News Releases

Family Day is always a perfect opportunity to have fun together outside. With a little pre-planning and creativity, time outdoors with your family can be spent safely. Discover great winter activity ideas at saskatoon.ca/winteractivities or search #WinterCityYXE on social media channels!

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on Family Day, as follows:

CITY HALL

• All Administrative Offices are closed on February 21. City Hall will reopen Tuesday, February 22, 2021, at 8:00 a.m.

REMAI MODERN

• Remai Modern is open from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for Rawlco Radio Free Admission Day. Register for your free, timed ticket at remaimodern.org.

SASKATOON PUBLIC LIBRARY

• All locations will be closed on February 21

WASTE COLLECTIONS

• Garbage (Black Cart) – Collections as scheduled
• Recycling (Blue Cart) – Collections as scheduled
• Organics (Subscription Green Cart) – Collections as scheduled
• For collection schedules and reminders, get the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app or visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar

LANDFILL

• The Landfill will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Cash transactions are accepted, although Credit and Debit are recommended.
• More information at saskatoon.ca/landfill

COMPOST DEPOTS

• Closed for the season
• More information at saskatoon.ca/compostdepots

SASKATOON TRANSIT

• Fixed route, Access Transit and the Transit Customer Service Centre will operate holiday hours on Monday, February 21.
• On-Demand Transit will not be available on Monday, February 21.  

PAY PARKING

• Parking payment is not required on Family Day, February 21.
• Motorists are reminded that all other parking requirements remain in effect, including parking time limits.

MUNICIPAL IMPOUND LOT 

• Vehicles will not be released to the public on Family Day, February 21.

SASKATOON FORESTRY FARM PARK & ZOO HOURS

Hours of Operation:

• Zoo 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Forestry Farm Park 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

LEISURE CENTRES

Search for drop-in program information including fitness and weight room hours, public swim sessions and fitness programs on Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline

• Cosmo Civic Centre
  CLOSED (Note:  Facility will be open to host Family Day Skate Event from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
  OPEN - 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Lakewood Civic Centre
  OPEN – 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Lawson Civic Centre
  OPEN - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saskatoon Field House
  OPEN – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Shaw Centre
  OPEN – 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Terry Fox Track
  CLOSED

INDOOR ARENAS
Additional skate times are being offered February 21- February 25. Search public and parent & tot skate times on Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline.  Indoor arenas will be open regular hours of operation and have the following programming on Family Day:

• ACT Arena: Public Skating - 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Cosmo Arena:  Free Family Day Skate event from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Everyone welcome.

NOTIFYNOW

• Residents are encouraged to sign-up to notifynow for timely and targeted public safety messages. Notifynow is a free service. Tell us how to best reach you on your preferred communication device. Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow for more information.

YXE SERVICE ALERTS

• For information and updates on service disruptions such as power or water check saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @yxeservicealert on Twitter. 

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on Family Day. Wondering what’s open or closed? See full details on the City’s website.

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

NEW

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM RUTH ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Emergency sanitary repair)
Start: February 18, 8:00 a.m. End: February 18, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT DUFFERIN AVE
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 18, 9:30 a.m. End: February 18, 1:30 p.m.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.


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.

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

NEW

HIGHWAY 11 NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM VICTOR RD TO VELTKAMP CRES
(Streetlight repairs)
Start: February 17, 9:30 a.m. End: February 17, 1:30 p.m.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

With only a couple of neighbourhoods in progress, the neighbourhood rut shaving is nearly complete. City and contractor crews are returning to the residential streets that were skipped during the first round in their area due to heavy on-street parking. These streets are expected to be finished by the end of the weekend. Back lane ruts are also being addressed starting this week. Find more information at saskatoon.ca/snow. 

Skipped residential streets 

Individual streets that were too narrow for graders to enter due to parked vehicles will have No Parking signs posted along the street, the day prior. This work will occur during the daytime only when fewer people will be at home with their vehicle, and are less likely to need to plug their vehicle because temperatures are milder. If a vehicle remains on the street that is scheduled for rut shaving, it may be towed to a nearby street. 

