News Releases

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Summer Leisure Mini Guide (Mini Guide) will be conveniently delivered to households with The Sunday Phoenix on Sunday, June 7, 2015, and is also available for pick up at any indoor Leisure Centre or Saskatoon Public Library.

The Mini Guide is your community source for a variety of arts, culture, and recreational activities throughout the summer months.  It contains up-to-date information on summer sites and programs, including outdoor pools, municipal golf courses, playgrounds and play programs, youth centres, skateboard parks, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Gordon Howe Campground, Leisure Centres, and Red Cross Swim Programs.

The Mini Guide also includes information on Recreation and Sport Summer promotions, including:

The Summer Indoor LeisureCard is a limited-time promotion that provides unlimited access to the City’s seven indoor Leisure Centres in July and August for one low price ($90/Adults; $55/Youth; $185/Families).  Sales end July 20, 2015.  Restrictions apply.  Please visit www.saskatoon.ca/admissions for more information.

Participate in a fun colouring contest for kids, ages 2 to 12.  All submissions will be entered into a draw for the opportunity to be on the cover of next year’s Mini Guide.  In addition, the winner will receive a $50 Recreation and Sport gift card.  Submissions are accepted from June 8 to July 31, 2015.

For more information on the Mini Guide or other summer programs and promotions, visit www.saskatoon.ca/leisureguide.

 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.

Doors Open Saskatoon, a collaborative effort of the City of Saskatoon, Meewasin Valley Authority, Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, Saskatchewan Association of Architects, Saskatoon Heritage Society, and Tourism Saskatoon, will give people a free peek behind the doors of some of Saskatoon’s most interesting buildings on Sunday, June 7, 2015, 12 - 5 p.m.  This citywide celebration of Saskatoon’s built heritage has something for everyone with an exciting mix of old and new buildings, demonstrating this year’s theme “The Old is New.”

Many popular buildings will be featured, including the Delta Bessborough, Marr Residence, new Saskatoon Police Service building, Affinity Credit Union, and University of Saskatchewan Observatory, to name a few.  Visit www.doorsopensaskatoon.com for a complete listing, event information, and updates.

Saskatoon Transit is offering free bus service for the day.  To ride for free, pick up your Doors Open Saskatoon 2015 button available now at the following locations:

• City Hall (222 3rd Avenue North)
• Meewasin Valley Authority (402 3rd Avenue South)
• Tourism Saskatoon (101 - 202 4th Avenue North)
• Saskatoon Transit (23rd Street Bus Mall)

Call for Volunteers:  In past years, Doors Open Saskatoon has succeeded, in large part, due to its overwhelming volunteer support.  This year, organizers are hoping that just as many people will be interested in taking part in the event acting as hosts, ambassadors, greeters, and tour guides.  People who are interested in volunteering can register online at http://surveymonkey.com/s/DOSYXEvolunteer.

 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 Saskatoon Civic Conservatory (Conservatory) will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, now that the Mendel Art Gallery has closed.

The Conservatory continues to showcase a variety of orchids, tropical and arid plants, and a new seasonal flower display each month.

The cost of admission is by donation.  For more information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/conservatory and watch for pictures during show changes on the City of Saskatoon Facebook page.

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.

Beginning Monday, June 15, portions of Rotary Park, located along the east bank of the South Saskatchewan River, will be restricted for landscaping around the lift station.

The restricted area includes the east side of Sid Buckwold Bridge to the public washrooms, bound by the south edge of the Meewasin Valley Trail and north edge of the public sidewalk along Saskatchewan Crescent East.  Signs and barriers will be in place for public safety.

Pedestrian access at the south end of the Sid Buckwold Bridge will only be available by stairs during the construction period.

Construction is expected to be complete by the end of June.

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 opening of the Material Recovery Centre (MRC), formerly the Recovery Park Landfill Expansion, marks a major achievement for the City of Saskatoon as it works towards its 70% waste diversion goal.

The MRC, located on Valley Road at the entrance to the Saskatoon Regional Waste Management Facility (City Landfill) is now open to the public and offers residents free drop-off for many recyclable items as well as a new access point for scaled waste.

“We are thrilled to open the Material Recovery Centre and offer residents of Saskatoon a one-stop waste drop-off location,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “With more items with free drop-off and reduced rates for other recyclable materials, we anticipate diverting up to 3,500 tonnes of waste annually that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill.”

The MRC will provide free drop-off at Sort & Go for recycling, small appliances, batteries, oil and anti-freeze, electronics, metals, rimless tires, bicycles and appliances, with a $20 fee for appliances with refrigerant.

Residents can continue to visit the MRC to drop off non-recyclable waste including garbage and elm wood, via Scale & Pay, and have a reduced disposal rate for concrete and brick, which will be diverted. The City is also pleased to offer free disposal of elm wood for the month of October.

For more information on the Material Recovery Centre, including hours of operation and a detailed list of acceptable items and rates, visit saskatoon.ca/mrc.

New online education tools and in-person support are now available for Saskatoon businesses and organizations working to implement new organics diversion requirements within the Waste Bylaw that came into effect earlier this year. The education phase begins this October and enforcement will not occur until October 2024 to give businesses and organizations time to meet the new bylaw regulation.

All businesses and organizations that generate food or yard waste as part of their operations in Saskatoon are required to have separate bins to divert organics from the garbage. The organics regulation means all businesses and organizations are required to:

• Have separate labelled containers for garbage, recycling, and organics.
• Educate employees and tenants annually about which materials are organic and how to sort them.
• Ensure organic waste is removed and taken to an appropriate facility.

Establishments belonging under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes of industries that are known to generate organic waste are required to follow the bylaw regardless of establishment size or number of employees or tenants. An exemption process is available to address circumstances where materials may not be generated or there are other factors preventing compliance beyond an establishment’s control. Businesses who do not produce food or yard waste as part of their operations do not need an exemption.

“Businesses and organizations generate 68% of the garbage in our community. Approximately 25% is organic waste that could be rescued or composted,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “With the new residential green cart program, the City has already diverted over 11,000 tonnes of food and yard waste from the landfill. Through this program, businesses and organizations will be diverting the same waste as residents and bring us one step closer to achieving the City’s goal of 70% waste diversion.”

To help businesses and organizations meet these new requirements, the City of Saskatoon has launched a dedicated webpage that includes a variety of new tools and resources to access. Resources include a new Organics Guide for Businesses and Organizations and other print materials that can be printed and used on site for education. Businesses may also request in-person support to assist with setting up organics diversion and troubleshooting issues. The Business Waste Wizard remains a resource for businesses in helping sort their waste.

The Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan, finalized in early 2021, includes organic waste diversion for all sectors to be phased in over the next few years. The new residential green cart program rolled out earlier this year and has already has participation rates similar to black cart garbage and blue cart recycling. A multi-unit organics program pilot is set to start later this year for residents that have their waste collected in large communal bins.

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to visit saskatoon.ca/businessorganics for more information and access to resources to get started with their organics programs.

The City of Saskatoon is set to kick off its annual Fall Street Sweeping Campaign, a crucial initiative aimed at maintaining the city's cleanliness and strategy to prevent springtime flooding.  

From October 16 to October 25, street sweeping crews will be hard at work clearing the streets of fallen leaves in the city’s leafiest neighbourhoods: Buena Vista, Caswell Hill, City Park, Exhibition, Holiday Park, King George, Mayfair, Nutana, Riversdale and Varsity View. Find your sweep day at saskatoon.ca/sweep. 

“Leaves can pose a challenge when they accumulate on city streets and can plug catch basins and storm drains, leading to flooding during the spring melt,” says Tracy Danielson, Roadways Manager. 

“This proactive measure is a safeguard for City infrastructure and enhances the overall quality of life for residents.” 

Like residential street sweeping in the spring, temporary parking restrictions will be enforced with ticketing and towing as required. 

How you can help: 

1. Pick up leaves on the sidewalk and boulevard beside your property. Don’t push leaves onto the street because big piles of leaves slow down sweeping. 

2. Put loose leaves in your green cart or take them to a compost depot. Bagged leaves can go in your black cart. 

3. Watch for yellow No Parking signs and move your car by 7:00 a.m. on your sweep day. Refer to Find My Vehicle! to locate your vehicle if it was towed or call our Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476. 

Service Alerts will be issued for any expected changes that may affect the sweep schedule, such as weather. Find more information at saskatoon.ca/sweep. 

Following the October 6 provincial government announcement of its plan for homelessness and mental health supports, the City is being asked to assist provincial ministry officials locate compatible areas where smaller-sized shelters could operate. 

The province last week outlined several strategies to address the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis in Saskatoon and other cities.  The plan calls for more supports for mental health and addictions plus a three-pillar approach to addressing homelessness. 

As outlined in an Administration report to the Wednesday, October 11 meeting of Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council, the provincial government program is prepared to provide funding for all the real estate, rental and operating costs for smaller-sized shelters. There would be independent service providers to operate the shelters.  

Shelters with fewer beds have operated throughout Saskatoon with minimal negative impact.  As noted in the report, there are successful examples of emergency shelters in Saskatoon that are similar in size to the two sites being sought for the new facilities. The report highlights the City’s role would be limited.   

The proposed criteria would be: 

• Two sites providing a combined total of 60 beds 

• Beds in an open shelter-type hall with movable partitions 

• Some private rooms with internal access 

• Area suitable for staff office space 

• Kitchen, showers and bathroom facilities 

• Internal and external gathering spaces on site 

• Proximity to other services   

• Zoned appropriately for shelter/care home or applicable for Emergency Shelter zoning provision 

The provincial government announcement follows recent results from the Civic Services Survey which identifies homelessness as the most important issue facing the city.   

On Saturday, Oct. 7, the City of Saskatoon launched a new anti-racism video in partnership with the City of Regina at the Saskatchewan Roughriders home game at Mosaic Stadium.

The video is a collaboration between a number of Saskatchewan sports organizations and athletes including the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Saskatchewan Rattlers Basketball Team, Saskatoon Blades Hockey Team, USask Huskies, Fighting Sioux Lacrosse Team, Standing Buffalo Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association, and athletes Michael Linklater and Carol Lafayette-Boyd.

“Using the powerful influence of athletes, we’re seeking to shed light on racism in a way that’s inspiring, positive, and empowering,” says City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “We’re hoping this video will inspire people to speak up when they hear something wrong. Racism can only exist if we allow it to.”

“We build bridges of understanding and respect by engaging in open and honest conversations,” says City of Regina Mayor Sandra Masters. “When we speak up against prejudice and discrimination, we can help combat racism and create a more inclusive community for all residents.”

The City of Saskatoon’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan states that it’s a Council priority to advance work that contributes to the elimination of individual and systemic discrimination. In support of this, the City of Saskatoon shares anti-racism messages to raise the collective awareness about the presence of racism and discrimination and to encourage each of us to be a bridge.

Be a Bridge

• If you hear something wrong, offensive or hateful: step up, speak up.
• Racism is real and it’s happening all around us every day. But it doesn’t have to be that way—we can change the game.
• It’s up to current generations to change the story and create a legacy of healthy and inclusive societies.
• Be a Bridge to ending racism.
• Together we can ensure no one gets left behind.

The video can be accessed here: Be a Bridge to Ending Racism.

To coincide with Sisters in Spirit Day on October 4, Saskatoon Transit partnered with talented Indigenous artist Vanessa Hyggen, to unveil a new bus shelter at Preston Avenue and Adelaide Street. This is Saskatoon Transit’s fifth bus shelter in commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #79.  

This year’s bus shelter was created in collaboration with family and community members affected by the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), as well as Two-Spirit individuals. Vanessa skillfully integrated the shared thoughts and emotions of the group. Her aim was to pay tribute to and raise awareness of the issues faced, provide a healing space, and encourage community members to speak out. The bus shelter stands as a tribute to the lives affected by this tragic issue, a call for justice, and a symbol of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Scan the QR code on the front of the bus shelter to be directed to a webpage page that includes the full story behind the artwork, information on the committee members that inspired the piece, and previous bus shelter art projects. 

For more information, visit: saskatoon.ca/trc-bus-shelter-art 

The other four Saskatoon Transit bus shelters displaying Indigenous artwork are located at the following locations:  

• Confederation Drive & Massey Drive  
• Rusholme Road at E.D. Feehan High School 
• Broadway Avenue & 12 Street  
• Clarence Avenue at Aden Bowman Collegiate  

Faith Bosse, artwork committee member says: "I'm so thankful to have worked alongside the talented artists & family members who helped piece together this beautiful artwork over the past few months. As the daughter of an MMIW, it means so much to me to have something representing all of the families & our loved ones we have lost.” 

Paul Trottier, artwork committee member says: “This bus shelter helps to lift the veil of silence, it expresses the voice of those who are missing, those who cannot be heard. Those who are missing are a part of someone, a life, a future, a human being.  We want our loved ones back.” 

Vanessa Hyggen, Indigenous artist says: “I've been honoured to work with the families who shared their stories with me. I carried their words and stories on my heart for about 3 weeks before I began to draw. Once I started to draw though, I felt like the direction of the piece all came together. I met with the committee a couple of times, received feedback, then worked to incorporate the feedback. This piece is a story, and a feeling, and I can only hope that it will help to elevate their voices, and raise the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two -Spirit People.” 

Charlie Clark, Mayor says: “Coinciding with the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, I am proud to be able to unveil this new shelter. The Bus Shelter Art projects placed around the city provide meaningful art displays that tie together learning, understanding, and steps towards reconciliation. I am very grateful for all of the community partners and city staff who helped make this happen. The willingness of community members to support our work in responding to the TRC Calls to Action continues to be invaluable.” 

Jim Puffalt, Director of Saskatoon Transit says: “We hope this bus shelter serves as an inclusive space where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and protected. With Vanessa and the committee members, we have crafted a beacon of awareness and a tribute to the strength of Indigenous cultures.”