News Releases

The City of Saskatoon is proud to announce the successful completion of the first year of its city-wide curbside organics program. Since its launch in May 2023, the Green Cart program has contributed to a notable increase in the City’s waste diversion rate, which has risen from 23.5 per cent to 33.3 per cent. This is the first significant increase in a decade, highlighting the program’s impact on the City’s waste diversion efforts.

“We are incredibly pleased with the community's response to the Green Cart program and the substantial increase in our diversion rates,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “Moving forward, we will continue to refine and improve the program, which includes a proposal to adjust collection frequencies to better meet seasonal needs and address the remaining diversion potential in black carts.”

On Tuesday, June 4, Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (EU&CS) will hear details of the Green Cart program's performance.

The Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan projected that the annual diversion from green carts would be between 15,000 and 22,000 tonnes per year. Since program launch, more than 20,452 tonnes of organic waste have successfully been diverted from the landfill.  Diverting organics from landfill reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions. The Green Cart program avoided 13,374 tonnes of CO2e that would have been released as methane gas if the same materials were landfilled. This is the equivalent of removing 2,972 passenger cars from the roadway. 

There is still opportunity to increase the City’s diversion rates; however. Recent waste characterization audits reveal that the average black cart still contains approximately 33 per cent organic material. The City will continue its education campaigns to improve green cart use, ensuring residents are well-informed about the benefits and proper practices of organic waste diversion.

There were also noted seasonal variations in the program's performance. During winter months, set-out rates and the amount of collected organic waste were significantly lower.

To optimize efficiency and service delivery, Administration is recommending a reduction in the winter collection frequency to once every four weeks between December 1 and March 31 each year. This option is expected to provide savings of $162,000 annually and the adjustment in service could begin December 2024. No change in collection frequency during the spring/summer/fall season is being recommended at this time.

To learn more about the Green Cart program, visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.

Following a discussion of several options, City Council today approved the purchase of a used washroom trailer to provide a staffed, all-day service for the Riversdale and Pleasant Hill neighbourhoods. Council also approved funding to provide staffing at a riverbank washroom location and for extra public access to drinking water.  

“Like many other communities in Canada, Saskatoon is being impacted by an increase in residents who are experiencing homelessness,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management. “We’re encouraged with Council’s decision because there’s been a widening gap in services and resources -- including access to public washrooms and drinking water -- for residents in need.” 

The options are expected to cost approximately $700,000, with the money coming from the Reserve for Capital Expenditures. Administration will be diligently looking for cost-saving options. Two community partners have expressed an interest in working with the City on this project. These partnerships are expected to impact some of the planned resources and will lower the project's cost. 

Council heard the City already provides public washroom options in neighbourhoods throughout Saskatoon. The approved options would help increase access to washrooms in neighbourhoods that do not have this service and, in turn, would minimize the overall impact on one single washroom location. The overnight winter warming location that operated at St. Mary’s Hall provided a washroom facility. With the seasonal closure of the warming centre, Pleasant Hill and Riversdale do not have an all-day service – which was in great demand. 

“There is significant need for washroom resources and one location could be overwhelmed quickly,” says Goulden-McLeod. “This was learned from the post-action debrief regarding the St. Mary’s overnight warming location this winter.” 

Goulden-McLeod says there is a cost saving with a used trailer, and if needed, the purchased washroom trailer could then be used for many other functions within the community. 

The washroom trailer is expected to be available in about a week’s time. The Riverbank location, once confirmed, could be staffed in June.  

Council also committed to fund a continuation of misting tents to help prevent heat-stroke and heat-related illnesses, critical to the City’s Extreme Heat Emergency Response Plan. A pilot project for a water-bottle filling station last year at the Westside Clinic was successful; Council now supports three new water bottle filling stations on top of the established distribution of bottled water for those in need. 

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

NEW

8TH ST E VARIOUS SINGLE LANE CLOSURES AT ACADIA DR
(Environmental monitoring)
Start: May 30, 9:00 a.m. End: May 31, 2:00 p.m.