Back lane ruts 

City grader teams have started levelling work in severely rutted back lanes during daytime hours. Once contractor crews finish up rut shaving through neighbourhoods and address the skipped streets over the weekend, more resources will be added to back lane levelling.  

Priority street snow removal 

Snow removal on priority streets started back up last night and will continue each night. As this work moves into priority 2 and 3 streets, No Parking signs will be posted so that equipment can haul out the snow. Once all rut shaving is completed, additional resources will be moved to snow removal on priority streets. 

Thank you for your patience and for leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work. 

Find progress and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/snow. 

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

NEW

BROADWAY AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 7TH ST E
(Tree pruning)
Start: February 16, 7:30 a.m. End: February 16, 5:30 p.m.

4TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Hydrant replacement)
Start: February 16, 8:00 a.m. End: February 16, 5:00 p.m.


ONGOING

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM BUTE ST TO CASCADE ST
(Service connection replacement)
Start: February 15, 9:00 a.m. End: February 16, 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.

The City has completed more than 60 per cent of rut shaving on residential streets and expects to complete all neighbourhoods by Wednesday. Streets were skipped if parked vehicles made them too narrow for graders to make an effective pass. City and contractor crews will be rut shaving on skipped streets and begin addressing industrial areas and severe ruts in back lanes this week.

Blocked driveways

Every street is being inspected within 24 hours of rut shaving and a clean-up team will address snow ridges that are obstructing driveway access within a few days.  

Skipped streets

Streets skipped will be posted with No Parking signs for rut shaving starting today. Vehicles left on a scheduled street will be towed to a nearby street. We expect to complete all skipped streets by the end of the weekend. 

Industrial neighbourhoods

Rut shaving in industrial neighbourhoods will start tonight and continue until completed.

Back lane ruts

Grading in back lanes with severe ruts will begin this week. The lanes are narrow, and people should ensure their collection carts are pulled onto their property for the operator’s safety and to prevent damage from the large equipment.

Forecast for snow

The Environment and Climate Change Canada weather forecast for Saskatoon is for 2-4 centimetres on Monday night and again Tuesday. When it snows, some operators will be reassigned to plowing and sanding on priority streets. If there is more than 5 centimetres of snow, all City crews and most of the contractors will stop rut shaving and move to grading on Priority 1, 2 and 3 streets.

Find progress and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/snow daily.

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

NEW

4TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Hydrant replacement)
Start: February 15, 8:00 a.m. End: February 15, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO KONIHOWSKI RD
(Foundation install)
Start: February 15, 9:00 a.m. End: February 15, 3:00 p.m.

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM BUTE ST TO CASCADE ST
(Service connection replacement)
Start: February 15, 9:00 a.m. End: February 16, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST W TO LAURIER DR
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 15, 10:00 a.m. End: February 15, 1:00 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

City Council is seeking five public members for appointment to the Downtown Event and Entertainment District Advisory Group.

This new Advisory Group’s role is to foster connections between business and community partners, and the City Administration and City Council to support the successful implementation of a new event and entertainment district in Downtown Saskatoon.

The development of an animated Downtown event and entertainment district, anchored by a new Downtown arena and convention centre, will stimulate the economy and bring renewed energy and life to Saskatoon’s Downtown. Together, these two projects will provide public benefit to all residents of Saskatoon by creating a vibrant Downtown that is open, inviting, safe and accessible for all. Advancing Downtown development is one of City Council's priorities over the next four years as detailed in the City's newly adopted 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

While the City of Saskatoon (City) will retain overall ownership of these new facilities and infrastructure once constructed, numerous key stakeholders, project partners, and sponsors will be integral in driving the successful development and delivery of the project.

The formation of the Advisory Group will reflect the diversity of the community and possess the preferred qualifications, attributes, and experience as a whole.

