News Releases

The City of Saskatoon limits will change effective September 1, 2015.  The change has been approved by the Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Government Relations, following successful negotiations with the Rural Municipality of Corman Park (RM), stakeholder and public consultation, and resolutions passed by the RM and City of Saskatoon Councils.

“The approved boundary alteration will enable continued growth of the City of Saskatoon, bring City-owned land and City infrastructure into City limits, and correct inconsistencies in the current City limits,” says Laura Hartney, Regional Planning Manager.

All of the ratepayers in the RM who are affected by this boundary alteration have been engaged in the process from the outset.  A further notice will now be sent out, including a brochure to answer many common questions, such as information on property assessment and taxes, bylaws, municipal services, roads, and important contact details.

“We will be communicating directly with those affected by the change to ensure they have the information they need to go about their daily routines,” Hartney explains.  “We want to ensure the transition is as smooth and positive as possible on all ends.”

Boundary alteration, also referred to as “annexation”, is the process of altering municipal boundaries to add land area from one municipality to another.  The 2015 boundary alteration is in compliance with the requirements of Section 43 and Section 43.1 of The Cities Act.

For more information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/regionalplanning.

Boundary Alteration Map

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.

NEW

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
Attridge Dr. WB exit ramp will be closed. Access Circle Dr. via College Dr./Preston Ave.
(Paving)
Start: August 14, 7:00 p.m. End: August 15, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the EB overpass.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN
Ongoing work with limited lane restrictions to occur during off peak hours

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.

Roughly midway through the summer construction season, the City of Saskatoon has currently completed 135 of the 196 lane kilometres scheduled for 2015. This amounts to approximately 70 per cent completion of the planned roadway preservation and rehabilitation for the summer.

“In both the 2014 and 2015 Civic Services Survey, Saskatoon residents identified road repair and maintenance as their number one priority,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design for the City. “As a result, $26.9 million was allocated for road and sidewalk rehabilitation this year. That’s $1.7 million more than in 2014 to ensure we continue to improve our roadways.”

Work has been steadily progressing throughout the city on high traffic and residential streets. There have been few disruptions or schedule adjustments thanks to the hard work of City crews and contractors in conjunction with the dry weather experienced so far this summer.

Work has been completed on major rehabilitation projects such as the resurfacing of Warman Road and Wanuskewin Road, the 22nd Street and Circle Drive interchange, Lorne Avenue, Taylor Street and 3rd Avenue downtown. Most of these projects wrapped up by or within one week of their scheduled completion date.

Projects still in progress include resurfacing the Circle Drive ramps at College Drive and 108th Street and Attridge Drive; widening of Attridge Drive between Circle Drive and Central Avenue; streetscaping on 20th Street; and new roadway construction on McOrmond Drive north of Fedoruk Drive, Fedoruk Drive and Zimmerman Road.

New roadways on McOrmond Drive south of College Drive, and Claypool Drive are beginning construction shortly.

Other major construction projects, such as the repair of the Circle Drive cloverleaf interchange, and the roadway construction around the airport are in progress and expected to complete on schedule. On August 4 the University Bridge deck rehabilitation was completed, opening the bridge to the public almost four weeks in advance of the anticipated completion date.

Establishing and maintaining infrastructure for Saskatoon’s new and existing neighbourhoods is also a key part of the construction season, and to date 3.8 kilometres of water, storm and sewer mains have been rehabilitated. Great effort has been made throughout the summer to minimize impact on residents, while maximizing work efficiencies. Where possible night work has been, and continues to be, used.

“It’s been a busy construction season so far,” says Anger, “but we’re not done yet. We’ve made great progress on our projects, and we thank the residents of Saskatoon for their patience in dealing with the traffic detours that come as a result of the many roadways projects underway.”

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.

Saskatoon taxpayers continue to benefit from the City’s renewed commitment to continuous improvement and performance monitoring. Through Continuous Improvement efforts, the City was able to increase savings in 2014 by reviewing its Civic Services and thinking ‘outside-the-box.’

