News Releases

Today, ten students are celebrating their graduation from the Aboriginal Heavy Equipment Operator and Class 1A License Pre‑employment Training Program at a ceremony at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

“The City of Saskatoon is extremely proud to be a part of this program and help guide people along the path to a career in the skilled trades,” says Chelsey Mack, Acting Director of Human Resources. “This training offers life-changing opportunities for these Aboriginal students, who graduate with skills they can immediately put to use in a number of industries in a Heavy Equipment Operator position.”

The program is the result of a unique partnership initiated by the City of Saskatoon with Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc. (STC), and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT).

This introductory program provides training in:

- The operation of heavy equipment, routine maintenance of machinery and practical field operations of excavating, land clearing, grading and road building as well as safe operating techniques specific      to each machine
- Class 1A
- First Aid/CPR
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Ground Disturbance
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods
- Confined Space Entry
- Defensive Driving

Since 2010, 48 students have graduated from the program with 100 percent of last year’s graduates employed immediately following the program with various companies. The ten students graduating today are now trained and ready to seek employment as heavy equipment operators.  To date, the City of Saskatoon has hired 52 percent of past students.

Ensuring the City’s workforce represents the diversity of Saskatoon's population supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

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.

Midway into summer construction season, the equivalent of an estimated 100,000 potholes, based on a 12”x4” size, have been repaired on city streets. Since early April, 1,745 tonnes of hot asphalt has been used on pothole repairs alone – enough to fill 14 backyard swimming pools.

“Residents continue to tell us in our annual survey that road maintenance is their top priority for civic services,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “They also participate in the repair process by calling in or going online to report issues, including the reporting of 2,300 potholes so far this season. We value this timely information because it allows us to map out repairs and to respond to and secure emergency locations quickly.”

Every reported road issue is inspected and rated as soon as possible to determine the urgency and type of repair. Ratings are based on: size, location (driving lane is a higher priority than curb lane), priority class of the street, and how hazardous the pothole is for drivers. Designated priority one and two streets take precedence as these are high-traffic routes that are used by emergency vehicles. Potholes that have the potential for causing damage are considered an emergency and are scheduled for repair as soon as possible.

While sometimes reported as potholes, City crews also pave an average of 20 utility cuts on Saskatoon roads each day following a similar priority for repair. A utility cut is a straight-edged break in the pavement from an excavation to access underground water and sewer pipes. During the cold months, when temperatures reach below zero, hot asphalt for paving isn’t an option and utility cuts from water main breaks or other emergency repairs are maintained with graders until they can be paved.

“Our utility cut patching crews have already repaired 642 locations this season,” says Hyde. “However, with ongoing construction in Saskatoon through summer, it can feel like there’s a new utility cut added to our commute for every one that is repaired. We want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during the various phases of repair for both potholes and utility cuts.” 

Residents are encouraged to use the City’s Report-A-Pothole Map to report potholes and to consult the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule both found at saskatoon.ca/BetterRoads. Emergency road repairs can be reported by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

City Council has approved the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan) to provide an overall framework for guiding the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities now and into the future.

The Master Plan, developed through broad public engagement, will replace the 1995 Public Recreation Policy.  It was developed by a diverse team, including consultants and Civic Administration, under the guidance of an internal Project Steering Committee and a Community Feedback Committee with sixteen public representatives from key agencies and sectors in Saskatoon that are involved in and/or impacted by recreation and parks services.

The Master Plan is meant to provide a framework for action regarding recreation and parks, and although focused on the City’s role in service provision, it provides insight and information for the benefit of all related stakeholders.

Included in the Master Plan are 3 overarching goals and 19 intended service outcomes that outline a desired end state that can be achieved through provision of, and participation in, recreation and parks activities.

“Recreation is a cornerstone, not only for healthy individuals, but also for vibrant and complete communities, which contribute to the city’s quality of life, social progress, and economic development,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Community Development. 

The Master Plan identifies recommendations for programming, service delivery and infrastructure, for both the City and the community for the next 5 to 15 years. Major projects identified that are likely to be assessed for consideration in the near future, include, but are not limited to:

1. reinvestment in the City’s existing recreation facilities and parks (i.e. Leisure Centres, play structures, park upgrades, paddling pools, etc.);
2. potential partnerships around the development of indoor ice facilities including leisure ice; and
3. the potential development of a recreation facility.

“The City will begin work on an implementation plan, including short-, medium-, and long-term strategies,” explains Lacroix.  “The Master Plan will be dynamic throughout time; priorities will shift as new information becomes available.  The frameworks and systems outlined in the Master Plan will allow recreation and parks’ stakeholders to adapt as Saskatoon grows and evolves.”

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/recmasterplan for the highlights of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, to view the plan in its entirety, and for more information on implementation.

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.

The City of Saskatoon began necessary repairs on the Highway 16 & 11 overpasses at the Cloverleaf intersection in May. Crews have now completed repairs to the eastbound structure and will begin work on the westbound structure on Friday, July 24.

During the second phase the traffic detour will switch sides while maintaining the current flow of traffic. Therefore, two-way traffic will be accommodated on the eastbound overpass while work is carried out on the westbound structure. Two lanes eastbound and one lane westbound will be maintained.

The work is expected to be complete by late-September. The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. For more information visit saskatoon.ca and search “cloverleaf”.

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.

 In response to feedback collected from citizens and customers over the past several months, the City of Saskatoon (City) will be lowering the prices for the monthly LeisureCard pass that provides unlimited drop-in access to the six indoor Leisure Centres, the Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track, four outdoor pools, and Cosmo skating rink.

“We heard you, Saskatoon,” says Cary Humphrey, Director of Recreation and Sport.  “The declining popularity of the former full-year LeisureCard pass, confirmed by our recent research study, was a clear indication that we needed to make a change to this product.”

Beginning September 1, 2015, the monthly LeisureCard prices will be as follows:

• Adult:  $45 per month; formerly started at $75 for one month
• Youth:  $27 per month; formerly started at $45 for one month
• Family:  $90 per month; formerly started at $150 for one month

“By lowering the prices and simplifying the fee to be one low rate, regardless of how many months you purchase, we anticipate that the new improved LeisureCard will be more attractive to our current, past, and potential customers,” explains Humphrey.  “We are reducing the financial barriers to participate in fitness and fun at our Leisure Centres.”

Another benefit to the lower rate will be a “Pick Your Perk” program, which will reward long-term LeisureCard customers with enticing bonuses at Leisure Centres and other civic programs and services.  The anticipated launch date for the new reward program is January 2016.

In addition to reduced LeisureCard prices, prices on Bulk Tickets will be reduced to $75.00 for an adult 10 pack of single admission tickets; rates are also available for youth and families.  The general drop-in admission prices of $9.80 for adults, $5.90 for youth, and $19.60 for families will be frozen at current rates until 2018.

Eligible low-income residents in Saskatoon may continue to participate in select leisure programs at no cost with the City’s Leisure Access Program.

“The City has a role to ensure recreation is accessible to the public by providing programs and services that are affordable to the broadest range of residents,” says Humphrey.

Current LeisureCard customers can call, email, or visit any of the six Leisure Centres (www.saskatoon.ca/leisurecentres) to see how the lower prices affect their current pass and to learn about their options.

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/admissions for Leisure Centre admission options, including LeisureCards and other special promotions.

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.