News Releases

The City has again been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015.  The award was announced in a special editorial supplement in Tuesday’s edition of the Globe and Mail and online at http://www.canadastop100.com/diversity/.

"Once again the City of Saskatoon remains one of Saskatchewan’s Top Diversity Employers because of our dedication to developing a workforce that better reflects our community,” City Manager, Murray Totland.  “In particular, the City was recognized for developing partnerships and programs with Aboriginal organizations to assist in enhancing economic, employment and training opportunities which is a strategic priority for us”.

The selection was based on information from the City’s application to this year's Canada's Top 100 Employers project along with independent workplace research.  A detailed outline appears in the City’s Employer Review on Eluta.ca – a source used by more than five million job-seekers in Canada every year.

The recognition also notes the City maintains a social diversity group which is comprised of race relations, Aboriginal relations and diversity programming staff to provide training and educational workshops on topics, such as, religious accommodation, intercultural awareness, cultural competence, Aboriginal awareness and cultural bridging, to help employees better understand issues faced by newcomers.

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

CIRCLE DR E SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 8TH ST E
(crash cushion repair)
Start: April 1, 9:00 a.m. End: April 1, 1:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W NB/EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT 33RD ST W
(crash cushion repair)
Start: April 1, 1:00 p.m. End: April 1, 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.

For Immediate Release:  March 31, 2015
CP15-105

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Easter weekend, Good Friday, April 3 through Easter Monday, April 6:

City Hall will be closed and will reopen on Tuesday, April 7.

Parking meters will not require payment on Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5.  Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.  Parking meters will require payment on Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6.

The Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public on Friday, April 3 but will be open Saturday, April 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with regular operations on Monday, April 6.

All locations of Saskatoon Public Library will be closed on April 3, 4, and 5.

The Saskatoon Landfill will be open every day throughout the Easter weekend with regular winter hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage and Recycling collection will take place as scheduled.

The Mendel Art Gallery and Saskatoon Civic Conservatory are open every day, 364 days a year, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

TRANSIT SERVICES FOR EASTER WEEKEND

Transit service will operate as follows:
April 3: Sunday/Holiday service
April 4 and 5: Regular weekend service
April 6: Regular weekday service

Access Transit service will operate as follows (normal booking procedures apply):
April 3: Holiday service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
April 4 and 5: Regular weekend service
April 6: Holiday service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

RECREATION & SPORT FOR EASTER WEEKEND

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo will be open daily.
Forestry Farm Park hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Zoo hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission charges in effect

LEISURE CENTRES HOURS FOR EASTER WEEKEND

Saskatoon Field House
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Cosmo Civic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 5: Regular hours
April 6: CLOSED                                                                            

Lakewood Civic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Lawson Civic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Shaw Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre)
April 3 to 5: CLOSED
April 6: Regular hours

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 following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Easter weekend, Good Friday, April 3 through Easter Monday, April 6:

City Hall will be closed and will reopen on Tuesday, April 7.

Parking meters will not require payment on Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5.  Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.  Parking meters will require payment on Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6.

The Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public on Friday, April 3 but will be open Saturday, April 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with regular operations on Monday, April 6.

All locations of Saskatoon Public Library will be closed on April 3, 4, and 5.

The Saskatoon Landfill will be open every day throughout the Easter weekend with regular winter hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage and Recycling collection will take place as scheduled.

The Mendel Art Gallery and Saskatoon Civic Conservatory are open every day, 364 days a year, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

TRANSIT SERVICES FOR EASTER WEEKEND

Transit service will operate as follows:
April 3: Sunday/Holiday service
April 4 and 5: Regular weekend service
April 6: Regular weekday service

Access Transit service will operate as follows (normal booking procedures apply):
April 3: Holiday service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
April 4 and 5: Regular weekend service
April 6: Holiday service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

RECREATION & SPORT FOR EASTER WEEKEND

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo will be open daily.
Forestry Farm Park hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Zoo hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission charges in effect

LEISURE CENTRES HOURS FOR EASTER WEEKEND

Saskatoon Field House
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Cosmo Civic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 5: Regular hours
April 6: CLOSED                                                                            

Lakewood Civic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Lawson Civic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Shaw Centre
April 3: CLOSED
April 4 to 6: Regular hours

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre)
April 3 to 5: CLOSED
April 6: Regular hours

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 waterslide in the leisure swimming pool at Lakewood Civic Centre is now up and running, and ready for the public to enjoy! 

The waterslide had been closed for repairs for several months as a result of ground movement issues in the mechanical crawlspace affecting the pump that supplies water to the slide.  All necessary repairs have now been completed.

The City of Saskatoon sincerely thanks the public for their patience and understanding, and would like to invite everyone to enjoy free access to celebrate the reopening of the waterslide on Saturday, April 11, from 1 to 5 p.m.  During this time, no admission fee will be required to public swim, access the fitness or weight rooms, or take part in drop-in basketball.

For more information, call Lakewood Civic Centre at 306-975-2944 or visit www.saskatoon.ca/lakewood.

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.

- 30 -

NEW

22ND ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Sign repair)
Start: March 31, 9:00 a.m. End: March 31, 1:00 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.

The City of Saskatoon (City) invites the public to an open house to view and comment on the proposed North Sector Plan, which will include Saskatoon’s future north industrial growth and employment area.

 The North Sector Plan will create a vision to facilitate economic development opportunities by expanding the north industrial growth and employment area.  In the future, the area will generate new employment possibilities; accommodate fully-serviced industrial, commercial, and business park developments; and potentially include provision for new recreation facilities.

