News Releases

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) is currently testing and monitoring ice thickness at storm water retention ponds around the city to verify their safety and integrity for recreational use. 

The ice must reach a minimum thickness of at least eight inches to be considered safe for public recreational activities such as skating, broomball and hockey. Signage posted at each pond will indicate whether the pond is safe for recreational use. When the ice thickness reaches a minimum of eight inches and is considered safe, SFD will replace the “No Skating” symbol on site signs with a “Skating Permitted” image. While ice testing is underway, community members are asked to remain off storm pond ice surfaces until signage indicates the pond is safe to use. 

As the weather continues to sporadically warm and cool, SFD would like to caution the public of changing ice conditions. Residents are reminded to check the posted signage each time they consider using the pond. Community members are advised to always exercise an elevated level of caution when around any large body of water. Keep a close watch on children and pets when visiting trails, parks, or off-leash areas that may run adjacent to a storm water retention pond. Community members who use the ponds for recreational purposes assume all risk and maintenance responsibilities for the ice including shoveling, flooding, as well as user safety. 

Only select storm water ponds are designated for recreational use. Please visit saskatoon.ca/ponds for a list of ponds permitting winter recreational use and to learn more about the Recreational Uses of Storm Water Retention Ponds policy.

Neault Road will reopen between 22nd and 33rd streets for the afternoon commute on Thursday, December 21. New street lighting has been installed, with new signage and pavement markings in place. Single lanes of traffic will be open in each direction with reduced speed limits throughout the winter as this remains an active construction zone.

The final phase of the Neault Road project is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024. Drivers can expect road restrictions when the final phase of the project starts. Full road closures are not expected for this last phase of the project.

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

Lorne Avenue will be closed at the 3rd Street intersection for a manhole repair on Thursday, December 21, starting at 8:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, 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 City of Saskatoon will have several adjusted civic services and hours over the holidays, including Christmas Eve, December 24, Christmas Day, December 25, Boxing Day, December 26, and New Year’s Day, January 1. 

Check detailed information on holiday parking requirements, what's open or closed, hours of operation at all Leisure Facilities, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Saskatoon Public Library and Remai Modern, Saskatoon Transit holiday service, information on waste collection over the holidays and much more here.

The City of Saskatoon wishes all residents a happy and safe holiday season, and a prosperous new year.

Visit saskatoon.ca for more information on civic services and programs.

The City of Saskatoon will have several adjusted civic services and hours throughout the holidays, including Christmas Eve, December 24, Christmas Day, December 25, Boxing Day, December 26, and New Year’s Day, January 1 as follows:

CITY HALL
All Administrative Offices are closed on Christmas Day, December 25 and on Boxing Day, December 26. City Hall will reopen Wednesday, December 27 at 8 a.m. City Hall will also be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1, and will reopen January 2 at 8 a.m.

ROADWAY DETOURS & CLOSURES

See here for detailed long weekend road restrictions for priority one roadways.

REMAI MODERN 

Remai Modern will be closed on December 25 and December 26. Remai Modern will be open on December 31 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed on New Year’s Day, January 1.

SASKATOON PUBLIC LIBRARY
All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed on December 25 and January 1. All locations will close at 5 pm on December 24 and December 31. All Library locations will be open on Boxing Day, December 26.

SASKATOON TRANSIT

• Fixed route transit will run holiday service on December 25, 26 and January 1. – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (normal fares apply).
  • Please consult the mobile app transit to plan your trip.
  • Visit SaskatoonTransit.ca for details. 

• Route 1225 - Jingle Bell Express will provide free service on Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• In partnership with SGI, Saskatoon Transit is offering free service on ALL routes on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31 – 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.   
• OnDemand service will not be available on December 25, 26 and January 1.
• Access Transit will operate holiday service on December 25, 26 and January 1. – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.   
  • Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures (8:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.). 
  • In partnership with SGI, Access Transit is offering free service on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31 – 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.   
  • Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays. 

• Transit Customer Service Centre will be closed for walk-in customers on December 25, 26 and January 1, but phone lines (306-975-3100) will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

PAY PARKING
Parking payment is not required on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 and on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1. Parking payment is required on Boxing Day, December 26. Motorists are reminded that all parking requirements remain in effect, including parking time limits.

MUNICIPAL IMPOUND LOT 
The Impound Lot will be closed to the public on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1.  Vehicles will be released to the public as usual on Tuesday, December 26. Information on Vehicle Seizures

WASTE COLLECTIONS      

NEW COLLECTION SCHEDULE effective January 2024!
Please check your collection schedule at saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar or download the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.

Garbage, Recycling, and Organics have collections as scheduled. However, please note, for all residents with collections on Monday, December 25 and on Monday, January 1, collections have been rescheduled for the following Saturday, December 30 and Saturday, January 6 respectively.

MATERIAL RECOVERY CENTRE & LANDFILL

• The Material Recovery Centre and Landfill are closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January. They are open all other days from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Cash transactions are accepted, although Credit and Debit are recommended.
• More information at saskatoon.ca/mrc

COMPOST DEPOTS
The compost depots are now closed for the season.

WOODLAWN CEMETERY

• The Cemetery Administration Office is closed on Monday, December 25; Tuesday, December 26; and Monday, January 1, 2024.
• Cemetery grounds are open to the public 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily as per usual.

SASKATOON FORESTRY FARM PARK & ZOO

December 25: Closed
Regular Hours of Operation December 26 and January 1.

• Zoo – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Forestry Farm Park - 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

LEISURE CENTRES

Search for drop-in program information including fitness and weight room hours, public swim sessions and fitness programs on Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline.

Christmas Eve (Dec 24)

Saskatoon Field House – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shaw Centre – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lawson Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakewood Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Terry Fox Track - Closed

Christmas Day (Dec 25)

All sites are closed

Boxing Day (Dec 26)

Saskatoon Field House – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shaw Centre – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lawson Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakewood Civic Centre – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre - Closed
Terry Fox Track - Closed

New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)

Saskatoon Field House – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shaw Centre – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lawson Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakewood Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Terry Fox Track - Closed

New Year’s Day (Jan 1)

Saskatoon Field House – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shaw Centre – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lawson Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakewood Civic Centre – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre - Closed
Terry Fox Track - Closed

INDOOR RINKS
Search the public and parent and tot schedules on Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline.

• December 24:  All rinks close at 4 p.m.
• December 25 & 26: All rinks will be closed.
• December 31: All rinks close at 4 p.m.

NOTIFYNOW
Residents are encouraged to sign-up to notifynow for timely and targeted public safety messages. Notifynow is a free service. Tell us how to best reach you on your preferred communication device. Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow for more information.

YXE SERVICE ALERTS
For information and updates on service disruptions such as power or water check saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @yxeservicealert on Twitter.