• Advisory Group meetings will be held quarterly, or at the call of the Chair.
• The duration of each meeting is subject to the contents of the agenda and ensuing discussion.
• Advisory Group members shall serve without receiving remuneration.
   

Interested applicants are asked to submit an application and résumé with two letters of reference by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022, using the Committee Application Form found online at saskatoon.ca/boards. All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year should further vacancies occur.

Note: Upon applying to this Board, your application/résumé/reference letters may be shared with current Board members as part of the review process.

Additional information on the Advisory Group is available on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/boards. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 306-975-3240 or city.clerks@saskatoon.ca if you have any questions regarding the application process.

Throughout the weekend 26 City and contractor graders worked day and night shaving down the top layer of ruts on residential streets. Their progress and an updated 3-day list of neighbourhoods is available daily at saskatoon.ca/snow by 8 a.m.

Important messages for residents:

• Vehicles on the street - Grader operators will go around parked vehicles, but we encourage people to move them if there is off-street parking available.
• Snow piles - As graders shave off the top layers of ruts the snow will be pushed into piles along the curb.
• Skipped streets - Some streets that were too narrow for graders to access in completed neighbourhoods will be scheduled soon and posted with No Parking signs in advance.
• Clean-up work - Completed streets will be inspected within 24 hours and repairs will occur within a few days where excessive snow ridges obstruct driveway access.
• Back lane ruts, industrial area ruts and priority street snow removal – Resources will be allocated to these areas as the residential street rut shaving completes. More details will be coming soon.

Thank you for your patience and for leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

Find progress and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/snow daily.

Forty percent of residential streets (by total distance) has been completed, working day and night since Thursday night.

Some streets that were too narrow for graders to access in completed neighbourhoods will be scheduled soon and posted with No Parking signs in advance. This plan will be available in the coming days.

We thank residents for staying back from equipment for their safety and the safety of operators, as the visibility for the operator in large equipment can be a challenge.

Today 26 graders will finish neighbourhoods that weren’t completed last night and move through the following neighbourhoods over the next few days, continuing through the night.

For February 13-15, 2022

• Adelaide/Churchill
• Arbor Creek
• Avalon
• Buena Vista
• City Park
• College Park
• College Park East
• Confederation Park
• Dundonald
• Exhibition
• Fairhaven
• Grosvenor Park
• Haultain
• Holliston
• Lakeridge
• Lakeview
• Massey Place
• Montgomery Place
• Nutana Park
• Pacific Heights
• Parkridge
• Pleasant Hill
• Queen Elizabeth
• Riversdale
• Rosewood
• Silverwood Heights
• Sutherland
• The Willows
• Varsity View
• Westview
• Wildwood
• Willowgrove

Important messages for residents:

1. All residential streets in these neighbourhoods will have rut shaving.
2. Grader operators will go around parked vehicles but we encourage people to move them if there is off-street parking available.
3. As graders shave off the top layers of ruts the snow will be stored in the parking lane.
4. If a street is too narrow due to parked vehicles, it will be skipped and be scheduled for another day. Watch for No Parking signs with an upcoming date for grading.
5. Completed streets will be inspected within 24 hours and repairs will occur within a few days where a snow ridge extends across a driveway and is more than 15 centimetres (6 inches) deep.

For progress and more information, visit saskatoon.ca/snow daily.

After assessing the progress of rut shaving on city residential streets since this work started on Thursday, the City is adding more neighbourhoods for February 12-14 to the website schedule.

There are now 34 neighbourhoods on the next outlook schedule where City and contractor crews will either be completed, be in progress or have started within the extended period. That includes after midnight on the February 14 night shift.

Please refer to saskatoon.ca/snow regularly for the latest schedule. For the most part, this information will be updated once daily by 7:30 a.m.; however, we may add neighbourhoods based on progress.

