News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Hydrant collision causes flood, washout & water outage: City reminds drivers to obey barricades, avoid flooded streets
July 6, 2022 - 5:20am
City crews will continue to work on an emergency water main break at 60th Street and Millar Avenue, which appears to have been caused by a vehicle colliding with a fire hydrant Tuesday afternoon, July 5, 2022.
“When the hydrant was sheared off, it caused significant flooding at the intersection which undermined the roadway and water pipes,” says Pam Hamoline, Interim Director of Saskatoon Water. “Once we can excavate the road surface and get down to the pipe, we will know more about whether the water main was also damaged from the collision.”
The break and flood, which happened shortly after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, caused a water outage for the Provincial Correctional Centre and several businesses near the intersection. City staff worked quickly to provide an emergency water supply to the Correctional Centre and had water service restored around 8 p.m that night. Currently, those addresses are under a Drinking Water Advisory.
Several vehicles were captured on video shared from passersby on social media driving through the flooded area and one car became stuck in the cratered roadway.
Hamoline also reminds drivers to respect work zones: obey all barricades and do not drive around them. Overnight, another truck ignored barriers and became stuck in the washout crater. Fortunately, there was no spill of fuel or other environmental concerns.
“We can’t stress enough that when people see a roadway flooded out, they should not drive through,” Hamoline says. “There may be, and quite often there are, hazards and unsafe conditions they cannot see – as was the case with this incident. Barriers are there to keep everyone safe – residents and workers -- to avoid injuries, further costly damage to property and City infrastructure.”
As crews continue repair work the intersection will remain closed and a detour will be in place.
More info at Respect Work Zones.
Local artist loans sculpture to City’s public art collection
July 5, 2022 - 2:30pm
- Unfurled at Spadina Crescent and 25th Street; and
- Gentle Rain (on-loan from Remai Modern) in Hyde Park.
The City is pleased to announce that the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee has received a sculpture on temporary loan from Saskatoon artist Douglas Bentham.
“We are always grateful for an opportunity to enhance our public art program,” says Community Development Manager Kevin Kitchen. “Public art transforms public spaces and engage with audiences to promote an appreciation for contemporary art practices.
Titled “Perfect World” the 12m-tall (40 foot) stainless-steel sculpture will be on display near the intersection of Idylwyld Drive and 20th Street East until June 30, 2025.
“The sculpture is a tribute to Mother Nature,” Bentham says. “The subject matter speaks for itself: a gleaming sphere held aloft on a man-made column.”
Bentham is a practitioner of abstract, constructivist sculpture for over forty years.
Other Bentham sculptures on exhibit in Saskatoon include:
To learn more about the City’s public art collection, visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.
Guided train tours return to Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
June 29, 2022 - 10:00am
All aboard! The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is excited to announce the return of guided train tours with the addition of a new electric, trackless train the Kinsmen Express II.
“Visitors have been anxiously awaiting the return of guided train tours at the Zoo,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “We are so thankful to the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation for their continued partnership and contributions that led to the return of this much-loved attraction at the Zoo.”
The Kinsmen Express II is equipped with a ramp and wheelchair accessible car and will provide a fun way to learn more about the many magnificent animals that call the Zoo home. Train tours are FREE with your Zoo admission and will be guided by the Saskatoon Zoo Society from May until Labour Day each year. Tours will run continuously from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, with extended hours on weekends throughout July and August.
Zoo-goers will have their first opportunity to ride the Kinsmen Express II on July 1, 2022. The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your next visit.
New W.W. Ashley Park dry storm pond system exceeded expectations Monday
June 24, 2022 - 6:31am
The new dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District performed exceptionally well when approximately 65 millimetres of rain fell (Aden Bowman Collegiate rain gauge) during the afternoon of Monday, June 20, 2022. The pond, which was completed last fall, was designed to handle a 1-in-10-year rain event but accommodated a storm closer to a 1-in-25-year rain event, preventing water damage to approximately 37 neighbourhood homes that typically experience flooding during intense rainfall.
“Flash flooding, especially in neighbourhoods developed prior to storm water infrastructure standard improvements in 1989, can be devastating which is why we have been working to protect as many people and properties as we can through our Flood Control Strategy,” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities and Environment. “Monday’s rain was an ideal test. We are very impressed as we have not received any reports of flooded homes adjacent to the new pond and the infrastructure handled more water than anticipated. The pond had completely drained by 8 o’clock that evening.”
Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows into storm drains and through pipes into the dry storm pond, then slowly drains into the storm sewer before it drains into the South Saskatchewan River. Whenever dry, it is used as park space. When it fills with storm water, it is deep and dangerous, and residents should stay away.
The W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond will open to the public this fall after the landscaping has fully rooted. Residents are asked to stay out of the enclosed area until then.
Construction on a dry storm pond in Churchill Park is underway right now and will be completed later this year. Plans are in the works for a dry storm pond in Weaver Park in 2023 and more flood mitigation projects will be built between 2024 and 2027.
“Once these flood control projects are completed, we anticipate seeing a substantial decrease in the amount of neighbourhood flooding in the top 10 highest risk areas of the city.” says Gardiner.
On Monday, storm water and debris infiltrated the sewer system and ended up at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. As a result, the city’s lift stations were operating at capacity and there was a minor sewage spill into the South Saskatchewan River.
“This is an extremely rare occurrence. Due to the small volume, the sewage quickly diluted, and downstream lab sampling did not detect any harmful impacts. The spill was reported to the Water Security Agency and there was no risk to the public.”
A report on the City’s June 20, 2022 Rain Event Response will be presented to City Council on Monday, June 27, 2022.
Local students to have art displayed on buses
June 23, 2022 - 12:30pm
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Saskatoon Transit was pleased to unveil two pieces of art on the side of transit buses today. This is the third time a student art contest has been run by Saskatoon Transit and this year the contest was open to Grade 3 and Grade 7 students across the city.
“It is such an exciting opportunity for Saskatoon Transit to partner with the elementary schools on this project. These students should feel very proud and honoured when they see their artwork driving past on the side of a bus this summer,” says Tracey Davis, Acting Director, Saskatoon Transit.
Grade 7 students Nuala, Neha, Radinsa and Marlee from Lakeridge School and Grade 3 students Reem, Ayan and Seth from Ecole Alvin Buckwold put their creativity to the test and were selected as this year’s best of show winners.
The winning pieces were chosen through a collaboration with the Remai Modern. Learning Program Coordinator Wendy Paterson judged the submissions based on how well they reflected the “Active Transportation” theme.
“Submissions clearly indicated students had reflected thoughtfully and imaginatively on the many ways people get around Saskatoon,” says Paterson. “Their collaborative depictions of communities that are themselves collaborative projects, were fittingly brimming with activity and colour, just like this community!”
The winning artwork will be displayed on the side of ten Saskatoon Transit buses traveling across Saskatoon throughout the summer.
“Congratulations to these students for showcasing the benefits of active transportation and exhibiting what it means to be environmentally responsible citizens,” says Superintendent Nicola Bishop-Yong with Saskatoon Public Schools. “Through our ‘Move to Grow’ initiative, our school division encourages students to pursue active transportation and make mindful choices that support their well-being, community, and world. I am proud of all the students who took part in this contest and expressed the importance of being community-minded stewards of the environment.”
“This partnership with the Remai, the Saskatoon Public School Board, and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board helps support and promote art, especially local art, alongside how active transportation plays a critical part of public transit,” concludes Davis.
TRC Calls to Action inspire new piece of Indigenous art
June 22, 2022 - 3:16am
- In front of Aden Bowman Collegiate (1904 Clarence Ave S)
- 12th Street and Broadway Avenue
- E.D. Feehan on the north side of Rusholme Road, west of Avenue M
To coincide with Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day, Saskatoon Transit has unveiled its fourth bus shelter displaying Indigenous artwork. These shelters reaffirm Saskatoon Transit’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #79.
This year’s shelter was created through a collaboration between the Saskatoon Survivors Circle and Indigenous artist, Justine "Tini" Stilborn. Stilborn worked to capture the reflections of the Survivors using visual art. She sought to tell the story of their past including the atrocities of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and those resulting from the child welfare and foster care system. But the artwork is also intended to capture the Survivors’ hopes for the future.
Stilborn created her designs using Procreate and Adobe Illustrator which were then cut out of metal sheets by MetalShapes for installation at 885 Confederation Drive.
“The meetings between the Survivors and Justine were open and emotional conversations about what we wanted to communicate through this piece of art” says Survivor Frank Badger.
“We hope this will become a place and symbol of reconciliation, healing, and unity for all Indigenous people” says Survivor Barb Badger.
