News Releases

Cool off at any of the 23 City of Saskatoon spray pads located around the city. Spray pads will open for the season on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 10 a.m., and will be operational daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Please note, in June (Monday to Friday), spray pads located near school grounds are set to turn off 5 minutes before recess and lunch breaks and will resume 5 minutes after the breaks are over. Shut-off times will vary according to individual school schedules. All spray pads are activated by push buttons located near the spray features. The bell schedules are listed on the Where to Play Google Map posted at saskatoon.ca/spraypads. 

To find a spray pad location near you, check out the Where to Play Google Map at saskatoon.ca/spraypads or call 306-975-3378.

Spray Pad Improvement Project
The City has started a project to improve spray pads and help people stay cool during hot weather, while also conserving water. Running from 2025 to 2027, this initiative will make it easier for everyone to access drinking water and find relief during extreme heat. Plus, it will help protect our water systems by reducing water use during the busiest summer months.

The project will include:

• Smarter Spray Pads – Upgrading nozzles and adding remote controls to use water more efficiently.
• More Shade & Water Access – Installing shade structures, water fountains, and misting stations at six spray pad and paddling pool locations to provide extra relief from the heat.

This work is funded by a $700,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund and the Government of Canada, as well as a $950,000 Green Loan, to be paid back with water bill savings.

This project builds on successful pilot programs in 2023 and 2024, which helped cut water use by 25-40% without taking away any of the fun. By switching to lower-flow and misting nozzles, we’re making our spray pads more sustainable while keeping them just as enjoyable!

33rd Street will be closed between Avenues F and G on Thursday, May 29, starting at 8:00 a.m. for service connection replacements. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may 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.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

5TH AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 22ND ST E
(SL&P)
Start: May 28, 8:00 a.m. End: May 28, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE F S
(Underground maintenance)
Start: May 28, 9:00 a.m. End: May 28, 12:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST E TO 51ST ST E
(SL&P)
Start: May 28, 9:00 a.m. End: May 28, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 109TH ST W TO 110TH ST W
(Roadway patching)
Start: May 28, 9:00 a.m. End: May 28, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM FAITHFULL AVE TO ONTARIO AVE
(Junction box replacement)
Start: May 28, 12:00 p.m. End: May 28, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

11TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM DAWES AVE TO AVE U S
(Environmental monitoring)
Start: May 27, 7:00 a.m. End: May 28, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N NB LANES CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 14TH ST E
(Paving)
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: May 28, 5:00 p.m.

BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM MARLATTE CRES TO ORBAN WAY
(Road repairs)
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: May 28, 7:00 p.m.

AVE P S ROAD CLOSED FROM 19TH ST W TO 20TH ST W
(Construction)
Start: May 27, 7:00 a.m. End: May 29, 5:00 p.m.

33RD ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM QUEBEC AVE TO ONTARIO AVE
(Link station construction)
Start: May 12, 7:00 a.m. End: May 30, 5:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD SB RAMP CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E 
(Construction) 
Start: May 12, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB LANES & WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM AVE I N TO AVE K N
(Water main maintenance)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in WB lanes
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB SPEED REDUCTION FROM GLENWOOD AVE TO 33RD ST W 
(Jersey barrier placement) 
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: June 2, 4:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM SASKATCHEWAN CRES E TO 12TH ST E
(Link platform construction)
Start: May 20, 7:00 a.m. End: June 2, 4:30 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 12TH ST E TO SASKATCHEWAN CRES E
(Link station construction)
Start: May 27, 7:00 a.m. End: June 2, 6:00 p.m.

BOYCHUK DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO BRIARWOOD RD
(Sidewalk construction)
Start: May 16, 8:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CUMBERLAND AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 5TH ST E TO TAYLOR ST E
(Sidewalk replacements)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: June 7, 5:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB CURB & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 9TH ST E
(Link station construction)
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: June 8, 4:30 p.m.

MCORMOND DR SB LANES CLOSED FROM NELSON RD TO ATTRIDGE DR
(Link station construction)
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: June 8, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E 
(Construction)
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

BROADWAY BRIDGE CLOSED FROM 12TH ST E TO 20TH ST E 
(Bridge rehabilitation) 
Start: May 11, 7:00 p.m. End: October (Date TBA)

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.

