News Releases

The Shaw Centre competitive pool will be closed for maintenance from Friday, July 29, at 12:00 p.m., through Monday, September 5, 2016.  During this time, the leisure pool will remain open with modified access provided through the change rooms.  The Hamm Fitness Centre and Walking Track will also remain open to the public during this time.  Regularly scheduled programming for the competitive pool will resume on Tuesday, September 6.  Please refer to Drop-in Online at saskatoon.ca/dropinonline for up-to-date information on affected programs.

Maintenance closures will also occur in the change rooms and hot tub areas on the following dates (subject to change).  Access to alternate change rooms will be made available during this time:

• Competitive pool:  July 29 to September 5, inclusive;
• Women’s change room:  August 2 to 12;
• Men’s change room:  August 15 to 19;
• Family change room:  August 22 to 26; and
• Main Hot Tub:  August 18 to September 5, inclusive.

Visitors and patrons may notice slight construction odours in the building due to painting and work being done.

The Saskatoon Field House, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood, Lawson and Cosmo Civic Centres, and Terry Fox Track will maintain regular hours during this time.  For drop-in programming information at any of the other six facilities, please refer to saskatoon.ca/dropinonline.

The City of Saskatoon and Shaw Centre thank patrons for their cooperation.  For more information on programming and services affected, please contact the facility at
306-975-7744.

The results are in on the 2016 Civic Services Survey and public engagement activities, which will help shape the City’s 2017 Business Plan and Budget. This year’s Civic Services Survey shows overall satisfaction with the level of services provided by the City remains high and is significantly higher than in 2013. Since 2013, overall satisfaction increased by 5% for telephone respondents and 10% for online respondents.

“I am very pleased to see this result,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “In 2015, we established a performance target of overall satisfaction with civic services of 90% or more. Looking at 2016 survey results, it shows we are definitely moving in the right direction toward hitting that target.”

The majority of Civic Services Survey respondents continue to rate Saskatoon’s quality of life as high, and they feel the City is on the right track to becoming a better city 10 years from now. Each year, citizens are also asked to the name the most important issue facing the City. 

“In 2013, citizens were very concerned with the condition of roads and sidewalks,” says Gryba. “As a result of that feedback, we launched the most aggressive road improvement program in the community’s history, Building Better Roads, in 2014. That investment is definitely making a difference, and although roads continue to be cited as the most important issue, there are significantly fewer respondents saying this is an issue as compared to 2013.” 

Similar to 2015, citizens also prefer to pay for services and balance the operating budget using a combination of user fees and property tax increases. Annual survey results have always been considered in the development of the City’s business plans and budgets, but Gryba says additional engagement initiatives are also proving to be quite valuable, including an online budget tool called "Citizen Budget", and in-person surveys conducted at various locations throughout the City.

“Participation in the Citizen Budget was very strong this year with over 2,600 unique visitors and a total of 803 online submissions, which is an increase of 60% for online budget submissions and matches the number of participants in the 2016 Civic Services Survey online study.” 

Although participation for the in-person survey varies and cannot be considered statistically reliable, the responses still provide important input into the process. When the results of all engagement initiatives are combined, citizens generally support increases in service levels or an increase in spending on road maintenance. Besides road maintenance, there is also support for increases for affordable housing, transit, snow and ice management, and traffic management. 

“It’s interesting to see the needs and wants of citizens of varying demographics coming in as fairly consistent through each method of engagement,” says Gryba.

The 2016 Civic Services Survey and Citizen Budget engagement strategies support the Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada. All results are available at saskatoon.ca/financialfuture and in the coming weeks the comments provided by on the Citizen Budget site will also be posted.  

The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce that pet owners can now conveniently purchase and/or renew pet licenses online.

To purchase a new license online, pet owners can simply visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/petsonline and provide their contact details, pet, and payment information.  To renew a license, pet owners will need to have their personal ID and license tag number, which can be found on your pet license renewal form.  Renewal notices are sent out approximately one month prior to the expiration date.  New and renewed licenses purchased online take 24 hours to take effect.
Licenses can also be purchased in person at City Hall, the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency, the SPCA, SCAT Street Cat Rescue Inc., and participating veterinary clinics and pet supply stores.

