News Releases

Today, the City of Saskatoon (City) and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) launched a new webpage to highlight the collaborations between the two organizations achieved through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed five years ago.

The City and USask have a longstanding history of collaboration and partnerships, which has strengthened communities through education, research and engagement. That relationship was reaffirmed in 2018 when the two signed a memorandum of understanding to explore new and existing collaborations to address issues related to urban planning, land development, reconciliation, transit and research collaborations. The new webpage USask and the City of Saskatoon MOU - Leadership | University of Saskatchewan will offer residents greater access to, and awareness of, the activities advanced through the MOU.

“The unique partnership between the City and the University of Saskatchewan is resulting in real benefits for residents of Saskatoon through the collaboration on many exciting and one-of-a-kind projects,” said Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon. “These projects are working to provide an improved quality of life for our residents today and in the future, addressing a variety of challenges the University and City are uniquely positioned to tackle together.”

“Over the past five years, the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon have taken significant steps to strengthen our long-standing relationship and partnership with innovative initiatives ranging from sustainability to Reconciliation, as we work together to support our city and the communities we serve,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “To be the university the world needs, we must be the university our city and province needs as well. Saskatoon is a place many USask alumni call home, and through the continued partnership established in our MOU, we are successfully collaborating on issues of mutual importance to both the city and the university.”

Both USask and the City are focused on efforts to partner to be more purposeful and deliberate in the areas of reconciliation, strategic infill, transportation, sustainability, recreation, joint research projects, and student learning opportunities. In addition, many of the discoveries made by faculty members and students continue to be relevant to cities, such as in the areas of urban planning and community health, and can be used to make life better for Saskatoon residents.

The MOU serves as a leading example to inspire similar partnerships in the city, province, and country in the future.

Since 2018, City of Saskatoon and USask have partnered to advance:

• Reconciliation Initiatives
• Infrastructure and Land Development
• Research Connections
• Student Engagement
• Sustainability

Visit the webpage at https://leadership.usask.ca/initiatives/saskatoon-mou.php for more information.

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