News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Bridge and overpass washing underway
June 9, 2023 - 11:00am
Following street sweeping on major roads, City crews move on to pressure washing seven bridges, 47 overpasses and 21 pedestrian crossings. Structure washing occurs weekly overnight Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. until the middle of July, barring any unforeseen circumstances and weather permitting.
Please watch for and obey lane restrictions and signs to safely move past workers and their equipment.
Annual washing and sealing remove the road dirt and salt that collects along the sides throughout the year, to prevent corrosion and deterioration, extending the life of the structure.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
Extreme Heat Emergency Response Plan: Level II activated
June 9, 2023 - 10:30am
- Ensuring your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink
- Monitoring your pet for signs of heat stress such as rapid panting
- Never leaving pets in parked cars for any amount of time
- Offering your pet a means to cool down such as a wading pool or damp towel
- Drink extra water
- Increase breaks out of the sun
- Modify work duties to prevent heat illness
In anticipation of higher than normal temperatures this weekend, the Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization (EMO) will activate the Saskatoon Extreme Heat Emergency Response Plan from Sunday, June 11 to Wednesday, June 14 to support residents in Saskatoon, especially those vulnerable to the heat.
The Saskatoon Extreme Heat Emergency Response Plan is a coordinated response that provides residents with access to cooling locations, outreach services, wellness checks and water distribution during extreme heat. Individuals and families experiencing distress from the heat can visit any of the designated cool-down locations throughout the city. Partner organizations will also distribute water to vulnerable residents and have access to misting tents to provide another way to cool down.
Extreme heat can cause serious negative health impacts ranging from dehydration and heat exhaustion to heat stroke and potentially death. Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for individuals who live in a residence without air conditioning or a way to cool the home, are older adults, and who also have pre-existing health conditions. Residents can help those most vulnerable to this extreme and prolonged heat by checking on family, friends and neighbours, sharing the cool-down locations poster and by alerting emergency services if they see someone in distress due to the extreme heat.
In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Other things to consider during days of extreme heat:
River Safety
Although the South Saskatchewan River may provide a tempting option to cool down on hot days, EMO reminds residents that the river is unpredictable and swimming in the river is prohibited. The river has many hazards including changing currents and an unstable bottom.
Pet Wellness
On warm summer days, it’s important to keep your pets safe and comfortable. Considerations include:
For more information on how to keep your pet safe this summer, contact your local veterinarian.
Working Safe
As the humidex rises, those who work outdoors are encouraged to take necessary actions including:
For safety tips and guidelines for employees working in hot conditions, visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s Working Outdoors page.
Saskatoon Transit Safe Bus Program
As always, Saskatoon Transit offers the Safe Bus Program designed to assist anyone, of any age, that needs immediate shelter or needs to contact emergency services. If you need help, safely flag down a bus or go to a parked bus. Transit operators can contact emergency services directly through the on-bus radio system and will give the person in need a safe place to wait.
Smart Yard and Garden Watering
During heat waves, there is increased water usage. The City encourages residents to be water wise by watering your lawn and trees early in the morning and skip windy days to minimize evaporation. Smart watering helps the environment and can save you money during hot summer months. Follow these quick lawn care tips to be more efficient with your water and learn more ways to be water wise.
For more information about the Saskatoon Extreme Heat Emergency Response plan and how to stay safe during extreme heat, visit saskatoon.ca/heat.
Avenue C closed between 32nd and 33rd streets on Saturday
June 9, 2023 - 10:00am
Avenue C will be closed between 32nd and 33rd streets on Saturday, June 10, at 8:00 a.m. for a vintage market event. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the event zone. This event is expected to take 10 hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
33rd Street exit ramp to Circle Drive southbound closed on Sunday
June 9, 2023 - 9:00am
The 33rd Street exit ramp to Circle Drive southbound will be closed on Sunday, June 11, at 7:00 a.m. for streetlight pole replacement work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take five hours to complete, barring unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
22nd Street eastbound exit ramp to Circle Drive northbound closed on Sunday
June 9, 2023 - 8:00am
The 22nd Street eastbound exit ramp to Circle Drive northbound will be closed on Sunday, June 11, at 6:00 a.m. for streetlight pole replacement work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take five hours to complete, barring unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
22nd Street closed between 4th and 5th avenues on Monday
June 9, 2023 - 7:00am
22nd Street will be closed between 4th and 5th avenues on Monday, June 12, at 9:30 a.m. for decorative crosswalk painting work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take seven hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Daily Road Report - June 9, 2023
June 8, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
No new projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets on this date.