The artwork’s storytelling begins on the left panel, with the Sixties Scoop depicting young Indigenous children being taken from their homes and families. This panel was done in red to convey the stereotype of the red skin of Indigenous people and the bloodshed and pain experienced.
The back panels illustrate Indigenous children’s involuntary assimilation to euro-western culture shown by the cutting of their hair. These panels also show Indigenous children being removed from their homes in more contemporary times, bridged by shoes that represent the unmarked graves of residential school children. The hands at the top reflect the broken connection between Indigenous generations and the yearning to reconnect. These panels were done in orange to align with orange shirt day and the Every Child Matters movement.
The right panel is designed to elicit a sense of freedom as Indigenous people return to their cultural practices and reconnect with their ancestors. This panel is yellow to represent hope and joy.
For the first time, art was also added to the ceiling of a bus shelter. “This piece depicts the dawn of a new day where Indigenous persons can celebrate their babies again without the fear of having them taken,” says Stilborn. “There are little faces in the clouds, drawn from the ultrasounds of my two daughters.”
“Saskatoon Transit’s work with the Saskatoon Survivors Circle continues to advance reconciliation in Saskatoon,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “The stories of the Survivors are the truth we must understand that leads us towards meaningful reconciliation. The beautiful work of art by this Indigenous artist is now a visual representation of the Survivors stories. Thank you to the Survivors Circle, to Justine, and to Saskatoon Transit for all being part of our shared journey towards reconciliation.”
“Following the location of unmarked residential school graves, Saskatoon Transit was inspired to reach out to the Saskatoon Survivors Circle,” says Tracey Davis, Acting Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Truth and reconciliation go hand in hand, and this year was our opportunity to help tell those truths through this shelter installation.”
“Art brings people together; it creates conversations, inspires and unifies our communities, and gives hope for the future,” says Melissa Cote, the City’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives. “This project is a perfect example of how art can be healing as well as an opportunity for learning.”
The other three Saskatoon Transit bus shelters displaying Indigenous artwork are located at the following locations:
City celebrates completion of Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester and Heating Upgrades project
June 15, 2022 - 10:00am
- Construction on the fourth digester and Heating and Gas Scrubbing Building began in 2019 and was completed in 2021, ahead of schedule and under budget.
- Digesters are the last stage in the wastewater treatment process. The solids removed during the treatment process are held in an oxygen deprived environment to allow bacteria to form and break the solids down.
- The digesters produce two types of renewable resources; biogas (energy) and biosolids (soil nutrient).
- This expansion includes a new sustainable energy recovery process that will condition biogas to be used as fuel in the boilers while the solid matter is used as nutrient for local crops.
- Construction of a fourth digester tank improves capacity and allows the City to maintain Water Security Agency processing standards when another digester is taken out of service for maintenance purposes.
- Upgrades to boilers were also made to accommodate the additional heat that will be required to run all four digesters.
- Now that construction is complete, residents can no longer see an open flame at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as the flare has been replaced with two enclosed flares.
Today, the City of Saskatoon announced that work is now completed on the Digester and Heating Upgrades project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
The 3-year, $48.2 million project is funded by the Government of Canada ($9.5 million) and Government of Saskatchewan ($9.5 million) through their New Building Canada Fund, with a $29.2 million investment by the City of Saskatoon.
“Investments in modernizing wastewater infrastructure address communities’ needs and help protect the environment. By partnering with Saskatchewan to upgrade Saskatoon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, our Government is supporting the local economy while ensuring residents benefit from improved water quality and healthier local ecosystems,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
“Reliable local water systems are important to position Saskatchewan communities for growth and attract new business,” Saskatoon Riversdale MLA Marv Friesen said on behalf of Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations. “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest $9.5 million toward this important wastewater infrastructure project in Saskatoon, which will benefit the local economy, residents and environment.”
“As our city continues to grow, it’s important to maintain our high standards and stewardship in protecting people and property downstream from Saskatoon,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “The investments in a new digester and heating upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant will help us meet demand by improving capacity, sustainability, as well as maintaining our high-quality standards into the future. The expansion includes an exciting sustainable energy recovery process that will recycle biogas to be used as fuel in boilers and solid matter as nutrients for local and nearby crops.”
The new digester is the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s fourth and will improve capacity to allow the plant to maintain Water Security Agency processing standards whenever another digester is taken out of service for maintenance. The digesters are large circular tanks that hold the solids removed during the wastewater treatment process. The solids are deprived of oxygen to allow bacteria to form and break the solids down, and methane biogas is produced during the process. The methane biogas helps heat the WWTP, which in turn, reduces reliance on the use of natural gas for heating. Boiler upgrades and the installation of a methane biogas treatment filter were also a part of the project.
