News Releases

The Office of the Chief Coroner today concluded the September 11, 2017 drowning death of five-year-old Ahmedsadiq Elmmi was accidental and no inquest will be held.

“First of all – as we did at the time of the incident – the City extends its heartfelt condolences to Ahmed Elmmi’s family, friends, teachers, and classmates,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation & Utilities. “As a parent myself I can’t imagine what this family has had to deal with.”

The Coroner made three recommendations for the City:

1. To assess the feasibility for water safety education within all Saskatoon communities, such as providing learning materials to residential areas with nearby water access.
2. During community planning and development, and to optimize safety, the City of Saskatoon and the school boards should consider future placement of ponds and municipal structures, so that such structures and ponds are located away from schools, playgrounds and areas where children are known to play.
3. Assess the need for additional barriers and modifications to ponds and their surrounding area where the location of such structures is within proximity to schools and areas known to be occupied by children.

To assess the feasibility for water safety education within all Saskatoon communities, such as providing learning materials to residential areas with nearby water access.

“We would agree with the Coroner’s recommendation here,” Gardiner says. “The Fire Department routinely offers public education on safety near the river or ponds, and has reached out to the School Divisions to offer such a program in schools.”

Gardiner says the City presented its proposed recommendations for storm water retention ponds to the community which include an educational component for schools and community associations as well as easy to understand signage around all storm water retention ponds.

During community planning and development, and to optimize safety, the City of Saskatoon and the school boards should consider future placement of ponds and municipal structures, so that such structures and ponds are located away from schools, playgrounds and areas where children are known to play.

Gardiner highlights this is already under discussion with the community and outlines the proposed recommendations:

1. In new neighbourhoods, storm ponds should be located a safe distance from schools, unless separated by a barrier or other risk mitigating factors are in place.   Barriers could be in the form of roads or residential/commercial developments. 
2. If safety risks cannot be mitigated through location and other design options, we would assess fencing as a barrier on a case-by-case basis.
3. Finally, for Dundonald Park, a partial 1.2 m high wrought-iron fence on the school side of the park pathway is recommended.

Assess the need for additional barriers and modifications to ponds and their surrounding area where the location of such structures is within proximity to schools and areas known to be occupied by children.

Gardiner says this is also being addressed with the proposed recommendations shared with the community.

"A partial fence to provide separation between school activities and the public’s activities in the park and the pond is being proposed”, she says. “However, no matter the infrastructure in place, School officials have pointed out in the past that one of the best educational strategies is for parents to be talking to their children about safety whether it be around any ponds, the river, roads, or even railroad tracks that run through the city.”

The City will have a closer look at the report from the Public School Division also being released today and work with all school officials on any recommendations

Gardiner says she’s also expecting a report from the Children’s Advocate which will be carefully considered by the City Administration.

The proposed recommendations under development will be presented first to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services April 16 then to City Council for approval.

• Winter Comfort and Access - Projects that improve comfort and accessibility. 
• Winter Design - Urban design installations which celebrate winter. 
• Winter Activities - Events, festivals and activities that build enthusiasm for winter by taking advantage of winter opportunities and celebrate the fun quality of life.   

The City is reaching out to residents for ideas on how to improve our lives through innovation, data, and technology as part of the Smart Cities Challenge.

“Our City is filled with talented people.  This is our chance to bring people and ideas together to help tackle some of the complex social issues that are affecting the health and safety of families and neighbourhoods,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

Recently launched by the Government of Canada, the Smart Cities Challenge asks communities to share their best ideas for improving the lives of their residents by becoming a smart city.  Simply explained, smart cities are those that use technology and data to improve livability and opportunities for the city and its residents.

“Saskatoon has a chance to lead the way on quality of life improvements for our residents,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Recreation and Community Development.  “We can do this by using technology in ways that support existing and new work in our community and beyond.”

The first step in the application process is to develop a Challenge Statement that defines the outcomes a community aims to achieve.

The focus for Saskatoon’s Challenge Statement is to enhance community safety and wellbeing.  The Challenge Statement must be developed based on the input of a city’s residents, so the City has begun a process of reaching out to individuals, families, community organizations, institutions, and the technology sector.

