News Releases

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has been closely monitoring life and fire safety at the Lighthouse Supported Living Facility. As a result, ongoing inspections dating to April 2021 have revealed a number of deficiencies that must be remedied to make sure work and living conditions at the facility do not deteriorate.

“Our focus at the Lighthouse is community safety,” says Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer. “We want to ensure all life safety measures are in place so that any concerns or deficiencies can be easily rectified. We don’t want the issues to compound like we have seen elsewhere, so we’re keeping a close eye on the building and staying on top of inspections at the Lighthouse.”

Inspections and results:

• One fire inspection in April 2021 and four re-inspections since (three in December 2021 and one in January 2022)
• Four Property Maintenance Nuisance Abatement Bylaw inspections (September, November and January)
• 42 Fire Safety Act contraventions pertaining to failing to maintain life safety systems and building systems (i.e. electrical, sprinklers, fire alarm system, lack of records, failing to maintain means of egress, failing to maintain fire separations)
• One Fire Safety Act Order to Remedy related to 42 contraventions
• Two Bylaw Orders to Remedy (one for structural assessment-December; one for various property maintenance issues-January)
• Fire investigation December 10 revealed careless disposal of smoking materials
• 14 tickets related to the 42 Fire Safety Act contraventions (issued December 10 & January 6)
• One ticket related to junk/garbage under the Property Maintenance Nuisance Abatement Bylaw (January)

There are outstanding issues arising from inspections that remain under investigation.

SFD will not be closing the Lighthouse; inspectors determine the risks in the building are less than the risk posed by displacing occupants. Instead, SFD has issued Orders to Remedy. The Lighthouse has been ordered to fix the hazards by the end of January. If the hazards are not remedied by then, SFD may contract the work, bill the Lighthouse for the repairs and then discuss payment terms.

Following the most recent visit to the Lighthouse on January 4, that inspection identified:

• Two sinks removed in a bathroom off the dining room, which is currently converted into a temporary shelter area due to COVID-19
• One water heater not working; multiple other water heaters remained fully functional
• A small water and sewer backup in the service room with slight wet staining around the drain

Since the January 4 inspection, the water heater has been fixed. Showers and sinks with hot water remained intact for all other suites and bathrooms. The deficiencies identified by SFD are considered to be minor and can be rectified by a plumber.

“We are not aware of the current financial situation of the Lighthouse, but it is our view that the repairs required to complete the orders are relatively minor,” notes Assistant Chief Raymer. “However, if the Lighthouse requires assistance in completing these repairs, we would invite them to reach out to the Saskatoon Fire Department to discuss their various options.”

Other deficiencies can be fixed by hiring qualified tradespeople or other service contractors that would be able to ensure the Lighthouse is a safe facility for staff and residents.

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

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart) and Hoist the Hoops have drafted an agreement that proposes the construction of a world-class outdoor accessible basketball facility in the River Landing area. Under the gift agreement, Jumpstart, with the support of local Canadian Tire Dealers, Dave Deplaedt and Paul Cairns, will provide a gift-in-kind for design and construction of the multi-court facility, with construction potentially to begin in 2022. The details of the updated project will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (PDCS) on Monday, January 17, 2022.  

“The Hoist the Hoops initiative has done an amazing job to bring to life a vision where youth can play basketball outside with no financial, social or other barriers,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development. “With Jumpstart’s support to the project, Saskatoon could soon see a sports facility that serves the community in a unique and important way and will offer other benefits like camps and sporting events.” 

Hoist the Hoops is a local initiative spearheaded by Michael Linklater, Marcus Storey and Michael Donauer who saw the need for an outdoor basketball facility to serve as both a sports opportunity and a way to bring community together in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhood.

City Council approved the original concept plan that was presented and agreed to provide other supports to the initiative. Jumpstart then reached out to Hoist the Hoops in the fall of 2021 to see what support they could offer, resulting in the gift-in-kind proposal and a revised concept plan. 

“At Jumpstart, we know that sport and play is about more than getting active, it’s about building stronger individuals, and more inclusive and healthier communities,” says Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “We are proud to work with our local Canadian Tire Dealers, the City of Saskatoon and the Hoist the Hoops initiative to bring this ambitious project to the River Landing community.”

The revised concept plan includes a full-size International Basketball Federation (FIBA) basketball court, two regulation 3-on-3 courts, lights, a shade shelter and up to six basketball standards with backboards, rims and nets.  

The concept is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #90 “To ensure that national sports policies, programs and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples.” Throughout the planning process, a representative from Hoist the Hoops has been in discussions with Elders, Residential School Survivors and community members about the outdoor basketball multi-court facility. These discussions will continue with the community to develop the facility name and other key elements.  

About Jumpstart: Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, Jumpstart has provided more than 2.5 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.