1. Business & Development
  2. Planning
  3. River Landing
  4. A place for celebration

A place for celebration

Riverfront as a Stage

River Landing transforms into a stage for special events, featuring:

  • Two amphitheaters hosting concerts, dance lessons, and weddings.
  • Annual events like the Fireworks Festival, Canada Day, and WinterShines.
  • Streets like Spadina Crescent, Avenues A and B, that can be closed for markets, festivals, and concerts.

Celebrating Heritage and Environmental Interpretation

Indigenous Culture and History:

  • The Founders Statue (installed June 2008): Located at the 3rd Avenue and Spadina Crescent West roundabout, this statue commemorates the pivotal meeting between John Lake and Chief Whitecap, leading to Saskatoon's founding.
  • Land of Berries (installed 2013): A neon light sculpture on Persephone Theatre's exterior, featuring Cree syllabics for "Land of Berries", honoring the Saskatoon berries after which the city is named.
  • Spirit of Alliance (installed September 2014): Located at the Avenue A and Spadina Crescent roundabout, this War of 1812 monument, commissioned by Chief Bear and the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, recognizes the alliance between the British Crown and the Dakota people.

Culture Features and Public Art:

  • River Landing Tree Grates: Award-winning designs (2007 Premier's Award of Excellence) created in partnership with Indigenous Elders. They reflect themes of Home, Stories, Play, and Ceremony.
  • A.L. Cole Power Plant Elements: Features tree grates with power-themed designs and a restored winch with interpretive signage.
  • Cut Out of Time (installed June 2008): An artwork under the Traffic Bridge depicting the river's historical significance, including Saskatoon's SS Medicine Hat marine disaster.
  • Gathercole Arches (installed 2009): Salvaged masonry from the Gathercole building marks the entrance to River Landing.

  • Tibor Place: A small public plaza near Persephone Theatre, constructed using salvaged materials, commemorates the Theatre's long-serving artistic director.

    Interactive and Educational Features:

  • Market Square Storytelling Chairs: Stainless steel chairs featuring vignettes of life at the former Immigration Hall.
  • Egg Money Statue: Located near the Farmer's Market, this popular sculpture depicts pioneer women earning income by selling eggs.
  • Saskatchewan River Basin Water Play Feature: A detailed interactive model of the river basin, highlighting geological, cultural, and historical features, including over 100 hidden treasures like animal tracks and fossils.
  • Hidden Wildlife Sculptures: Metal cut-out shapes of beavers and herons enhance the lagoon area.

Historic Shoreline Feature:

  • Phase II of the riverfront path includes cobblestone outlines of the original shoreline, contrasting the pre- and post-development landscape to showcase the expanded riverfront amenities.