News Releases

For Immediate Release:  February 24, 2014

The City of Saskatoon would like to remind you about our public event on Tuesday February 25, 2014 at TCU Place to provide input on future options for transit, rapid transit, bridges and growth along major corridors as Saskatoon plans for growth to half a million people.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is a city-wide initiative that will take us from visioning to action and shape the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million.  It is a proactive way to plan for our future and help us navigate the challenges associated with rapid population growth.  The Growth Plan to Half a Million will help guide civic investments over the next 30 to 40 years by addressing three key elements:

Shaping Growth  How do we grow along major corridors?
Shaping Transit  How do we move more people?
Shaping Bridges  How do we manage infrastructure investments?

“The intent of the Growth Plan to Half a Million is to create more options for citizens to move around, work, shop and play closer to home while improving access throughout the entire city,” says Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development. “Community input will help us plan to grow in a way that is balanced and responsible, while ensuring that our city is prosperous and continues to be a great place to live.”

Please join us to share your ideas on how Saskatoon should plan to grow to half a million people:

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon Public Event
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
(Presentations to start at 10:15 a.m and 6:15 p.m. respectively.)
TCU Place (Salon A and B)
35 22nd Street East 

Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the Growing Forward! process.  This event is the first of many opportunities for the public to get involved in this exciting initiative.  

Event materials and information will also be available online at www.growingfwd.ca on the day of the event, along with an opportunity to submit comments.  You can also join the discussion on Twitter as we live-tweet the event – just follow us on Twitter or use the hashtag #yxegrowingfwd.  

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’s (City) Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee is now accepting nominations for the annual “Living in Harmony” awards, which recognize local organizations or individuals for their efforts in the elimination of racial discrimination.  The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 28, 2014.

Since 1994, the City’s Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee has presented the “Living in Harmony” Recognition Awards at a special ceremony to mark March 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  The Committee presents these awards annually to celebrate the positive initiatives taking place within the community.  This year, the awards will be presented at Centennial Collegiate (160 Nelson Road) on Friday, March 21, 2014, starting at 10 a.m.

Nomination forms are available at www.saskatoon.ca under “L” for Living in Harmony or from the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office at Cosmo Civic Centre (3130 Laurier Drive).  Nominations are to be submitted to the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office.

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 is experiencing a higher than normal amount of water main breaks across the city.  For the past two weeks, one to four breaks have been reported daily, which is almost twice the normal rate.  This past weekend, from Saturday morning to Sunday morning, seven breaks occurred, which is extremely unusual.  Experienced City and contractor crews are maintaining the commitment to have repairs complete and the water back on within 48 hours, working 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week, with overtime as staff is available. 

While a leak or break in the underground water pipes (water main) can occur at any time of year, the extended cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing causes the soil to freeze quite deep in the ground.  In an average winter, the ground frost ranges from 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet) deep.  Most of the water system pipes are located 2.7 to 3 metres (9 to 10 feet) deep and currently, the average ground frost is 2.9 metres (9.5 feet) deep.  This freezing can cause expansion and contraction that creates force on the water main.  Other factors that contribute to breaks are the age and type of pipe (cast iron pipes installed prior to 1970 can be more susceptible); soil conditions that cause corrosion; and pressure on the system, such as very hot, dry days with high water use. 

“The City would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding, says Acting Director of Public Works Trent Schmidt.  “The inconvenience of a water service interruption alone can be frustrating, but with the extremely cold temperature, it can feel unbearable.  We want you to know that we have extra staff and contractors working as quickly as possible to get the water back on.” 

If you see water in the street or on your lawn, please phone the Public Works customer service call centre 24 hours/day, 7 days/week at 306-975-2476.  A water & sewer trouble crew will be dispatched to inspect the location within 30-60 minutes.  There are four water trailers available to provide a temporary water supply for residents and businesses without water service.  We make every effort to make a water trailer available within eight hours of the water being shut off.  However, with the number of water main breaks we are currently experiencing, this may extend to 12 hours.  

Repair Process

Immediately following the report of a water main break, a water & sewer trouble crew is dispatched to determine the location, impact and severity of the break. First the water main is "controlled", by closing nearby valves, which shuts off the water service.  Once the general repair location has been identified and the water main is shut off, special equipment is used to find the precise location of the break.  

A separate water & sewer maintenance crew makes the repairs, which can begin up to 24 hours after the water is turned off.  A typical water main repair can take 10-12 hours, but may be extended up to 32 hours if complications occur.  Prior to any excavation, the underground utilities are located to ensure the repair can be done safely without causing further damage.  When frozen, it can take longer to break through the ground and expose the damaged pipes.  Once the repair is complete, the pipes are flushed and water is tested to ensure water quality before water service is restored.   

The excavation will be filled in with gravel until the spring when the temperature is warm enough to apply asphalt and repair the road.  Any damage to the sidewalk, driveways and private property from the repair excavation will be repaired during the summer, in consultation with the property owner.

Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory

When the water is turned off, affected addresses are given a yellow doorhanger with information about what they can expect and a recommendation to boil water for consumption once the water is back on for up to 72 hours until laboratory tests confirm the water is safe.  A green doorhanger will be delivered to notify residents they Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory is lifted.  For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and click on P for Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory. 

For more information, visit Saskatoon.ca and click on W for Water Main Break or call Public Works customer service call centre at 306-975-2476.  Know Before you Go! Subscribe to Traffic Detour service alerts for notifications of detours caused by water main repairs or other roadway work. 

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.

Due to the cold extreme weather conditions, the city is experiencing a significant number of water main breaks. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience while we work to restore water service as quickly as possible in the following locations:

• 7^th Street East (water trailer available)
• Tait Crescent (water trailer available)
• Witney Avenue South (water trailer available)
• Phillips Crescent
• Appleby Place
• Louise Avenue

The City of Saskatoon’s water trailers are provided in the order of incidents reported.  Water trailers are currently located on the first 3 streets listed above, and the forth trailer is in transit. 

We make every effort to make a water trailer available within 8 hours of the water being shut off.  However, with the number of water main breaks we are currently experiencing, affected areas may anticipate this time to extend to approximately 12 hours.

We have brought in all available staff to repair the water main breaks as quickly as possible.

Due to the cold extreme weather conditions, the city is experiencing a significant number of water main breaks. City crews were able to restore water to some locations earlier today.  

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience while we work to restore water service as quickly as possible in the following locations:

• 7^th Street East (water trailer available)
• Tait Crescent (water trailer available)
• Phillips Crescent (water trailer available)
• Louise Avenue (water trailer available on corner of Main Street)

The City of Saskatoon’s water trailers are provided in the order of incidents reported. 

We make every effort to make a water trailer available within 8 hours of the water being shut off.  However, with the number of water main breaks we are currently experiencing, affected areas may have experienced a longer wait..  

We have brought in all available staff to repair the water main breaks as quickly as possible and additional crews will be working Monday, February 24.              

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-

The City is proposing a city-wide multi-unit residential recycling program, which if approved by Council will start in late 2014.

A report submitted to the February 24, 2014 Public Executive Committee meeting includes a recommendation for a cost of $2.50 per unit per month for the proposed city-wide multi-unit recycling program.  Results from recent public consultations and the independent review of the Cosmopolitan Industries business plan for the program are also included in the report. 

“We heard loud and clear from our stakeholders that we needed to keep the cost as low as possible, and we managed to determine a funding structure that would allow us to do just that,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of the Transportation & Utilities Division. “We believe this rate structure is reasonable and reflects the market value of the service to be provided.”

Between September 30 and October 18, 2013, the City received feedback from 192 stakeholders. And while price was a concern for many, very few were opposed to the overall concept of a recycling requirement for multi-unit residential buildings.

“We recognize that there is no single solution for recycling in multi-unit properties and to achieve success towards the City’s recycling goals, the program will require a high degree of customization,” says Jorgenson.  “But our focus has always been on providing a service that is convenient for residents by allowing that all recyclable materials can be placed in the same cart.”

The City chose to pursue the contract with Cosmopolitan Industries in an effort to allow the organization to continue to provide meaningful employment and vocational opportunities for participants in their programs.

If Executive Committee accepts the report, it will be presented to City Council at its meeting on March 3, 2014 for final approval. 

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or our City Blog. Click on the links at www.saskatoon.ca.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, the Idylwyld Drive northbound curb lane will be closed between 71st Street and the point where Highway 11 and 12 divides.

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted later that same morning, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.   

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

On Wednesday, February 19 starting at 9:00 a.m., traffic on 22nd Street eastbound between Avenues J and K will be closed in the eastbound curb lane. The lane closure is required for emergency water main repairs.

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted later that same afternoon, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.   

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, a portion of the 8th Street westbound curb lane between Acadia Drive and Circle Drive will be closed while contractor crews work adjacent to the road. 

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted later that same afternoon, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.   

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

In honour of Family Day, the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation & Sport Division is pleased to launch Family Fun Packs, a limited time promotion, designed especially for families!

Family Fun Packs provide unbeatable savings on admissions to the City’s most popular family attractions, including:

• three family passes to any indoor Leisure Centre;
• two family passes to a public skating session; 
• one family pass to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo; and
• three family passes to any outdoor pool.

Starting Monday, February 17, Family Fun Packs will be available for sale at any of the six indoor Leisure Centres for the discounted price of $100 plus GST ($137 value).  Don’t miss out!  Family Fun Packs are only available until March 16, 2014, while supplies last.

Families can also take advantage of Recreation & Sport’s great year-round admission options and save money by purchasing Family Bulk Tickets, Family LeisureCards, or the new 2-Week Family Trial Passes. 

Visit Drop-in Online 24/7 at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline for up-to-date facility schedules and BONUS swim, gym, and skate times during February Break.
 
For more information on Family Fun Packs and more, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/leisure.

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.