News Releases

Today, the City of Saskatoon announced that work is now completed on the Digester and Heating Upgrades project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

The 3-year, $48.2 million project is funded by the Government of Canada ($9.5 million) and Government of Saskatchewan ($9.5 million) through their New Building Canada Fund, with a $29.2 million investment by the City of Saskatoon.

“Investments in modernizing wastewater infrastructure address communities’ needs and help protect the environment. By partnering with Saskatchewan to upgrade Saskatoon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, our Government is supporting the local economy while ensuring residents benefit from improved water quality and healthier local ecosystems,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

“Reliable local water systems are important to position Saskatchewan communities for growth and attract new business,” Saskatoon Riversdale MLA Marv Friesen said on behalf of Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations. “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest $9.5 million toward this important wastewater infrastructure project in Saskatoon, which will benefit the local economy, residents and environment.”

“As our city continues to grow, it’s important to maintain our high standards and stewardship in protecting people and property downstream from Saskatoon,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “The investments in a new digester and heating upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant will help us meet demand by improving capacity, sustainability, as well as maintaining our high-quality standards into the future. The expansion includes an exciting sustainable energy recovery process that will recycle biogas to be used as fuel in boilers and solid matter as nutrients for local and nearby crops.”

The new digester is the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s fourth and will improve capacity to allow the plant to maintain Water Security Agency processing standards whenever another digester is taken out of service for maintenance. The digesters are large circular tanks that hold the solids removed during the wastewater treatment process. The solids are deprived of oxygen to allow bacteria to form and break the solids down, and methane biogas is produced during the process. The methane biogas helps heat the WWTP, which in turn, reduces reliance on the use of natural gas for heating. Boiler upgrades and the installation of a methane biogas treatment filter were also a part of the project.

To learn more about the Digester and Heating Upgrades project, visit saskatoon.ca/digester.

Summary of Facts

• Construction on the fourth digester and Heating and Gas Scrubbing Building began in 2019 and was completed in 2021, ahead of schedule and under budget.
• Digesters are the last stage in the wastewater treatment process. The solids removed during the treatment process are held in an oxygen deprived environment to allow bacteria to form and break the solids down.
• The digesters produce two types of renewable resources; biogas (energy) and biosolids (soil nutrient).
• This expansion includes a new sustainable energy recovery process that will condition biogas to be used as fuel in the boilers while the solid matter is used as nutrient for local crops.
• Construction of a fourth digester tank improves capacity and allows the City to maintain Water Security Agency processing standards when another digester is taken out of service for maintenance purposes.
• Upgrades to boilers were also made to accommodate the additional heat that will be required to run all four digesters.
• Now that construction is complete, residents can no longer see an open flame at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as the flare has been replaced with two enclosed flares.

Flip flip hurraaaay! It's been two long years...and we pan-cake it any longer! The 46^th Annual Civic Pancake Breakfast is tomorrow!

As always, all proceeds from this important community fundraiser will be donated to United Way Saskatoon & Area for all the great work they do in our community. Mayor Charlie Clark, City Councillors and other celebrity pancake flippers from our community will be in attendance! Bring your friends and plan to attend!

Civic Pancake Breakfast Event Details:
When: Thursday, June 16, 2022, rain or shine!
Time: Breakfast served 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Held outside in Civic Square at 23^rd Street, beside City Hall
Cost: $7 breakfast includes pancakes with choice of whip, syrup or berry toppings, sausages, coffee & juice
Payment method: Cash or Debit card

We have an exciting lineup this year including Saskatoon Police Service vehicle displays, an entertainment stage with various ethnic dancers including a tribute to Ukraine, Métis fiddlers, musicians, furry mascots, the always anticipated and fun-to-watch team relay race (8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.), public engagement booth, and more!

New this year: You can help pay it forward through the Act of Kindness Board!

Since we've not had this important fundraiser in a couple of years, we're hoping we can all help pay it forward with an extra push for kindness through our collective donations. The Saskatoon City Employees Credit Union and the City of Saskatoon have partnered to bring an Act of Kindness Board to this year's Civic Pancake Breakfast. You’ll have the option to purchase an extra $7 ticket to donate to someone in need of a hot breakfast.

The City of Saskatoon is proud to host this annual zero-waste event with compostable, recyclable, and reusable supplies.

In advance, we thank all our valued sponsors who helped to make this fundraising event possible, successful, and sure to be a well-attended community event!

All are welcome, hope to see you tomorrow! 

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

NEW

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 31ST ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Roadway patching)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: June 15, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB PARKING LANE CLOSED AT TILLEY AVE
(Concrete repair)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: June 20, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT 22ND ST W
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: June 15, 9:00 a.m. End: June 15, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM ARLINGTON AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: June 15, 9:00 a.m. End: June 15, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM VENTURE CRES TO 1ST AVE N
(Construction)
Start: June 15, 9:30 a.m. End: June 15, 12:30 p.m.

22ND ST W WB MEDIAN LANE & EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM WITNEY AVE N TO CIRCLE DR W
(Streetlight repair)
Start: June 15, 9:30 a.m. End: June 15, 3:30 p.m.

NIGHTWORK

CIRCLE DR S EB & WB CURB LANES CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER PARK RD TO SPADINA CRES W
(Bridge deck washing)
Start: June 14, 8:00 p.m. End: June 15, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

20TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE W S TO AVE V S
(Watermain work)
Start: June 7, 9:00 a.m. End: June 17, 6:00 p.m.

33RD ST W SHOULDER CLOSURE AT CIRCLE DR W
(concrete repairs)
Start: June 9, 7:00 a.m. End: June 20, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB RIGHT TURN BAY CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Light repairs)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: June 21, 6:00 p.m.

DUNDONALD AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 11TH ST W TO MOUNTBATTEN ST
(Storm sewer work)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: June 23, 6:00 p.m.

NELSON RD EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM HEATH AVE TO HEAL AVE
(Material laydown)
Start: May 30, 7:00 a.m. End: June 30, 4:30 p.m.

3RD AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO QUEEN ST
(Water main repair)
Start: June 14, 7:00 a.m. End: July 5, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT BRIGHTON BLVD
(Construction)
Start: May 9, 9:00 a.m. End: July 11, 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.

After a two year pause due to COVID, the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is back in-person for the community to gather together and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) at 10:00 a.m.

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, attended by thousands in past years, was first held in 2016 with attendance growing each year. The intent is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and working towards an inclusive community.

“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful for organizers to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”

Individuals of all ages are invited to attend, including groups representing organizations, workplaces, and schools. Cultural performers from across the city have been invited to ‘rock their roots’ along the walk route by sharing a piece of their culture and showcasing Saskatoon’s incredible diversity.

“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour Indigenous history as well as celebrate the cultural mosaic that is our community,” says Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to participate; I’m really hoping that we’ll see a great turnout.”

“Rock Your Roots is an opportunity to bring our community together to understand and be educated on residential schools that have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “This walk is a sign of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better, so that all people can have a quality of life.”

Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural regalia, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt. Rock Your Roots t-shirts – with all proceeds directed to programming and activities for Rock Your Roots – can be ordered by emailing RockYourRootstshirts@gmail.com.

“Rock Your Roots represents an acknowledgment of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to Reconciliation,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees and those lost. It’s a promise to work towards a future that affords every member of our community equal opportunity.”

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation event takes place on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) in Victoria Park between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The start location is in Victoria Park near Legion Branch 63 on Spadina Crescent West. All are welcome. More information is available at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.