News Releases

City Council has approved the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan) to provide an overall framework for guiding the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities now and into the future.

The Master Plan, developed through broad public engagement, will replace the 1995 Public Recreation Policy.  It was developed by a diverse team, including consultants and Civic Administration, under the guidance of an internal Project Steering Committee and a Community Feedback Committee with sixteen public representatives from key agencies and sectors in Saskatoon that are involved in and/or impacted by recreation and parks services.

The Master Plan is meant to provide a framework for action regarding recreation and parks, and although focused on the City’s role in service provision, it provides insight and information for the benefit of all related stakeholders.

Included in the Master Plan are 3 overarching goals and 19 intended service outcomes that outline a desired end state that can be achieved through provision of, and participation in, recreation and parks activities.

“Recreation is a cornerstone, not only for healthy individuals, but also for vibrant and complete communities, which contribute to the city’s quality of life, social progress, and economic development,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Community Development. 

The Master Plan identifies recommendations for programming, service delivery and infrastructure, for both the City and the community for the next 5 to 15 years. Major projects identified that are likely to be assessed for consideration in the near future, include, but are not limited to:

1. reinvestment in the City’s existing recreation facilities and parks (i.e. Leisure Centres, play structures, park upgrades, paddling pools, etc.);
2. potential partnerships around the development of indoor ice facilities including leisure ice; and
3. the potential development of a recreation facility.

“The City will begin work on an implementation plan, including short-, medium-, and long-term strategies,” explains Lacroix.  “The Master Plan will be dynamic throughout time; priorities will shift as new information becomes available.  The frameworks and systems outlined in the Master Plan will allow recreation and parks’ stakeholders to adapt as Saskatoon grows and evolves.”

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/recmasterplan for the highlights of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, to view the plan in its entirety, and for more information on implementation.

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.

The City of Saskatoon began necessary repairs on the Highway 16 & 11 overpasses at the Cloverleaf intersection in May. Crews have now completed repairs to the eastbound structure and will begin work on the westbound structure on Friday, July 24.

During the second phase the traffic detour will switch sides while maintaining the current flow of traffic. Therefore, two-way traffic will be accommodated on the eastbound overpass while work is carried out on the westbound structure. Two lanes eastbound and one lane westbound will be maintained.

The work is expected to be complete by late-September. The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. For more information visit saskatoon.ca and search “cloverleaf”.

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.

 In response to feedback collected from citizens and customers over the past several months, the City of Saskatoon (City) will be lowering the prices for the monthly LeisureCard pass that provides unlimited drop-in access to the six indoor Leisure Centres, the Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track, four outdoor pools, and Cosmo skating rink.

“We heard you, Saskatoon,” says Cary Humphrey, Director of Recreation and Sport.  “The declining popularity of the former full-year LeisureCard pass, confirmed by our recent research study, was a clear indication that we needed to make a change to this product.”

Beginning September 1, 2015, the monthly LeisureCard prices will be as follows:

• Adult:  $45 per month; formerly started at $75 for one month
• Youth:  $27 per month; formerly started at $45 for one month
• Family:  $90 per month; formerly started at $150 for one month

“By lowering the prices and simplifying the fee to be one low rate, regardless of how many months you purchase, we anticipate that the new improved LeisureCard will be more attractive to our current, past, and potential customers,” explains Humphrey.  “We are reducing the financial barriers to participate in fitness and fun at our Leisure Centres.”

Another benefit to the lower rate will be a “Pick Your Perk” program, which will reward long-term LeisureCard customers with enticing bonuses at Leisure Centres and other civic programs and services.  The anticipated launch date for the new reward program is January 2016.

In addition to reduced LeisureCard prices, prices on Bulk Tickets will be reduced to $75.00 for an adult 10 pack of single admission tickets; rates are also available for youth and families.  The general drop-in admission prices of $9.80 for adults, $5.90 for youth, and $19.60 for families will be frozen at current rates until 2018.

Eligible low-income residents in Saskatoon may continue to participate in select leisure programs at no cost with the City’s Leisure Access Program.

“The City has a role to ensure recreation is accessible to the public by providing programs and services that are affordable to the broadest range of residents,” says Humphrey.

Current LeisureCard customers can call, email, or visit any of the six Leisure Centres (www.saskatoon.ca/leisurecentres) to see how the lower prices affect their current pass and to learn about their options.

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/admissions for Leisure Centre admission options, including LeisureCards and other special promotions.

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.

NEW

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: Tentative - August 31, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the EB lanes.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Jersey barrier installation)
Start: July 24, 9:00 a.m. End: July 24, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANE CLOSED FROM GARRISON CRES TO LOUISE AVE
(Patch Paving)
Start: July 24, 9:00 a.m. End: July 24, 11:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST EB OFF RAMP TO CIRCLE DR SB CLOSED
(Resurfacing)
Use Diefenbaker Dr > Fairlight Dr > Fairmont Dr > Clancy Dr
Start: July 24, 7:00 p.m. End: July 25, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

1ST AVE S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Sidewalk work)
Start: July 22, 7:00 a.m. End: July 24, 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 CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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.

The Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track, located inside of the SaskTel Sports Centre (150 Nelson Road), has now reopened to the public.  The facility features a two-lane 356 metre indoor walking and jogging track and adjacent fitness centre with easy-to-use, circuit-style resistance machines designed to provide an efficient, effective, and safe total body workout in minutes.

The SaskTel Sports Centre was designated as an Emergency Evacuation site to shelter evacuees from northern Saskatchewan who had been displaced by the wildfires.  Now that the evacuees have returned home, the facility has resumed regular operations.

The City of Saskatoon sincerely thanks the public for their understanding and support during this time, and hopes to see you at the Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track again soon!

For hours of operation and drop-in admission rates, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/terryfoxtrack.

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.