All dogs and cats over four months of age must be licensed.  Annual cat license fees for spayed/neutered cats are $16 and $32 for non-spayed/neutered cats.  For spayed/neutered dogs, annual license fees are $27 and $54 for non-spayed/neutered dogs.

Enjoy the benefits for being a responsible pet owner and licensing your pet.  These benefits include the development and maintenance of off-leash recreation areas (OLRAs) and services dealing with dangerous animals.  Licensed pet owners also receive a Pet at Large (P.A.L.) card, which allows a one-time fine totaling up to $300 to be waived if your pet is found at-large and offers a return-to-home or safe shelter for your stray pet.

Responsible pet owners deserve treats too! If you like to save money or enjoy trying new things, you will like what the My Pet Matters Card has to offer! Visit www.mypetmatters.ca for full program information.

If you do not have your Pet License Renewal notice or if you have any questions regarding the online payment option, please call Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For more information about Animal Services and pet licensing, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/animalservices.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

"CONTINUING STRONG ECONOMY”: ‘AAA’/STABLE CREDIT RATING AGAIN

For another year, the City of Saskatoon has earned the highest possible rating from international bond rating agency, Standard & Poor’s; S&P today reaffirmed its ‘AAA’/stable credit rating for Saskatoon - one of the hottest Canadian economies.

“Standard and Poor’s assessment again sends the message that the City’s budget process and resource allocation is open, accountable and transparent, and that Saskatoon has an economy that will keep our growth on track,” says His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison.

Every year Standard & Poor’s reviews the City’s finances and delivers the credit rating and supporting rationale in a report based on that study.

“This is exactly what we work toward every day,” says Acting Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff. “Saskatoon continues to be headed into healthy economic times, and S&P’s rating underlines that position.”

As it did last year, Standard & Poor’s continues to view the financial outlook for Saskatoon as stable. The agency is confident that cash flow and cash investments will increase to offset any rising debt. In other words, Saskatoon’s leading economy is expected to keep growing.

“Saskatoon's economic fundamentals are very strong, in our view” the report says. “We think Saskatoon is managing its growth well, and we expect this will continue.”

The City of Saskatoon demonstrates strong and prudent financial policies and solid management, and these have a positive impact on the credit profile. The City has received the ‘AAA’/stable credit rating every year for more than a decade.

Receiving a ‘AAA’ credit rating essentially means that the City of Saskatoon can borrow money at lower rates, and is viewed by financial institutions as having virtually no-risk with respect to defaulting on credit. The City of Saskatoon’s favorable budget performance, as well as its self-generated revenues, continue to place the City in a strong and stable financial position, supporting the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability.

 For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases,  Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on January 22, Cumberland Avenue South between Taylor Street and 1st Street will be closed while crews replace a sewer connection.  Drivers are encouraged to use Louise Street.

The roadway is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  The City thanks everyone for their patience. 

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

On Wednesday, January 8, any required 2014 Assessment Notices will be mailed to the owner’s property or properties located in Saskatoon. The Assessment Notice lets owners know the assessed value of their property, which is then used to determine how much property tax must be paid. Property Tax Notices will be delivered in May 2014, once education rates are determined as part of the provincial budget. 

Since 2013, property owners have been paying property tax each year based on the value of their property as of January, 2011. Province-wide revaluations take place in Saskatchewan once every four years; 2013 was a revaluation year, and 2014 begins the second year in the four year assessment cycle.

“Our goal is to create and conduct property assessments that place fair, accurate, and equitable values on properties,” City Assessor Les Smith says. “Increases or decreases to the amount of property tax due to the 2013 revaluation are phased-in over the four year cycle,” adds Smith. “The annual tax bills will be adjusted each of the four years to include any appropriate phase-in adjustments.”

