News Releases

Registration for Winter programs begins Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. by logging into to your account on leisureonline.saskatoon.ca, or by calling 306-975-2800.

At the time the Winter guide was sent to print, some programs were still in the process of being reviewed and finalized due to current COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Please visit the websites noted throughout the Guide for the most up-to-date details on programs and services. Information on registered programs including Red Cross Swim lessons, have been posted in advance of registration on leisureonline.saskatoon.ca.

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 thousands 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.
• 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 if your preferred location isn't available.
• Ensure your major web browser (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome) is up-to-date.

The Winter 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 November 19. 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.

Sections of Saskatoon streets are icy this morning after heavy wet snow followed by freezing temperatures. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to use caution on the streets and sidewalks. Morning commuters may want to leave early.

City crews and sanders were out all night applying de-icing materials on Circle Drive, freeways and high traffic intersections.

18 sanders will be spreading de-icing materials today, focusing on the highest traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections.  Please watch for their blue and amber flashing lights and leave room for road equipment to do their work.  

Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.   

Saskatoon City Council last night concluded its budget review and discussions to approve the 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget. The City thanks all residents, organizations and business owners in Saskatoon who wrote in or spoke to City Council this week or in the weeks leading up to budget review.

Council approved property tax increases of 3.86% and 3.53% for 2022 and 2023, respectively. In general terms, a homeowner with a single-family detached home with an average assessed value of $344,000 would have a municipal property tax increase of $6.17 per month or $74.04 per year in 2022, and $5.87 per month or $70.43 per year in 2023. 

“This was one of the toughest budgets we have faced given the pressures of COVID and some of the issues we need to tackle to ensure the well-being of our residents today and into the future," said Mayor Clark. "This budget keeps our tax rate lower than the average over the last ten years while making key investments to support our recovery and ensure we will be a competitive and resilient city in a changing world. We are proud to still have one of the most competitive commercial property tax levies as reinforced by C.D. Howe last year.”

Notable Capital Investments Include: 

• $33.9 million in 2022 and $24.7 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 
• $41.2 million in 2022 and $52.0 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Water Treatment Plant. 
• $32.0 million in 2022 and $33.0 million in 2023 for paved roadway and sidewalk preservation. 
• $10.5 million in 2022 and $46.3 million in 2023 for the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system (contingent on ICIP Government Funding). 
• $2.64 million in 2022 for Transit and Access Transit Bus Replacement. 

Other operating and capital investment decisions over 2022 and 2023 support our growing and increasingly diverse city and include such items as:   

• new transit service to North Kensington and Aspen Ridge,  
• continued maintenance of roadways and pathways including snow grading on freeways and priority streets, 
• the maintenance of the City’s growing network of parks and open green spaces including pathways, and berms, 
• public engagement enhancement,  
• Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programs and initiatives – including the Office of the Representative of the Matriarchs and IWG2S Women’s Centre,   
• graffiti management,  
• an increase to the urban forestry and pest management capital reserve,  
• climate adaptation and green infrastructure advancement, and 
• recreation and sport facilities grants. 

“City Council adjusted and debated to arrive at a budget that continues to support the key civic services citizens expect, and balances addressing strategic priorities for the City,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager.

“The Administration will now work hard to execute the direction of City Council and deliver the quality services and programs to the public we proudly serve,” Jorgenson adds. “There are ambitious cost-saving and service improvement expectations included in this budget, and we will do everything in our power to meet or exceed those expectations as our community recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-year budget takes us forward having set a new standard for transparency.”

Weighing decisions against the vision of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the finalized 2022 and 2023 budgets support continued financial recovery for the City, promote growth for the community, and maintain quality of life and the needed momentum to keep the City moving forward sustainably.

Investing in Public Safety and Protection

City Council approved the Saskatoon Police Service budget which included resources to address the growth of the City and increase in calls for service with the addition of eight new Patrol Constables in 2022 and four Patrol Constables in 2023.

In addition, six positions were approved for 2022 to address items such as Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests (FOIP), technological crimes, Audio Video (AV) disclosures, investigations and major crimes were also included in the approved budget. The 2023 budget also includes four additional positions to address FOIP, AV disclosures, and investigations.

For the Saskatoon Fire Department, City Council invested $2.3 million in Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to enhance its Communications Centre. Council made further investments to replace major apparatus within the fleet, equipment, small vehicles, and uniform purchases, with $4.4 million over 2022 and 2023. Additional positions for firefighters were approved to support better response times for Saskatoon’s growing neighbourhoods, and for Fire Bylaw Inspectors as a proactive approach to property maintenance inspections. 

COVID-19 IMPACT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic generates a high degree of uncertainty for fiscal planning. The City is estimating that the COVID-19 impact will be $13.85 million in 2022 and $10.02 million in 2023. These impacts are offset by one-time reallocated funding and do not affect the approved municipal property tax increases. 

Utility fees in 2022 and 2023 for water and wastewater usage include an overall average increase of 2.5% and 3.4% respectively, resulting in an additional $3.25 per month in 2022 and $4.63 per month in 2023 for the average homeowner.

Indoor Leisure Centre admission rates will increase by 2% in 2022 and 2023.  As an example, adult General Admission will increase from $9.80 to $10.00 in 2022 and $10.25 in 2023. The adult Monthly LeisureCard will increase from $50.00 to $51.00 in 2022 and $52.00 in 2023. 

In 2022, City Council will have the flexibility to make any necessary budgetary corrections for events or circumstances requiring funding or resource adjustments.

The City’s second Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget for 2022 and 2023 supports the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s vision, and investments in the priorities and services that matter most to citizens, ensuring Saskatoon continues to be a great place to live, work, learn and play.

The finalized 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget document will be made available on saskatoon.ca/budget as soon as it is available.

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

NEW

AVE C N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST W TO 46TH ST W
(Catch basin lead repair)
Start: December 3, 7:00 a.m. End: December 3, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO DIEFENBAKER PARK RD
(Construction)
Start: November 29, 7:00 a.m. End: December 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.

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

NEW

22ND ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 5TH AVE N TO 4TH AVE N
(Crane lift)
Start: December 2, 6:00 a.m. End: December 2, 6:00 p.m.

RUTH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM VICTORIA AVE TO EASTLAKE AVE
(Connection replacements)
Start: December 2, 7:00 a.m. End: December 2, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO DIEFENBAKER PARK RD
(Construction)
Start: November 29, 7:00 a.m. End: December 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.

*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 roads on this date.

ONGOING

RUTH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MELROSE AVE TO VICTORIA AVE
(Service connection repair)
Start: November 29, 7:00 a.m. End: December 1, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO DIEFENBAKER PARK RD
(Construction)
Start: November 29, 7:00 a.m. End: December 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.