News Releases

Since February 28, following a significant period of extreme cold temperatures, there have been 71 water main breaks in Saskatoon.  While they tend to be slightly above average at this time of year, this is still about seven times the average.  As of this afternoon, there are 23 water main breaks in our queue to repair.

City and contract crews continue to work long days to repair locations as quickly as possible, but affected residents can still expect to be without water service for four to seven days.  We are doing our best to accommodate everyone with temporary water in a day from when a water main break is reported.

Temporary Water
Water trailers will continue to be provided to affected areas, but there are not enough to supply all of the areas at this time.  To prevent longs waits for a water trailer to be delivered, we are providing the average recommended amount of drinking water for three days to each affected home.  Each day, two to three 19-litre (five-gallon) jugs of drinking water are delivered to new locations without water and to refill locations after three days.  These deliveries are provided through the water jug supplier and occur late afternoon and early evening. 

Once the repair is completed and water service is restored to locations where jugs of water were supplied, City staff will collect all of the jugs for sterilization and re-use.  To supply the large volume of homes with jugs of water, the supplier had to deplete their stock and we would like to minimize the cost where possible.  If you are not at home when our staff comes to your door, please call our customer service call centre to make arrangements for us to return.  We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation in returning the re-usable water jugs.  

Residents who are without water due to a water main break are invited to use the shower facilities at the City Leisure Centre closest to them.  Please present identification or a recent utility bill with your address, so staff can provide free admittance.                                               

What is causing these water main breaks?

With the type and age of the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, water main breaks are a normal occurrence at any time of year.  When there is a change in temperature that affects ground conditions, such as extreme cold or extreme heat, the underground pipes can move.  Extra pressure on a weak point may cause it to break.  This is consistent with many communities across the country.  What is different this year is that the ground frost level has reached as deep as the underground pipes, almost three metres (ten feet)!  With warm temperatures, the frost is starting to come out of the ground, but it will take several weeks of the same heat to reach the deepest frost.  

Be prepared

Every home should have an emergency preparedness plan for any time of the year, not just for water outage.  Residents in areas where water main breaks have occurred in the past few years, including neighbourhoods adjacent to current water main breaks, are encouraged to be prepared by having extra drinking water stored as a precaution.  The recommended supply of water to have on hand for a 72-hour period is 3.8 litres (one gallon) per person or pet per day.  Emergency preparedness information is available on the Government of Canada’s public safety website getprepared.gc.ca, including further recommendations for an emergency water supply. 

Frozen water connections
Home owners are also reporting frozen water connections, where there is a blockage on the water connection from the City’s water main to the private home. If your water does not turn on, it may be an issue with the private portion of your water connection.  If there is an issue on the City portion, we will come out and use specialized equipment to thaw the line from your home.  Staff are experiencing a high number of frozen water connections, so they may not be able to inspect a location for up to 24 hours.  To help prevent this, we recommend making sure the pipes are well-insulated, including the portion at the outside walls of your home. 

Water service is currently off at the following locations:
- 612 Spadina Crescent East
- 602 4th Avenue North
- 2106 William Avenue (incl. Gladmer Park)
- 74 Bence Crescent
- 1537 Avenue G North
- 99 Howell Avenue
- 2116 14th Street East
- 53 Maxwell Crescent
- 114 Nesbitt Crescent
- 2702 Clinkskill Drive
- 37 Simpson Crescent
- 1415 Argyle Avenue
- 805 47th Street East
- Connaught Place & Idylwyld Drive North
- 57 Malcolm Place
- 127 Charlebois Crescent
- 156 St Lawrence Crescent
- 4138 DeGeer Street
- 1109 Osler Street
- 1238 Elliott Street
- 629 4th Street East
- 1023 Osler Street
- 1109 Taylor Street East

We want to thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding.  If you are affected by a water outage and have any questions, or to report a water main break, please call the Public Works customer service call centre 24/7 at 306-975-2476.  Find out more about the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory that is in effect when the water is turned back on.

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 from the links at saskatoon.ca.

Public Skating and Parent and Tot Skating are wrapping up for the season at the City of Saskatoon indoor rinks.  Archibald, Cosmo, Lions, and Kinsmen Arenas will remain open for ice rental until Thursday, March 20, 2014.  ACT Arena will remain open throughout the Spring and Summer for ice rental only.  Please call the Allocations Office (located in Lawson Civic Centre) at 306-975-3366 for booking information.

Archibald Arena:  (1410 Windsor Street, 306-975-3313)
Sunday, March 16: Last day of Public Skating (12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 19:  Last day of Parent and Tot Skate (2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
Thursday, March 20:  Last day of operation

Cosmo Arena:  (3130 Laurier Drive, 306-975-3370)
Thursday, March 20: Last day of Public Skating (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
Monday, March 17:  Last day of Parent and Tot Skate (2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
Thursday, March 20:  Last day of operation

Kinsmen Arena:  (1405 Avenue P South, 306-975-3310)
Thursday, March 20:  Last day of operation

Lions Arena:  (2205 McEown Avenue, 306-975-3306)
Sunday, March 16:  Last day of Public Skating (6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.)
Tuesday, March 18:  Last day of Parent and Tot Skate (2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
Thursday, March 20:  Last day of operation

ACT Arena:  (107 - 105th Street East, 306-975-3316)
Tuesday, March 25:  Last day of Tuesday evening Public Skating (7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Thursday, March 27:  Last day of Parent and Tot Skating (2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
Sunday, April 13:  Last day of Sunday afternoon Public Skating (2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Ice continues to be available for rent by calling Allocations at 306-975-3366

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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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.

