News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Green cart processing facility finalized as part of contingency plan
April 27, 2023 - 11:45am
- Following a public procurement, the City awarded a contract to GPE in September 2020 to provide organics processing services to support the City’s Curbside Organics Program.
- Under the terms of the contract, GPE must be ready to receive materials on May 1, 2023.
- It is the City Administration’s understanding that GPE believed its property - where it planned to process the organic waste - was already within the approved RM zoning because GPE already operates a landfill for solid waste and has for the past nine years at that location south of Saskatoon in the RM of Corman Park.
- The green cart project and contract were progressing for the May 1 start date and it was not until GPE applied to the RM for a routine building permit for its permanent facility (a coverall building) earlier this year that the question of discretionary use arose. The RM administration recommended allowing the discretionary use.
- With the RM Council’s decision to deny GPE’s discretionary use application, the City has an agreement with Loraas to accept and process organics materials on an interim basis starting on Monday while discussions progress with GPE on an alternate plan to fulfill their requirements under the contract.
- With the materials going to Loraas, there is no change to the type of materials that will be accepted and therefore, this plan is still in alignment to meet the City’s waste diversion targets.
- Residents should know that any extra cost of the interim contingency plan will be carried by GPE and not the City.
- The City continues to prepare for the launch of the program next week and collections will not be affected by this RM Council decision.
- All eligible households will have their green carts by the end of this week.
While a verbal agreement had been in place for several weeks, Loraas has finalized an agreement to accept organic waste materials at its facility north of Saskatoon in the RM of Corman Park. This latest move is part of the contingency plan that was pre-set in the green cart contract the City has with Green Prairie Environmental (GPE).
Activating the pre-set contingency plan became necessary following the April 24 RM Council decision to deny the discretionary use application for GPE’s property in Corman Park where it already operates a landfill.
“The City has now finalized the contingency plan for green cart processing. Organics materials will be hauled to Loraas for processing on an interim basis as we continue to work with GPE to confirm alternate plans to fulfill their requirements under the contract,” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities & Environment. “Residents should know that any extra cost of the contingency plan will be carried by GPE and not the City. Green cart collections will begin Monday as planned.”
Facts about the green cart processing contract:
City-wide green cart collection will begin next Monday, May 1 for every household that has rollout garbage and recycling carts. Green cart collection will alternate biweekly with black cart collection, so be sure to check your collection calendar. You can check your collection dates, print your calendar or set collection reminders by visiting saskatoon.ca/greencart or downloading the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.
If you are an eligible household and have not received your green cart or kitchen pail, please contact Corporate Revenue at 306-975-2400. For more information about green carts, please visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.
22nd Street closed between 3rd and 4th avenues starting Monday
April 28, 2023 - 8:00am
22nd Street will be closed between 3rd and 4th avenues starting Monday, May 1, at 7:00 a.m. for infrastructure upgrade work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take 25 days 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.
Circle Drive exit ramp to Idylwyld Drive northbound closed on Sunday
April 28, 2023 - 7:00am
The Circle Drive exit ramp to Idylwyld Drive northbound will be closed on Sunday, April 30 at 6:00 a.m. for street light pole replacement work. The Idylwyld Drive northbound ramp to Circle Drive westbound will also be closed; eastbound access will remain open during this project. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take four 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.
33rd Street closed between Avenue K and Valens Drive on Saturday
April 28, 2023 - 6:00am
33rd Street will be closed between Avenue K and Valens Drive on Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 a.m. for catch basin repair work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this project. This work is expected to take one day to complete, barring any 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.
Daily Road Report - April 28, 2023
April 27, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
2ND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Vault roof replacement)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: April 28, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB & WB CLOSED FROM AVE J N TO AVE K N
(Catch basin work)
Start: April 28, 9:00 a.m. End: April 28, 5:00 p.m.
ONGOING
LORNE AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM EXHIBITION GROUNDS RD TO JASPER AVE
(Water service)
Start: April 25, 7:00 a.m. End: April 28, 6:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED AT HORNER CRES
(Building construction)
Start: April 17, 7:00 a.m. End: May 5, 5:00 p.m.
AVE H S ROAD CLOSED FROM 16TH ST W TO 13TH ST W
(Water main replacement)
Start: April 24, 7:00 a.m. End: May 7, 7:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E WB LANES CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WARMAN RD
(Bridge Rehab)
Two-way traffic will be maintained across the bridge. Max Load width is 4.5m
Start: February 28, 6:00 a.m. End: June 10, 7:00 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.
33rd Street closed between Avenue K and Avenue J on Friday
April 27, 2023 - 9:45am
33rd Street will be closed between Avenue K and Avenue J on Friday, April 28, at 9:00 a.m. for catch basin replacement work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this project. This work is expected to take one day to complete, barring any 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.
First phase of engagement for Downtown Event & Entertainment District designs to begin
April 27, 2023 - 9:00am
- An opt-in online public survey - Saskatoon residents, as well as those from other communities, can self-select to participate;
- Pop-up “storefronts” at malls and other convenient locations where the community is invited to stop by at their own convenience, see information, talk to City staff and provide feedback through worksheets or the online survey; and
- Many community-led workshops.
