News Releases

The Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council will have the opportunity at its February 14th meeting to discuss the visionary opportunities of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District (District).  Included in a group of reports is a first look at the artistic renderings of what the area around the event centre/arena and convention centre could look like and the first look at the strategic directions for the District Plan outlining the template for a rejuvenated Downtown.

“These renderings really help illustrate that the District is much more than just an event centre and convention centre – it is to be a community gathering place in any season,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation & Construction Division. “They show the potential of the public spaces, with places for events, amenities and open areas where visitors and people from all parts of the city can meet and share unique experiences.”

The visuals show what the proposed event centre/arena and convention centre could look like, with a focus along a transformed 22nd Street. Both winter and summer scenes are captured, showing the potential for winter festivals, outdoor markets and summer activities.

“This is an opportunity for people in Saskatoon to really see how the vision for the District could become reality,” Willems says. “Up until now we have been talking about the District in very abstract terms, but these images help put context and meaning to the idea of an active space that is open to all. These are by no means the final designs of the area, but they are a great to help visualize the conceptual design and potential in creating a vital and dynamic Downtown, with economic impacts that will have a positive effect on Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.”

The District Plan, which is being developed simultaneously along with the plans for the event centre/arena and convention centre, takes a wider view of Downtown Saskatoon and looks at how the land can be best used to achieve a vibrant mix of residential, business, social and outdoor activity, while making the Downtown more accessible for everyone to get to and get around in. The District Plan will also work to create a cohesive strategy for the Downtown as a whole, ensuring that the entire area develops in a sustainable and productive way.

Additionally in this group of reports to GPC is a Decision Report on acquiring the YMCA building and its associated land. This acquisition, while currently part of the larger District project, is part of the larger strategy to have a contiguous area of land with significant redevelopment potential to accommodate future expansion of the convention centre and a new parking structure in the area of Idylwyld and 22nd Street.

For more information on the Downtown Event and Entertainment District, including the renderings, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.

The City of Saskatoon has declared the third snow event of the season after receiving approximately 10 centimetres of snow yesterday and overnight. Roadway crews are focused on keeping high speed and high traffic streets, intersections and bridge decks clear. Even with de-icing material, extra moisture may cause slippery conditions during peak driving times, especially on bridges. 

When a snow event is declared, contractors are called in to assist City crews with clean-up. Today, there are 24 graders, 10 sanders, six plows and five sidewalk plows moving around the city.  

The snow event response follows the Priority Street system: 

Priority 1 – Freeways and major arterials. This includes Circle Drive and streets with three or more lanes each way, like Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street and College Drive. 

Priority 2 - Arterials with double lanes and bus routes. Double lane streets like Clarence Avenue, McKercher Drive and Millar Avenue. 

Priority 3 - Collector streets, remaining Business Improvement District streets and school zones. These streets take you through your neighbourhood like Louise Avenue, Howell Avenue, and Main Street. 

Drivers should be aware of changing weather that can affect road and sidewalk conditions and adjust their driving for the conditions. Leave extra room and watch for blue and yellow flashing lights on road equipment. 

Residents who would like a sand and salt mixture to help with de-icing at home can pick some up free of charge at four locations: Cosmo Civic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre and the Material Recovery Centre. Please bring your own tools to scoop the sand and keep in mind that salt can damage concrete and paving stones.  

Learn more about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.

City crews continue with winter maintenance efforts as Saskatoon experiences snowfall throughout the day, and overnight. Winter maintenance activities today included plowing Circle Drive and expressways, applying de-icing materials to improve traction and clearing snow from bridge decks and city-maintained sidewalks and pathways.   

Major streets in Saskatoon are primarily wet, with some slush. These wet conditions can become very icy as temperatures drop overnight. Crews will monitor and apply de-icing materials continuously while addressing slush build up along priority streets to avoid ice formation. With the additional moisture and temperatures dropping overnight, be prepared to adjust your driving to road conditions and watch for blue and amber flashing lights on snow maintenance equipment. When you encounter winter maintenance equipment please slow down, keep a safe distance, and be prepared to stop. 