Saskatoon residents are being asked for their ideas on how to address the challenges our city faces as they relate to community safety and wellbeing.  Be bold, put on your thinking caps and rise to the challenge!

Everyone can get involved by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage on or before Monday, April 2, 2018, and answering four questions to participate in a community-wide brainstorm to narrow down key themes for the Challenge Statement.

“When residents can solve the problems they face, they are far more empowered and engaged in the community and have a strong sense of belonging and purpose,” Lacroix says.

The City is partnering with the Central Urban Métis Federation, Saskatoon Health Authority, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Tribal Council, United Way, and University of Saskatchewan in the development of the Smart Cities Challenge Application.

Challenge Details
​The Challenge has three rounds of competition.  Saskatoon has until Tuesday, April 24, 2018, to submit a Challenge Statement application in the first round.  The Government of Canada will announce round one finalists in Summer 2018, and each finalist will receive $250,000 to further develop their ideas into a full proposal.  Winners will be announced in Spring 2019 and will have their ideas funded through a potential $10 million prize (Eligible Category:  Communities with Populations under 500,000).

Visit the Government of Canada's Challenge website to learn more about Smart Cities, and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #smartcitiesCanada.

The City is pleased to add “River and Sky,” a contemporary urban light sculpture by Tony Stallard, to the Placemaker Program’s temporary collection of public art.

The artwork was developed in collaboration with Cree artists, Joseph Naytowhow (performance artist) and Kenneth T. Williams (writer).  The light sculpture features Cree syllabics that can be translated to 'sîpiy mîna kîsik' meaning “River and Sky.”  It will be displayed on the north-facing wall of the Saskatchewan Craft Council on Broadway Avenue.  This is a sister work to “Land of Berries,” currently installed on the north-facing wall of the Persephone Theatre. 

“Saskatoon has one of the most vibrant arts and culture scenes in the country,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “Painters, sculptors, singers, playwrights, and many other artists contribute to the beauty, culture, and strength of our community.  The arts provoke thought and stimulate important conversations.  The “River and Sky” installation is a testament to the importance of the arts as it challenges us to reflect on the history of this land and the importance of the ongoing Treaty relationship in our province and community.”

The intention of “River and Sky” was to create a poetic site-specific artwork that reflects the sacred and ritualistic space of Treaty 6.  The artwork connects to the Treaty relationship referencing “as long as the river flows, the grass grows, and the sun shines.”  These words remind us that this is a permanent relationship and that the Treaty is meant to live for generations and generations.  The sculpture also embodies the historic importance of the Elders’ meeting place near the river, and as a contemporary location to gather, meet, and socialize.

“The reflection of “River and Sky” in Cree syllabics through public art helps to create a sense of inclusion and understanding in our community,” says Mary Culbertson, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.  “This is especially important as we journey together towards Reconciliation.”

The City, in collaboration with the Business Improvement Districts, manages the Placemaker Program to add significance to civic spaces through temporary public art.  These temporary exhibits transform public spaces and engage with audiences to promote an appreciation for contemporary art practices.  All artwork is considered annually and selected by the Public Art Advisory Committee.  Artists can submit any medium.  Preference is given to submissions by emerging artists and pieces that reflect Saskatoon's unique sense of place through its people, history, culture, or landscape.

For more information on the Placemaker Program, please visit saskatoon.ca/placemaker.

Tony Stallard’s Biography
Tony Stallard is an English artist, best known for his large scale public artworks in the United Kingdom and abroad, which utilize bronze, steel, and light sculptures.  Stallard has worked for 25 years with public realm artwork, and his work has been exhibited widely from Canada to Ireland and the Czech Republic.

Joseph Naytowhow’s Biography
Joseph Naytowhow is a gifted Plains/Woodland Cree (nehiyaw) singer/songwriter, storyteller, and voice, stage, and film actor from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Band in Saskatchewan.  As a child, Joseph was influenced by his grandfather’s traditional and ceremonial chants, as well as the sounds of the fiddle and guitar.  Today he is renowned for his unique style of Cree/English storytelling, combined with original contemporary music and traditional First Nations drum and rattle songs.

