News Releases

Yesterday, City Council approved a new bylaw to enhance the protection of trees on City property. 

Bylaw No. 9957, The Tree Protection Bylaw, 2024 (Bylaw) is designed to prevent harm to trees on City property by addressing various activities such as the attachment of objects to trees, the use of harmful substances like herbicides or other chemicals, and demolition or construction near a City tree. 

“The new Bylaw will help to safeguard the City’s urban forest by providing an effective mechanism to protect and preserve trees on City property,” says Director of Parks Darren Crilly. “This proactive step aligns with the City's commitment to sustainable urban development, acknowledging the vital role trees play in maintaining environmental health, aesthetic appeal and the overall well-being of the community.” 

One of the main requirements of the Bylaw is the approval for any work conducted within six metres of a City tree. This includes activities like construction, demolition or the placement of heavy equipment, vehicles or building materials near a City tree.  

To formalize the Bylaw’s approval requirement and ensure activities near City trees adhere to specific tree protection measures, a new permitting process will be introduced in September 2024.   

“While the Bylaw will help address compliance issues, the City’s enforcement approach will prioritize education and collaboration as the primary course of action,” Crilly says. “The Parks Department will continue to work with industry and civic departments to support the rollout of the new permitting process.”  

In the meantime, residents and developers are encouraged to follow the existing tree protection process by completing a Tree Protection Plan application form found on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/treeprotection prior to the start of your project.   

The Bylaw does not apply to trees in back lanes, trees on private property, minor landscaping and the placement of lights or extension cords on a City tree during the winter months.  

In addition to the Bylaw, City Council approved updates to the existing City Council Policy, Trees on City Property, which provides Administration with direction on the care, maintenance and protection of City trees.  

For more information on the Bylaw, visit saskatoon.ca/treeprotection. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades take on the Medicine Hat Tigers at SaskTel Centre on Friday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.  
• 6:25 p.m. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop to see the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Panther City Lacrosse Club on Saturday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.  
• 6:25 p.m. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop to see the Saskatoon Blades take on the Brandon Wheat Kings on Sunday, February 4 at 4:00 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 2:45 p.m.  
• 3:25 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 that helps 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

No new projects are scheduled to start on this date.

ONGOING

AVE C N NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT CYNTHIA ST 
(Water main realignment) 
Start: January 31, 9:00 a.m. End: February 1, 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.

At its January 31 Regular Meeting, City Council approved a procurement approach for seeking a private partner for operations management of one or both of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District anchor facilities (event/centre arena and convention centre). This approach lays out how Requests for Proposal (RFP) for potential private partners will be evaluated to ensure anyone chosen meets the vision of the District and is committed to both financial success and Community Benefit outcomes.

“This approval allows us to now take the important step of issuing a request for proposal for a private partner, with a weighted approach that simultaneously help us attract a partner that will not only fund and run a successful operation, but also values and understands the importance of social responsibility and leadership in our community,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation & Construction Division.

Following closure of the RFP process, negotiations will be undertaken with the preferred proponent to further refine details surrounding the various elements of their proposal and to determine financial implications of various options including programming and operations management of the public plaza, overall responsibility for future stages of project development and community benefit commitments. 

“The City has been working for several years on the vision of a safe and vibrant Downtown that supports a strong economy,” says Willems. “The potential and possibilities inherent in creating a vibrant District are becoming clearer as planning proceeds. We are taking a ‘shelf-ready’ approach so that if and when the funding model is approved, we are prepared to start working on the project in short order, providing benefits to Downtown in the near- not distant- future.”

More reporting and information on the District project is anticipated in February 2024, including:

• A conceptual design information report
• Convention Centre options decision report
• District Plan update

Project timelines and past decisions are available at www.saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Regina Pats at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, January 31, 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.  

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

20TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE N S TO AVE M S
(Curb stop repair)
2-way traffic maintained in WB lanes
Start: January 31, 8:00 a.m. End: January 31, 5:00 p.m.

AVE C N NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT CYNTHIA ST
(Water main realignment)
Start: January 31, 9:00 a.m. End: February 1, 5:00 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.

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

NEW

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 4TH ST E TO 6TH ST E
(Connection replacement)
Start: January 30, 7:00 a.m. End: January 30, 4:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST W TO LAURIER DR
(Streetlight replacement)
Start: January 30, 9:00 a.m. End: January 30, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM HARRIS AVE TO ARLINGTON AVE
(CCTV inspections)
Start: January 30, 9:00 a.m. End: January 30, 3:00 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.

The City of Saskatoon reminds residential and commercial property owners that the City’s 30-Day Assessment Review & Appeal period closes Monday, February 5, 2024. 

If you are interested in filing a formal appeal with the City’s Board of Revision regarding the valuation, classification or content of your property’s assessment, your Notice of Appeal and accompanying fee must be received before Monday, February 5, 2024.

The City’s 2024 Assessment Roll, a listing of all property assessments in Saskatoon, has been open for public inspection since January 2, 2024, and this also closes on Monday, February 5, 2024. Inspection of the roll can be in person at the Assessment and Valuation Office located at 325 3^rd Ave N, one block north of City Hall, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, or online at saskatoon.ca/taxtool.

Most assessment-related questions can be resolved by speaking with an assessor before deciding to file a formal appeal for your property.  Call the Assessment Office at 306-975-3227, or the Board of Revision at 306-975-3240 for more information on the assessment appeal process.

Detailed assessment and tax information about your property can also be viewed by entering your property’s address into the Property Assessment & Tax Tool.

• Property owners have the option to apply for and pay online for property assessment appeals. Information on this is available at saskatoon.ca/assessmentappeals. To download an appeal form, visit saskatoon.ca/assessmentappeals.

Visit saskatoon.ca/assessment for more assessment information including how to make a change to school tax support, or check this helpful 2024 Assessment Notice guide.

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

NEW

CUMBERLAND AVE S NB LANES CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 9TH ST E
(Manhole repair)
2-way traffic in SB lanes
Start: January 29, 9:00 a.m. End: January 29, 12:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Construction)
Start: January 29, 9:00 a.m. End: January 29, 3:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Manhole repair)
Start: January 29, 11:00 a.m. End: January 29, 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.

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

NEW

MCKERCHER DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM TAIT PL TO 8TH ST E
(Valve repair)
2-way traffic in SB lanes
Start: January 27, 8:00 a.m. End: January 27, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE R S TO AVE T S
(Tree pruning)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 5:00 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.