NIGHTWORK
IDYLWYLD DR N NB & SB MEDIAN & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Durable pavement markings)
Start: June 9, 7:00 p.m. End: June 10, 5:00 a.m.
WANUSKEWIN RD SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM WHEELER PL TO 51ST ST E
(Durable pavement markings)
Start: June 8, 7:00 p.m. End: June 9, 5:00 a.m.
ONGOING
CUMBERLAND AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 8TH ST E
(Road rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the NB lanes
Start: June 8, 10:00 a.m. End: June 10, 4:30 p.m.
PRESTON AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 14TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Roadway paving)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the NB lanes
Start: May 29, 10:00 a.m. End: June 16, 5:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED AT HORNER CRES
(Building construction)
Start: June 5, 7:00 a.m. End: June 17, 5:00 p.m.
CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM ISABELLA ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Service connection replacements)
Start: June 5, 7:00 a.m. End: June 19, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT STENSRUD RD
(Pavement & curb work)
Start: May 15, 7:00 a.m. End: June 23, 4:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM COLONY ST TO AIRD ST
(Water main work)
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: June 23, 7:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E WB LANES CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WARMAN RD
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained across Circle Drive North Bridge. Max Load width is 4.5m
Start: February 28, 6:00 a.m. End: June 24, 7:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM TEMPERANCE ST TO UNIVERSITY DR
(Construction)
Start: May 1, 7:00 a.m. End: June 25, 5:00 p.m.
RUTH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM EASTLAKE AVE TO BROADWAY AVE
(Storm sewer installation)
Start: May 23, 7:00 a.m. End: July 3, 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.
Small Mammal House set to open Saturday, June 10
June 8, 2023 - 10:30am
The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is set to open the new Small Mammal House following interior and exterior renovations to the former Children’s Zoo building. The newly renovated facility will be home to some familiar faces including a mob of meerkats, African crested porcupines and the Goeldi’s monkeys.
“We are so excited to share this new space with our guests,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “The renovations allowed us to create a new habitat for our meerkats and African crested porcupines, as well as some fantastic exhibits for new species including naked mole rats and sugar gliders.”
Renovations to the exterior of the building started last September and included a complete overhaul of the building envelope. Inside, three new exhibits have been added to the second floor, along with a larger habitat for the meerkats and African crested porcupines on the main floor and better spaces for the zookeepers to continue critical conservation work with animals involved in Species Survival Plan programs like the Goeldi’s monkeys.
The total project cost is approximately $850,000 with a significant contribution from the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation ($250,000) and the remainder from the Civic Buildings Comprehensive Maintenance, a reserve set aside for the ongoing maintenance and upgrades of City facilities.
“We would like to thank the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation for its continued partnership and support in raising funds for capital improvements for the Zoo including $250,000 dedicated to the Small Mammal House,” says Mitchell.
The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your next visit or learn more about the Zoo Season Pass.
2024/2025 Budget Status Update: The first step in the City’s Budget Process
June 7, 2023 - 2:45pm
Pressures of inflation, lower than expected revenues that have not recovered post-pandemic, and service requirements for a growing city, have all contributed to an unprecedented revenue gap in 2024 and 2025. “The City of Saskatoon is not immune to the ongoing financial pressures that our business community and residents are facing,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.
“We recognize that significant adjustments will be required to reduce the revenue gap not only for 2024 and 2025, but over the next number of years to address ongoing inflation and the lingering impacts the pandemic have had on the City.”
“While identifying the funding required to maintain ‘business as usual' service levels is an important first step to understanding the pressures facing the City, we know there are going to be challenging decisions to make over the months ahead to drive the funding gap and property tax impact down.”
Hack again stresses the Administration is not recommending any budget or property tax rate at this point; the 2024/2025 Budget Status Update information report provides the foundation for discussions over the next several months with City Council regarding options. While higher than anyone would want, Hack says the figures represent the fully transparent view of the financial pressures facing the City’s 2024/2025 budget, summarized in the table below:
2024 Funding Gap (in millions) | 2025 Funding Gap (in millions) | |
Inflation | $30.5 | $15.0 |
Base Budget Adjustments | $18.4 | $2.4 |
Growth | $10.9 | $5.8 |
Black Cart - Utility Program | ($7.4) | - |
Total | $52.4 | $23.2 |
Inflation
The inflationary pressures are daunting: for example, at times, the City is experiencing
30 per cent increases in contracts to maintain the roadway treatment cycle; Saskatoon Light & Power has experienced an increase of 33 per cent in material prices, and the Saskatoon Fire Department has had fire engine costs increase from $900,000 to $1.5 million for a new apparatus unit – a 60 per cent increase.