Important messages for residents:

• All residential streets in these neighbourhoods will have rut shaving.
• Grader operators will go around parked vehicles but we encourage people to move them if there is off-street parking available.
• As graders shave off the top layers of ruts the snow will be stored in the parking lane.
• Please don't push snow from your property or sidewalk onto the street as it creates more issues for drivers and can delay rut shaving.
• If a street is too narrow due to parked vehicles, it will be skipped and be scheduled for another day. Watch for No Parking signs with an upcoming date for grading.
• Completed streets will be inspected within 24 hours and repairs will occur within a few days where a snow ridge extends across a driveway and is more than 15 centimetres (6 inches) deep.

Thank you for your patience and leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

For progress and more information, visit saskatoon.ca/snow daily.

Important messages for residents:

1. All residential streets in these neighbourhoods will have rut shaving.
2. Grader operators will go around parked vehicles but we encourage people to move them if there is off-street parking available.
3. As graders shave off the top layers of ruts the snow will be stored in the parking lane.
4. If a street is too narrow due to parked vehicles, it will be skipped and be scheduled for another day. Watch for No Parking signs with an upcoming date for grading.
5. Completed streets will be inspected within 24 hours and repairs will occur within a few days where a snow ridge extends across a driveway and is more than 15 centimetres (6 inches) deep.

Thank you for your patience and leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

For progress and more information, visit saskatoon.ca/snow daily.

City and contractor crews worked through the night shaving off the top layer of snow ruts on all streets in Aspen Ridge, Briarwood, Eastview, North Park and Nutana.

Today, 12 teams of two graders each will finish neighbourhoods that weren’t completed last night and move into the following neighbourhoods, continuing through the night:

• Evergreen
• Kelsey-Woodlawn
• Kensington
• Lakewood Suburban Centre
• Richmond Heights
• River Heights
• Stonebridge

All residential streets in these neighbourhoods will have rut shaving. Grader operators will go around parked vehicles but we encourage people to move them if there is off-street parking available. As graders shave off the top layers of ruts the snow will be stored in the parking lane.

Thank you for your patience and leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

For progress and more information, visit saskatoon.ca/snow daily.

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

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.


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.

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

NEW

51ST ST E EB LANES CLOSED FROM FAITHFULL AVE TO 1ST AVE N
(Hydrant replacement)
Start: February 13, 8:00 a.m. End: February 13, 8:00 p.m.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Mild temperatures over the past couple of days are creating deep ruts on some residential streets. City and contractor crews are shifting their focus to shaving down the deep ruts where people are getting stuck or there’s a risk of damage to vehicles.

Beginning this evening, graders will start to shave the top layers of ruts on residential streets with severe rutting and store the snow in the parking lane. Snow removal may only occur in areas where there is no room to store the snow.

“To open up these streets quickly for residents, we need to move fast,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Construction and Transportation. “Colder temperatures are coming soon which will make grading harder for us.”

Grading will be done by neighbourhood starting on the streets where the ruts are at least 15 centimetres deep, making it challenging for smaller vehicles. We will go around parked cars but encourage people to move vehicles if there is off-street parking available.

On streets with heavy on-street parking that are too narrow for our equipment, we will post No Parking signs in advance and relocate vehicles left on the street.

The work will occur day and night and we hope to complete all severely rutted streets within the next two weeks. This may be extended if there is a snow event that requires some staff to address priority street grading.

While grader operators attempt to keep driveways unobstructed, short snow ridges may be left behind. The location may be inspected for clearing if it completely blocks a vehicle from accessing the driveway.

Starting tomorrow, regular updates will be provided on saskatoon.ca/snow with neighbourhood locations. Note that grading will accommodate garbage and recycling collection schedules. Thank you for your patience and leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

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

NEW

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 31ST ST W
(Sanitary manhole repair)
Start: February 11, 8:00 a.m. End: February 11, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 11, 1:00 p.m. End: February 11, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Saskatoon experienced several hours of rain leaving streets and sidewalks wet and icy this morning.  Priority streets that have been snow graded are wet with slippery spots this morning; however, streets with packed snow are very slippery. Drivers and people using the sidewalks should use caution.

