News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Construction on new lift station underway; detour to impact portion of Meewasin Trail
October 8, 2021 - 4:02am
The Spadina Lift Station, on the west shore of the South Saskatchewan River, is nearing the end of its service life. Construction on a new lift station is now underway on the same site.
“We rely on the existing Spadina Lift Station to transport about sixty per-cent of Saskatoon’s wastewater from the sanitary sewer system to the Wastewater Treatment Plant,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The lift station is more than seventy years old and has reached a point where major modifications would ne necessary for it to keep up with growing capacity. It is more cost effective to build a new one.”
The City is grateful for its funding partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan to help make this project a reality. Under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada will fund up to $7.2 million toward the Spadina Lift Station project and the Government of Saskatchewan will contribute up to $5,999,400. The remainder of the $18 million project will be funded by the City of Saskatoon, along with any additional costs.
A second building on the same site was completed in 2016 and serves as a bypass lift station. It operates whenever the primary lift station can not meet the flow demand. Unlike the existing lift station, it will not be demolished and will remain in use following completion of the new lift station.
Beginning on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, the Meewasin Trail next to the lift station site will be closed and trail users will be detoured onto a temporary trail (see map). The original trail will reopen once construction is complete in 2023.
For more information about the project and to see a map of the construction site and temporary trail detour, visit saskatoon.ca/liftstation.
Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo receives two industry excellence awards
October 7, 2021 - 11:00am
- Story Time at the Zoo (pre-kindergarten, kindergarten)
- Meet the Creature (Grades 1-2, 2/3 splits)
- Habitat and Adaptations (Grades 3-5 and 5/6 splits)
- Owl and Owl Pellets (Grades 3 and up)
- Species at Risk (Grades 7-8)
The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is extremely honoured and proud to be the recipient of two awards at the 2021 Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) Annual Awards of Excellence.
The new Prairie Dog Exhibit at the Zoo won the Thomas R. Baines award. This award recognizes excellence in habitat design and development as well as the ability to apply unique approaches to animal care and welfare.
“We are so proud of our new Prairie Dog Exhibit and to receive an award recognizing the new habitat is very exciting,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “A big thank you our zookeepers and our partner organizations including the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, that came together to make this exhibit a reality.”
The Prairie Dog Exhibit was designed to feature a naturalistic habitat and provide a new permanent home for the prairie dogs at the Zoo. The exhibit is over nine feet deep with one-inch stainless steel mesh covering the entire bottom of the exhibit allowing the prairie dogs to exhibit their natural behaviours of digging and exploring. The design also allows for visitors to the Zoo to get an up-close look at the prairie dogs with over 40 feet of glass for great viewing opportunities and is anchored with original artwork created by the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Program. Behind the scenes, a shifting area was created to provide space for future medical and physical checks for the animals.
The Saskatoon Zoo Society received the Eleanore Oakes Award for Education Program Design. This award recognizes outstanding achievement and innovation in education program design that enhances conservation knowledge.
“Our team developed virtual programs when restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic forced our programming to move to a virtual environment” says Kathleen Zary, Education Manager, Saskatoon Zoo Society. “We were so thankful to receive support from several funders to deliver over 350 virtual programs designed to connect students to nature by bringing animals and students together through interactive education while fostering a respect for nature with a Saskatchewan focus.”
The Saskatoon Zoo Society developed five virtual environmental education programs for children in kindergarten to grade eight. Each program featured animal interactions in real time, experienced educators that deepened conversations facilitated throughout the program and professionally taped video tours. The programs also matched the Saskatchewan curricular objectives and incorporated Indigenous-focused content. The five programs developed include:
For more information on the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo visit saskatoon.ca/zoo.
For more information on the Saskatoon Zoo Society visit saskatoonzoosociety.ca.
For more information on CAZA visit caza.ca.
