News Releases

The City of Saskatoon, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart) and Hoist the Hoops have drafted an agreement that proposes the construction of a world-class outdoor accessible basketball facility in the River Landing area. Under the gift agreement, Jumpstart, with the support of local Canadian Tire Dealers, Dave Deplaedt and Paul Cairns, will provide a gift-in-kind for design and construction of the multi-court facility, with construction potentially to begin in 2022. The details of the updated project will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (PDCS) on Monday, January 17, 2022.  

“The Hoist the Hoops initiative has done an amazing job to bring to life a vision where youth can play basketball outside with no financial, social or other barriers,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development. “With Jumpstart’s support to the project, Saskatoon could soon see a sports facility that serves the community in a unique and important way and will offer other benefits like camps and sporting events.” 

Hoist the Hoops is a local initiative spearheaded by Michael Linklater, Marcus Storey and Michael Donauer who saw the need for an outdoor basketball facility to serve as both a sports opportunity and a way to bring community together in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhood.

City Council approved the original concept plan that was presented and agreed to provide other supports to the initiative. Jumpstart then reached out to Hoist the Hoops in the fall of 2021 to see what support they could offer, resulting in the gift-in-kind proposal and a revised concept plan. 

“At Jumpstart, we know that sport and play is about more than getting active, it’s about building stronger individuals, and more inclusive and healthier communities,” says Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “We are proud to work with our local Canadian Tire Dealers, the City of Saskatoon and the Hoist the Hoops initiative to bring this ambitious project to the River Landing community.”

The revised concept plan includes a full-size International Basketball Federation (FIBA) basketball court, two regulation 3-on-3 courts, lights, a shade shelter and up to six basketball standards with backboards, rims and nets.  

The concept is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #90 “To ensure that national sports policies, programs and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples.” Throughout the planning process, a representative from Hoist the Hoops has been in discussions with Elders, Residential School Survivors and community members about the outdoor basketball multi-court facility. These discussions will continue with the community to develop the facility name and other key elements.  

About Jumpstart: Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, Jumpstart has provided more than 2.5 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca. 

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

NEW

22ND ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 4TH AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Traffic pole repair)
Start: January 13, 9:00 a.m. End: January 13, 12:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO 44TH ST E
(Guardrail repair)
Start: January 13, 9:00 a.m. End: January 13, 2:00 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

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

The City of Saskatoon is now accepting registrations and renewals for the 2022 Green Cart program. The Green Cart Program offers convenient front-street collection of yard and food waste every two weeks from May 2 to November 4, 2022. Current Black Cart (garbage) and Blue Cart (recycling) customers are eligible for this optional subscription program. Residents are encouraged to participate in this program to divert yard and food waste from the landfill and help in the City’s efforts to achieve 70% waste diversion. This will be the final year for the subscription program before the citywide curbside organics program launches in spring 2023.

Registrations and renewals received by the April 30th will receive the $65 Early Bird rate. On May 1, the fee will increase to $85. Residents are encouraged to register early to avoid delays at the beginning of collection season.

New Subscribers are asked to subscribe no later than March 20, 2022 if they wish to have their Green Cart delivered before the collection season begins on May 2.

Previous subscribers are reminded that renewal to the program is not automatic. If they wish to continue Green Cart collection service in 2022, they must renew and pay the seasonal fee. If they do not wish to renew their subscription, they can e-mail greencart@saskatoon.ca or call 306-975-2486 to arrange removal of their cart.

Registration and renewal options can be found at saskatoon.ca/greencart.

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

NEW

1ST AVE N NB & SB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Drilling test holes)
Start: January 11, 8:00 a.m. End: January 11, 4:00 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

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO REVER RD
(Equipment offloading)
Start: January 10, 9:00 a.m. End: January 10, 1:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CENTRAL AVE
(Transmission line install)
Start: January 10, 12:00 p.m. End: January 10, 2:00 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.

The City is actively monitoring the Omicron variant and the impact on operations and the core services Saskatoon’s residents rely on even as the colour-coded risk level has moved to red-level status. 

In Fall 2021, the City implemented a COVID-19 risk decision-making framework which presents a colour-coded risk level and measures for consideration at each level to City Council for approval near the end of each month that remain in place for the following month. For January 2022, the Council-approved status is yellow [caution]. 

In the interim, the framework is updated weekly to monitor any changes in the primary indicators, but no potential changes are made to the framework until the next Regular Business Meeting of City Council -- or if City Council decides to hold a special meeting. The primary indicators for the current week of January 5th indicate that Saskatoon has entered red-level status.

“We are anticipating and planning for the likelihood that City staff will need to be away from the workplace due to COVID-related illness and self-isolation resulting from the Omicron variant in our community,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. “However, we want to stress to residents that core services are being maintained.”

The City has a number of measures in place to mitigate the potential of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, including, but not limited to: an Employee Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Negative Test Program, the requirement for all staff to complete a Fit For Duty health screening form prior to attending to the workplace, masking and physical distancing protocols, enhanced cleaning, physical barriers, and staff who have been working from home are continuing to do so, with in-person meetings discouraged at this time unless they are critical in nature. 

“These measures have worked to keep our staff safe and services operating throughout previous waves of COVID-19, and we continue to enhance our safety plans and business continuity processes to respond to the fifth wave,” says Goulden-McLeod.

Core City Services

Goulden-McLeod says the core services currently continue: garbage collection remains on schedule; roadways snow clearing is progressing as scheduled; water treatment remains reliable and safe; wastewater processes remain unaffected; City repair and maintenance projects are happening; Saskatoon Light & Power service remains unaffected.

Saskatoon Transit, Leisure Facilities & City Hall Lobby

Saskatoon Transit service is being affected by the cold weather.

Leisure Centres, Indoor Arenas, and City Hall lobby remain open and operating with a focus on staff and customer safety under the current Public Heath Orders and previous direction of City Council. Cancellations and modifications have not been made to Leisure Centre or Indoor Arena programming at this time.

Emergency Services

The Saskatoon Fire Department is not currently experiencing any significant staffing challenges. 

“We continue to watch and plan for any impact of the Omicron variant on staffing levels by reviewing our business continuity plan to ensure that core safety services can continue to operate in the community,” says Morgan Hackl, Saskatoon Fire Chief.

Saskatoon Police Service Deputy Chief Mitch Yuzdepski says community safety measures remain firmly in place.  

“The Saskatoon Police Service has a business continuity plan in place to ensure that there will be no disruption to front-line services. This plan includes folding-in other police units to support frontline resources as required,” says Deputy Chief Yuzdepski.

For the latest information, visit:
saskatoon.ca/covid-19 
saskatoontransit.ca 
saskatoonpolice.ca

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

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of these dates.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of these dates.

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 projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.