News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Daily Road Report - December 13, 2024
December 12, 2024 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
ONGOING
22ND ST W EB LANES & WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM AVE K N TO AVE I N
(Unplanned water main repair)
Start: December 12, 7:00 a.m. End: TBA
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Construction)
Start: December 12, 7:00 a.m. End: December 13, 5:00 p.m.
24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(SL&P construction)
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: December 18, 5:00 p.m.
4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 4:00 p.m.
8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 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: September 26, 2025, 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.
Significant rise in Saskatoon homelessness: 2024 Point in Time count shows
December 12, 2024 - 10:30am
The 2024 Point-in-Time Count has identified 1,499 individuals in Saskatoon experiencing homelessness. The count offers a “snapshot” of individuals and families residing in emergency shelters, transitional housing, unsheltered locations including encampments, systems, and experiencing hidden homelessness.
“The results of this count represent the minimum number of individuals experiencing unsheltered and sheltered homelessness in Saskatoon,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “These numbers and demographics will improve our understanding of the needs and circumstances of the people who are affected by homelessness in our community.”
The City of Saskatoon, in partnership with the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), the Reaching Home Community Entity in Saskatoon, and the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) at the University of Saskatchewan, along with numerous community organizations and well over 200 volunteers conducted a Point-in-Time (PiT) Homelessness Count on October 8, 2024.
“SHIP believes that we need to continue to work as a community to reduce the number of homeless people,” says Robert LaFontaine, SHIP Executive Director. “The PiT count effectively sets the work we need to do going forward.”
The 2024 homelessness count has increased nearly three times in the overall number compared to the last count conducted in 2022. While some of this increase reflects the recognition of new categories, numerous other factors have contributed to this significant rise. By reporting these updated figures, we align our efforts with those of other municipalities across the country, promoting consistency and collaboration in addressing homelessness on a national scale.
Further data collected from the PiT Count surveys will be released in early 2025 when we launch the Saskatoon PiT Community Report. Volunteers, media, survey participants and local agencies are welcome to attend. Further information will be available in the New Year.
Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval scheduled to open Sunday, December 15, 2024
December 12, 2024 - 9:00am
- Monday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Fridays
- Cancelled: December 24 to 27, December 31 and January 1
The Clarence Downey Speed Skating oval will open for the season on Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Oval, located on Dudley Street at Avenue R in the Gordon Howe Complex, is a 400-metre outdoor, oval-shaped rink for all skating levels. A warm-up building provides change rooms, public washrooms, and an area to lace up skates in comfort. Speed skates are not required.
Public Skating Hours:
For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/oval or call 306‑668-4693.
Daily Road Report - December 12, 2024
December 11, 2024 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Construction)
Start: December 12, 7:00 a.m. End: December 13, 5:00 p.m.
NIGHT WORK
CIRCLE DR E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE S TO CIRCLE DR E
(Guardrail improvements)
Start: December 11, 7:00 p.m. End: December 12, 6:00 a.m.
ONGOING
24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(SL&P construction)
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: December 18, 5:00 p.m.
4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 4:00 p.m.
8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 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: September 26, 2025, 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.
Recreational pond use – ice thickness testing in progress
December 11, 2024 - 1:00pm
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 more information.