News Releases

The RedBall Project – an international travelling art project already showcased in locations such as Sydney, Paris, Portland, and Calgary – will be on display at various locations across Saskatoon starting Sunday, June 25 and running through to Canada Day celebrations on Saturday, July 1.

Over the seven days, the RedBall Project will roll into several popular areas around the city – some will be tourist hotspots, others more local locations – with the 4.5 metre (15 foot) diameter RedBall meeting the audience on their own streets. 

“This unique project is a first time for Saskatoon,” says Kevin Kitchen, Manager, Community Development. “With the support of the Business Improvement Districts, we’re thrilled to showcase the RedBall to residents and visitors alike and ‘round’ out the tour on the Traffic Bridge in time for the downtown Canada Day celebrations.”

Areas the travelling art piece will be visiting are:

Sunday, June 25 – River Landing Bridge

Monday, June 26 - Broadway Little Stone Stage

Tuesday, June 27 - Roxy Theatre

Wednesday, June 28 – Saskatoon School Board Office Downtown

Thursday, June 29 - Prairie Lily Boat Launch (Meewasin Trail)

Friday, June 30 – Delta  Bessborough Hotel (601 Spadina Crescent E)

Saturday, July 1 - Traffic Bridge

All Locations: 11am - 6pm (except Canada Day: 12pm to 7pm)

RedBall Saskatoon is commissioned by the Placemaker Program. The City, in collaboration with the Business Improvement Districts, manages the Placemaker Program to add significance to civic spaces through temporary public art. These temporary exhibits transform public spaces and engage with audiences to promote an appreciation for contemporary art practices. This year's project was further supported through funds from the three city centre BIDs and SK Arts.

To learn more about the Placemaker Program and/or to browse the collection, visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.

Saskatoon Transit unveiled two unique pieces of student art today that celebrate the vibrance of youth using active transportation and will adorn transit buses around the city. This year’s student art contest welcomed students from schools across the city to showcase their artistic talents. 

"We are delighted to partner with elementary schools on this project," says Cory Shrigley, Customer Support and Engagement Manager of Saskatoon Transit. "These students should feel a great sense of pride and honor when they see their artwork driving past on the side of a bus this summer." 

Among the talented participants, students Amina and Hannah from Chief Whitecap School demonstrated exceptional creativity and were selected as this year's "best of show" winners. 

The winning pieces were chosen in collaboration with the Remai Modern and submissions were based on their reflection of the "Active Transportation" theme. 

The artwork will be prominently displayed on the sides of ten Saskatoon Transit buses, traversing different routes across the city throughout the summer. 

Superintendent Nicola Bishop-Yong from Saskatoon Public Schools extends her congratulations to the students for highlighting the benefits of active transportation and showcasing what it means to be environmentally responsible.  

"Through our 'Move to Grow' initiative, our school division encourages students to embrace active transportation and make mindful choices that support their well-being, community, and the world,” says Bishop-Yong. "I am proud of all the students who participated in this contest and expressed the importance of being community-minded stewards of the environment." 

"This partnership with the Remai, the Saskatoon Public School Board, and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board helps support and promote art, especially local art, alongside emphasizing integrated mobility," concludes Shrigley. 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is growing by five as a dazzle of zebras in need of a home arrived at the Zoo earlier this week.

“The Zoo was contacted by provincial officials regarding a herd of zebra that needed different accommodations,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “As the only CAZA (Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) facility in Saskatchewan, we knew we had the space, skills and expertise to create a safe environment for these animals.”

The zebras have moved into one of the three caribou habitats at the Zoo. The space includes a heated and insulated barn and features a large outdoor yard with access to a pond for the herd to graze and explore.

“We will keep a close eye on the herd as it adapts to its new home,” says Mitchell. “Our primary concern is the comfort, health, safety and wellbeing of these amazing animals. We expect the zebras will keep close to the barn for the next several weeks and will eventually explore the greater areas of their new habitat.”

Known for their distinctive black-and-white striped coats, zebras can be found in a variety of habitats including savannas, grasslands, woodlands, shrublands and mountainous areas of eastern and southern Africa.

The City of Saskatoon, the Canadian Armed Forces and members of numerous veterans’ organizations will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the original dedication of the Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue in Woodlawn Cemetery on Sunday, June 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue was opened on June 17, 1923, before a crowd of 8,000 people. This beautiful avenue serves as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the Great War of 1914-1918. It runs from 33^rd Street, through the Woodlawn Cemetery gates and on to the Soldiers Cairn.

Immediately following this 100^th anniversary commemoration will be the Saskatoon’s Annual Citizens’ Decoration Day Service, with ceremonies to follow, at the Soldiers’ Memorial Cairn. Decoration Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those brave individuals who lost their lives in the service of our country.

This outdoor event is open to the public and attendees will be able to view all the activities from designated standing areas.

For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/woodlawn

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is now one step closer to building a new home for grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda thanks to a one-million-dollar donation from local residents Jerry and Tina Grandey. The announcement was made on Friday, June 9^th at the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation’s 24^th annual ZOOGALA, marking the single largest private donation in the Zoo’s history.

“Tina and Jerry have been amazing supporters of the Zoo for many years,” says Dawn Woroniuk, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Zoo Foundation. “Tina served on the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation board for many years playing a key role in building the bears current habitat at the Kinsmen Bear Exhibit. Tina was also instrumental in the creation of ZOOGALA, our one-of-a-kind annual fundraiser that has enabled the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation to contribute to several capital projects and improvements to the Zoo and will celebrate its 25^th anniversary of the event next year.”

“We are so thankful for this generous contribution” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “This donation provides us with an opportunity to further enhance the habitat features and amenities to not only provide the best care and quality of life for our grizzly bears, but also an opportunity for an enhanced visitor experience for those who come to learn more about these majestic animals.”

Grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda have called the Kinsmen Bear Exhibit home since arriving at the Zoo as orphaned cubs back in 2008. The pair enjoy taking dips in their swimming pool, soaking up the sun on their favourite rocks and of course, taking a long winter nap in their dens.

The new bear habitat will be significantly larger than the current habitat and will feature climbing structures, foraging opportunities, resting and sleeping locations, safe retreats, natural vegetation and soils, water features and a number of environmental enhancements that will allow the bears to continue to demonstrate their natural behaviours.

The Zoo is currently working to develop detailed design specifications along with construction estimates for the new habitat.

Donate today to help build the bears a new home, visit saskatoonzoofoundation.ca for more information.