 OPEN HOUSE:  North Sector Plan
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – “Come and Go”
Bishop James Mahoney High School (Cafeteria)
231 Primrose Drive

 Presentation panels illustrating the proposed North Sector Plan vision will be shown and civic staff will be available to answer questions.  Feedback from the open house will be collected and considered in the development of the final North Sector Plan.

 If you are unable to attend the open house, please visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca to review meeting information after the open house.  If you have questions or wish to provide comments, please call the City’s Planning and Development Division at 306‑975-7946 or email city.planning@saskatoon.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.

NEW SATURDAY

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MCKINNON AVE S TO WIGGINS AVE S
(Tree pruning)
Start: March 28, 8:00 a.m. End: March 29, 3:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

SPADINA CRES NB LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 24TH ST & UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(Light pole repairs)
Start: March 29, 7:30 a.m. End: March 29, 9:00 a.m.

14TH ST ON RAMP TO CIRCLE DR NB CLOSED
(Street light repairs)
Start: March 29, 7:30 a.m. End: March 29, 9:30 a.m.

SPADINA CRES CLOSED BETWEEN DUKE ST & QUEEN ST
(Street light repairs)
Start: March 29, 7:30 a.m. End: March 29, 11:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CENTER & CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT MARQUIS DR
(Light pole repairs)
Start: March 29, 9:00 a.m. End: March 29, 10:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LAN CLOSED APPROACHING CIRCLE DR WB
(Street light repairs)
Start: March 29, 10:00 a.m. End: March 29, 11:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT WARMAN RD
(Street light repairs)
Start: March 29, 10:30 a.m. End: March 29, 12:00 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.

McOrmond Dog Park will be closed for the day on Friday, March 27, to allow construction crews working on the upcoming Brighton neighbourhood access to the site.   The Park will re-open on Saturday, March 28.

Southwest Dog Park has now re-opened for use.

Continue to enjoy Dog Park access at the following six Parks:

1. Avalon – Broadway Avenue, south of Glasgow Street
2. Caswell – Avenue F North or Avenue G North, south of 32^nd Street
3. Hampton Village – North of 33^rd Street, along Junor Avenue
4. Silverwood – Adjacent to the northeast edges of Silverwood Golf Course
5. Southwest – North of Cedar Villa Road
6. Sutherland Beach – Accessed via grid road, with entry off of Central Avenue

For more information on Dog Parks, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/dogparks.

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.

Spring is officially here and with that, the City of Saskatoon’s winter road maintenance season is coming to a close. Crews worked 24/7 sanding, salting, grading, plowing and removing snow from streets to keep drivers moving. Crews will continue to respond if it snows in the coming weeks.

“We are always at the mercy of Mother Nature, but with the introduction of new pilot programs, improved services and greater efficiencies, our high-traffic roads have been in the best winter condition we’ve seen,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “Crews have dealt with six snow events this winter, where more than 5 cm of snow fell, and on each occasion priority streets were graded, at least once well within the targeted timeframe for each event.”

The City’s goal is to grade Priority 1 streets within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends, Priority 2 streets within 36 hours, and Priority 3 streets within 72 hours. This past winter, as a result of new maintenance area configuration, the average was 65 hours for grading all priority streets after a snow event.

Winter road maintenance results:

• More than 13,000 tandem truckloads of snow removed
• More than 25,000 tonnes of sand applied
• More than 120 tonnes of cold mix asphalt used to temporarily repair potholes
• 52 water main breaks were repaired restoring services for residents

New Programs:

The City initiated two pilot programs this winter to improve driving conditions on high-traffic roads.

The new de-icing product called Caliber M1000 was tested to soften and break the ice bond on priority streets; it was used at temperatures below -14 where salt is no longer effective. This reduced the amount of sand needed to be applied by 28% resulting in approximately $250,000 in savings. This will also result in less overall material to clean up as part of the spring street sweeping program.

Initial results of the pre-wetting pilot program, where sand is sprayed with a liquid chemical de-icer before being applied to the road, were also positive. The wet heavy sand adheres better to the road and provides enhanced traction for vehicles.

Other improvements:

• The 18-vehicle snow train was activated to remove collected snow along the edges of Circle Drive, bridges and overpasses. This was performed after every snow event and kept the barriers and guardrails clear of snow build up.
• Snow piles were removed from school zones more frequently and removal areas were expanded to reduce traffic congestion and enhance student safety at student pick-up and drop-off locations.  As a further measure of student safety awareness these operations were performed during off school hours at night and weekends.
• The use of private contractors for snow grading was expanded to be more efficient and cost-effective.  Along with an improved deployment of City crews these were directly applicable to the time savings for meeting 72 hour goal.
• An additional snow storage site was added in the southeast quadrant of the city to increase the number of sites to four.  All sites were open to the public and snow hauling contractors. 
• Snow grading was enhanced in the Business Improvement Districts and industrial areas improving access to businesses.

“This is just the start of better winter roads in Saskatoon. We will continue to build on this year’s progress into the future,” says Hyde. “While our focus shifts towards our spring street sweeping and pothole patching programs, we are mindful that the last snowfall typically occurs in April and has been known to happen as late as May. Crews will be ready for whatever comes our way.”

For more information about the City’s Snow & Ice programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay tuned for street sweeping and pothole patching updates and schedules at saskatoon.ca/betterroads.