Free sand that is mixed with a little salt is available for residents to address icy conditions on their sidewalks at four locations: Cosmo Civic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre and the Material Recovery Centre in the City's southwest. Please know salt can cause damage concrete and paving stones if you are considering placing this material on your driveway and bring your own tools for sand transportation.   

For a full look at the City’s winter road maintenance plan, head to saskatoon.ca/snow. 

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

NEW

TAYLOR ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT ROSEWOOD GATE N
(Catch basin repair)
Start: February 8, 9:00 a.m. End: February 8, 11:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 58TH ST E
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 8, 9:00 a.m. End: February 8, 1:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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.

While celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors of safe practices for purchasing, enjoying and disposing of fireworks. At the City Council Meeting on September 27, 2023, Bylaw 7990 was amended to permit low hazard fireworks in recognition of the Lunar New Year. Discharging low-hazard fireworks is now permitted on private property from dusk on Chinese New Year's Eve, Friday, February 9, until 12:15 a.m. on Chinese New Year's Day, Saturday, February 10. 

Low-hazard fireworks are designed for public recreational use. These fireworks travel less than 50m (160ft) high and include items such as roman candles, sparklers, fountains, wheels, volcanoes, mines and snakes. 

High-hazard fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by persons holding a valid Fireworks Supervisor – Level I or Level II card issued by Natural Resources Canada. 

Residents and spectators are reminded of the risks and obligations associated with fireworks:  

• Carefully read and follow the manufacturer instructions.  
• Exercise increased caution when handling and discharging any type of firework.  
• Choose your location wisely. Fireworks can only be discharged on private property.   
• Familiarize yourself with the space requirements for the type of firework being discharged. Requirements vary depending on the firework type.
• Ensure your location is free of overhead obstructions, is clear side-to-side and is a safe distance from combustible materials.  
• Ensure that it is not windy and that all spectators are safely located to observe the display.  
• Be sure to properly stabilize the firework according to manufacturer direction.  
• Other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand.  
• Always light the fuse at its tip.  
• Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that did not go off.  
• Have a supply of water available and use it to extinguish debris or smouldering embers before they cause injuries, property damage and/or fires.   
• Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for any debris that may land on spectators or another’s property.  

For more information about fireworks safety, please visit saskatoon.ca/fireworks. 

Saskatoon is Our Home and We Live in Harmony with Each Other. Stop Racial Discrimination.

The City has opened the 2024 Call for Submissions for its annual Living in Harmony Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to community harmony through the elimination of racial discrimination in our community. They are presented annually in March, which the City of Saskatoon has proclaimed Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month since 1990. 

Any individual or organization that is contributing to the elimination of racism in Saskatoon is eligible. Students and school groups are also invited to send in submissions that speak to inclusivity and anti-racism using any expressive form (photos, art, written, video, etc.). 

Nominations are being accepted until 3 p.m. on March 6, 2024. The nomination forms are available at saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony. 

The Living in Harmony Awards are part of the City’s commitment to making Saskatoon an inclusive and equitable space where racism has no place. The Living in Harmony awards winners are selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. These names will be announced on March 21, 2024, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Snow began overnight in Saskatoon and is expected to continue throughout the day. Sanders and plows worked through the night, and remain on the go this morning, focusing on Circle Drive and applying de-icing materials as it continues to snow.  

The priority while it snows is to keep the driving lanes clear along Circle Drive and the busiest freeway and arterial streets. Crews are applying de-icing materials along priority streets, focusing on bridge decks and intersections.  

Drivers should adjust their driving for the road conditions, leave extra room and time for their commute.  

Please watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and leave room for the operators to do their work.  

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop to see Rivalry Series: Canada vs USA at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m., is available at the following times:    

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m. 

Post-event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.   

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

NEW

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM ISABELLA ST E TO MAPLE ST E
(Valve replacement)
Start: February 7, 8:00 a.m. End: February 7, 5:00 p.m.

2ND AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Sanitary main repair)
Start: February 7, 9:00 a.m. End: February 7, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 16 TO DELARONDE RD
(Street light replacements)
Start: February 7, 9:30 a.m. End: February 7, 1:30 p.m.

ONGOING

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.

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, February 6, at 7 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.