News Releases

The City of Saskatoon reminds residents that the final round of public engagement for the Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan) closes at midnight, Sunday, November 8, 2015.

Have your say!  Visit www.growingfwd.ca to review the final draft plan and provide feedback on the proposed long-term plans and implementation priorities for a new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); redevelopment along major corridors like 8^th Street, 22^nd Street, Preston Avenue, and College Drive; and a new river crossing connecting 33^rd Street to Preston Avenue, combined with dedicated BRT lanes on the University Bridge.

Once complete, the Growth Plan will help guide future infrastructure investments and land-use decisions so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.

For more information on the Growth Plan, or to sign up for project update notifications, visit www.growingfwd.ca.

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 is accepting applications for vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Animal Control, the Albert Community Centre Management Committee, the Library Board, the Centennial Auditorium & Convention Centre Board of Directors (TCU Place), and the Board of Revision/License Appeal Board.

Interested candidates should submit their application, resumé, and two letters of reference using the on-line Committee Application Form and Reference Form located at saskatoon.ca/boards.  The deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 27, 2015.  All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year should further openings occur.

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.

Saskatoon’s oldest public artwork, the Sergeant (Sgt.) Hugh Cairns Monument has been successfully restored.  While in remarkably good shape for its age, the marble sculpture required professional cleaning and repointing of its granite base.  The work was completed in October of this year as part of the City’s ongoing effort to conserve its collection of commemorations and monuments for future generations. 

The Sgt. Hugh Cairns Monument is a carved marble figure of Saskatoon’s own Hugh Cairns with a soccer ball beneath his foot and a hand on his hip, standing atop a four-piece granite base.  Engraved in the base is a 75-name honour roll of Saskatoon soccer players killed in the First World War.  The monument was installed on the south edge of Kinsmen Park in 1921, on the very field where Hugh Cairns and fellow athletes played soccer before the war.

Hugh Cairns was killed in action in France on November 2, 1918.  On November 1, 1919, he was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.  He was also awarded France’s highest honour, the Legion of Honour.

The City gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada – Veterans Affairs Canada for funds granted from the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program.  The City would also like to thank the Military Institute of Saskatoon for supporting the grant application. 

For more information on this monument and other artworks and commemorations in the City’s collection, please visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.

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.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only. For updates on road restrictions on other streets including residential, check our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map or Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts.

ONGOING

UPDATE: IDYLWYLD FWY NB ONRAMP FROM 8TH ST & LORNE AVENUE CLOSED
(Valve installation)

Use Taylor Street or Broadway Ave. More details saskatoon.ca/LorneSewerRehab
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

CLAYPOOL DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO MCCLOCKIN RD
(Road construction/landscaping)
Start: November 2, 3:00 p.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

HWY 11 SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM VICTOR RD TO CIRCLE DR
(Road construction)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 7, 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)
Hwy 11/12 SB curb lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: November 10, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB/NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM SAUNDERS PL TO 19TH ST E
(Expansion joint repairs)
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 13, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 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.

A snow storm can happen any day, any time, which is why the City of Saskatoon is ready 24/7 to sand, salt and plow streets as we head into winter. The City’s plan for snow and ice operations this winter builds on last year’s successes, and focusses on providing better winter roads to keep Saskatoon moving during and after a snowfall.

“Last year we introduced some improvements to our operations to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies in the delivery of service, resulting in cost savings and better roads,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “This year we will benefit from those improvements, as we apply our continuous improvement model to identify efficiencies for the snow and ice programs.”

Last winter, the City piloted an anti-icing technique called pre-wetting. A sanding truck was modified to spray a magnesium-chloride brine to the salt/sand blend as it was applied to the road surface. The benefits are two-fold: the sand adheres better to the roadway and ice to improve traction, and activates the salt at lower temperatures to melt any ice that has formed. Due to its effectiveness, this program will be expanded from one to four sanders this year.

Also new this year, sanders will be outfitted with GPS software that can track the location of vehicles, sanding activities and the amount of product used in real-time. This data can then be used to create more efficient routes and processes that use less sand and fuel and achieve equivalent or improved results.

“During and immediately after a snow event, plowing and grading will occur on priority streets to keep the high-traffic streets in good driving condition,” says Hyde. “Later in the season, when the overall average snowpack on residential streets reaches a minimum of 15 centimetres, streets may be graded to reduce the potential for ruts forming. Snow grading and removal may occur as required along narrow, congested streets with no space for snow storage.”

ENTER TO WIN!

While City Crews wait for the first snow event of the season, residents are invited to enter our Winter is Coming contest to predict when that day might be. Guess the date of our first snow event (5+ cm of snow) and you could win a $100 City of Saskatoon Leisure Gift Card. Enter at saskatoon.ca/snow.

