News Releases

City Council has directed Administration to start negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation to explore a strategic partnership toward the development of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District.

Council provided the direction at its June 24 Regular Business City Council meeting, following consideration of a report outlining the opportunity. Council’s decision does not approve a final agreement. It authorizes Administration to begin direct negotiations toward a potential development partnership.

“Great cities are built through strong partnerships and a willingness to think differently about the future. By authorizing these discussions, Council is creating the opportunity to explore a unique partnership with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and what that partnership could mean for both communities,” says Mayor Cynthia Block.

“This is an important first step, not a final decision. The goal of these discussions is to determine whether there is a path forward that delivers mutual benefit, creates new opportunities, and reflects the shared ambitions of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon.”

“We are encouraged that Saskatoon City Council has accepted the Administration report and supported beginning discussions with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation regarding a potential partnership in the Downtown Event and Entertainment District,” says Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe. “This is an important first step, but it is still an early step. There is significant work ahead, and any potential agreement will need to be carefully considered and approved by both Councils.”

“Muskeg Lake has a long-standing and meaningful relationship with the City of Saskatoon. In 1988, our Nation established Asimakaniseekan Askiy, which translates to ‘Soldiers’ Land,’ as Canada’s first commercial urban reserve. Through strong relationships with the business sector, the urban reserve is now home to approximately 50 businesses and supports more than 750 jobs. It has added significant value to Saskatoon through employment, business activity and the service fees paid to the City under the urban reserve’s municipal services agreement. It is also home to Lakeside Medical Centre, the largest non-hospital medical facility in Saskatchewan.

We are optimistic about what this opportunity could mean for our citizens and for the revitalization of downtown Saskatoon. At the same time, we want to manage expectations. These discussions are only beginning, and our priority will be ensuring that any potential partnership is responsible, sustainable and protects the long-term interests of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.”

“The seven Chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council support this proposal, and the City is ready to move into the next stage of discussions,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “In our early conversations we have identified some potential opportunities that could take this beyond simply the development of the entertainment and hospitality piece of the District but could include an operation partnership for the convention centre and an event centre. The additional possibility of looking at establishing these lands as a new urban reserve is also something that could be on the table.”

With eight urban reserves, plus three at various stages of the approval process and two in the beginning stages, Saskatoon has long been recognized as a national leader in urban reserve creation and partnership-based economic development with First Nations. Saskatoon is also home to Canada’s first commercial urban reserve, established by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1988.

Willems says this approach reflects practical leadership in reconciliation and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The negotiations also respond to earlier Council direction to explore Indigenous placemaking and partnership opportunities as part of the District’s development.

“By creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous ownership, economic development, operations, employment, career development, cultural expression and Indigenous placemaking and placekeeping, the District can move beyond symbolic recognition and embed reconciliation directly into one of Saskatoon’s most significant city-building initiatives.”

As next steps, Administration will begin formal negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation representatives and continue to refine the potential partnership terms. Once negotiations have advanced to the point where key terms are sufficiently defined, Administration will report back to City Council with details of the proposed partnership and any recommendations required to support implementation.

Administration will also report back to City Council every two months on the progress of negotiations.

Any substantive financial commitments, land disposition, governance arrangements, financial agreements or legal agreements would be subject to future City Council approval. Any future agreement would also be subject to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s own governance and approval processes.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

MEADOWS PKY SB LANES CLOSED FROM MEADOWS BLVD TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road repair)
Two-way traffic in NB lanes
Start: June 25, 7:00 a.m. End: June 25, 11:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM VENTURE CRES TO 1ST AVE N
(Power line maintenance)
Start: June 25, 7:00 a.m. End: June 25, 3:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO JASPER AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: June 25, 7:00 a.m. End: June 25, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM AVE S S TO AVE T S
(Concrete & landscaping work)
Start: June 25, 7:00 a.m. End: July 22, 5:00 p.m.

108TH ST W EB & WB CLOSED FROM MORAN AVE TO CENTRAL AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: June 25, 8:00 a.m. End: June 26, 12:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E WB ROAD CLOSED AT WIGGINS AVE S
(Manhole repair)
Start: June 25, 9:00 a.m. End: June 25, 12:00 p.m.

ACADIA DR NB ROAD CLOSED FROM HAIGHT CRES TO PARKDALE RD
(Road patching)
Start: June 25, 9:00 a.m. End: June 25, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 6TH ST W TO 8TH ST W
(Streetlight maintenance)
Start: June 25, 9:00 a.m. End: June 25, 3:00 p.m.

ACADIA DR SB CLOSED FROM CARLETON DR TO MCGILL ST
(Road patching)
Start: June 25, 9:00 a.m. End: June 25, 3:00 p.m.

FAIRLIGHT DR EB CLOSED FROM PENDYGRASSE RD TO OLMSTEAD RD
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: June 25, 9:00 a.m. End: June 25, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHTINGALE RD EB & WB CLOSED FROM KENSINGTON BLVD TO MCARTHUR LANE
(Water main repair)
Start: June 25, 1:00 p.m. End: June 25, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

COLLEGE DR WB CURBLANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO PRESTON AVE N
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: June 24, 7:00 p.m. End: June 25, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 7TH ST E TO 11TH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 24, 8:00 p.m. End: June 25, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 11TH ST W TO 7TH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 24, 8:00 p.m. End: June 25, 6:00 a.m.