BOYCHUK DR NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT NEMEIBEN RD
(Pole replacement)
Start: May 30, 1:00 p.m. End: May 30, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

AVE H S NB LANES CLOSED FROM 12TH ST W TO 16TH ST W
(Resurfacing)
Start: May 23, 7:00 a.m. End: May 30, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR EB & WB VARIOUS LANE CLOSURES FROM KENASCHUK CRES TO WANUSKEWIN RD
(Crack Sealing)
Mobile closures in the area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays only. There will always be one lane open for traffic in each direction.
Start: May 22, 9:00 a.m. End: May 31, 3:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR WB LANES SPEED REDUCTION FROM MCORMOND DR TO MCKERCHER DR
(Guardrail repair)
Start: May 10, 7:00 a.m. End: May 31, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT KALRA ST
(Streetscaping)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: May 31, 5:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 3RD AVE S
(Traffic calming & sidewalk improvements)
Start: May 27, 7:00 a.m. End: May 31, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST WB LANES CLOSED FROM BRAND RD TO JASPER AVE
(Ditching & culvert work)
Start: April 24, 7:00 a.m. End: June 7, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO 1ST AVE S
(Streetscaping)
Start: May 13, 7:00 a.m. End: June 20, 5:00 p.m.

NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Road construction)
Start: May 2, 9:00 a.m. End: June 28, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB LANES CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 5TH ST E
(Storm system construction)
Start: May 21, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN & NEXT LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO UNIVERSITY DR
(Water main maintenance)
Start: April 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 15, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN & NEXT LANES AND WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM UNIVERSITY DR TO CUMBERLAND AVE N
(Water main maintenance)
Start: April 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 15, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E 
(Construction) 
Use McOrmond Dr 
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 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.

The 108th Annual Decoration Day and Memorial Service will be celebrated at the Soldiers’ Cairn located at the Woodlawn Cemetery on Sunday, June 2, 2024. The annual event provides citizens with an opportunity to pay tribute to those brave individuals who lost their lives in the service of our country. 

The day will begin with a parade at 1:45 p.m. that includes Legion members, ANAVET members, and members of the Armed Forces, starting from the Woodlawn Cemetery Office gate (north end of Memorial Avenue) and proceeding into the cemetery to the Memorial Cairn. Members of the public are welcome to join in the parade. The service will start at 2:00 p.m. 

Cool off at any of the 22 City of Saskatoon spray pads located around the city. Spray pads will open for the season on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10 a.m., and will be operational daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Please note, in June (Monday to Friday), spray pads located near school grounds are set to turn off 5 minutes before recess and lunch breaks and will resume 5 minutes after the breaks are over. Shut-off times will vary according to individual school schedules. All spray pads are activated by push buttons located near the spray features. The bell schedules are listed on the Where to Play Google Map posted at saskatoon.ca/spraypads.

As part of the City’s Water Conservation Strategy, the City is implementing actions to reduce water usage and costs related to the operation of spray pads. In year two of the spray pad water conservation project, three spray pads will be updated with a combination of misters and lower-flow nozzles, which will save water without compromising the spray pad experience. The three spray pads that will be updated are in Briarwood, Stonebridge, and River Heights. These upgrades are expected to reduce water use by 20-60% while maintaining 100% of the fun. Water conservation work at the spray pads began in 2023 and helped save 6.4 million litres of water – the same amount of water used by 33 households in a year. Trials from the 2023 pilot are now being incorporated to test newer nozzle combinations in 2024.

To find a spray pad location near you, check out the Where to Play Google Map at saskatoon.ca/spraypads or call 306-975-3378.

The City of Saskatoon is implementing 30 km/h speed limits on select neighbourhood bikeways this summer, as part of an ongoing commitment to improving road safety and comfort for all users. 

A new policy pertaining to reduced speed limits for neighbourhood bikeways was approved by City Council in December 2023. 

“This change aims to enhance safety and create a more comfortable environment for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “Neighbourhood bikeways are designed for streets with lower vehicle volumes and speeds, promoting safer shared road use."  

Two neighbourhood bikeways will have reduced speed limits implemented this summer: 23rd Street West between Vancouver Avenue North and Avenue C North, Avenue I between the north and south legs of 23rd Street West, and 14th Street East between Saskatchewan Crescent East and Cumberland Avenue.  

The traffic bylaw was amended in February of 2024 for these two neighbourhood bikeways. 

The 14th Street Neighbourhood Bikeway was identified in the Active Transportation Plan and connects the Meewasin Trail to several residential neighbourhoods, as far east as College Park. The 23rd Street Neighbourhood Bikeway, established as a priority cycling route in 2011, offers a connection for cyclists traveling between downtown and Blairmore.  

