News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Home Energy Loan Program accepting new applications starting May 1, 2024
April 16, 2024 - 9:00am
- Replacing windows, doors, or heating and cooling equipment with EnergyStar models
- Adding insulation to basements, attics, and walls
- Replacing toilets and faucets to low-flow options
- Installing solar panels
The City of Saskatoon’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) will begin accepting new applications on May 1, 2024, at 6:00 pm, with room for 30-50 new applicants.
HELP provides low interest loans to single-family homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations that are repayable through their property taxes. Homeowners are eligible for loans between $1,000 - $60,000, with flexible repayment terms of 5, 10, or 20 years.
The loans are tied to the property, not the person. To be eligible, property owners need to have their property taxes in good standing, and no additional credit checks are needed.
HELP loans are specifically for home energy efficiency upgrades, retrofits, and renewable energy installations. Some of the eligible home upgrades include:
The program has been closed to new applicants since 2023 and is opening now as all waitlisted applications have been processed.
“This popular program has already seen 105 homes upgraded for better energy efficiency,” says Amber Weckworth, Manager of Climate, Strategy, and Data for the City of Saskatoon.
“We have calculated a reduction of 260 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year from renovations completed through the first batch of loans,” says Weckworth. “Reducing barriers for energy upgrades, lowering emissions, supporting local employment and businesses, and reducing utility costs are benefits that this program provides for the community that support broader goals set out by City Council.”
While only 30-50 spots will be available in 2024, new funding was approved by City Council in March 2024 to continue the program for an additional 1-3 years with 100-240 new spots expected to open over the funding period.
Visit saskatoon.ca/HELPHome for more information on the City’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP).
Possible odours from construction activities at the landfill
April 15, 2024 - 3:30pm
New landfill gas wells and piping are being installed at the Saskatoon Regional Waste Management Centre (Landfill) to expand the landfill gas well field and to collect more methane from decomposing waste.
This work may temporarily result in some noticeable odours in surrounding areas, depending on wind direction and speed.
Additionally, the work will have no impact on air quality and will not pose health risks to residents. Construction is planned to begin this week and is expected for six weeks.
The Landfill Gas Collection & Power Generation System is currently responsible for reducing over 50,000 tonnes of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) per year; the equivalent of removing over 10,000 vehicles from the roads. When the expansion of the system is complete, the total annual destruction is expected to reach 80,000 tonnes of GHG per year. The system currently produces enough energy to power 1,200 homes each year and creates revenues of approximately $1.3 million for the City from the sale of power to SaskPower.
More information on our clean power generation initiatives can be found here.
Daily Road Report - April 16, 2024
April 15, 2024 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO HOSPITAL DR
(Water main maintenance)
Start: April 16, 7:00 a.m. End: April 28, 5:00 p.m.
COLLEGE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE N TO CUMBERLAND AVE N
(Water main maintenance)
Start: April 16, 7:00 a.m. End: April 28, 5:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AVE B N TO AVE C N
(Sanitary lining)
Start: April 16, 9:00 a.m. End: April 16, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CIRCLE DR W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO AVE C N
(Median sweeping)
Start: April 15, 8:00 p.m. End: April 16, 6:00 a.m.
COLLEGE DR EB CURB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Temporary water line placement)
Start: April 9, 7:00 a.m. End: April 16, 7:00 a.m.
2ND AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Brewery construction)
2-way traffic in NB lanes
Start: April 15, 8:00 a.m. End: April 18, 5:00 p.m.
BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
First phase of College Drive work starts Tuesday
April 15, 2024 - 7:00am
- Zipper merging will be required as part of this work zone. Drivers are reminded to use all available lanes and take turns at the end. This will help everyone get through the work zone faster.
- Saskatoon Transit will be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
College Drive will see eastbound lane closures between Clarence Avenue and Hospital Drive starting Tuesday, April 16th, for water main maintenance. Two-way traffic will be maintained in the westbound lanes. This work is expected to take two weeks to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
This is the first phase of the College Drive Water Main Maintenance Project underway between Clarence and Cumberland avenues until October. To see current road restrictions on priority Saskatoon roadways during the 2024 construction season, check and/or subscribe to the City’s Daily Road Report or visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Daily Road Report - April 15, 2024
April 12, 2024 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
2ND AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Brewery construction)
2-way traffic in NB lanes
Start: April 15, 8:00 a.m. End: April 18, 5:00 p.m.
3RD AVE N NB LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: April 15, 9:00 a.m. End: April 15, 1:00 p.m.
COLLEGE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT HOSPITAL DR
(Traffic signals)
Start: April 15, 9:00 a.m. End: April 15, 3:00 p.m.
FEHEREGYHAZI BLVD WB LANES CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO BOLSTAD LINK
(Manhole repair)
Start: April 15, 11:00 a.m. End: April 15, 1:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO AVE C N
(Median sweeping)
Start: April 15, 8:00 p.m. End: April 16, 6:00 a.m.
ONGOING
COLLEGE DR EB CURB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Temporary water line placement)
Start: April 9, 7:00 a.m. End: April 16, 7:00 a.m.
BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.