Allowance of on-leash pets recommended in Kiwanis Memorial Park
October 6, 2021 - 4:30pm
An approval report will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services on October 12, 2021, outlining the proposed amendment to Bylaw No. 7860, The Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 to permit pets on-leash in Kiwanis Memorial Park.
In 2019, City Council heard from residents and the business community that there was support to amend the current bylaw prohibiting pets in Kiwanis Memorial Park. City Council directed Administration to report back on the current feasibility of allowing pets on-leash in all riverbank parks along Meewasin Trail including the possible impacts, both positive and negative, of amending the Animal Control Bylaw No. 7860.
Kiwanis Memorial Park is currently one of four areas in Saskatoon that prohibits pets on-leash and off-leash. Kiwanis Memorial Park has been designated and maintained as a pet-prohibited park since 1982 and is currently the only riverbank park or park along the Meewasin Trail where pets are not permitted.
Administration from Recreation and Community Development engaged with both internal and external stakeholders, including the Animal Services Working Group, as well as the community on whether on-leash pets should be allowed in Kiwanis Memorial Park, identifying the associated opportunities and barriers of doing so. More than 2,200 respondents participated in a community survey, with the majority of respondents stating they strongly supported (72%) or supported (10%) allowing on-leash pets full access to the park at all times.
“We were very excited to see great participation and positive support provided from the community as well as key stakeholder groups,” said Andrew Roberts, Director Recreation and Community Development. “With the majority of the 2,200 responses to the community survey and stakeholders supporting allowing pets on-leash in Kiwanis Memorial Park, Administration is recommending to Council to amend the bylaw”.
The full report and attachments can be found here.
Zoo animals getting ready for winter
October 5, 2021 - 10:00am
It’s time to get ready for winter at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo). Preparations for winter vary for many animals at the Zoo. For some like the bison, mountain goats and pronghorns, now is the time to start developing heavier coats in anticipation for cooler temperatures. Many animals have also been increasing their food consumption including grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda who are gearing up for their long winter sleep.
“It is always great to see the animals exhibiting their natural adaptations for the upcoming winter season,” says Zoo Manager, Jeff Mitchell. “We have already seen our grizzly bears showing familiar signs of preparing for torpor, many of our elk and caribou are already displaying full antlers and soon our arctic fox’s fur will begin to change from grey to white. These are just some of the amazing transformations that we can expect to see as we move into the fall and winter seasons.”
Mitchell notes, the grizzly bears will likely be spending more time in their dens as they begin to settle in for their long winter slumber.
Dingoes Maple and Euci will also be adjusting their daily routine soon. Once the temperature falls below minus five degrees Celsius, the dingoes will start to spend more time indoors in favour of warmer temperatures.
Kazi (KAH-zee) the snow leopard is settling into his new home at the Nutrien Ark and is ready for the cooler temperatures.
“You will not see many big changes from Kazi, as he is so well adapted for winter,” says Mitchell. “One thing you may notice is his tail may get a little fluffier, that is because snow leopards will often use their tail as a scarf or a blanket during the winter months.”
The Zoo would like to remind residents that a non-medical mask is required when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services including the Meerkat House and washroom facilities at the Zoo. Although masks are not required in outdoor spaces, the City recommends wearing a mask throughout your visit, even while enjoying the outdoor exhibits.
The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit saskatoon.ca/zoo for more information or to plan your next visit.
City and USask study rubber tire-derived chemicals in stormwater
October 1, 2021 - 4:02am
The City of Saskatoon (City) and University of Saskatchewan (USask) recently collaborated on a study to see if chemicals that leach from rubber tires are entering the stormwater system. Water that enters storm drains, through snowmelt or rain runoff, flows into the South Saskatchewan River.
“Chemicals from rubber tire leachate have been associated with mortalities in Coho salmon in Washington State,” says Markus Brinkmann, USask Assistant Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability. “However, we currently don’t know the effects on wildlife in our region. The results, in what we believe is the first study of its kind in a Canadian municipality, show high readings of the tire rubber related compounds in Saskatoon’s runoff.”
