News Releases

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2014, Warman Road southbound lanes will be closed between 7th Avenue to 33rd Street for an emergency water main repair. Motorists are advised to use 7th Avenue to 33rd Street for the detour.

All restrictions are expected to be lifted by Sunday evening, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  The City would like to thank everyone for their patience.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic  and follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2014, the 2nd Avenue northbound lane approaching 26th Street will be restricted to one lane as crews setup a crane. Two-way traffic at the work zone will be accommodated in the 2nd Avenue southbound lanes.

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted by 3:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. The City thanks everyone for their patience.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Environment Canada has forecast strong wind and up to ten centimetres (four inches) of snow for Saskatoon today.  The City has extra staff, contractors and equipment ready to keep the priority streets clear, sanded/salted during – and following – the snow event.  

As a result, streets scheduled for snow grading to remove ruts today will be rescheduled.  The program to remove ruts and reduce the packed snow that can cause severe ruts has been ongoing for several weeks.   You may find a new schedule at www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow once crews can complete the Priority 1, 2 and 3 streets. 

Streets may become icy, due to heavy winds blowing snow across the roadway. City crews will be doing their best to keep them sanded/salted, so please watch for equipment on the road.  The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time of day or night.  By keeping a safe distance from the equipment and approaching slowly, we can all be safe on the road. 

Throughout the snow event, Snow & Ice Update PSAs are issued to local news media and posted on the City’s website by 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., ending 72 hours after the snow stops.  The Snow Clearing Interactive Map is updated at the same time showing the status of snow grading on the priority streets after a snow event.  Sanding/salting and grading occurs based on the following Priority System*:

Priority 1 (Highest traffic streets) will be plowed within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends.

Priority 2 (Rapid transit bus routes and busy streets) will be graded within 36 hours.

Priority 3 (Main streets and school zones) will be graded within 72 hours.

*Another snowfall or blowing snow within the 72-hour timeframe may require crews to return to Priority 1 streets, causing clearing to take longer.

SIDEWALKS:
We all want to be able to safely use the sidewalk.  If we all do our part and clear sidewalks in front of residents and commercial areas, we can help improve public safety.  Please do not place cleared snow onto the road because it can cause safety issues for pedestrians and drivers, and can be an issue for drainage during melt.

If your neighbour is elderly or has health or mobility restrictions, be a Snow Angel and clear their sidewalk after a snowfall. If you receive help from a neighbour, use the online form to nominate them as a “Snow Angel”. Once nominated, we’ll send your Snow Angel a thank you and enter them in a prize draw. 

Click on www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow to learn about the City’s Snow & Ice program. 

The City of Saskatoon (City) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting free activities for youth and families during the February break.  Get out and get active with the City and join us at these upcoming events and programs:

Family Day Skate
A Free Family Day Skate will be offered on Monday, February 17,  from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval (11th Street and Avenue R South in the Gordon Howe Complex), and at Cosmo Civic Center (3130 Laurier Drive).

There are vending machines, change rooms, and public washrooms for your convenience at both locations.  You do not need speed skates to enjoy skating at the Oval; however, bring your own skates and safety gear as rentals are not available.

Please note if the temperature reaches -25˚C or below with the windchill, the outdoor event will be cancelled and all participants should go to the indoor skate at Cosmo Civic Centre.

If you prefer to stay warm inside, there will also be free activities in the Cosmo Civic Centre gym with games, arts, and crafts available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Break-Away Sports Camp
A sports camp that provides youth ages 10 to 14 the opportunity to try new sports in a non-competitive environment.  Two days to choose from:

February 18 - Wrestling
Cosmo Civic Centre (3130 Laurier Drive)
Girls only:  9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Co-ed:  1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

February 19 - Basketball
Cosmo Civic Centre (3130 Laurier Drive)
Girls only:  9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Co-ed:  1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To register, please call Community Development at 306-975-3378.

Art Ventures
An exciting morning or afternoon packed full of artistic activities for ages 10 to 16, in partnership with SCYAP.

February  20
Cosmo Civic Centre (3130 Laurier Drive)
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To register, please call Community Development at 306-975-3378.

Learn to Skate Program
Drop in to a free skating program at location near you, no experience is necessary! Participants must bring their own skates and CSA-approved winter helmets.
Please note, children under the age of six must be accompanied by an adult or responsible care giver.

February 22, March 1, 8, 15:
Achs Park
102 Elm Street – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

St. George School
748 Redberry Road - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
 
Holliston School
3rd Street East - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
King George School
721 Avenue K South - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

February 23, March 2, 9, 16:
Briarwood Pond
509 Braeside View - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(Park entrance located at Braeside and Braeburn Cres.)

Archibald McDonald Park
1001 Northumberland Avenue - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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.

For Immediate Rlease:  February 11, 2014

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Family Day on Monday, February 17, 2014:

City Hall will be closed.

Parking meters will not require payment.  Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.

Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public.

Saskatoon Landfill will be open with regular winter hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage and recycling collection will take place as scheduled.

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed.  Please note that all Library locations are now open on Sundays until May 18, 2014.

Mendel Art Gallery and Saskatoon Civic Conservatory will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

TRANSIT SERVICES

Saskatoon Transit will operate with regular Sunday/Holiday Service.

Access Transit will operate with regular Holiday Service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.  Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures.  Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.

Transit Customer Service Center will be closed.

Transit Customer Service phone lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Recreation & Sport

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo: Open during regular hours.

Indoor Arenas: 
ACT Arena: Parent & Tot skating cancelled.  Bonus public skating from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cosmo Arena: Parent & Tot skating cancelled.  Free Family Day Skate event from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval: Regular hours of operation.
Free Family Day Skate event from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cosmo Civic Centre: FACILITY CLOSED February 17.

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre): FACILITY CLOSED February 17.

Lakewood Civic Centre: Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For modified Lane, Public Swim and Public Gym times visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.

All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED.

Lawson Civic Centre: Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For modified Lane, Parent & Tot and Public Swim times visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.

All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED.

Saskatoon Field House: Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Special holiday fitness class from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED.

Shaw Centre: Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.

All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED.

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre:  Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times visit Drop-in Online at  www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.

All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED.

For more information on programs and operating hours on Family Day, Monday, February 17, 2014, please contact the Leisure Centres or facilities directly.

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.