To learn more about the Digester and Heating Upgrades project, visit saskatoon.ca/digester.
Summary of Facts
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day by participating in Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation
June 14, 2022 - 2:14am
After a two year pause due to COVID, the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is back in-person for the community to gather together and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) at 10:00 a.m.
Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, attended by thousands in past years, was first held in 2016 with attendance growing each year. The intent is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and working towards an inclusive community.
“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful for organizers to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”
Individuals of all ages are invited to attend, including groups representing organizations, workplaces, and schools. Cultural performers from across the city have been invited to ‘rock their roots’ along the walk route by sharing a piece of their culture and showcasing Saskatoon’s incredible diversity.
“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour Indigenous history as well as celebrate the cultural mosaic that is our community,” says Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to participate; I’m really hoping that we’ll see a great turnout.”
“Rock Your Roots is an opportunity to bring our community together to understand and be educated on residential schools that have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “This walk is a sign of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better, so that all people can have a quality of life.”
Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural regalia, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt. Rock Your Roots t-shirts – with all proceeds directed to programming and activities for Rock Your Roots – can be ordered by emailing RockYourRootstshirts@gmail.com.
“Rock Your Roots represents an acknowledgment of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to Reconciliation,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees and those lost. It’s a promise to work towards a future that affords every member of our community equal opportunity.”
The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation event takes place on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) in Victoria Park between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The start location is in Victoria Park near Legion Branch 63 on Spadina Crescent West. All are welcome. More information is available at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.
Structure Fire - 202 Kirkpatrick Crescent
June 10, 2022 - 4:22am
At 8:50 a.m. today, Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received multiple 911 calls reporting a house on fire on Kirkpatrick Crescent. Dispatched to the scene were three engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and a Battalion Chief. On arrival, fire crews found a house with an attached garage with significant fire and smoke showing. Crews began an aggressive attack with multiple large lines to knock the fire down. There was significant fire damage to the house including the loss of the roof structure. Preliminary indication is the fire started on the exterior of the house and spread to the whole structure.
There were no injuries as a result of this fire.
The fire is under investigation and further information will be provided when available.
City receives federal funds for Farmers’ Market Building project
June 8, 2022 - 7:23am
The City is pleased to announce the approval of $750,000 in Government of Canada funding through PrairiesCan under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the interior renovations of the Farmers’ Market Building at River Landing.
“Our government is pleased to support infrastructure projects through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund that provide Canadians with opportunities to connect and explore their communities,” said the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan. “The renovated Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Building will continue to be an important hub of social activity and a favourite source for fresh produce and locally produced goods.”
The City is currently working with consultants Henry Downing Architects and Stantec Consulting to complete the interior design, plan mechanical and other infrastructure upgrades, and manage the construction project. The renovation project will upgrade the washroom facilities and mechanical systems, as well as prepare permanent tenant spaces for the building’s intended use as a public market with a dedicated seasonal outdoor farmers’ market. Construction on the project is estimated to begin fall 2022.
“This important investment will help to revitalize the Farmers’ Market Building and bring even more activity to River Landing,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “This exciting renovation project will give residents and visitors a world class experience when they buy goods and produce from our local producers and artisans.”
To achieve the goal of establishing a fully animated Farmers’ Market Building, the renewal project is estimated to cost $1.65M. Funding of $400,000 has been allocated from the City’s Civic Building Comprehensive Maintenance reserve, $1.1M in capital funding was secured through the 2022/2023 budget deliberations and $150,000 was supported as a post-budget request in 2021 to hire the Design Consultant.
The City is working to complete a lease agreement with Ideas Inc. to operate the new public market at River Landing a minimum of six days a week and provide a vibrant community destination and gathering place that will focus on Saskatchewan produce and content.
Street Stall Saturdays, an outdoor market, has returned to Market Square in River Landing for the 2022 growing season.
For more information on the Farmers’ Market Building at River Landing, visit saskatoon.ca/farmersmarket.
About the Canada Community Revitalization Fund
The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) helps communities rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund assists non-profit organizations, municipalities, community groups, and Indigenous communities across Canada to build and improve community infrastructure projects. The CCRF is a two-year, $500 million national infrastructure program to revitalize communities across Canada.