“With a vision of being the best-managed city in Canada, we’ve set our sights on doing better with what we have, to deliver better value for taxes,” said Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “We’ve seen those efforts pay off and the City will keep making strides toward better service, more savings and sustainable growth.”

Better service to citizens, increased savings, and sustainable environmental programs are all results of the City’s Continuous Improvement Strategy.  The 2014 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability: How the City of Saskatoon is Improving Productivity demonstrates the City’s accomplishments in those areas.

The City’s attention to innovative thinking and improved service levels contributed to building better roads, providing online business licence applications and renewals, opening a new outdoor fitness centre at River Landing, and many other program and operation improvements.

The result for savings is approximately $15.4 million in financial returns from Saskatoon Land, $17.7 million in operational efficiencies and service level enhancements as well as $29.6 million in deferred capital spending, including:

- $10.6 million in Water and Sewer upgrades were completed using “trenchless methods” to extend the service life of the main, saving 33 per cent over traditional open excavation replacement methods; allowing the City to do more preservation work for the same amount of money.

- Over $2.0 million through the Saskatoon Fire department in immediate short term operational savings as well as over $14 million in capital savings and improvements to citizen safety resulting from rethinking deployment of current and future fire stations.

- Over $1.4 million rebate from the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) as a result of a positive performance between 2011 and 2013 and a positive investment year for WCB.

City environmental programs are also contributing to sustainable growth by helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of removing 18,750 cars off city roads.  Continued focus on recycling programs also diverted approximately 20,000 tonnes of waste from the Saskatoon Landfill in 2014.

Gryba notes concentrating on Continuous Improvement is central to planning for the City’s future growth.

“Improving effectiveness and efficiency in our current operations ensures we deliver affordable and sustainable programs and enables us to be collaborative and responsive in our growth to half a million people,” says Gryba.

Focusing on our long-term goal to manage the City in a smart, sustainable way, supports the City’s seven Strategic Goals and being the best-managed city in Canada. 

Household hazardous waste requires proper disposal to reduce risks to humans and animals, and prevent pollution of our land, water and air. These materials should not be placed in your garbage or recycling bins, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials. A temporary site will be set up at SaskTel Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the following dates in 2015:

2015 Household Hazardous Waste Days:

• August 15
• September 19
• October 17
• November 21

For a complete list of materials accepted at HHW Days, please visit Saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste. A number of items can also be returned to local retailers for convenient and safe disposal or recycling – for current opportunities in the community, please visit Saskwastereduction.ca.

Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days. Leftover paint and empty paint cans are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. A complete list of paint/paint products accepted at SARCAN locations can be found at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint.

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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NEW

CENTRAL AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM BEEF RESEARCH RD TO ATTRIDGE DR
(Installation of a catch basin)
Start: August 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: August 13, 9:00 a.m. End: August 13, 4:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM FIELD HOUSE RD TO COLLEGE DR
(Manhole work)
Start: August 13, 9:30 a.m. End: August 17, 4:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
Attridge Dr. WB exit ramp will be closed. Access Circle Dr. via College Dr./Central Ave.
(Road resurfacing)
Start: August 13, 7:00 p.m. End: August 13, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the EB overpass.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN
Ongoing work with limited lane restrictions to occur during off peak hours

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.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – A grand opening ceremony is being held Wednesday, August 12, for PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park – Saskatoon’s new, must-see family-friendly attraction.

To officially open PotashCorp Playland, representatives from the City of Saskatoon, PotashCorp, Canpotex, and Canadian Pacific (CP) will help hammer in “the last spike” for the train track that loops around the park.  The fun ceremony was inspired by a similar one held in 1885 in British Columbia when the Canadian Pacific Railway completed its transcontinental railroad across Canada.