City sanders were out all night and 16 units are actively applying salt and sand this morning, focusing on major streets, bridge decks and intersections.

Please keep back when you see blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment.

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

NEW

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Transmission line install)
Start: February 10, 10:00 a.m. End: February 10, 3:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO REVER RD
(Equipment offloading)
Start: February 10, 10:30 a.m. End: February 10, 12:30 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO BEEF RESEARCH RD
(Material unload)
Start: February 10, 12:00 p.m. End: February 10, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

At a Special Meeting of City Council this morning, Council approved a number of resolutions to guide the City’s response to COVID-19 in the community and continue to protect the health and safety of residents, customers and employees once provincial Public Health Orders are lifted later this month.  

Council approved the removal of Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test Requirements for City of Saskatoon facilities when the Government of Saskatchewan rescinds the “Public Health Order Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test”, effective Monday, February 14.

Council unanimously recommitted to keeping in place the requirement that all residents and visitors accessing all City facilities, including when travelling on Saskatoon Transit, wear a mask upon the rescission of the existing “Public Health Order Mandatory Isolation and Face Covering” by the provincial government, which is anticipated to occur at the end of February.

Council also directed that Administration continue to provide masks for patrons of Saskatoon Transit, and report back on ways to increase enforcement or conflict resolution support on Transit in regards to the use of masks before the end of the month.  

Further, Council has requested that the Administration provide a report to Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) on a monthly basis, starting in March 2022, providing a written COVID update that includes a recommendation on whether to continue the requirement of masking for all persons accessing all City facilities.

For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

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

NEW

4TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 26TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Water and sewer repairs)
Start: February 9, 7:00 a.m. End: February 9, 6:30 p.m.

22ND ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT KENSINGTON BLVD
(Traffic camera install)
Start: February 9, 9:00 a.m. End: February 9, 12:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO WANUSKEWIN RD
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 9, 9:30 a.m. End: February 9, 3:30 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Diverting edible items from the landfill to improve food security is an easy cause to support. Removing the barriers to make it happen, however, can be complicated.

A new joint study by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the City of Saskatoon, Promising Practices in Food Reclamation in Saskatoon, found ways to minimize the food being discarded.

The project took place through Research Junction, an innovative partnership between the city and the university. Research Junction awards funding to projects that apply advanced research methods to address current issues in Saskatoon.

Rachel Engler-Stringer of USask’s Community-University Institute for Social Research was a lead researcher on the project.

The team performed a survey of best practices in food diversion, and gathered information from a wide variety of stakeholders, including food retailers and organizations on the front lines of providing food to clients in Saskatoon.

Once they understood the logistical and infrastructure barriers to diverting food, researchers developed recommendations to address this widespread issue. It is estimated one-third of the food produced worldwide and 30-40 percent of all food produced in Canada annually is wasted or lost.

“We tried to make it very practical,” said Engler-Stringer, who is also associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at USask’s College of Medicine. “I hope that a number of our recommendations will be taken up and there will be significant change in Saskatoon.”

In particular, she would like to see a food recovery association created in partnership with governments, as well as a social enterprise established to “upcycle” or transform surplus food for other uses.

Farhad Lashgarara, who was a principal researcher for the study, said it is necessary to both create ways to divert food from landfills and provide disincentives for simply discarding it.

“It is now easier to just throw things away,” he said. “We need to change that equation.”

Other recommendations include a public awareness campaign, the use of phone food diversion apps, and inclusion of food diversion in city planning processes.

This initiative aligns with Saskatoon’s Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan that provides clear actions the city can take to produce less waste and recycle and compost most of it. The report was presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services on Monday, February 7, 2022.

