News Releases

The City is pleased to announce the installation of two new interpretive signs in Hyde Park, a naturalized park located in the Rosewood neighbourhood.  

The educational signs are designed to help visitors understand the importance of the park’s naturalized wetlands and the critical habitats they provide to a variety of plants and animals throughout the year.  

Production and installation were made possible through generous contributions from Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation. These two organizations have committed to enhancing the educational and habitat components of the park, unique due to its preservation of wetlands in their naturalized state and their size and location within the city.  

Illustrated by local artist, curator and writer, David Geary, the signs depict the plants and wildlife that may be seen in Hyde Park in the spring/summer and fall/winter months. 

The signs are now in place for park visitors to enjoy as they stroll along the east and west paths of the park and will be in place year-round.  

For more information on Hyde Park, visit saskatoon.ca/engage/hyde-park.   

About Hyde Park 

Hyde Park, located in the Rosewood neighbourhood, is a 123-acre naturalized park. The park was first identified in 2007 in the South East Park Landscape Master Plan when the City, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation made it a joint priority to approach the development of the Hyde Stormwater Management Area in an innovative way and work with the land in its naturalized state. Through this process, it was decided it should serve as a wetland, storm water pond area, and a centre for interpretative and educational programming with respect to wetlands and natural habitat. Through feedback from the community, the final park design evolved to include a total of five ponds, numerous walking trails and sports fields, play equipment, and two off-leash dog parks. 

Today, the City of Saskatoon (City) and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) launched a new webpage to highlight the collaborations between the two organizations achieved through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed five years ago.

The City and USask have a longstanding history of collaboration and partnerships, which has strengthened communities through education, research and engagement. That relationship was reaffirmed in 2018 when the two signed a memorandum of understanding to explore new and existing collaborations to address issues related to urban planning, land development, reconciliation, transit and research collaborations. The new webpage USask and the City of Saskatoon MOU - Leadership | University of Saskatchewan will offer residents greater access to, and awareness of, the activities advanced through the MOU.

“The unique partnership between the City and the University of Saskatchewan is resulting in real benefits for residents of Saskatoon through the collaboration on many exciting and one-of-a-kind projects,” said Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon. “These projects are working to provide an improved quality of life for our residents today and in the future, addressing a variety of challenges the University and City are uniquely positioned to tackle together.”

“Over the past five years, the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon have taken significant steps to strengthen our long-standing relationship and partnership with innovative initiatives ranging from sustainability to Reconciliation, as we work together to support our city and the communities we serve,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “To be the university the world needs, we must be the university our city and province needs as well. Saskatoon is a place many USask alumni call home, and through the continued partnership established in our MOU, we are successfully collaborating on issues of mutual importance to both the city and the university.”

Both USask and the City are focused on efforts to partner to be more purposeful and deliberate in the areas of reconciliation, strategic infill, transportation, sustainability, recreation, joint research projects, and student learning opportunities. In addition, many of the discoveries made by faculty members and students continue to be relevant to cities, such as in the areas of urban planning and community health, and can be used to make life better for Saskatoon residents.

The MOU serves as a leading example to inspire similar partnerships in the city, province, and country in the future.

Since 2018, City of Saskatoon and USask have partnered to advance:

• Reconciliation Initiatives
• Infrastructure and Land Development
• Research Connections
• Student Engagement
• Sustainability

Visit the webpage at https://leadership.usask.ca/initiatives/saskatoon-mou.php for more information.

The RedBall Project – an international travelling art project already showcased in locations such as Sydney, Paris, Portland, and Calgary – will be on display at various locations across Saskatoon starting Sunday, June 25 and running through to Canada Day celebrations on Saturday, July 1.

Over the seven days, the RedBall Project will roll into several popular areas around the city – some will be tourist hotspots, others more local locations – with the 4.5 metre (15 foot) diameter RedBall meeting the audience on their own streets. 

“This unique project is a first time for Saskatoon,” says Kevin Kitchen, Manager, Community Development. “With the support of the Business Improvement Districts, we’re thrilled to showcase the RedBall to residents and visitors alike and ‘round’ out the tour on the Traffic Bridge in time for the downtown Canada Day celebrations.”

Areas the travelling art piece will be visiting are:

Sunday, June 25 – River Landing Bridge

Monday, June 26 - Broadway Little Stone Stage

Tuesday, June 27 - Roxy Theatre

Wednesday, June 28 – Saskatoon School Board Office Downtown

Thursday, June 29 - Prairie Lily Boat Launch (Meewasin Trail)

Friday, June 30 – Delta  Bessborough Hotel (601 Spadina Crescent E)

Saturday, July 1 - Traffic Bridge

All Locations: 11am - 6pm (except Canada Day: 12pm to 7pm)

RedBall Saskatoon is commissioned by the Placemaker Program. 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. This year's project was further supported through funds from the three city centre BIDs and SK Arts.

To learn more about the Placemaker Program and/or to browse the collection, visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.

Saskatoon Transit unveiled two unique pieces of student art today that celebrate the vibrance of youth using active transportation and will adorn transit buses around the city. This year’s student art contest welcomed students from schools across the city to showcase their artistic talents. 

