News Releases

A section of the walking path southwest of the site of the future Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan in River Landing will be closed on Thursday, March 13 until summer 2015 due to the Gallery construction.

The closure is necessary because the area is needed for temporary construction supports for the 3rd floor gallery building overhang and ground drilling equipment. The supports will create a platform for the structure steel and concrete, while it is being assembled and the concrete is curing. This will take at least six months. These supports will then be removed, but the fence will still remain for safety, as construction work continues in the area. (Click here for a map of the location).

Signs will be in place directing pedestrians and cyclists to alternate routes.

The MVA trail connections under the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge and River Landing remain open.  Access is also available along the Riverfront pathway.

Upcoming Closures:

- Starting in May, the walking path from 2nd Avenue/Spadina Crescent heading west will be closed until summer 2015.  This is to accommodate ground drilling, glazing, paneling, and deck materials that will be installed along south side of the Gallery. The equipment and staging materials require a safe space to operate.
- The west half of the 2nd Avenue/Spadina Crescent roundabout roadway directly adjacent to the Remai construction site will be temporarily closed intermittently throughout summer 2014.  

Announcements for these upcoming closures will be issued closer to the date, as the schedule is confirmed. 

The City thanks everyone for their patience and cooperation with these closures. 

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’s (City) Recreation & Sport Division reminds residents that the last day to take advantage of the special Family Fun Pack promotion is Sunday, March 16, 2014. 

Family Fun Packs were launched on Family Day as a limited time promotion especially for families.  The packs provide unbeatable savings on admissions to the City’s most popular family attractions, including:

  •  three family passes to any indoor Leisure Centre;
  •  two family passes to a public skating session; 
  •   one family pass to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo; and
  •  three family passes to any outdoor pool.

Family Fun Packs will be available for sale for six more days at any of the six indoor Leisure Centres for the discounted price of $100 plus GST ($137 value). 

Families can also take advantage of Recreation & Sport’s great year-round admission options and save money by purchasing Family Bulk Tickets, Family LeisureCards, or the new 2-Week Family Trial Passes. 

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.

With warmer weather, crews are monitoring the snow melt and addressing streets where drainage issues are starting to occur.  Because of the extra snow removal efforts throughout the winter, high-traffic streets are melting and draining well. Two graders are assigned to this during the day.
Scheduled snow grading continues on streets that are narrow and at risk for developing ruts.  This has been ongoing for several weeks and is evident with very few rutted streets. Graders will be in Varsity View neighbourhood – on Streets only, today, March 10 and will be in Mayfair neighbourhood – on Avenues only - on Tuesday. No Parking signs are posted, indicating when and where the snow grading will occur. Find Snow Grading for Rut Removal schedule and information on our website.  Snow Grading will reduce the snow pack and ruts, pushing the snow into windrows along the curb. This snow will not be removed. If you would like to report a severely rutted street, visit Report a Rut – Online Form. 
Snow removal continues in the evening along priority streets; along with sanding as required when the temperature drops in the evening. Maintenance of utility cuts are being performed throughout the days as required.  
Work Occurring Today - Daytime
General
6  COS graders – Snow Grading for rut removal in Varsity View – on Streets only,
2 graders – Monitoring utility cuts, and addressing rut and drainage issues,
4 sanders – 1 in each quadrant of the city
Sidewalks/Pathways
4 trackless snow plows – clearing their routes, clearing bridge walkways
Work Scheduled for this Evening
Snow Removal
1 snow blower, 4 graders, 9 semi-trucks, 2 COS arrow board trucks:
- Galloway Road
- Stonebridge Common
- Victor Road
Sanding
4 sanders - 2 on each side of the city
Work Scheduled for Tomorrow
General
6  COS graders – Snow Grading for rut removal in Mayfair – on Streets only
Snow Removal
1 snow blower, 4 graders, 9 semi-trucks, 2 COS arrow board trucks:
- Berini Drive from Attridge Drive to Gray Avenue,
- Gray Avenue from Central Avenue to Berini Drive
Activities Completed Yesterday
Snow Removal
1 snow blower, 4 graders, 9 tri-axle trucks, 2 COS arrow board trucks:
- Cornish Road from Stonebridge Boulevard to MacInnes Street  – 100% complete,
- MacInnes Street from Gordon Road to Cornish Road  - 100% complete,
- Galloway Road – 80% complete,
- Stonebridge Common – 80% complete 
Sanding
4 sanders – 2 on each side of the city 
Thank you to everyone for your patience and remember to please watch for crews and equipment on the road. Slow down and keep 15 metres behind maintenance equipment; be prepared to stop; and, if required, use extreme caution when passing.  This is for your safety, as well as the safety of the operators and other drivers.
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.