Kenneth T. Williams Biography
Kenneth T. Williams is a Cree playwright from the George Gordon First Nation in the Treaty 4 territory.  His plays include Care, Café Daughter, Gordon Winter, Three Little Birds, Bannock Republic, and Thunderstick, and have been professionally produced across Canada.  He is one of ten co-writers for the Gabriel Dumont’s Wild West Show, which is currently on national tour.  He contributes regularly to the podcast, MEDIA INDIGENA, which examines current affairs from an Indigenous perspective.  He lives in Edmonton with his partner, Dr. Melissa Stoops, and is an assistant professor in the University of Alberta’s Department of Drama

The City of Saskatoon’s Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC) today announced recipients of the 2018 Heritage Awards. The Committee presents Heritage Awards every second year to recognize contributions to heritage preservation within the City of Saskatoon in the areas of archaeology, history, museums, historic buildings and sites, genealogy, natural history, and folklore.

“The Heritage Awards represent an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work of preservation, restoration and stewardship of buildings of heritage value and education in our community,” says Paula Lichtenwald, Committee Chair. “These awards recognize what is often an immense amount of vision, time, and a financial commitment that benefits the entire city.”

“We thank all the applicants as they demonstrate a vision on the part of Saskatoon residents and business in preserving, conserving and restoring our local heritage, and maintaining a sense of history as we build for the future of our city,” adds Ms. Lichtenwald.

Organizations were recognized in the following categories:

BUILDING SITES AND GROUNDS
Preservation, Restoration and Rehabilitation

Underhill Residence Restoration – Award of Honour
​Presented to:

• Jenny Underhill (Property Owner)
• Rocco Masons Corp (Stone Masons)
• Strata Development (General Contractor)

Sensitive Addition (2 awards)

St. Thomas Moore College North Building Renewal Project – Award of Merit
Presented to:

• Edwards Edwards McEwen Architects (Architects)
• St. Thomas More College (Property Owner)
• Allan Construction (Project Construction Manager)
• Robb-Kullman Engineering LLP (Prime Consultant, Structural Engineer)

​​303 Pacific Street Addition (Macleod’s Building) – Award of Honour
​Presented to:

• Greg Yuel, Tony Zuck and Ryan Lejbak (Property Owners)
• PCL Construction (Contractor)
• Strata Development Corporation (Contractor)
• KSA Group (Architects)

Rehabilitation

Broadway Theatre Lobby Renewal – Award of Honour
​Presented to:

• Friends of the Broadway Theatre (Property Owner)
• S2 Construction Ltd (General Contractor)
• Daniels Wingerak Engineering Ltd (Engineers)
• Odelay! Design (Designer)
• Kindrachuk Agrey (Architect)

Restoration

Obasa Building Revitalization – Award of Honour 
 Presented to:

• Heney Klypak Architect Ltd (Architect and Designer)
• Obasa Group of Companies(Property Owner)

HERITAGE SPACE

Rehabilitation

Hyde Park - Certificate of Recognition
Presented to:

• Associated Engineering (Project Engineer)
• City of Saskatoon – (Property Owner)
• Gord Forsyth and Associates (Sub-Consultant)
• Stantec - Cam Patterson (Project Manager / Landscape Architect)

VOLUNTEER PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD – Award of Honour

Alan Morton – Mr. Morton made a significant contribution to the history of both Saskatoon’s heritage through research, article writing, lectures and by sitting as a board member for the Saskatoon Heritage Festival and the Saskatoon Heritage Society. Alan's body of work is highly creative and the breadth and depth of his work are inspiring.

YOUTH VOLUNTEER PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD – Award of Honour

Lauren Konok – Lauren has delivered program and historical interpretation at the Marr Residence for the past five years. Her years of service are impressive since she started when she was nine years old!  This is the first year the Youth Award is being presented, and Lauren is a very worthy candidate.

EDUCATION AWARD – Award of Honour

Rob MacDonald - Rob's thoughtful approach in the 113 episodes of Saskatoon Stories that aired on CTV from 2003- 2017 brought Saskatoon's heritage and a historical aspect to a broad audience.

The awards will be presented at Affinity Credit Union Campus (a Heritage Awards Winner in 2014) 902 7^th Avenue North, by Mayor Charlie Clark on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 7:00 PM. Reception to follow.

Visit saskatoon.ca/heritageawards for detailed information on the Heritage Awards Program.