rapid Transit system,” says Willems.
“The District Plan creates the foundation to support commerce, tourism, services, residential properties, entertainment and more, and is the key component to the future success of the District.”
The full draft Vision and Guiding Principles can be found through the meeting agenda. The main principles being proposed for the District, including:
Other aspects of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District continue to progress. The City is continuing to develop funding strategies with the goal of funding the project with little or no additional increases to property taxes. Conceptual design of the new facilities will begin in February.
City Council will be asked to make a decision on the guiding principles at its meeting in March.
For more information visit the project website at saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.