News Releases

For Release: June 20, 2014

The City of Saskatoon plans to upgrade its metering system for utilities to a smart meter system that will allow the City to bill each resident fairly, based on actual usage rather than estimated usage. 

Currently, the City of Saskatoon bills customers based on estimated usage with manual meter reads taking place once every few months or so. This manual read often results in a bill that reflects necessary adjustments, either an increase or a decrease, based on actual use. When the Smart Meter System is active, which is scheduled for 2015, your bill will then reflect actual use every month.  This means fair billing for everyone.

If your utility bill has been larger in recent months, this is because a manual meter read has taken place. We are not increasing billing rates nor has the Smart Meter System been activated.

Smart Meters will result in many benefits for residents, including the ability to access data that will allow them to monitor and adjust their electricity and water consumption habits in order to save money and help the environment.

To find more information on Smart Meters, visit Saskatoon.ca and click on “Smart Meters” under Check This Out! 

WARMAN ROAD SOUTHBOUND ON RAMP TO CIRCLE DRIVE WESTBOUND, JUNE 23-25

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, the Warman Road southbound on ramp to Circle Drive westbound will be closed to traffic as crews begin roadway paving/ resurfacing.  There will be no access to Circle Drive westbound from Warman Road southbound while the work is taking place.

Motorists are advised to use 33rd Street as a detour. Crews will be working around-the-clock to accelerate the length of construction and minimize impact to traffic. The work is  expected to take three days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE SOUTHBOUND

The Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane from 25th Street to 24th Street continues to be closed while crews carry out streetscaping work. One lane will remain open to traffic. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon (City) is pleased to announce seven new public artworks to be displayed in Saskatoon as part of the Placemaker Public Art Program. Public consultation with residents suggested a desire for new public art locations and more diversity in materials and themes.  Following a recent call for proposals, the City received 25 submissions from artists all over the world, with the City’s Visual Arts Placement Jury selecting the following artworks of local and national artists:

• The Jam by Josh Jacobson (Saskatoon SK) – A site specific wall mural.  Aerosol Art.  Location:  Broadway Avenue. Long term.
• Dapplers by Les Potter and Alicia Popoff (Saskatoon SK) – Two painted steel and cement sculptures.  Location:  20th Street West. Long term.
• Der Volgelhändler by Mark Prier (Mississauga ON) – Two week long performance with busker organ / bird seed broadcaster.  Location:  Various locations throughout downtown. Short term.
• We Are All Linked by Monique Martin (Saskatoon SK) Interlocked clay hexagons covered in beeswax, installed in trees.  Location:  Various locations throughout Saskatoon. Medium term.
• Sweet Grass Sway by Heather Shillinglaw (Edmonton AB) – Sweetgrass images on feather shaped flags arranged in the infinity shape.  Location:  College Drive. Long term.
• Flourishing Perceptions by Adrian Bica with assistance from Dimitri Karopoulos and Sebastian Lubcynski (Markham ON) – Sculptural installation of a head, made of polystyrene panels mounted to a structural steel frame surrounded by plantings.  Location:  College Drive. Long term.
• Like a Rolling Stone – Be Part of Art by Heike Fink (Prud’homme SK) – Felted pebbles crafted during public workshops by the Saskatoon community, installed along the river bank Location:  River Landing. Short term.

Each of these new artworks will be installed at varying times throughout the months of June to December. Installation terms vary from long term (up to three years), medium term (a season) and short term (e.g.  two weeks or during an event). With each individual art installation, the public will have an opportunity to meet the artist (or team of artists) during talks about their respective art pieces.

The goal of the Placemaker Program is to enhance civic spaces within commercial districts through the placement of temporary public art. Public art refers to artwork that has been planned and executed in the public domain, in any media, that is outside and accessible to all. Artists are requested to respond to the sites and take into account the physical or historical contexts.

For more information on the new art installations and the Placemaker Program, please visit www.saskatoon.ca and look under “P” for Placemaker Program.
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.

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The 2014 Civic Pancake Breakfast held on June 19, 2014, generated $5,509 (including tips) which was donated to the United Way.

As the City strives to be a leader in environmental stewardship, we all work together to  implement environmentally friendly and sustainable practices for the corporation and the community at large.

We are pleased to report the following results:

There were 1,133 breakfasts served (compared to 1,100 breakfasts in 2013) with a final waste tally of: 

300 kg of compostables which include all dishes, paper table-covers, natural latex balloons, napkins, wooden stir-sticks; filters and coffee grounds were composted as well;
- 14 kg of garbage; 
- 6 kg of aluminum and pails;
- all cardboard boxes, juice boxes (tetra paks), coffee cream  cartons, plastic jugs, and whip cream containers were recyled.

The city thanks all its breakfast sponsors for their generous support, as well as everyone in attendance, and encourages all event organizers to reduce waste.

 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.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS: IDYLWYLD FREEWAY FOR CLEANING, JUNE 20

Starting at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, the Idylwyld Freeway from 20th Street to the 8th Street overpass and the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge will have various lane restrictions to accommodate annual cleaning.

The work is expected to be completed by 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20.

REMINDER: 8TH STREET WESTBOUND FROM BROADWAY AVENUE TO CLARENCE AVENUE
The 8th Street westbound lanes from Broadway Avenue to Clarence Avenue continue to be closed for paving. Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the eastbound lanes. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE SOUTHBOUND

The Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane from 25th Street to 24th Street continues to be closed while crews carry out streetscaping work. One lane will remain open to traffic. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.