The City of Saskatoon collects taxes on behalf of the City, the Provincial Government for the Public and Separate School Boards, and the Saskatoon Public Library. Each taxing authority establishes its annual budget, and after taking into consideration other sources of revenue, determines the total revenue required through taxation.

The City uses a valuation approach that ensures property values are a reflection of the market value on a given date.  Factors like location (neighbourhood) of the property, traffic patterns around the property, views, and the property structure are all used to determine an assessment value. Adjustments are also made for other factors including size, age, style, garage, etc.

As this is a non-revaluation year, property owners have 30 days to appeal their assessment. Appeals can be made until February 10, 2014, by mail to: Secretary, Board of Revision, c/o City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 222 - 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 0J5.

Property owners, visit saskatoon.ca and click on ’A’ for Assessment, or use the Property Assessment Online Tool which provides market and assessment information.  Property owners can also contact Assessment and Taxation at 306-975-3227 for additional information, or visit the Assessment and Taxation Division in person at 4-325 Third Ave N, located one block north of City Hall.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Starting Monday, January 13, 2014 traffic will be restricted south of the 1st Avenue North and Circle Drive intersection while crews complete further work on the primary water main. This work had been scheduled for earlier in the month, but was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

The following restrictions will be in place: 

• No turning southbound on to 1st Avenue North from Circle Drive eastbound and westbound
• Local access only along 1st Avenue North between 40th Street and Circle Drive northbound and southbound
• No parking on sections of 1st Avenue North between 40th Street and Circle Drive.

It is expected that this work will take five days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go!  Find up-to-date Traffic Detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Every year, the City of Saskatoon sets up temporary drop-off sites to collect live trees from December 26 to January 31. Christmas trees should be dropped off unwrapped and unbound at the following locations:

• Primrose Drive Recycling Depot (next to Lawson Civic Centre)
• Edmonton Avenue Recycling Depot (at Edmonton Avenue and Avenue P)
• Meadowgreen Recycling Depot (22nd Street and Witney Avenue)
• Lowe Road Recycling Depot (Attridge Drive and Lowe Road)
• George Ward Pool parking lot (5th Street East and Grosvenor Avenue)
• Wildwood Golf Course parking lot (8th Street East)
• Doukhobor Cultural Society of Saskatchewan parking lot (17th Street West and Avenue I)

Live trees dropped off at these locations are chipped and composted or used as mulch. Artificial trees are not accepted for recycling and should be taken to the Landfill.

Our live tree recycling program is designed to reduce the amount of waste that goes to the Landfill and help grow a greener Saskatoon. For more information about recycling and waste handling, visit SaskatoonRecycles.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Due to the extreme cold weather conditions this morning, garbage trucks were not able to begin collection as scheduled for Route 2 (Arbor Creek, Forest Grove, Parkridge and Silverspring).  The temperature has increased slightly and collection on this route will be begin at 11:00 a.m. and extend into the evening until complete.  Residents on Garbage Collection Route 2 are asked to leave their black carts out until collection occurs.

Extremely cold temperatures affect the garbage trucks’ hydraulic and mechanical components, resulting in costly damage and breakdown to the trucks.

Recycling is being collected as scheduled today.  The City of Saskatoon thanks residents for their patience during this cold period.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit fare increases that were approved as part of the 2014 City of Saskatoon Budget will take effect starting February 1, 2014.

The new fees are as follows:

Single transit tickets will increase by $0.10 for adults, students and children making the new rates $2.40, $1.80 and $1.40.

The cost of a monthly pass will also increase. For adults it will increase from $78 to $81; students $56 to $57; children $47 to $48; and for seniors $26 to $27.

Cash fares will increase by $0.10 to $3.10 per ride for an adult, $2.60 for a student, and $2.10 for a child.

An important message to our customers:  Despite incorrect information that has circulated in the community, The City of Saskatoon is continuing to offer senior discounted bus passes.  Thank you for choosing Saskatoon Transit.

For more information on Saskatoon Transit fares, routes and schedules, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “T” for Transit or call 306-975-3100 and speak to a Customer Service Representative.  Access Transit customers can call 306-975-3555 for further information.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases,  Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.