The City of Saskatoon is starting the exciting first phase of engagement for the Downtown Event & Entertainment District and we want to hear your ideas!
“The public is invited to come on the journey with us to create a thriving Downtown, built around great public gathering spaces and amenities,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.
In November 2018, City Council directed the Administration to plan for a Downtown event centre/arena and new or expanded convention centre as part of a Downtown Event & Entertainment District. Following public consultation in November 2022, City Council approved the purchase of the Midtown Shopping Centre North Parking Lot as the site for the future Downtown event centre/arena.
City staff are working on a comprehensive District Plan that will establish the Downtown as a hub for entertainment and culture, with vibrant spaces that are welcoming for everyone and attractive for new residential development. The District Plan will also guide the designs for the surrounding streets, parks and other public spaces to be accessible to all residents and visitors. Stantec, HOK and LMN have been hired to create conceptual designs for the new event centre/arena and convention centre, as well as the surrounding outdoor spaces.
The City is now seeking public input on things we should incorporate into the design of the District, new event centre/arena, and new or expanded convention centre and outdoor public space, so they are welcoming, inviting and accessible to all who visit or live in Saskatoon.
“What we hear from the community, along with research and funding considerations, will be considered in the development of the District Plan and conceptual designs for the Downtown event centre/arena and convention centre,” says Willems.
Engagement Opportunities
From April 27 to May 18 the public is invited to share their thoughts in the following ways:
A full listing of engagement opportunities is available on saskatoon.ca/engage.
Next Steps
Initial designs for the event centre/arena, convention centre and outdoor gathering spaces will be developed using community feedback, technical research and early budgeting.
The initial ideas, feedback and an early funding strategy will then be presented to City Council’s Governance & Priorities Committee in July 2023.
“After direction from Council, the City will be coming back to the public in the summer and late fall-early winter to get further thoughts and feedback,” Willems explains. “Final draft designs will be presented to City Council for decision and this is expected by the end of 2023.”
A timeline of the decision-making process and next steps for the public to get involved is available here.
Details including the complete background on the Downtown Event & Entertainment District, timelines and decisions are here: saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.
2nd Avenue closed between 21st and 22nd streets on Friday
April 27, 2023 - 7:00am
2nd Avenue will be closed between 20th and 21st streets on Friday, April 28, at 7:00 a.m. for crane work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take 12 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 - April 27, 2023
April 26, 2023 - 3:15pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
LENORE DR EB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO CREE CRES
(Catch basin repair)
Start: April 27, 8:00 a.m. End: April 27, 4:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT STONEBRIDGE BLVD
(Pole replacement)
Start: April 27, 9:00 a.m. End: April 27, 1:00 p.m.
AVE C N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST W TO 45TH ST W
(Streetlight replacement)
Start: April 27, 9:00 a.m. End: April 27, 2:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SB LANES CLOSED FROM 31ST ST E TO 29TH ST E
(Hydrant repairs)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the NB lanes
Start: April 27, 9:00 a.m. End: April 27, 3:00 p.m.
NIGHTWORK
CIRCLE DR W NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO CLANCY DR
(Median sweeping)
Start: April 26, 8:00 p.m. End: April 27, 6:00 a.m.
ONGOING
LORNE AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM EXHIBITION GROUNDS RD TO JASPER AVE
(Water service)
Start: April 25, 7:00 a.m. End: April 28, 6:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED BETWEEN MARLETTE CRES AND ORBAN WAY
(Building construction)
Start: April 17, 7:00 a.m. End: May 5, 5:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E WB LANES CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WARMAN RD
(Bridge Rehab)
Two-way traffic will be maintained across the bridge. Max Load width is 4.5m
Start: February 28, 6:00 a.m. End: June 10, 7:00 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.
Saskatoon Transit signs contract with Nova Bus for first two battery-electric buses
April 26, 2023 - 1:30pm
Saskatoon Transit is taking the first step in electrifying its bus fleet by signing a contract for two Nova LFSe+ electric buses. These will be the first two permanent battery-electric buses in Saskatoon Transit’s fleet and the first in Saskatchewan.
The long-range battery-electric bus can travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge. This will save Saskatoon Transit approximately $44,000 in fuel costs annually per bus and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 tonnes per bus annually once in operation.
"Taking transit is already one of the best ways people can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but through electrification and other actions outlined in the Low Emissions Community Plan, we’re working to further reduce our impact on the climate,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction.
This is a critical step towards achieving climate targets outlined in the City of Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan and Climate Action Plan. Some of these targets include emission reductions of 55,000 tonnes CO2e by 2050, increasing transit trips to 5 per cent of total trips by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2050.
This $2.7 million investment in battery-electric buses was approved by City Council in December 2021. We expect delivery of these new buses in 2024.
“We are very excited that Saskatoon Transit will be experiencing the long-range electric version of the safe and reliable Nova Bus buses,” says Ralph Acs, President of Nova Bus. “Electrifying transit bus fleets is the smartest option for transit authorities to reduce GHG emissions, and we’re glad Saskatoon Transit is leading the way in Saskatchewan by acquiring the province’s first all-electric buses.”
More information
City of Saskatoon Climate Action Plan webpage
For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. Plan your route in advance using Google Transit or the Transit App on your mobile device.