“With these two strategies coordinated, the city is looking toward the next steps to act on their recommendations,” said Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability for the City of Saskatoon. “The upcoming regulation for businesses to start diverting the food waste they generate in 2023 presents an opportunity to encourage reduction and redistribution of food that otherwise would become waste, thus saving disposal costs while benefiting our community and environment.”

The full report can be found here: https://cuisr.usask.ca/publications.php

With the Government of Saskatchewan’s message that the Public Health Orders will soon be lifted, the City is taking steps to ensure the safety of its staff and the public who are accessing City services. The recommendations are outlined in a report for Special Meeting of City Council tomorrow, February 8.

“The lifting of the Public Health Orders does not mean there is no longer a risk of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, but it shifts the responsibility for management of this risk from the Provincial Government to individuals, businesses, organizations, and municipalities,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. 

Once the Provincial Public Health Orders are lifted, the City will return to following Occupational Health and Safety and business continuity processes in managing the response to COVID-19 in our community.

The City will also continue to seek guidance from the Saskatchewan Health Authority local Medical Health Officers and to monitor the Saskatchewan Health Authority assessed risk of epidemic transmission. The assessed risk of epidemic transmission is currently indicating there is a “high likelihood that COVID transmission is not controlled” in the Saskatoon region. This is the highest level of risk of transmission.

The report outlines recommendations for requirements related to the Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test and masking in civic facilities and when travelling on Saskatoon Transit and would take effect when the Government of Saskatchewan rescinds the corresponding Public Health Orders.

Recommendations

1. That City Council remove Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test Requirements for City of Saskatoon facilities.
2. That City Council continue the requirement that all persons accessing all City facilities, not including Saskatoon Transit, wear a face mask. For Saskatoon Transit, masks would be recommended but not required.

Measures that may remain in place include enhanced cleaning, physical distancing, and the requirement not to enter City owned facilities if an individual has symptoms of COVID-19.

“The City will continue its focus on educating and informing the public rather than enforcing the use of face masks within City owned facilities and services,” Goulden-McLeod says.

The City Administration also recommends that a monthly report goes to Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) starting in March 2022, with a written COVID update that includes a recommendation on whether to continue the requirement of masking for all persons accessing all City facilities.

It is important to note that this requirement does not apply to any public members directly accessing the Saskatoon Public Library locations located within Leisure Centres. Libraries do not require the public to show proof of vaccination or negative test to enter their facilities under the current Public Health Order.

For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

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

NEW

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 31ST ST W
(Sanitary manhole repair)
Start: February 8, 8:00 a.m. End: February 8, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 8, 1:00 p.m. End: February 8, 3:00 p.m.
 

OVERNIGHT

IDYLWYLD DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM RUTH ST TO 20TH ST
(Snow removal)
Start: February 7, 10:00 p.m. End: February 8, 5:00 a.m.
 

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

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

NEW

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM CASCADE ST TO BUTE ST
(Hydrant replacement)
Start: February 7, 8:00 a.m. End: February 7, 5:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Transmission line install)
Start: February 7, 9:30 a.m. End: February 7, 2:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO REVER RD
(Equipment offloading)
Start: February 7, 10:00 a.m. End: February 7, 12:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO BEEF RESEARCH RD
(Material unload)
Start: February 7, 12:00 p.m. End: February 7, 3:00 p.m.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

More than 70% of the Priority 1 street snow piles have already been hauled away, including Idylwyld Drive, College Drive, 8th Street and 22nd Street. Due to the unusual delay in snow pile removal, contractors are being hired to help haul away more snow beginning next week.

“Snow stored in the medians of Priority 1 streets must be removed and hauled away first because they present the highest risk to public safety if there is no place for new snow to be stored,” says Director of Roadways, Fleet & Support Goran Saric. “With all the extra snow this year, we’re adding contractor assistance to the job so we can get to the next priority streets quickly.”

Snow removal on Priority 2 streets in all areas of the city will begin over the next couple of weeks. Watch for “No Parking” signs posted on snow piles with the scheduled date for removal, and encourage your neighbours to move their vehicles off the street to help the work go smoothly.