PotashCorp Playland features a $1.025 million train provided by Canpotex and CP, as well as a larger Ferris wheel and a refurbished carousel.  PotashCorp provided $7.5 million of the $9.5 million cost of PotashCorp Playland, which also includes a unique, new play area.  This part of PotashCorp Playland is free of charge and has lots of room for climbing, sliding, swinging – and riding down the double cable ride.

“Visiting the Kinsmen Park rides has long been a tradition in Saskatoon – and with the opening of PotashCorp Playland, the experience is better than ever,” says Lee Knafelc, PotashCorp Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. “Every child will find something fun to do at PotashCorp Playland, and that was our goal.”

PotashCorp strives to improve the well-being of the communities in which it operates, and this motivated its investment in PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park.

“I am so proud of the partnerships that created this one-of-a-kind family centre right in downtown Saskatoon,” says Mayor Donald Atchison. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to PotashCorp, Canpotex, and CP for their financial commitment to the people of Saskatoon.  Thousands of families will come here in the decades ahead and create wonderful memories of PotashCorp Playland and Kinsmen Park.”

To celebrate Wednesday’s grand opening, rides are free from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at PotashCorp Playland.  There is also entertainment, carnival games, prizes, and snacks, all courtesy of PotashCorp.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.                                     

The City is preparing to activate the newly installed traffic signals at the corner of Marquis Drive and Highway 16. The traffic signals will improve safety as development in the area continues to generate more traffic through this intersection. 

The newly installed signals will include advance warning flashers to notify drivers on the highway when the signals are about to turn red. Additional improvements, such as widening the shoulder of the road, are scheduled to be completed in the near future.

Upon initial activation, the lights will flash red for approximately five days so drivers become aware of the new traffic signals. While they continue to flash red, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. We expect the regular signal timing and control of the intersection will be activated on Monday, August 17, 2015.

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.

NEW

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SB ON RAMP TO COLLEGE DR WB CLOSED
(Paving)
Access College WB via 108th St exit
Start: August 11, 7:00 p.m. End: August 12, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 108TH ST OVERPASS
(Paving)
Start: August 11, 7:00 p.m. End: August 12, 6:00 a.m.

COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT MCORMOND DR
(Guardrail repair)
Start: August 12, 9:00 a.m. End: August 12, 11:00 a.m.

33RD ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR OVERPASS
(Streetlight repair)
Start: August 12, 9:00 a.m. End: August 12, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR.
(Road Patching)
Start: August 12, 9:00 a.m. End: September 7, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR EB RAMP TO ATTRIDGE/PRESTON CROSSING CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Start: August 12, 7:00 p.m. End: August 13, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the EB overpass.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN
Ongoing work with limited lane restrictions to occur during off peak hours

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.

As the City continues to roll out the FlexParking program in stages, an additional 140 pay stations will be activated today (Wednesday, August 12) throughout the remainder of the downtown core and in the area surrounding City Hospital.

When the new, flexible pay stations are turned on, the old coin meters will either be removed or covered with a white and yellow hood that directs drivers to use the pay stations. As long as drivers encounter an unhooded, active coin meter that’s where they should pay.

More stations will continue to be activated at other locations across the city in the weeks to come.

Important tips and reminders:

1. Have your licence plate number handy; you’ll need it at every transaction.
    
2. Don’t forget to note the maximum allowable time where you’re parking; you can only park as long as the sign indicates, regardless of how much time you buy.
    
3. You don’t need to display a dashboard ticket; your plate provides proof of payment.
    
4. Balances on your parking purchase can be carried forward to any space that’s been switched over to the new system; balances cannot be applied to coin metered spaces.
    
5. Additional parking time may be purchased provided you have not exceeded the maximum allowable time posted at your parking space.

The City’s Disability and Veteran parking permit programs remain unchanged and drivers are still required to display their placards.

For more information, including a map of where the new FlexParking pay stations are installed, and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/flexparking or call 306-975-2548.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.