"We are delighted to partner with elementary schools on this project," says Cory Shrigley, Customer Support and Engagement Manager of Saskatoon Transit. "These students should feel a great sense of pride and honor when they see their artwork driving past on the side of a bus this summer." 

Among the talented participants, students Amina and Hannah from Chief Whitecap School demonstrated exceptional creativity and were selected as this year's "best of show" winners. 

The winning pieces were chosen in collaboration with the Remai Modern and submissions were based on their reflection of the "Active Transportation" theme. 

The artwork will be prominently displayed on the sides of ten Saskatoon Transit buses, traversing different routes across the city throughout the summer. 

Superintendent Nicola Bishop-Yong from Saskatoon Public Schools extends her congratulations to the students for highlighting the benefits of active transportation and showcasing what it means to be environmentally responsible.  

"Through our 'Move to Grow' initiative, our school division encourages students to embrace active transportation and make mindful choices that support their well-being, community, and the world,” says Bishop-Yong. "I am proud of all the students who participated in this contest and expressed the importance of being community-minded stewards of the environment." 

"This partnership with the Remai, the Saskatoon Public School Board, and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board helps support and promote art, especially local art, alongside emphasizing integrated mobility," concludes Shrigley. 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is growing by five as a dazzle of zebras in need of a home arrived at the Zoo earlier this week.

“The Zoo was contacted by provincial officials regarding a herd of zebra that needed different accommodations,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “As the only CAZA (Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) facility in Saskatchewan, we knew we had the space, skills and expertise to create a safe environment for these animals.”

The zebras have moved into one of the three caribou habitats at the Zoo. The space includes a heated and insulated barn and features a large outdoor yard with access to a pond for the herd to graze and explore.

“We will keep a close eye on the herd as it adapts to its new home,” says Mitchell. “Our primary concern is the comfort, health, safety and wellbeing of these amazing animals. We expect the zebras will keep close to the barn for the next several weeks and will eventually explore the greater areas of their new habitat.”

Known for their distinctive black-and-white striped coats, zebras can be found in a variety of habitats including savannas, grasslands, woodlands, shrublands and mountainous areas of eastern and southern Africa.

The City of Saskatoon, the Canadian Armed Forces and members of numerous veterans’ organizations will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the original dedication of the Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue in Woodlawn Cemetery on Sunday, June 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue was opened on June 17, 1923, before a crowd of 8,000 people. This beautiful avenue serves as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the Great War of 1914-1918. It runs from 33^rd Street, through the Woodlawn Cemetery gates and on to the Soldiers Cairn.

Immediately following this 100^th anniversary commemoration will be the Saskatoon’s Annual Citizens’ Decoration Day Service, with ceremonies to follow, at the Soldiers’ Memorial Cairn. Decoration Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those brave individuals who lost their lives in the service of our country.

This outdoor event is open to the public and attendees will be able to view all the activities from designated standing areas.

For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/woodlawn

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is now one step closer to building a new home for grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda thanks to a one-million-dollar donation from local residents Jerry and Tina Grandey. The announcement was made on Friday, June 9^th at the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation’s 24^th annual ZOOGALA, marking the single largest private donation in the Zoo’s history.

“Tina and Jerry have been amazing supporters of the Zoo for many years,” says Dawn Woroniuk, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Zoo Foundation. “Tina served on the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation board for many years playing a key role in building the bears current habitat at the Kinsmen Bear Exhibit. Tina was also instrumental in the creation of ZOOGALA, our one-of-a-kind annual fundraiser that has enabled the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation to contribute to several capital projects and improvements to the Zoo and will celebrate its 25^th anniversary of the event next year.”

“We are so thankful for this generous contribution” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “This donation provides us with an opportunity to further enhance the habitat features and amenities to not only provide the best care and quality of life for our grizzly bears, but also an opportunity for an enhanced visitor experience for those who come to learn more about these majestic animals.”

Grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda have called the Kinsmen Bear Exhibit home since arriving at the Zoo as orphaned cubs back in 2008. The pair enjoy taking dips in their swimming pool, soaking up the sun on their favourite rocks and of course, taking a long winter nap in their dens.

The new bear habitat will be significantly larger than the current habitat and will feature climbing structures, foraging opportunities, resting and sleeping locations, safe retreats, natural vegetation and soils, water features and a number of environmental enhancements that will allow the bears to continue to demonstrate their natural behaviours.

The Zoo is currently working to develop detailed design specifications along with construction estimates for the new habitat.

Donate today to help build the bears a new home, visit saskatoonzoofoundation.ca for more information.

Ceremonialists representing the main Indigenous linguistic/cultural groups on Treaty 6 Territory this morning held a pipe ceremony near the intersection of Pacific Avenue and 23rd Street.

The ceremony was to acknowledge the importance of working together in a good way as the planning and feasibility work for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District project continues. Holding the ceremony is a way to honour the Indigenous histories and cultures that are an integral part of the Saskatoon community.