“I can empathize with residents who are frustrated with the size and height of these snow piles,” says Saric. “Our roadways staff are doing their best and giving their all this winter to get that snow out of the way to improve visibility and safety.”

Snow piles along the busiest streets in Saskatoon, called priority streets, remain after a snowfall so the network can be graded quickly. Removing them requires different equipment and is best done at night when traffic and pedestrian activity is lighter for the safety of workers and the public.

The snow piles are unusually large this year because of the above average number of snowfalls and frequency. Each time it snows, snow removal is halted as City staff attend to the priority streets to clean up.

You can find more answers to frequently asked questions about snow removal and priority street grading at saskatoon.ca/snow.

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

NEW

20TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO AVE B S
(Sanitary connection repair)
Start: February 6, 7:00 a.m. End: February 6, 5:00 p.m.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

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

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.


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.

Many people in our community do not have the same opportunities to access online services. To address growing barriers and risks for those residents, the City of Saskatoon is launching a pilot project to provide free public Wi-Fi internet service to residents in a segment of Saskatoon’s core neighborhood area. The project status is outlined in a report for the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services on Monday, February 7.

“This is an exciting project that can have immediate quality of life impacts for residents in the area,” says Celene Anger, Chief Officer of Strategy and Transformation. “Through the COVID pandemic, the City, other orders of government and community organizations, have moved services online. While this has improved service offerings for many, it has created a service gap for many people in Saskatoon.”

Commonly referred to as the ‘digital divide,’ the pilot project aims to help people currently without or with limited Internet access gain better access to online services and participate in today’s growing digital society. In December 2016, the federal government declared Internet access a basic right of all Canadian citizens. Cities across Canada are moving forward with initiatives to address this situation.

The pilot project explores a cost-effective City-delivered solution for approximately 1500 residents to access the Internet from or near their homes and in public areas at no cost. This project will be launched in an area of Saskatoon with a high percentage of residents as measured across five population groups:

• youth
• seniors
• immigrants
• Indigenous peoples
• low-income

With access to the Internet, residents will be able to access key tools like telehealth and learning applications as well as important information about housing, food, pandemic restrictions, and government services.

Moving ahead with project implementation, the City will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) next week for a vendor to supply products to deliver wireless internet access points throughout the proposed area. The City will deliver high speed internet via fibre to the Saskatoon Fire Development Centre, a City-owned building located at 116 Avenue W South to serve as the connection point (hub) for these Wi-Fi devices. As the primary hub, a wireless signal will then be broadcast to the pilot area through the solution identified through the vendor’s RFP submission. The City is intending to install the wireless internet access points on City-owned streetlamps and power poles in the designated area.

“Through the RFP, we’re looking for a vendor to partner with us to determine the best tools to reach our goals of a strong Wi-Fi signal to the door of, and hopefully inside, the homes of residents in the pilot area,” says Anger. “We’re hoping to identify opportunities, problem-solve the challenges and evaluate the success of providing public Wi-Fi through this project.”

The pilot project valued at $250,000 is expected to become operational late summer/fall 2022 and run for one year. Financial support was made possible through City Council’s approval of a reallocation of funds as a result of Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) 2020 funding. The project will be evaluated throughout the pilot phase, and the results of the evaluation will be used to guide City Wi-Fi strategies and any plans for future continuation or expansion of the program.

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

NEW

8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MCKERCHER DR TO BOYCHUK DR
(Pole replacement)
Start: February 3, 9:00 a.m. End: February 3, 12:00 p.m.


ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.


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.

The City has opened the 2022 Call for Submissions for its annual Living in Harmony Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination in our community. They are presented annually in March, which the City of Saskatoon has proclaimed Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month since 1990.

Any Saskatoon resident or organization that is contributing to the elimination of racism in Saskatoon is eligible for nomination. Saskatoon schools are also invited to have their students send in submissions in any expressive form (photos, art, written, video).