Snow What to Do this winter by visiting saskatoon.ca/snow. Find real time Snow & Ice and Traffic Detour alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts or follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

NEW

33RD ST E EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 1:30 p.m.

HWY 11 SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM VICTOR RD TO CIRCLE DR
(Road construction)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD FWY NB ONRAMP FROM 8TH ST & LORNE AVENUE CLOSED
(Valve installation)
Use Taylor Street or Broadway Ave. More details saskatoon.ca/LorneSewerRehab
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 6:00 p.m.

CLAYPOOL DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO MCCLOCKIN RD
(Road construction/landscaping)
Start: November 2, 3:00 p.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB curb lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: November 10, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB/NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM SAUNDERS PL TO 19TH ST E
(Expansion joint repairs)
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 13, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 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.

Response has been tremendous and the City has sold all of the single-headed aged parking meters. Suitable for use as a decoration, or to keep as a piece of memorabilia, double-headed parking meters are still available for $30.

With the implementation of the new pay-by-plate parking system throughout the city, the aged parking meters have been offered for sale to the public.

Call 306-975-2608 or 306-975-7774 for more information.

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.

In partnership with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, as part of an ongoing effort to increase accessibility and provide riders with improved service, Saskatoon Transit is pleased to announce Automatic Announcements on City buses. This automated service provides a verbal announcement and visual cue of an upcoming bus stop, ensuring that riders do not miss their destination.

“Transit needs to be accessible to all,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Working with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission has helped us to identify ways to increase accessibility for riders. Automated Announcements benefit visually impaired riders, new residents who don’t know the city yet, students venturing out on their own for the first time, senior citizens who require assistance, or day-to-day riders who want another way to be notified of their stop.”

Currently, the system is active on over 95 per cent of the buses on regular routes, encompassing over 1,500 stops and landmarks throughout the City. A planned future enhancement to the Automated Announcements service is the addition of adjoining connections, which will make it even easier for new and experienced Saskatoon Transit riders to reach their destinations.

“Saskatoon Transit has demonstrated a significant commitment to providing accessible transit services to the citizens of Saskatoon with the addition of an Automated Announcement system,” said David Arnot, Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. “The Commission was pleased to collaborate with Saskatoon Transit on this project, and we remain ready to provide proactive assistance to them as they work to improve the overall accessibility of bus services.”

Additional accessibility features on all new buses include:

• A front kneeling system that allows the bus to lower to curb height for devices such as baby strollers;
• An extendable flip-up ramp to ease boarding of wheelchairs and walkers;
• Extra wide entrance areas that make it easier to navigate into and out of the bus;
• A mobility area with flip-up seats and floor anchors to secure mobility devices;
• A light and colour scheme designed to assist visually impaired riders; and
• Digital signage that displays stop locations and stop requests to ensure hearing impaired riders are aware of important destinations.

“Accessibility is essential to our customers’ satisfaction,” says McDonald. “As well, we remain committed to working with community groups and our stakeholders to make sure we will continue to provide the citizens of Saskatoon with the transit service that meets their needs.”

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit transit.saskatoon.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. You can also plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2015:

City Hall will be closed.

Pay Parking Stations 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.

The Saskatoon Civic Conservatory will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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 11:00 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
Regular hours of operation (Zoo: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & Park: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Admission by donation

Indoor Arenas
Regular hours of operation

Cosmo Civic Centre
CLOSED

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre)
CLOSED

Lakewood Civic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Lawson Civic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes CANCELLED

Saskatoon Field House
Open 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED
Holiday Zumba Class:  12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Shaw Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes CANCELLED

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times, please visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/dropinonline.  For more information on operating hours and programs, please contact the leisure centres or facilities.

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’s two compost depots will be closing for the season on Friday, November 6. Residents still have time to bring their unbagged Halloween pumpkins, leaves, grass and non-elm branches to one of the sites until the end of the week. The sites will remain closed throughout the winter season until opening in spring of 2016.

West – Highway 7 Depot, located at the junction of Highway 7 and 11th Street West. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
East – Highway 5 Depot, located off Highway 5 by the junction of Highway 41 and Zimmerman Road. Open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note that vehicles will not be admitted into the East depot after 4:45 p.m. or the West depot after 5:45 p.m.

More than 43,000 loads of yard waste were hauled to the compost depots from April 13 to October 29 this year. The City wishes to thank residents for using the free compost depots. Thanks to your efforts, we have been able to divert a considerable amount of materials from our landfill.

The compost depots will re-open in April, 2016. For more information, including the types of material accepted, visit saskatoon.ca/compost.

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.