News Releases

People of all ages, cultural backgrounds and abilities, are invited to join the third annual “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Victoria Park on Thursday, June 21.

The “Rock Your Roots” Walk begins at 10:00 a.m. at the top of Victoria Park. We recommend people arrive at 9.30 a.m. for marshalling and a communal warm up exercise. The walk culminates at 11:30 a.m. and joins up with National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, which includes free lunch, special guest speakers, live entertainment and fun for the whole family.

This year our theme is “Planting the Seed”. By walking together, we plant the seeds of reconciliation - honouring survivors and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as we grow a more inclusive community.

Participants and groups are encouraged (but not required) to “Rock Your Roots” by holding or wearing traditional symbols of your culture to show and share the diversity within our community.

SCHEDULE

7:30 a.m. Pipe Ceremony – open to all. *Information on Pipe Ceremony protocol can be found on page 24 of the ayisīnowak guide on Saskatoon.ca/ayisīnowak.

9:30 a.m. Gather at the start line for a group warm up exercise!

10:00 a.m. “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation begins. Along the way, you’ll see the Chinese Martial Arts Academy, Curtis Peeteetuce, German Junior Folk Dance, India School of Dance and Music, Taste of China Academy and others perform!

11:30 a.m. Grand Entry of dignitaries and special guests.

12:30 – 4:00 p.m. Free lunch, cultural entertainment and family fun as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations hosted by Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre.

Celebrations are free and open to all. Golf carts will be available for those unable to walk.

For more information, including a map of the Walk, visit Facebook.com/ReconciliationSaskatoon or OTC.ca.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action supports the City’s strategic goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

As part of the Building Better Roads program, the City is undertaking major improvement work on a key stretch of Idylwyld Drive, between 33^rd and 39^th streets. The improvements include road resurfacing as well as water and sewer upgrades.

“This resurfacing project will improve the roadway along Idylwyld Drive southbound and the 33^rd Street and Idylwyld Drive intersection,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design. “We’re also taking this opportunity to remove outdated lines that connect adjacent properties to the City’s watermain and replace them with new infrastructure. This work is in line with the City’s accelerated lead line replacement program and will reduce the susceptibility of watermain breakage, extending the life of the roadway.”

The old lead line connections will be replaced with lines made of materials that are more reliable. The new water lines are made of Polyethylene and the sewer lines are constructed from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

The City is also working with property owners adjacent to this stretch of Idylwyld Drive to have any outdated pipes in their home or business replaced at the same time. This is more economical than undertaking the private property replacements separately.

Following the completion of the underground water and sewer work, road resurfacing will take place on Idylwyld Drive southbound from 33^rd to 39^th streets and on Idylwyld Drive northbound from 33^rd to 36^th streets. This work will include the intersection at 33^rd Street and Idylwyld Drive. These sections of roadway will be in smooth ‘like new’ condition following the completion of work.

Weather permitting, Idylwyld Drive construction is set to begin on Monday, June 18, 2018. Provided there are no unforeseen complications and the weather cooperates, the work should take approximately three weeks to complete.

The work is being planned in an effort to reduce the impacts to adjacent properties and Idylwyld Drive traffic. For example, intersection work at Idylwyld Drive and 33^rd Street will be completed over weekends and construction work will be phased (completed in sections) so that at least one lane of Idylwyld Drive can remain open in both directions for the duration of the project.

Road users can expect turning restrictions and lane reductions on Idylwyld Drive between 33^rd and 39^th streets beginning June 18, 2018. The City is advising residents to expect delays or to choose an alternate route if possible.

Bus routes along the construction route may also be affected throughout the project. During construction, residents are advised to check the posted signage for alternate bus stop locations or to check the Transit App.

More information about the 2018 Building Better Roads plan is available at saskatoon.ca/betterroads. You can also access Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews and, for everyone’s safety, obey all detours, signs, and barriers.

Saskatoon is re-imagining how we grow and move around our city by addressing our community and infrastructure needs for transit, cycling, walking and other modes of transportation in support of the City’s Plan for Growth.

“We’re at a critical time in considering how we’re going to develop our city for the future. The input we’ve received from members of the community has helped to shape the plan for Bus Rapid Transit, and we’re looking forward to continue working with citizens to identify the best ways to implement it in the coming years,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning & Development. “This Special meeting will help lay out all the information in one place on both the Transit Plan and BRT, as well as the Downtown AAA Cycling Network”

Over the past eight months, the City has engaged with community members and stakeholders regarding the new Transit Plan – based around Bus Rapid Transit and the Downtown All Ages and Abilities Cycling Network. The next step in the engagement process for these projects involves Civic Administration presenting associated information reports at a Special Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on June 20, 2018.