Brighton* is a proposed residential neighbourhood and the first to be developed in the Holmwood Suburban Development Area. Its boundaries include the Canadian Pacific Railway line and College Park East on the west, College Drive (Highway 5) and Arbor Creek on the north, 8th Street East on the south, and agricultural lands on the east.

The neighbourhood has been designed to be walkable with amenities, transit, and recreational spaces close to homes. It will include a variety of housing, such as one-unit and semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, multiple-unit dwellings such as condominiums and apartments, and mixed-use development combining residential with retail and office space.  Elements will include constructed wetlands, a linear park system, and a complete streets design concept for McOrmond Drive and 8th Street East. Upon completion, Brighton* will be home to approximately 15,259 residents.

The public is invited to attend a “come-and-go” open house to view the proposed Brighton* Neighbourhood Concept Plan and to ask questions of the City of Saskatoon staff and development partners. Details are as follows:

Proposed Brighton* Neighbourhood Concept Plan Open House
Thursday, March 13, 2014
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
McClure United Church (Multi-Purpose Room)
4025 Taylor Street East

Can’t make the open house?
Visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca/discussions from March 13 to 27 to view details of the concept plan and to share your thoughts. 

*Neighbourhood Name Subject to City Council Approval

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.

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Warm weather is finally here and snow is beginning to melt. As we committed with the new dedicated road levy, winter operations were designed to reduce the risk of severe rutting on the roads that we saw in 2013. Many streets are melting quickly and while the snow is going to be really soft, it’s not deep enough to cause dangerous ruts. 

Our proactive snow grading and removal on Saskatoon streets this winter benefits us in more ways than one. With less snow on our streets to melt as the weather warms up there is a reduced chance for flooding. The snow piled into windrows will allow that snow to melt slowly, reducing the flooding around catch basins. In addition, the snow removal takes away a lot of sand that would otherwise collect on the priority streets and be difficult to sweep in the spring. We may also see fewer potholes on priority streets with less moisture. 

Even with our proactive snow grading and removal measures, we have dedicated graders addressing areas where water may begin to pool. Grading also continues on narrow streets where rutting is still a risk. Saskatoon can expect to see a number of plans and activities taking place during the Spring:

 Snow Melt Planning 

- Snow Melt Management plans for each neighbourhood are prepared. The 12,000 catch basins across the city are prioritized based on how deep the water can be, and how close it can get to homes and property.

- Important intersections (especially along highways) that may experience flooding during a fast melt are surveyed and monitored regularly. Extra snow is removed in advance and local catch basins are cleared ahead of time if necessary.

- Equipment, staffing and emergency flood resources, such as emergency pumps and sandbags are coordinated.

Snow Melt Activities

- Boilers (steam trucks) will clear ice and snow from catch basins so the melt water can drain directly into the storm sewers. Our storm sewer system can easily carry all of the flow resulting from any snowmelt. Most ponding and flooding around catch basins is a result of snow and ice blocking the drain.

- Snow windrows have been removed along priority roadways.

- Parks crews will remove snow from residential fence lines where necessary and will pump water from play areas or low areas. Extra staff will be made available if they are needed.

- Culverts at rural roads and within the city will be cleared as necessary to allow drainage.

- We will monitor critical intersections, ditches, ponds, culverts, and other locations that may flood during a fast melt. Emergency equipment will remain on standby.

- Staff will be available 24/7 by telephone to manage calls and dispatch equipment for any homeowner concerns that are received.

- Please call the Public Works Customer Service Call Centre at 306-975-2476 to report any issues or emergencies.

Although the snow melt can be unpredictable, past experience has shown that having a plan with extra resources available allows good flexibility to respond to the situation as it develops.

 Reduce your risk of a snowmelt flood:

Some of the following tips involve snow shovelling which is heavy work. Consider doing a bit at a time and please use care and caution. If you have health concerns, ask for assistance in shovelling. 

- Remove snow from around your foundation. Pay particular attention to the areas around window wells.

- Most lots drain along the outside edges. Remove snow from these areas.

- Keep the snow in your yard. Shovelling onto streets or lanes could block drains.

- Help keep catch basins clear. Where possible, safely clear snow, ice and debris from the catch basins in your area.

- Clear snow and ice from around the bottom of your downspouts and extend the downspouts at least two metres so that water drains away from your foundation.

- Check your roof and eavestroughs for excess snow. Consider hiring a professional to clear snow from your roof. A roof rake may help to clear the snow and debris from the edge of your roof.

- Consider using sandbags to block water from entering low-lying areas beside your foundation.

- If water is getting close to your foundation, use an appropriate pump to drain it to the gutter or back lane. Please use all equipment properly and follow safety guidelines.

For more information and tips, including a video about snowmelt, visit saskatoon.ca.  As the snow melts, you may encounter potholes. Watch for our new “Report a Pothole” online tool coming on March 17, 2014. Visit saskatoon.ca and look under “Check This Out”.  

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.