News Releases

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – A grand opening ceremony is being held Wednesday, August 12, for PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park – Saskatoon’s new, must-see family-friendly attraction.

To officially open PotashCorp Playland, representatives from the City of Saskatoon, PotashCorp, Canpotex, and Canadian Pacific (CP) will help hammer in “the last spike” for the train track that loops around the park.  The fun ceremony was inspired by a similar one held in 1885 in British Columbia when the Canadian Pacific Railway completed its transcontinental railroad across Canada.

PotashCorp Playland features a $1.025 million train provided by Canpotex and CP, as well as a larger Ferris wheel and a refurbished carousel.  PotashCorp provided $7.5 million of the $9.5 million cost of PotashCorp Playland, which also includes a unique, new play area.  This part of PotashCorp Playland is free of charge and has lots of room for climbing, sliding, swinging – and riding down the double cable ride.

“Visiting the Kinsmen Park rides has long been a tradition in Saskatoon – and with the opening of PotashCorp Playland, the experience is better than ever,” says Lee Knafelc, PotashCorp Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. “Every child will find something fun to do at PotashCorp Playland, and that was our goal.”

PotashCorp strives to improve the well-being of the communities in which it operates, and this motivated its investment in PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park.

“I am so proud of the partnerships that created this one-of-a-kind family centre right in downtown Saskatoon,” says Mayor Donald Atchison. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to PotashCorp, Canpotex, and CP for their financial commitment to the people of Saskatoon.  Thousands of families will come here in the decades ahead and create wonderful memories of PotashCorp Playland and Kinsmen Park.”

To celebrate Wednesday’s grand opening, rides are free from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at PotashCorp Playland.  There is also entertainment, carnival games, prizes, and snacks, all courtesy of PotashCorp.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.                                     

The City is preparing to activate the newly installed traffic signals at the corner of Marquis Drive and Highway 16. The traffic signals will improve safety as development in the area continues to generate more traffic through this intersection. 

The newly installed signals will include advance warning flashers to notify drivers on the highway when the signals are about to turn red. Additional improvements, such as widening the shoulder of the road, are scheduled to be completed in the near future.

Upon initial activation, the lights will flash red for approximately five days so drivers become aware of the new traffic signals. While they continue to flash red, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. We expect the regular signal timing and control of the intersection will be activated on Monday, August 17, 2015.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

NEW

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SB ON RAMP TO COLLEGE DR WB CLOSED
(Paving)
Access College WB via 108th St exit
Start: August 11, 7:00 p.m. End: August 12, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 108TH ST OVERPASS
(Paving)
Start: August 11, 7:00 p.m. End: August 12, 6:00 a.m.

COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT MCORMOND DR
(Guardrail repair)
Start: August 12, 9:00 a.m. End: August 12, 11:00 a.m.

33RD ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR OVERPASS
(Streetlight repair)
Start: August 12, 9:00 a.m. End: August 12, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR.
(Road Patching)
Start: August 12, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR EB RAMP TO ATTRIDGE/PRESTON CROSSING CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Start: August 12, 7:00 p.m. End: August 13, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the EB overpass.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN
Ongoing work with limited lane restrictions to occur during off peak hours

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

As the City continues to roll out the FlexParking program in stages, an additional 140 pay stations will be activated today (Wednesday, August 12) throughout the remainder of the downtown core and in the area surrounding City Hospital.

When the new, flexible pay stations are turned on, the old coin meters will either be removed or covered with a white and yellow hood that directs drivers to use the pay stations. As long as drivers encounter an unhooded, active coin meter that’s where they should pay.

More stations will continue to be activated at other locations across the city in the weeks to come.

Important tips and reminders:

1. Have your licence plate number handy; you’ll need it at every transaction.
    
2. Don’t forget to note the maximum allowable time where you’re parking; you can only park as long as the sign indicates, regardless of how much time you buy.
    
3. You don’t need to display a dashboard ticket; your plate provides proof of payment.
    
4. Balances on your parking purchase can be carried forward to any space that’s been switched over to the new system; balances cannot be applied to coin metered spaces.
    
5. Additional parking time may be purchased provided you have not exceeded the maximum allowable time posted at your parking space.

The City’s Disability and Veteran parking permit programs remain unchanged and drivers are still required to display their placards.

For more information, including a map of where the new FlexParking pay stations are installed, and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/flexparking or call 306-975-2548.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.

Looking for a way to help your dog cool off in the heat?  Bring your pooch for a swim at the FREE Dog Day of Summer event at Mayfair Outdoor Pool on August 24!

Service dogs welcome during a dedicated swim time from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m., and all dogs are welcome in one-hour time slots starting at 12:00 p.m.

Service Dogs (60 dog limit):                                   11:00 to 11:45 a.m.

All other dogs (60 dog limit per time slot) :         12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

                                                                                    1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

                                                                                    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

                                                                                    4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

                                                                                    6:00 to 7:00 p.m.          

Attendance is by online preregistration only at www.saskatoon.ca/animalservices, with a limit of 60 dogs per session accompanied by an adult owner.  All dogs must be well-socialized, vaccinated, and licensed in Saskatoon.  If you don’t have a current license, one can be purchased online prior to registering for the event (www.saskatoon.ca/petlicense).

The Saskatoon SPCA will be hosting a fundraiser BBQ, with all proceeds going towards SPCA initiatives.

The Dog Day of Summer event is planned for the day after the pool closes for the season.  No human swimming will be permitted.  Participation in this event is at your and your dog’s own risk.

To register for this event or for information on Animal Services, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/animalservices.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.