The findings are a result of samples taken from snow facilities, snowmelt puddles, and about a dozen outfall sites along the South Saskatchewan River within the city in 2019 and 2020. The study indicates the high concentrations may relate to occasional but intense rainstorms in the summer and snowmelt in the winter. Both types of events can lead to significant accumulation followed by sudden flushing of tire rubber chemicals from roads into the stormwater system.
Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water, says further research is required to better understand the factors driving the findings.
“This is a great example of why continued research and partnerships with institutions like the University of Saskatchewan are so important. Saskatoon Water operates within the guidelines set out by the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and we’ll work with them to determine what next steps should be.”
Munro points to positive City initiatives already in place that are designed to protect the environment from contents within stormwater. Initiatives include the annual street sweeping program, numerous storm ponds that help reduce contaminants and manage water runoff, and the new Snow Management Facility. Melt water from the Snow Management Facility runs through an oil and grit separator into a meltwater/stormwater pond. The meltwater then enters a series of specially designed barriers before being discharged in a controlled fashion into the stormwater system. The City also participates in the Yellow Fish Road Program to educate residents about the impact communities can have on water runoff.
The study has been supported through an Engage Grant of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Because the risks to species of fishes and aquatic organisms in the South Saskatchewan River are unknown, the USask team has submitted a grant application to dig deeper into the mechanisms of toxicity. Another joint application from USask and the City that focuses on detection of the compounds is being prepared.
The study has been published in the peer-reviewed Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
City to provide service level update for new waste diversion regulations for businesses
September 29, 2021 - 10:14am
On Monday, October 4, the Administration will present an information report to the Standing Policy Committee of Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services outlining the proposed service level and budget requirements to support the new waste diversion regulations for the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) Sector.
The proposal aligns and expands on a January 2020 report to City Council. The program includes administration, education, and support to improve compliance and reduce the administrative burden on businesses. The annual operating cost of $284,000 for the program services would be considered in the City’s 2022-2023 budget process later this year.
“This is a good step forward in achieving our waste reduction and diversion target,” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities and Environment. “By implementing the necessary service levels to support these programs, we expect to divert approximately 5,400 tonnes of recyclable and organic waste from the City’s landfill every year, extending its life by approximately 5%.”
At its meeting on August 30, 2021, City Council passed Bylaw No. 9775, The Waste Amendment Bylaw, 2021. With a phased-in approach beginning in 2022, all businesses and organizations will be required to have a separate container for recycling, and those that generate food or yard waste as part of their operations will be required to have a separate organics waste container.
The full report and attachments can be found here.
Progress updates and a decision history can be found at saskatoon.ca/iciwastediversion.
City implements proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test for leisure facilities to comply with Provincial requirement
September 28, 2021 - 10:44am
- Wallet cards received at time of immunization
- A printed copy of your MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate (with or without a QR code) or a ‘screenshot’ of your vaccine certificate (with or without a QR code) saved to your device
- An earlier version of your MySaskHealthRecord COVID-19 vaccine certificate
- A COVID-19 vaccine printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health
- To come - A QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate uploaded to SK Vax Wallet app which will be available free from Google Play or Apple App stores
- Official proof of vaccine documents from other provinces may be considered
- Fitness & Weight Rooms
- Gymnasiums
- Sport Courts and Tracks
- Land Fitness Classes
- Meeting & Multi-Purpose Rooms
Sept. 30th marks first National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
September 29, 2021 - 4:26am
September 30th marks the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in our country’s history. Previously, Sept. 30th has been recognized as Orange Shirt Day and wearing an orange shirt continues to be one way to acknowledge the day.
The federal government created this federal statutory holiday in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80: “to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
The City of Saskatoon will be observing the stat to demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation and so that employees may participate in events that promote healing and awareness and reflect on the residential school legacy.