Signage for these two neighbourhood bikeways is being installed and the reduced posted speed limit of 30 km/h will be in effect on July 5, 2024. Signage for future neighbourhood bikeways will be installed after traffic calming measures are constructed. 

The City understands that these changes can be challenging, but they are part of the broader efforts to enhance safety and make Saskatoon more livable for everyone. For more information on neighbourhood bikeways visit saskatoon.ca/bikewayspeedlimits.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is ready for summer with the Prairie Butterfly House and Kinsmen Express II set to open on Saturday, June 1.

The Prairie Butterfly House will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting Saturday, June 1 and access is free with your Zoo admission.

Butterflies fly freely around the Prairie Butterfly House allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature and experience the beauty and tranquility that the space offers. The Zoo reminds guests to maintain a safe space for the butterflies by not handling or removing butterflies or plants from the habitat.

The Kinsmen Express II trackless train is also resuming operations offering guided train tours of the Zoo beginning June 1. The train is free to ride with your Zoo admission and is equipped with a ramp and wheelchair accessible car. Train tours will be available daily from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until September 2^nd. Visit saskatoon.ca/zootrain for more information.

The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Forestry Farm Park gates are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The public is reminded that the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is a pet-free park.

Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to learn more about the benefits of a Zoo Season Pass and to plan your next visit.

The City of Saskatoon celebrated its partnerships with eight First Nations at a special meeting and Flag Ceremony this morning. There are 10 Urban Reserves within Saskatoon’s boundaries. The first Urban Reserve and Municipal Servicing Agreement was signed in 1988 with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, and the most recent one was signed in 2023 with Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

Other First Nations with Urban Reserves in Saskatoon are: Kahkewistahaw First Nation; One Arrow First Nation; Red Pheasant Cree Nation; Thunderchild First Nation; Yellow Quill First Nation; and Pelican Lake First Nation.

Urban Reserves benefit both First Nations and the City in creating opportunities in economic growth, offering employment opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and fulfilling Treaty Land Entitlements. These investments help create prosperity for everyone and are a model of good partnership and cooperation.

The Flag installation ceremony occurred at the start of this month’s City Council meeting to recognize the distinct order of First Nations and Métis governments through the Treaty 6 Flag and the Métis Flag. First Nations with urban reserves, additional First Nations represented by the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Western Region 2A along with Locals in Saskatoon participated in the Flag ceremony. 

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Western Region 2A Locals in Saskatoon are Central Urban Métis Federation Local #165, Victoria Racette Local IIA, Saskatoon Métis Local # 126, and Gabriel Dumont Local #11. The additional First Nations represented by the Saskatoon Tribal Council recognized at the Flag ceremony are: Kinistin Saulteaux Nation; Mistawasis Nêhiyawak ; Muskoday First Nation; and Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

About Urban Reserves and Treaty Land Entitlement

Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) is a process used by the Federal and Provincial governments to resolve outstanding obligations to First Nations who did not receive all of the Reserve land to which they were entitled under Treaty. TLE has enabled First Nations to purchase land and transfer it to Reserve status. The City of Saskatoon welcomes these investments in the city and the region, which support the economic, environmental, social, and cultural well-being of the entire community. Before an urban Reserve is created, the City of Saskatoon and the First Nation sign agreements that cover commitments to work together, municipal services, fees for services, and compatible standards for development.

For more information on the First Nations who have land holdings or reserves within the City of Saskatoon and region, go to www.saskatoon.ca/business-development/planning/programs-projects/urban-reserves-treaty-land-entitlement

Avenue C will be closed between 33rd and 34th streets starting today at 10:00 a.m. for unplanned water main repairs. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to be completed today, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction. 

The Downtown Transit Terminal on 23rd Street will be closed between 2nd and 3rd avenues starting May 29, at 8:00 a.m. for unplanned water main repairs. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

The terminal will be temporarily moved along 3rd Avenue with minimal effects on transit service and schedules. Temporary bus stop signage will be put in place to help locate transfers and buses, and “no parking” signs will be set up at the temporary terminal location. Detours will guide motorists around the work zone.

Please note the north sidewalk of the existing terminal will remain open, and the Transit Customer Service Centre will maintain regular hours of operation. Thank you for your patience and for following traffic detour signs for everyone’s safety.

Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.      

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at transit.services@saskatoon.ca or 306.975.3100. Thank you for your cooperation and support.