Nominations are being accepted until March 4, 2022 and the nomination form is available now at saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony.

The Living in Harmony Awards are part of the City’s commitment to foster an inclusive community where ethnocultural diversity is welcomed and valued, and where everyone can live with dignity and pursue their full potential without facing racism or discrimination. The winners are selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. They’ll be announced on March 21, 2022 which is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

City and contractor crews are making good progress on grading priority streets in all areas of Saskatoon after Monday’s blizzard. Crews also addressed the major streets that were blown in with snow from high winds. All priority streets will be graded by Friday morning; check our map to see which streets are graded after a snow event.

With a cold weather warning in effect by Environment & Climate Change Canada, drivers and sidewalk users should use caution at high-risk locations such as busy intersections, bridges and overpasses. City staff are monitoring for icy locations and applying sand for traction where needed.

The City is making progress on removing the snow piled along priority 1 streets and were 70% complete when they were re-assigned to clean up Monday’s snow event. Snow removal work will restart on priority 1 streets and then onto priority 2 streets after snow event clean up has been completed.

City Council approved a new Strategic Plan for the City of Saskatoon at yesterday’s Council meeting (January 31, 2022). The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is a guiding document that sets direction and priorities for City Council and the Administration over the next four years.

Along with the Official Community Plan and the Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, the Strategic Plan ensures City programs and services continue to address the changing needs of our community, while keeping within our financial means.

The City’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan was retired in December 2021.

Mayor Charlie Clark says: “The foundation of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is miyo-pimatisiwin (me-o-pi-ma-ti-si-win) which is a Cree phrase meaning 'the good life' for all residents. I believe this is a powerful common purpose to focus our efforts around. We are living in very dynamic times, and it is essential that we plan strategically to create the conditions for our citizens to live a good life here. I am proud of the work done by citizens, our staff, and my Council colleagues to bring this plan together and focus our work in the years ahead.”

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says: “I’m proud of the work our Council and Administration have done in pulling together this vision for the City of Saskatoon over the next four years. The process, and the discussions and decisions that were a part of that, enabled us to land on one clear and powerful document that will be the focus for the work of thousands of City employees in the years ahead.”

What’s in the Plan

The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan was developed using contributions from the public, Council, and City employees. The following three pillars underline the identified deliverables and the key actions to achieve them:

1. Advance City Council's Priorities
2. Deliver Excellence in Core Services and Operational Priorities
3. Drive Corporate Transformational Change

Certain elements of previous strategic plans remain relevant and are included in this new one, including the Vision, Mission, Values, Purpose and Strategic Goals.

Public Input

A draft version of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan was made available for public feedback between Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, 2021. Residents were invited to review the draft plan and provide input using a public survey. A summary on What We Heard was attached to the information report put before Council on Nov. 22, 2021.

What’s Next

In the weeks ahead, the City will be ensuring its various departmental business plans and employee work plans align with the Strategic Plan. This alignment will ensure Council and Administration are working toward the same outcomes and optimizing resources by focusing on the right initiatives at the right time.​​​​​​​

The City’s newly approved 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is available at saskatoon.ca/StrategicPlan.

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

NEW

PRESTON AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM RESEARCH DR TO 115TH ST W
(Material offloading)
Start: February 2, 9:00 a.m. End: February 2, 2:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Transmission line install)
Start: February 2, 10:00 a.m. End: February 2, 3:00 p.m.


ONGOING

WARMAN RD SB CURB & LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED & NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 7TH AVE N
(Directional boring)
Start: January 31, 9:00 a.m. End: February 2, 3:00 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.

Claypool Drive is open again for traffic in and out of Hampton Village neighbourhood after major snow drifting made it impassable on Monday afternoon. The City thanks residents for their patience.

City and contractor crews are working through priority streets with graders and plows to clear driving lanes, and loading out snow on streets that are blown in.

More information about the snow event clean-up will be provided in a separate PSA this afternoon.