Over the next several days, City and contract crews will be out in full force grading streets by neighbourhood, clearing ruts and uncovering catch basins as a proactive approach to prepare for a smooth spring melt.  This will be an accelerated version of the January City-Wide Snow Grading program, when 16 neighbourhoods were graded until the extreme cold weather made it impossible to continue. 

Graders are in the following neighbourhoods today: College Park, College Park East, Confederation Park and Dundonald.  

City roadway inspectors have been monitoring streets throughout all areas of the city and, while there is little risk of deep ruts developing, the snow is thick enough on some streets to make it difficult for vehicles to maneuver.   

The timing is perfect for a full-force attack on streets that weren't yet graded this year.  The long-term forecast for warm weather will keep the snow and ice soft and easier to manage, plus graders will uncover accessible catch basins to improve drainage as the snow is melting.  This grading, along with the January grading performed on residential streets, will not only prevent dangerous ruts, it will speed up the drying process within the driving lanes.  

Grading snow from the driving lanes will also help reduce the standing water on the roadway which can seep into cracks in the asphalt and create potholes.  With less moisture on the roads, the potential for potholes is less. 

What about parking signs, vehicle towing and snow removal?
The short answer is: these will not occur.  In order to take full advantage of the warm weather and complete as many streets as soon as possible, we need to begin the program immediately.  The process of using the high-visibility yellow “No Parking” sandwich boards to reduce vehicles on the street will be abandoned during this accelerated program.  Graders will go around parked vehicles.  The snow will be pushed to the side of the road into windrows, keeping catch basins clear and maximizing on-street parking where possible.  Snow will not be removed and hauled away.  

Only select neighbourhoods will have parking enforcement over the next two days due the narrow streets, and dense on-street parking.  These are: Varsity View (Avenues) on Wednesday, March 12; and Mayfair (Avenues) on Thursday, March 13.  To avoid a ticket on these Avenues and being relocated, vehicles must be removed by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day where “No Parking” signs are posted. 

This winter, with some funding from the dedicated road levy, snow grading and removal efforts were increased along priority streets, in the business improvement districts, industrial areas, and narrow, high density residential streets.  These proactive snow management activities on Saskatoon streets this winter benefit us in more ways than one.  With less snow on our streets to melt during warm weather, there are fewer chances for ponding.  The snow piled into windrows will allow that snow to melt slowly, reducing the ponding around catch basins.  In addition, grading the snow into windrows will remove a lot of sand that would otherwise collect in the driving lanes of the streets.  This will also help to improve the spring street sweep program.  

During the accelerated snow grading, many other roadway programs will continue such as: regular salting/sanding as required; pothole patching with cold mix asphalt; snow grading on severely rutted streets; defrosting catch basins that are causing large puddles; maintenance of utility cuts (gravel areas) until permanent asphalt patching can occur; snow removal on high-traffic priority streets at night; and sidewalk/pathway snow clearing. 

City-Wide Snow Grading schedules and information is available on the website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow.  Follow our social media channels for updates.

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 from the links at saskatoon.ca.

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.

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.

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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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.

As the City’s Placemaker Public Art Program prepares for the spring installation of new art throughout Saskatoon’s key commercial districts, residents may notice some changes in these areas over the next few weeks.  

The City’s Visual Arts Placement Jury has approved the removal of the following temporary art installations: 

From Riversdale:

Winged Ascent

Stoic Dignity

Mediator

Maize  

From Downtown:

Pinnacle IX – Song of Ancients

Head

Walk in Beauty

Arabesque

Aphrodite (L’Espalier)

Sacrarium

Play  

From Broadway:

Buskers

Queen

Sentinel 

The Placemaker Program is a robust initiative that gives local, provincial and national artists the opportunity to have their work prominently featured in Saskatoon.  Currently, the City is accepting proposals for the Placemaker Program from independent artists or teams of artists to provide temporary public art to key commercial districts in Saskatoon.  The proposed art may be two or three dimensional work, installations, interventions or digital media such as video projection.  

For an information package and application form, please visit www.saskatoon.ca and search under “P” for Placemaker Program. The deadline for applications is April 8, 2014 at which time the City’s Visual Arts Placement Jury will adjudicate the applications received and select the works to be exhibited, in consultation with the Saskatoon’s Business Improvement Districts and with City Staff.  It is anticipated that the new pieces will be installed this spring. 

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.

APPLICATIONS TO CIVIC BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

There is currently a vacancy on the Board of Revision.  This quasi-judicial Board hears and determines appeals arising from assessment procedures in accordance with Section 197 of The Cities Act.  Appointees to the Board of Revision shall also serve on the Licence Appeal Board which hears appeals regarding the City’s various licensing bylaws.

Interested candidates should submit their applications by the deadline at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2014. All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year as openings occur.

Application forms can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (second floor, 222 – 3^rd Avenue North), or online at www.saskatoon.ca, search under “A” for Appointments to Boards and Committees.

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.