News Releases

The Poetry Downtown project features poems from six local poets displayed on the 3^rd Avenue poster directories between 19^th Street and 23^nd Street in Downtown Saskatoon. The theme of the project is Reconciliation.

Launched at the beginning of October, the project will be on display until May 31, 2023. A Call for Submissions was issued in July of 2022. Selected poets and their poem titles are: Robert Benz: The Colour of Sky, Lisa Bird-Wilson: Beside a Residential School, Lauren Klassen: O’ Canada, Mika Lafond: Unapologetic, Jada Morin: it’s always so sad to see, and Jenny Ryan: Sask..

The goals of the project are:

• to enhance and move forward with Reconciliation
• to provide opportunities for artistic expression in the city centre
• to inspire the public through poetry
• to connect the work of local poets to the community

Poetry Downtown was inspired by a challenge from Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada Louise Halfe encouraging municipalities to bring poetry to public places.

“In order to walk or run we must first learn to crawl. It is often the first step toward growth. In Cree, pimitācimo, is in itself a loaded word with multiple beginnings. However, simply translated, it means: we crawl into life with our stories,” explains Halfe.

“Art uses our physicality, spirituality, intellect and emotionality to bring forth our visions. It is expressed through literature in poetry, drama, theatre, dance, music, song and paintings. It is never stagnant. All these enhance and challenge our perspectives, they guide us into the inner center of our being, invite us to grow. These are the visions drawn from the artisan well of the artist. In essence we are all artist. It is simply expressed in multiple ways in all disciplines.”

The public is encouraged to walk along 3^rd Avenue and reflect on the poetry. The Poetry Downtown project is a partnership with Downtown Saskatoon.

For more information please visit saskatoon.ca/artsandculture.

Dozens of residents in Saskatoon’s Haultain and Queen Elizabeth neighbourhoods can rest a little easier knowing there is less of a likelihood of their properties flooding during intense rainfalls. A new dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District Park, enjoyed as a newly developed park and sports field during dry weather, officially opened today.

The new dry storm pond is the first of nine to be completed under the Flood Control Strategy (FCS) which was approved by City Council in 2018. The second project is underway right now in Churchill Park and will open in fall 2023. In early 2023, construction will start on a dry storm pond in Weaver Park and six more FCS projects will be built between 2024 and 2027. The Government of Canada has contributed $21.6 million towards Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

“Our Government is proud to be contributing to Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “By investing in disaster mitigation and adaptation, we are safeguarding Saskatonians’ homes and livelihoods against the natural events brought on by climate change and building more resilient Prairie communities.”

“The W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond has already proven to be a tremendous success,” said Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark. “During a significant rain event this summer, it prevented flooding in an area of the city that historically experiences floods. It also provides accessible walking paths and retains recreational space and green space when not containing storm water. The City has plans for more dry ponds and will continue work on projects in the Flood Control Strategy to help minimize flooding in the highest risk locations in the city. Through continued partnerships, we’re able to deliver better infrastructure to residents that help mitigate damage from natural events.”

“We have a well thought out strategy in place to ensure all of our projects are built and functioning by 2027,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “Flooding is never ideal, but I think we were fortunate to witness how this first flood mitigation project actually ended up exceeding our expectations during the rainstorm on June 20^th. It demonstrated these projects are a solution when it comes to protecting neighbourhood homes from being devastated by floods.”

Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows into storm drains, then through underground pipes into the dry storm pond, where it then flows toward and empties into the South Saskatchewan River.

Once the FCS projects are completed, the City anticipates seeing a substantial decrease in the amount of neighbourhood flooding in the top 10 highest risk areas of Saskatoon.

For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.

The City is excited to announce the return of the leisure facilities Halloween offer, supporting healthy and active children in Saskatoon. Starting Tuesday, October 11, residents can pick up Halloween-themed coupons to hand out to children who come trick or treating at the end of the month. 

The coupons are valid from October 31 to November 30, 2022 and provide 20% off general admission for a family, adult (must be accompanied by a child) or youth at any of the Leisure Centres (Cosmo, Lakewood & Lawson Civic Centres, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Saskatoon Field House and Shaw Centre) and indoor rinks (ACT, Archibald, Cosmo and Lions).  Admission for our smallest trick or treaters, children under six years of age, is always FREE, year-round!

The coupons will be available to residents for pick up at any of the Leisure Centres on a first come, first serve basis.  A maximum of 50 coupons per customer will be given. 

Wishes for a healthy and happy Halloween are extended to all residents with a Halloween day only offer. Starting at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, October 31 patrons will be eligible to receive 20% off a Family, Adult or Youth Leisure Centre general admission. Visit saskatoon.ca/healthyhalloween to get your coupon to print or display on your smartphone.

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

NEW

VICTORIA AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM 4TH ST E TO 3RD ST E
(Roadway patching)
Start: October 4, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM AVE Q N TO AVE R N
(Stump removal)
Start: October 4, 9:00 a.m. End: October 4, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO 45TH ST E
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 3, 9:00 a.m. End: October 4, 3:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Paving)
Start: October 3, 9:00 a.m. End: October 4, 4:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM DOUGLAS CRES TO FISHER CRES
(Sidewalk work)
Start: August 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO PRINCESS ST
(Water main replacement)
Start: September 1, 7:30 a.m. End: October 6, 4:30 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM WINDSOR ST TO PRINCE OF WALES AVE
(Road excavation)
Start: September 6, 7:00 a.m. End: October 6, 4:30 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB & SB TRAFFIC MOVED INTO THE PARKING LANES FROM 26TH ST E TO QUEEN ST
(Water & sewer work)
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 7, 4:30 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO BROADWAY AVE
(Vault work)
Start: September 28, 8:00 a.m. End: October 7, 4:30 p.m.

FAITHFULL AVE SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST E TO 46TH ST E
(Curb work)
Start: September 27, 8:00 a.m. End: October 17, 4:30 p.m.

MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MANEK RD TO MCORMOND DR
(Parking lot)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 22, 5:00 p.m.

NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: October 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Vault roof replacement)
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: December 31, 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.