“The goal of the District is to create a welcoming and vibrant gathering place for all people,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “The foundational relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is an essential starting place to help guide this planning and achieve that goal. This is not a groundbreaking ceremony, but a ceremony to help us work together in a good way and build a city that acts on Truth and Reconciliation.”

Indigenous people hold ceremonies to honour the land and what will be done on the land. This was the first of several ceremonies to mark different elements of this project.

Representatives of the main partners for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District project attended the pipe ceremony:

• City Council
• Administrative Steering Committee
• DEED Advisory Group
• TCU Place
• SaskTel Centre
• Midtown Plaza

More information about the ceremonies can be found in the attached background document.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is set to open the new Small Mammal House following interior and exterior renovations to the former Children’s Zoo building. The newly renovated facility will be home to some familiar faces including a mob of meerkats, African crested porcupines and the Goeldi’s monkeys.

“We are so excited to share this new space with our guests,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “The renovations allowed us to create a new habitat for our meerkats and African crested porcupines, as well as some fantastic exhibits for new species including naked mole rats and sugar gliders.”

Renovations to the exterior of the building started last September and included a complete overhaul of the building envelope. Inside, three new exhibits have been added to the second floor, along with a larger habitat for the meerkats and African crested porcupines on the main floor and better spaces for the zookeepers to continue critical conservation work with animals involved in Species Survival Plan programs like the Goeldi’s monkeys.

The total project cost is approximately $850,000 with a significant contribution from the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation ($250,000) and the remainder from the Civic Buildings Comprehensive Maintenance, a reserve set aside for the ongoing maintenance and upgrades of City facilities.

“We would like to thank the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation for its continued partnership and support in raising funds for capital improvements for the Zoo including $250,000 dedicated to the Small Mammal House,” says Mitchell.

The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your next visit or learn more about the Zoo Season Pass.

Pressures of inflation, lower than expected revenues that have not recovered post-pandemic, and service requirements for a growing city, have all contributed to an unprecedented revenue gap in 2024 and 2025. “The City of Saskatoon is not immune to the ongoing financial pressures that our business community and residents are facing,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.

“We recognize that significant adjustments will be required to reduce the revenue gap not only for 2024 and 2025, but over the next number of years to address ongoing inflation and the lingering impacts the pandemic have had on the City.” 

“While identifying the funding required to maintain ‘business as usual' service levels is an important first step to understanding the pressures facing the City, we know there are going to be challenging decisions to make over the months ahead to drive the funding gap and property tax impact down.”

Hack again stresses the Administration is not recommending any budget or property tax rate at this point; the 2024/2025 Budget Status Update information report provides the foundation for discussions over the next several months with City Council regarding options. While higher than anyone would want, Hack says the figures represent the fully transparent view of the financial pressures facing the City’s 2024/2025 budget, summarized in the table below:

Inflation

The inflationary pressures are daunting: for example, at times, the City is experiencing
30 per cent increases in contracts to maintain the roadway treatment cycle; Saskatoon Light & Power has experienced an increase of 33 per cent in material prices, and the Saskatoon Fire Department has had fire engine costs increase from $900,000 to $1.5 million for a new apparatus unit – a 60 per cent increase.

Growth

In terms of growth, the City requires resources to address the needs of a growing city.  Examples of some of the growth pressures facing 2024 and 2025 include the opening of operations at Recovery Park; extending Saskatoon Transit services for Aspen Ridge, Evergreen and North Kensington; the future East Leisure Centre expected to open in 2029; the future Fire Station expected to open in 2026; future Emergency Snow Event responses; and for phase-ins to fund the Bus Rapid Transit.

Base Budget Adjustments

Base budget assumptions are typically for expenses or revenue budgets that have become misaligned with actuals over time. The misalignment could be due to several reasons including over-estimation of revenues or incorrect prior-year assumptions.

The most significant base budget impact in 2024 relates to a key budget management strategy throughout the pandemic which was to use one-time funding to offset operating revenue decreases and to assist with additional COVID-related expenditures, to minimize property tax increases.  The strategy envisioned that revenues would return to pre-pandemic levels by
2024 and one-time funding would no longer be needed.

Unfortunately, operating revenues have not returned to pre-pandemic levels and the
$10.0 million in one-time funding that was included in the 2023 budget has been fully utilized, creating a gap in the 2024 budget. 

If the revenue gap is left unmitigated, the City would be faced with an 18.56 per cent  property tax impact for 2024, and 6.95 per cent for 2025. The City will work hard to put forward strategies and options to help minimize future property tax increases. City Council will be provided with meaningful options over several planned Special Budget Meetings that could significantly lower the 2024 property tax and return the property tax rate in 2025 to be more in line with historical trends

“The City is not alone. Inflation and post-pandemic effects continue to impact municipalities across Canada also challenged with finding solutions to combat mounting budget pressures,” Hack says. “We’re not happy where the figures are at, and we will work to provide viable options for City Council over the months ahead to lower the revenue gap and associated property tax increases for 2024/2025.”

The additional Special Budget Meetings are planned over the next months in the lead-up to City Council finalizing its 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget in November this year.

The 2024/2025 Budget Status Update information report will be considered by the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) on Wednesday, June 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget