News Releases

As part of the City’s commitment to reconciliation, a transit shelter was designed in collaboration with students from Aden Bowman Collegiate and Saskatoon Metis Elder, Senator Nora Cummings to be installed in front of the school.

“This new transit shelter is a wonderful addition to our community and our transit system,” says Mayor Clark. “The inspiring artwork can be enjoyed by everyone, including the neighbouring community and transit riders alike.”  

Saskatoon Transit’s Bus Shelter Art Project complies with Call to Action #79, calling upon the government, Aboriginal organizations and the arts community, to develop a reconciliation framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration, including integrating Indigenous history, heritage values and memory practices into Canada’s history.

“This beautiful bus shelter is just one example of what we hope will be many collaborations with the youth in our community,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “This project serves not only as a bus shelter in a location where there otherwise wouldn’t have been one, but also celebrates the rich cultural history of the area.”  

The artwork was inspired by Métis history, heritage, values and the memories of Senator Elder Nora Cummings and was laser cut by Metal Shapes Manufacturing.

“It's exciting for us as Métis to have the historic value and contributions of the Road Allowance Métis people acknowledged by the youth of Aden Bowman,” Cummings says. “This area was once a community garden of the Métis and this shelter is a beautiful representation of what once stood on this place.”

“It was an honour for the art students of Aden Bowman and for me to meet with Métis Elder Nora Cummings and learn about the Métis history in this area,” says Tamara Rusnak, Art teacher at Aden Bowman.

Saskatoon Transit completed the first engagement session with Elder Cummings and 19 students at Aden Bowman on May 8, 2018. Elder Cummings spoke specifically to the landscape and the people of the area where Aden Bowman is situated and shared pictures of what the area looked like when she was a young girl.

The students were asked to create original, timeless and commemorative art that celebrates the Métis heritage, history, values and memories of Elder Cummings. They created the art for the bus shelter using inspiration from the engagement session, keeping in mind the functionality and design of the shelter. 

In the recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in structure fires resulting from the spontaneous combustion of soiled rags that had not been sufficiently cleaned or properly stored.

Rags, towels, and other applicators that have been soiled with combustible products, such as oil-based paints, stains, and finishing products, are a serious concern. These products release heat while drying; if that heat is trapped and has access to an oxygen supply, it will build up and create an ideal environment for a fire to start.

The Saskatoon Fire Department offers the following quick tips on safely using, cleaning, and storing or disposing of soiled applicators:

• Allow adequate drying time by hanging soiled rags in an open-air environment and away from combustible materials,
• Never bundle soiled rags together or leave them in a pile; this can create a chemical reaction allowing them to self-heat and spontaneously combust,
• Once dry, place the soiled rags in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid to limit the amount of oxygen,
• Keep the metal container in a cool place and out of direct sunlight,
• Never store soiled rags or the containers that they are in near a heat source, and
• Watch for hazardous waste drop-off days throughout the year, as specified in your City of Saskatoon Collection Calendar, to safely dispose of these hazardous waste items.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

The Bargaining Committees for the City of Saskatoon and CUPE Local 59 reached a tentative agreement on September 13, 2018.

Details of the settlement will be released upon ratification by both parties. CUPE 59 ratified the tentative agreement on September 20, 2013. The tentative agreement will be before City Council on September 24, 2018.

The previous contract expired December 31, 2016.

CUPE Local 59 is the largest collective bargaining unit of City employees.

The Victoria Avenue rehabilitation is substantially complete, making it ready for the opening of the new Traffic Bridge on October 3^rd. Some small finishing touches are ongoing, but they should be wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.

“The improvements we’ve made are going to benefit people driving, walking, and biking as well as area residents,” says David LeBoutillier, Acting Engineering Manager with the City’s Transportation Division. “We’ve also improved the aesthetics to make the corridor a more pleasing place to travel and live.”

The reconstructed corridor provides an important link to the Traffic Bridge and the Downtown and will enable all types of traffic to travel this route safely and comfortably.

The improvements include:

• Reconfigured street alignment to bring Victoria Avenue in line with the City’s current street guidelines.
• Median restoration to address deterioration and increase street appeal.
• Installation of new concrete sidewalks.
• Installation of a raised, asphalt cycle track to create a separate, distinctive and safe space for people on bikes.
• New signage and pavement markings to help clarify how traffic will move.

“We considered several different options for the new cycling infrastructure to address the neighbourhood’s concern about traffic speeds and volumes as well as pedestrian and cycling safety,” says LeBoutillier. “In the end, we went with a raised cycle track because it offered the best function while maintaining the neighbourhood’s character.”

A raised cycle track is a high quality, safe, permanent installation that provides a comfortable space for cyclists of all ages and abilities to cycle away from vehicle traffic.

Once the Traffic Bridge reopens, the City is expecting to see traffic volumes along Victoria Avenue much the same as prior to the bridge closure: approximately 7,000 vehicles per day. However, users of this route will note differences including the new infrastructure and more people walking and biking. The City is asking all road users to exercise extra care in this area while people adjust to the changed travel patterns.

Following are some tips on how to share the space:

• People riding bikes can choose to ride on the raised cycle track or in the traffic lane. In both instances, they should travel in the same direction as traffic.
• Cyclists have the right-of-way, but should slow down and use caution when approaching intersections.
• Drivers are reminded to watch for cyclists using the cycle track, especially when approaching intersections or driveways.

A driver who ignored work zone signs and damaged City maintenance equipment was issued a ticket under The Traffic Safety Act for driving without due care and attention by the Saskatoon Police Service.

The incident happened on the afternoon of September 4, 2018, when a maintenance crew had an area of Central Avenue at 103rd Street blocked off for fire hydrant testing and maintenance. The driver entered the marked work zone, hit the equipment with her vehicle, and dragged it off the curb causing damage.  

No staff were injured in this collision; however, the crew member recalls the driver’s indifferent attitude about what happened was disheartening. Near-miss incidents can have a lasting effect on workers, as shared by Landen in his video for the Respect Work Zones public awareness campaign.

City crews are encouraged to record license plate information and a driver description when there is a work zone violation. This incident is one of at least eight other such reports that the Saskatoon Police Service is investigating, and is – so far – the first in which a ticket was issued.

While construction is winding down, the City reminds drivers to remain alert and obey work zone signs as year-round repairs and maintenance work continues. Learn more about the risk of entering a work zone at saskatoon.ca/respectworkzones.

Students of many post-secondary college and university programs have resumed classes; many of these students are living away from home for the first time. The Saskatoon Fire Department knows what an exciting time this can be, but emphasizes the importance of finding and maintaining safe living accommodations.

Parents and students should familiarize themselves with fire safety advice for students living on their own:

Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking; always keep combustible materials away from the heat source.

Candles

• If you choose to burn candles, keep them in a safe place away from combustible materials and where they won’t be knocked over. Remember to blow all candles out before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Smoking

• If you smoke, do so outside; always use large ashtrays and frequently empty them into metal containers.

Electrical

• Ensure all major appliances and electronics are plugged directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord as a permanent solution.

Organization

• Keep your belongings a safe distance from any heat source; this includes furnaces, space heaters, baseboard heaters, and fireplaces, among others. Ensure all doorways and windows are free of clutter, should you need to get out quickly.

Drugs and Alcohol

• The consumption of drugs and/or alcohol can create an increased risk of starting a fire, especially when the proper care and attention is not given to the topics covered above.

It is also important to be mindful of the type of structure that you will be living in or if you will be living with other people, such as a roommate or a friend. Be sure that you are confident that the person you may be living with is also conscious of tips for living safely to minimize the risk of a fire occurring. Always have an escape plan for how you could safely get out of each room in the event of an emergency.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable school year.

 In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

With the approval of the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the City of Saskatoon has lifted the Do Not Use water advisory for Bolstad Link/Manor/Turn/Way in the neighbourhood of Aspen Ridge. Bolstad residents were taken off the permanent, underground water system and moved to a temporary above-ground system after potential hydrocarbon contamination was discovered in a few area hydrants in January.

“The City commissioned an investigation that led to a thoroughly documented remediation process coupled with many rounds of confirmatory water quality testing,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation and Utilities. “All testing indicates that the water on Bolstad meets or exceeds all regulatory water quality standards.”

The City contracted Stantec, a global engineering firm, to lead the remediation activities in consultation with a senior toxicologist. Inspections and remediation activities included:

• Camera inspections of hydrant lead pipes and main pipes with a high definition camera to assess conditions before and after remediation.
• High pressure flushing and regular flushing.
• Scrubbing, also known as pigging.  

“The watermains and connecting infrastructure have been confirmed to be acceptable or better than typical operating conditions, as a result of extensive remediation,” says Chris Mathies, Principal & Sector Leader with Environmental Services at Stantec. “We will also continue to monitor the water quality and we’re confident it will continue to meet with water quality standards.”

The City’s investigation into the source of the contaminant is ongoing although it has been determined to be an asphalt-type product, of which there are many varieties widely available.

Properties located on Bolstad Link/Manor/Turn/Way received notification that the advisory had been lifted earlier today. The area will be transitioned off of the temporary system and onto the permanent one over the course of the next few weeks.

Two special events are being planned on Tuesday, October 2 to commemorate the completion of the City of Saskatoon’s largest ever infrastructure project. In just days, the Bridging to Tomorrow project, which includes the Chief Mistawasis Bridge, McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue extensions, and the new Traffic Bridge will be completed on time and on budget.

“The City is grateful for the strong partnerships we have with the Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan, and Graham Commuter Partners on this project,” says Dan Willems, Acting General Manager of Corporate Performance. “All of this new infrastructure will shorten commute times, offer more transportation options for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and help grow the economy, all of which improve our quality of life.”

Events will focus on the theme of community and bridging together citizens in celebration. At the Chief Mistawasis Bridge, a morning celebration will include a grand entry with local Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, and City and government officials. Citizens will be invited to walk around and explore the bridge for the entire morning.

Beginning at noon, a more informal event will be held on the deck of the new Traffic Bridge. The event will start with a bridge walk that will include citizens, local community leaders, school children, and walking, cycling and running groups. It will begin on both ends of the bridge and meet in the middle in a celebration of community. Citizens are invited to bring their own lunch to the new Traffic Bridge or purchase their lunch from food truck vendors that will be set up on the deck. The Traffic Bridge Party will include local cultural entertainment and history and information about the Bridging to Tomorrow project will be on display.

Chief Mistawasis Bridge, McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue extensions will open to vehicular traffic later in the day. The Traffic Bridge will open to vehicular traffic on October 3.

For more information on the Bridging to Tomorrow project, visit saskatoon.ca/bridging.

A City Committee is asking City Council to green-light a plan seeking a tenant to develop and manage a six-day-a-week public and farmers’ market in the Farmers’ Market Building at River Landing.   As the current lease is set to expire in the spring with the current tenant, a report considered by the Planning, Development & Community Services Committee would like City Council to endorse issuing a Request for Proposal this fall.

“It’s been ten years since the Farmers’ Market Building was converted from an electrical utility building,” says Brenda Wallace, Director, Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “Saskatoon, its food scene, and the River Landing precinct, has undergone vast changes in that time.

“The original concept plan for River Landing outlined ambitious dreams for this space and the City wants to determine if we can move closer to realizing them with increased market days and activity in the building”

The City has undertaken lease renewal negotiations with the current tenant of the building, the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Co-operative Ltd. (SFMCL), which had submitted a business plan. Its plan anticipates providing an eventual increased number of days each week in which some market and program activities would occur, however, full animation of the site as originally envisioned would not be achieved.

“Through an RFP, we’re hoping to make it very clear what the expectations and hopes are for the building and to identify an entity best-positioned to bring a vibrant market to our residents and visitors,” Wallace says.

If approved at City Council, Administration will issue a Request for Proposals in fall of this year. The current Lease and Operating Agreement for the Farmers’ Market Building expires in May 2019.

River Landing, through the Farmers’ Market, supports the Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by ensuring facilities are accessible and meeting community needs. As a cultural, recreational, and market centre, River Landing invites citizens and visitors alike to enjoy the natural beauty and benefits of parks, trails, and other amenities that bring people together. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department will be hosting three open houses of fire stations around the city, as well as one public grand opening of the newly relocated Fire Station No. 3. These events will be running from September 17^th to 20^th and all are welcome to attend. The details of each are as follows:

Monday, September 17, 2018

Fire Station No. 2 Open House – 3111 Diefenbaker Drive

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Fire Station No. 8 Open House – 207 Slimmon Road

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Fire Station No. 1 Open House – 125 Idylwyld Drive South

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

LIVE BURN DEMONSTRATION!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Fire Station No. 3 Public Grand Opening – 2613 Clarence Avenue South

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

FREE CHILI AND A BUN!

Each event will include tours of the station, and the opportunity to meet members of the Saskatoon Fire Department and ask any questions that you may have.

We are excited to host community members at a number of our fire stations. We hope to see you there!