AVE H S ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO 20TH ST W
(Water main work)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: June 29, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E SB/WB/EB CUMBERLAND AVE INTERSECTION
(Link Station Construction)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

MCKERCHER DR SB CURB & PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO HOLLAND RD
(Construction)
Start: June 24, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E EB & WB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 5TH AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB & SB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

5TH AVE N NB & SB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

3RD AVE S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Median restoration)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: July 1, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB FROM LOUISE AVE TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Link Station Construction)
Two-way traffic to be maintained in the SB lanes
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 3, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING & CURB LANE CLOSURE. FROM AVE B S TO AVE B S
(Streetscaping)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 5, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 1ST AVE N
(SL&P work)
Two-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: June 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO 2ND AVE N
(Building construction)
Start: June 16, 8:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

12TH ST E EB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO DUFFERIN AVE
(Sewer work)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 12, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB/WB UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(College Dr Link Construction)
Closure of College Dr includes a full closure of the University Bridge at Spadina Cr E
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 13, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Building construction)
Start: June 15, 8:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E NB REDUCED LANE WIDTH AT 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: August 8, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 42ND A ST E TO CIRCLE DR E
(Building construction)
Start: May 1, 8:00 a.m. End: October 1, 5:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD NB CLOSED FROM ARTHUR ROSE AVE TO 72ND ST E
(Construction)
Two-way traffic in SB lanes
Start: May 11, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

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

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park will be lighting up the summer nights once again starting Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Don’t miss this magical evening when the Canpotex train, Ferris wheel and carousel stay open until 10:00 p.m. Additional Night Ride dates are scheduled for Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 29.

This special event is perfect for the young and young at heart. Come enjoy the thrill of the rides under the glow of the setting sun.

Admission is $3.50 for a single ticket, with Play Packs offering the best value at $21.00 for 8 tickets. Tickets never expire, making them a flexible option throughout the season and beyond.

For more information about Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park, visit saskatoon.ca/nutrienplayland.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM JASPER AVE S TO PORTAGE AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: June 24, 7:00 a.m. End: June 24, 3:00 p.m.

MCKERCHER DR SB CURB & PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO HOLLAND RD
(Construction)
Start: June 24, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

AVE C N SB LEFT TURN BAY CLOSED FROM CYNTHIA ST TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sign maintenance)
Start: June 24, 9:00 a.m. End: June 24, 1:00 p.m.

LENORE DR ALL DIRECTIONS CLOSED AT WHITESWAN DR INTERSECTION
(Roadway patching)
Start: June 24, 9:00 a.m. End: June 24, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST E NB CROSSWALK CLOSED FROM 4TH AVE N TO 4TH AVE S
(Crosswalk painting)
Start: June 24, 9:30 a.m. End: June 24, 4:30 p.m.

COLLEGE DR WB CURBLANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO PRESTON AVE N
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: June 24, 7:00 p.m. End: June 25, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 7TH ST E TO 11TH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 24, 8:00 p.m. End: June 25, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 11TH ST W TO 7TH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 24, 8:00 p.m. End: June 25, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CENTRAL AVE
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: June 23, 7:00 p.m. End: June 24, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 11TH ST E TO 7TH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 23, 8:00 p.m. End: June 24, 6:00 a.m.

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 10TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: June 23, 10:30 a.m. End: June 24, 5:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR EB CLOSED FROM LISGAR AVE TO LLOYD CRES
(Road paving)
Two-way traffic in WB lanes
Start: June 22, 7:00 a.m. End: June 24, 5:00 p.m.

AVE H S ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO 20TH ST W
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: June 29, 5:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E EB & WB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 5TH AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB & SB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

5TH AVE N NB & SB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Temporary water line installation)
Start: June 16, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E SB/WB/EB CUMBERLAND AVE INTERSECTION
(Link Station Construction)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

3RD AVE S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Median restoration)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: July 1, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB FROM LOUISE AVE TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Link Station Construction)
Two-way traffic to be maintained in the SB lanes
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 3, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING & CURB LANE CLOSURE. FROM AVE B S TO AVE B S
(Streetscaping)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 5, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 1ST AVE N
(SL&P work)
Two-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: June 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO 2ND AVE N
(Library servicing)
Start: June 16, 8:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

12TH ST E EB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO DUFFERIN AVE
(Sewer work)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 12, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB/WB UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(College Dr Link Construction)
Closure of College Dr includes a full closure of the University Bridge at Spadina Cr E
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 13, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Building construction)
Start: June 15, 8:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E NB REDUCED LANE WIDTH AT 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: August 8, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 42ND A ST E TO CIRCLE DR E
(Building construction)
Start: May 1, 8:00 a.m. End: October 1, 5:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD NB CLOSED FROM MARQUIS DR W TO 72ND ST E
(Construction)
Two-way traffic in NB lanes
Start: May 11, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

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

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.