Growth
In terms of growth, the City requires resources to address the needs of a growing city. Examples of some of the growth pressures facing 2024 and 2025 include the opening of operations at Recovery Park; extending Saskatoon Transit services for Aspen Ridge, Evergreen and North Kensington; the future East Leisure Centre expected to open in 2029; the future Fire Station expected to open in 2026; future Emergency Snow Event responses; and for phase-ins to fund the Bus Rapid Transit.
Base Budget Adjustments
Base budget assumptions are typically for expenses or revenue budgets that have become misaligned with actuals over time. The misalignment could be due to several reasons including over-estimation of revenues or incorrect prior-year assumptions.
The most significant base budget impact in 2024 relates to a key budget management strategy throughout the pandemic which was to use one-time funding to offset operating revenue decreases and to assist with additional COVID-related expenditures, to minimize property tax increases. The strategy envisioned that revenues would return to pre-pandemic levels by
2024 and one-time funding would no longer be needed.
Unfortunately, operating revenues have not returned to pre-pandemic levels and the
$10.0 million in one-time funding that was included in the 2023 budget has been fully utilized, creating a gap in the 2024 budget.
If the revenue gap is left unmitigated, the City would be faced with an 18.56 per cent property tax impact for 2024, and 6.95 per cent for 2025. The City will work hard to put forward strategies and options to help minimize future property tax increases. City Council will be provided with meaningful options over several planned Special Budget Meetings that could significantly lower the 2024 property tax and return the property tax rate in 2025 to be more in line with historical trends
“The City is not alone. Inflation and post-pandemic effects continue to impact municipalities across Canada also challenged with finding solutions to combat mounting budget pressures,” Hack says. “We’re not happy where the figures are at, and we will work to provide viable options for City Council over the months ahead to lower the revenue gap and associated property tax increases for 2024/2025.”
The additional Special Budget Meetings are planned over the next months in the lead-up to City Council finalizing its 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget in November this year.
The 2024/2025 Budget Status Update information report will be considered by the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) on Wednesday, June 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Visit saskatoon.ca/budget
Daily Road Report - June 8, 2023
June 7, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
33RD ST W NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ELK POINT RD TO KENSINGTON BLVD
(Construction)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: June 8, 5:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 8TH ST E
(Pole base repair)
Start: June 8, 9:00 a.m. End: June 8, 1:00 p.m.
CUMBERLAND AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 8TH ST E
(Road rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the NB lanes
Start: June 8, 10:00 a.m. End: June 10, 4:30 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 8TH ST E
(Pole base repair)
Start: June 8, 1:00 p.m. End: June 8, 3:00 p.m.
NIGHTWORK
WANUSKEWIN RD SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM WHEELER PL TO 51ST ST E
(Line painting)
Start: June 8, 7:00 p.m. End: June 9, 5:00 a.m.
HIGHWAY 16 WB FROM ZIMMERMAN RD TO CIRCLE DR E
(Ministry of Highways Paving)
Access to Boychuk Dr will be maintained
Start: May 13, 7:00 p.m. End: June 14, 7:00 a.m.
HIGHWAY 16 EB FROM CIRCLE DR E TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Ministry of Highways Paving)
Access to Boychuk Dr will be maintained
Start: May 13, 7:00 p.m. End: June 14, 7:00 a.m.
ONGOING
2ND AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Roadway paving)
Start: June 5, 7:00 a.m. End: June 8, 5:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E WB LANES CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WARMAN RD
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained across Circle Drive North Bridge. Max Load width is 4.5m
Start: February 28, 6:00 a.m. End: June 24, 7:00 p.m.
PRESTON AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 14TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Roadway paving)
Two-way traffic maintained in the NB lanes
Start: May 29, 10:00 a.m. End: June 16, 5:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED AT HORNER CRES
(Building construction)
Start: June 5, 7:00 a.m. End: June 17, 5:00 p.m.
CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM ISABELLA ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Service connection replacements)
Start: June 5, 7:00 a.m. End: June 19, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT STENSRUD RD
(Pavement & curb work)
Start: May 15, 7:00 a.m. End: June 23, 4:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM COLONY ST TO AIRD ST
(Water main work)
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: June 23, 7:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM TEMPERANCE ST TO UNIVERSITY DR
(Construction)
Start: May 1, 7:00 a.m. End: June 25, 5:00 p.m..
RUTH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM EASTLAKE AVE TO BROADWAY AVE
(Storm sewer installation)
Start: May 23, 7:00 a.m. End: July 3, 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.