In preparation for growth, citizens should be aware that their voice is significant in shaping these projects. Whether it’s through submitting comments and/or speaking in person, every form of engagement is essential in connecting to the big picture, which is presenting these projects to City Council for approval in Fall/Winter 2018.  

“We are at a very exciting time in our history, developing mobility options for customers of the future,” says Michael Moellenbeck, Acting Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Bus Rapid Transit, the Transit Plan and the AAA Cycling Network are initiatives about which we have had great conversations within the community and we are using those comments to adjust proposals into plans. There will be more engagement required as we work to develop the final plans but this special meeting will provide us with an excellent starting point.”

The selected streets for the downtown AAA cycling network are: 19th Street, 23rd Street, 4th Avenue, and Idylwyld Drive.

“These streets were selected based on a detailed understanding of trade-offs between the variety of users and functions these downtown streets serve, striving to achieve a balance amongst all users,” says Jay Magus, Acting Director of Transportation.

“The proposed Downtown AAA cycling network introduces a three-and-a-half kilometre network of downtown cycling facilities, providing an interconnected system of facilities that is comfortable and attractive for most users.”

Should citizens want to submit a letter or have their voice heard during this event, it is asked that they submit a “request to speak” using the following link: https://www.saskatoon.ca/write-letter-councilcommittees 

Plan for Growth projects are funded in part under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) from the Government of Canada. The Government of Saskatchewan administers federal PTIF funding in the Province. The City is funding the remainder of the Plan.

To learn more about the Transit Plan, visit saskatoon.ca/transit-plan  and for the Downtown All Ages and Abilities Cycling Network, visit saskatoon.ca/AAA-Cycling-Network

Learn more about engagement opportunities by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage.

Dori Krahn of the Saskatoon Fire Department, has been selected by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to receive a Star Scholarship Award for her dedication in effectively reaching the public with fire safety education. As an award recipient, Dori is currently attending NFPA’s Conference & Expo Spotlight on Public Education (SOPE), a 2-day event for fire and life safety educators and others interested in public education and community risk reduction, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is participating in training sessions, conference events, and a networking reception. NFPA’s Conference & Expo serves as the premier annual event for fire, electrical, and building safety.

“Dori has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to reducing Saskatoon residents’ risk to fire and related hazards,” said Laura King, regional education specialist for NFPA’s Canadian Public Education Division. “She is truly deserving of this award, and we’re thrilled to have her attend this year’s conference.”

Assistant Chief Wayne Rodger added “Dori identified a need within our community and has championed a program that meets the needs for older adults, including education, recommendations on fire and fall prevention as well as forging solid relationships with the Saskatoon Council on Ageing and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to provide further health care services.”

NFPA chose 12 scholarship recipients from the United States and Canada who provide consistent and innovative outreach to their community; actively use and implement NFPA resources and programs including Learn Not to Burn®, Remembering When™, or Fire Prevention Week; promote NFPA in their community, state or province; and/or are new, enthusiastic, fire and life safety educators interested in learning about NFPA programs and materials.

Winners were selected by NFPA’s Regional Education Specialists and Canadian Public Education Representative. Each scholarship is valued at approximately $2,000 and includes travel, conference registration, and lodging.

On behalf of the Saskatoon Fire Department, congratulations to Dori Krahn on your national recognition and continued commitment to our community!

​Today, 19 high school students will successfully graduate from the FIRE Cadet Program. Each of these students has demonstrated responsibility, respect, teamwork, community involvement, pride, and leadership to get to this point.

The FIRE Cadet Program is supported by the Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, and is part of the Career Education Program at Bedford Road Collegiate, Mount Royal Collegiate, Tommy Douglas Collegiate, E.D. Feehan Catholic High School, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bishop James Mahoney Catholic High School, and Holy Cross Catholic High School. Students from these schools applied to be a part of the program and were selected after an interview process.

“The FIRE Cadets have displayed impressive levels of teamwork and growth throughout their time with the Saskatoon Fire Department. The students came from a diverse set of backgrounds and interests, but quickly developed a sense of comradery. It’s a unique and rewarding experience to help lead these students and watch them work together to achieve various tasks and challenges” said Holly Lindberg, one of the firefighters leading the program.

Throughout the eight week program cadets learned to operate fire hoses, hydrants, fire trucks, and an aerial. They gained technical rope, ladder, extrication, dangerous goods, firefighter self-rescue, and water rescue skills. Cadets also received the CPR Level C and valuable experience giving fire safety presentations.

Brandon Bishop with the Saskatoon Fire Department states, “The support we have received from our community has been instrumental in the success of our students and the program. Don Flaman from Flaman Sales provided us with a trailer for the entire length of the program, SGI provided us with cars to allow our students to practice their extrication skills, and FFUN Motor Group provided the program with a van to shuttle the students to and from training sessions”.

Congratulations to each student who is graduating from the FIRE Cadet Program today!