Saskatoon City Mayor, Charlie Clark says: “This is a day for all Saskatonians and Canadians to take time to honour the strength and resilience of Survivors of residential schools. We acknowledge the pain that they, and their families, have carried for generations. And we recognize that this pain was brought on by government policy and the churches that ran the residential schools.”
He continues: “In naming these truths on this day, we must recommit to building a future that overcomes the colonial thinking that allowed residential schools and policies to be established. Instead, we must create relationships and systems based on mutual respect where every person is valued to be who they were meant to be.”
In order to establish and maintain a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) found that “there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”
Melissa Cote, the City’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives says: “The impacts of residential schools are felt by generations of Indigenous families. This day is a day to honour all the children who went to residential school. We need to acknowledge that it's going to take generations to heal from the trauma and effects of residential schools. It will be hard work, but important and meaningful work that we all have the responsibility to carry out.”
The City has been actively engaged – as a municipality, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Saskatoon, and through other community partnerships – in efforts to help raise awareness about the day and in providing opportunities to participate. This Community Calendar of Events hosted on the City website contains dozens of activities and initiatives that the City and other organizations have organized. Through its work with Reconciliation Saskatoon (City as Co-Chair), new reconciliation resources are being shared such as this Personal Commitment to Reconciliation and this Pathway for Moving Forward.
Saskatoon Transit buses and other City vehicles will be displaying orange t-shirt stencils this week. The City social media channels and website are being “painted orange”. City Hall, the Prairie Wind art installation and SaskTel Centre will light up orange Sept. 29-30. The flags on City-owned facilities will be lowered to half-mast to honour Survivors, those that never made it home, and the families impacted by residential schools.
Residential school Survivor John Merasty says this about Sept. 30th: “Don’t stay at home. We need to go out to the street on Orange Shirt Day. Maybe someone will be asking, why are you wearing this shirt and you can tell them why. The students should learn about Indian people and the struggles that they lived and they are continuing living today.”
Extreme snowstorm response plan approved by City Council
September 28, 2021 - 9:00am
The City’s winter roads emergency response plan was approved by City Council on Monday, September 27. With this response plan in place, extra staffing and contractor resources would be activated to restore mobility after a blizzard with an accumulated snow fall of at least 25 centimetres and reduced mobility to the point that light vehicles cannot travel on city streets. This plan was developed by the Administration after 30-40 centimetres of snow fell in November 2020, which required day and night city-wide snow grading and removal to restore mobility and safety in the city.
“We have a fine-tuned response plan for snowstorms that we scale up for the handful of times each year when more than 5 centimetres of snow accumulates,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet & Support. “And now, this plan is a more robust, multi-agency strategy for a future extreme event like we saw in November, allowing us to respond faster and more efficiently city-wide.”
The response plan was developed using lessons learned from the November 2020 blizzard and examples from other winter cities, with input from other agencies and stakeholders to ensure it follows an approach that works for the whole community.
Residents should have an emergency plan too. “Residents should always have a 72-hour emergency plan for any emergency event. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours (about 3 days),” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Planning. “It could take that long for emergency services to reach you in a city-wide emergency at any time of year.”
The City’s previous extreme blizzard was in 2007 when 36 centimetres of snow fell in one day. Projections using 30 years of historical data for Saskatoon estimate this type of blizzard may occur again in 10 to 14 years. As the frequency and severity of inclement weather is predicted to increase with climate change, the frequency of future extreme snow events may be higher (e.g., 1 occurrence every 7 years).
More information and education about the response plan will be available this winter. For more information about the City’s regular winter operations, visit saskatoon.ca/snow.
City approves colour-coded framework for municipal COVID-19 safety response: at high-risk ‘Orange’
September 27, 2021 - 10:28am
- green – minimal risk
- yellow - caution
- orange – high risk
- red – critical risk
- review of current Public Health Orders
- review of current COVID-19 situation
- consultation with local MHO and other key stakeholders
- review by City Council
- any approved measures would be activated on the first day of the next month and would remain in place until a review at the next Council meeting