Wildfires in northern Saskatchewan have forced the evacuation of a significant number of residents from the area. In response, the City was approached by the Canadian Red Cross to use Cosmo Civic Centre as a designated temporary evacuation site until it is safe for the residents to return to their homes. The costs associated with hosting the evacuees will be billed to the Canadian Red Cross.

The Canadian Red Cross is managing the evacuations and has assessed other locations in Saskatoon that can accommodate large numbers. Unfortunately, no other suitable facilities are currently available.

The City has prior experience providing evacuation spaces; Cosmo Civic Centre was the last Leisure Centre used for this purpose over ten years ago. The facility was requested by the Red Cross and has been identified as the primary choice for an evacuation space due to its size and amenities, ability to be quickly converted for emergency use, proximity to services such as retail and food, access to transit, and it is the least disruptive to the City’s overall recreational programming.

To accommodate this emergency response, Cosmo Civic Centre and arena will be closed to the public effective today. This temporary closure includes all programming, rentals and transit ticket sales. The Carlyle King Branch Library will remain open at this time.

We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this emergency response. The City anticipates the closure will remain in place for at least the next couple of weeks and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Updates will be shared with the public as more information becomes available.

Patrons are encouraged to visit Leisure Online at dropinschedule.saskatoon.ca for programming options available at the City’s other leisure facilities. Your cooperation and support are invaluable as we navigate this emergency together.

 For updates, please visit saskatoon.ca/cosmo.

Saskatoon is experiencing the highest number of individuals facing homelessness ever recorded. The findings are revealed in the 2024 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count Community Report, officially released on Tuesday, May 27, pointing to a significant rise in homelessness across the city.

“Homelessness should be rare, brief and not repeated. These numbers are heartbreaking and unacceptable,” said Mayor Cynthia Block. “Every person without a home is a call to action — especially when so many are Indigenous, reflecting the ongoing impacts of colonialism. Cities are on the frontlines, but we cannot do this alone. We need urgent, coordinated action from all orders of government and we must work in true partnership with Indigenous leadership to create lasting solutions.”

As noted in preliminary findings from the City of Saskatoon and community partners, the 2024 PiT Count identified at least 1,499 individuals experiencing homelessness in Saskatoon – nearly triple the number recorded in 2022. With approximately five individuals per 1,000 residents experiencing homelessness, Saskatoon now faces one of the highest homelessness rates in Canada.

Alarmingly, the count also shows a dramatic rise in the number of children experiencing homelessness – 315 children were counted in the 2024 count compared to 26 children counted in 2022.

The community report highlights significant disparities. One of the most striking is the over-representation of Indigenous peoples who make up less than 12 per cent of Saskatoon’s general population but account for over 80 per cent of those experiencing homelessness. This underscores the ongoing impact of systemic inequities and barriers to accessing safe, affordable housing.

Evictions are the primary factor contributing to homelessness, as reported by over half of the survey respondents. Additionally, one-third of respondents identified insufficient income as another major factor contributing to homelessness. The data also point to a growing number of women, youth, seniors and families without stable housing, as well as a rise in unsheltered individuals sleeping in unsuitable conditions.

Additionally, mental health and addictions were the most frequently reported health-related challenges among respondents, with over 80 per cent reporting a substance abuse issue, and 60 per cent indicating a mental health issue. These responses underscore the complexity and challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.

“The PiT Count helps us understand the extent of homelessness in Saskatoon. While the numbers are only a snapshot in time, the PiT Count doesn’t and can’t quantify the human suffering. The data can still help guide us in preparing as a community to address these challenges,” says Robert LaFontaine, SHIP Executive Director.

The count was conducted on October 8, 2024, through a collaborative effort led by the City of Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), and the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) at the University of Saskatchewan. Over 200 volunteers and numerous community organizations contributed to the initiative, which is part of the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program—a national effort to better understand and address homelessness.

Using standardized national methodologies adapted to reflect local context, the PiT Count provides critical insights into demographics, service usage and the pathways that lead individuals into homelessness. These findings will help guide the development of culturally appropriate, evidence-based policies and programs, and long-term solutions.

While the PiT Count offers only a snapshot of homelessness over a 24-hour period, it remains a vital tool for identifying urgent needs, fostering collaboration and building public awareness.

The City of Saskatoon also thanks the Government of Canada for funding this project and for its continued critical role in this effort.

For additional information about the PiT Count, including the community report, visit saskatoon.ca/pit.