News Releases

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the City is announcing the 2022 recipients of a Living in Harmony award. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination in our community. They are presented annually in March, which the City of Saskatoon has proclaimed Race Relations Month since 1990.

The 2022 recipients are as follows:

• Best Elementary Submission: Geordie Laliberte, Travis Bird and Brooklyn Dreger from the Grade 7/8 class at Pleasant Hill School
• Best Video Submission: The Young Indigenous Women's Utopia Girls Group, St. Marguerite School
• Outstanding Classroom Participation: Christine Loewen from the Grade 7/8 class at Greystone School
• Best Overall Poster: Steven Qui of Greystone School
• Community Impact Award: Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc. (TAYFFI) and Helen Smith-McIntyre

In order to keep everyone safe, a 2022 Living in Harmony Award Video was created in lieu of an in-person awards presentation. The video names this year’s award winners and includes remarks from Mayor Charlie Clark and Chair of the City's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Namarta Kochar.

Any Saskatoon resident or organization that is contributing to the elimination of racism in Saskatoon is eligible for nomination. Saskatoon schools were invited to have their students send in submissions in any expressive form (photos, art, written, video).

The Living in Harmony Awards are part of the City’s commitment to foster an inclusive community where ethnocultural diversity is welcomed and valued, and where everyone can live with dignity and pursue their full potential without facing racism or discrimination. The winners are selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Read more at saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE EB & WB LANES RESTRICTED & SPEED REDUCED
(Decoration removal)
Start: March 22, 9:30 a.m. End: March 22 1:00 p.m.

20TH ST W EB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM AVE B S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Connection repairs)
Start: March 22, 9:00 a.m. End: March 22, 1:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E SB LANES CLOSED FROM WINDSOR ST TO OXFORD ST
(Grader hit repair)
Start: March 22, 9:30 a.m. End: March 22, 12:30 p.m.

ONGOING

1ST AVE N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: March 21, 7:00 a.m. End: March 22, 5:30 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.

Canada Water Week (March 21-27, 2022) is a national celebration of water that is held annually to coincide with World Water Day on March 22.

“Saskatoon has a lot to celebrate and be proud of when it comes to our water,” says Pam Hamoline, Interim Director of Saskatoon Water. “Not only does our city have one of the highest quality water supplies in North America, but right now we have several projects in motion to ensure we continue to deliver a high quality and safe drinking water product.”

During Canada Water Week, the City is featuring some of those initiatives in a social media campaign, like the new McOrmond Drive Reservoir and Pump Station, Transfer Pumping and Electrical Upgrades project and Spadina Lift Station project, while also educating about our water source and how it gets into and out of our homes.

“Every day, we turn on our taps and flush our toilets without always thinking about where the water is coming from, how it reaches our homes and what happens to it when we’re done with it.”

The theme for World Water Day on Tuesday, March 22 is Groundwater. While Saskatoon’s drinking water is sourced from the South Saskatchewan River, Hamoline says protecting this important underground water resource is vital.

“What we as residents do above ground, matters underground. For example, we should be mindful of what we put on our lawns and gardens and what may be draining down the city’s storm sewers.”

Keep an eye on the City of Saskatoon’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this week to learn more about Saskatoon’s water system, our groundwater resource, and some of the big water and waste water projects underway.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

1ST AVE N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: March 21, 7:00 a.m. End: March 22, 5:30 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR EB MEDIAN LANE & WB LEFT TURN BAY CLOSED AT CENTENNIAL DR
(Manhole repair)
Start: March 21, 9:30 a.m. End: March 21, 12:30 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

TAYLOR ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Tree trimming)
Start: March 19, 7:30 a.m. End: March 19, 6:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM DUKE ST TO DUCHESS ST
(Cable installation)
Start: March 19, 8:00 a.m. End: March 19, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO VALLEY RD
(Sasktel installs)
Start: March 19, 8:00 a.m. End: March 20, 6:30 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Registration for Spring/Summer programs begins Sunday, March 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. by logging into to your account on leisureonline.saskatoon.ca, or by calling 306-975-2800.

Registered programs are very popular and fill up fast. Many people will be registering Sunday evening, and the City sincerely thanks residents for their patience. While additional online and telephone resources are in place to make the process run as smoothly as possible, there will be hundreds of people registering at once.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Ensure you have an active Leisure Online registration account and know your username and password.  If you require assistance with your account, please call any Leisure Centre prior to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.
• Have a list of second and third program choices in case you do not get into your first choice.
• Join the wait list! Every full program has an online wait list and new classes may be created if there is enough demand.
• Consider other nearby Leisure Centres and outdoor pools if your preferred location isn't available.
• Ensure your major web browser (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox,) is up-to-date.
• Once you reach the payment page, do not return to the previous page or click on the “submit payment” button more than once.  These actions could result in duplicate payments.  If you need to change your selection, close your browser and start a new transaction.

The Spring/Summer Leisure Guide, which is Saskatoon’s go-to source for fitness programs, recreational activities and arts and culture opportunities for all ages and abilities, was released on March 4. It is available online at saskatoon.ca/leisureguide or for pick up at any City leisure facility, Saskatoon library or over 120 retail locations throughout Saskatoon and limited surrounding areas that the StarPhoenix is sold.

Know before you go! The following COVID-19 protocols continue to be in place to ensure the safety of staff and participants:  

• Modifications to Red Cross swim lessons will remain in place for the spring season (lessons beginning in April). This means water safety instructors will deliver swim lessons from the pool deck and Red Cross Swim Preschool and Swim Kids 1-4 programs will require a parent/guardian in the water for the full duration of the class to assist with swimmers.  A maximum of 2 children in the same class can be with one parent/guardian. Deep water activities for these levels will be changed to chest deep water (where applicable) to accommodate parents/guardians who may not have swimming abilities.
   
• For the summer season (lessons beginning July), parents/guardians will no longer be required to participate in Red Cross preschool programs for children ages 3 and up and Red Cross Swim Kids levels 1-4.
   
• Current City Council direction requires face masks be worn in civic facilities with the following exceptions.
  • Patrons that are 18 and older utilizing weight rooms, fitness classes, courts and the walking tracks are permitted to remove their masks.
  • Youth athletes under the age of 18 are exempt from wearing a mask while they are participating in sports for the duration of the sport only. 
  • All patrons must remove their mask while in the water.  

Updates to the COVID-19 protocols at Leisure Centres will be posted on saskatoon.ca/leisurecentres.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/leisureguide.