News Releases

University Bridge will be closed starting Wednesday, June 21, effective immediately as Saskatoon Fire Department continues to extinguish a fire that started within an encampment under the bridge. This is a complete closure and there will be no access to the bridge during this time. The pedestrian walkways will also be fully closed during this time. The fire is under control but a timeline of when the fire will be fully extinguished and bridge reopened is not known at this time. 

Spadina Crescent will be closed between 24th and 25th streets, under the University Bridge during this work.        

From the east side of the bridge, drivers are encouraged to take Clarence Avenue to 12th Street and use the Broadway Bridge. 

From the west side of the bridge, drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes downtown to use the Broadway Bridge. 

The closure of the University Bridge will impact transit service on Routes 4, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 6. Bus riders using these routes during the bridge closure are encouraged to allow extra time to get to their final destination. 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. 

Flip Flip hurraaaay! The 47^th Annual Civic Pancake Breakfast is next week with all proceeds from this annual fundraiser 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 will be in attendance! Bring your friends and plan to attend!

Event Details
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time: Breakfast served 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Held outside rain or shine in Civic Square at 23^rd Street, beside City Hall
Cost: $7 pancake breakfast includes choice of toppings, sausages, coffee & juice
Payment method: Cash or Debit card

Expect an exciting lineup with Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire Department vehicle displays, information booths, an entertainment stage with radio host Matt Bradley from Saskatoon Media Group as our MC, dancers, musicians, furry mascots (including Bruiser from the Saskatoon Rush and Poke Check from the Saskatoon Blades), the always anticipated wellness activity/relay race and more.

Back for this year – our Act of Kindness Board! 

The Saskatoon City Employees Credit Union and the City of Saskatoon have partnered to bring back the Act of Kindness Board to this year's Civic Pancake Breakfast. As we know, kindness is needed now more than ever. Consider buying an extra $7 ticket for someone in our community in need of a hot breakfast on June 15. The proceeds from unused tickets will go to United Way Saskatoon & Area.

This event is always butter... and better with the kind and generous support of our valued 2023 Sponsors:

CUPE 59
Federated Coop (FCL)
Saskatoon City Employees Credit Union
Saskatoon Media Group
Rawlco Radio
Sheraton Cavalier
Van Houtte Coffee Services
Discover Saskatoon
Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce
Handy Special Event Rentals
IAFF80 Saskatoon Firefighters Union
Saskatoon Civic Middle Management Association (SCMMA)
Complete Technologies
Vendasta

Help spread the word and bring your friends and family or your work team to this fun community fundraising event on Thursday, June 15. As always, the pancake breakfast kicks off what is sure to be a great summer in Saskatoon!

Visit saskatoon.ca/pancakes for more information.

To accommodate the Saskatoon Pride Festival and Pride Parade in the downtown area this weekend, detours, lane restrictions, and “no parking” signs will be in place guiding motorists around the event area.

Saskatoon Pride Festival event road restrictions set in place from Friday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. to Sunday June 18 at 3:00 p.m.:

• The Traffic Bridge closed between 11th and 19th streets   
• Spadina Crescent closed between 2nd Avenue and 20th Street

The Pride Parade route will move from Kiwanis Park, with closures in place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17:

• Spadina Crescent closed between 24th and 25th streets under the University Bridge 
• 24th Street closed between Spadina Crescent and 4th Avenue
• 4th Avenue closed between 22nd and 24th streets 
• 22nd Street closed between 1st and 4th avenues
• 1st Avenue closed between 20th and 22nd streets
• 20th Street closed from 1st and 4th avenues
• 3rd Avenue closed between 19th and 20th streets
• Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge off-ramp to 1st Avenue closed

During the Pride Parade, Saskatoon Transit will implement minor route changes and set up temporary bus stops from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Terminal bus stops will operate as usual, except for Route 6 Broadway, 60 Confederation, and 65 Kensington. Route 6, 60, and 65 routes will have temporary bus stops on 23rd Street Eastbound, just east of 2nd Avenue. Route 8 City Centre and 81, 82, 84 and 86 Centre Mall will serve downtown via the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge. Please note that Route 5 City Centre will not be able to reach the residences on 24th or 23rd Streets from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

For detailed information on bus stop closures, Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.  If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the dedicated Customer Service team at 306-975-3100.

Drivers are reminded to watch out for pedestrians. The City thanks everyone for their patience. 

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

It’s the much-anticipated May long weekend, always the kickoff to another great summer in Saskatoon!

The City will have several adjusted civic services and hours of operation on Victoria Day, Monday, May 22.

Be sure to check out what's open or closed, details on parking requirements and Saskatoon Transit holiday hours, and information on Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Leisure Centres, Waste Collections and more.

Check the City's detailed Victoria Day list here.

Have a safe long weekend everyone!

Monday, May 15 kicks off Spring BYXE Week! Many activities and events are planned throughout the week, including Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 18. Local advocacy group, Saskatoon Cycles, is coordinating the events in partnership with the City, including the #BYXE Week scavenger hunt and Great Saskatoon Bike Passport Adventure.

Cycling is a convenient and low-cost form of everyday transportation that benefits Saskatoon by decreasing traffic congestion, noise and air pollution. Riding a bike is also great for physical and mental health; regular exercise leaves you feeling refreshed, energized and alert.

Where will the ride take you? BYXE Week is a great time to grab your bikes and explore Saskatoon and all its beauty as spring blooms. The 2023 Cycling Guide is now available, visit saskatoon.ca/byxe for bike routes and safety tips.

Bike to Work Day will be held on Thursday, May 18. Commuter Stations, sponsored by local organizations and businesses, will be serving refreshments and snacks for people on bikes during their morning (7-9 a.m.) and afternoon (4-6 p.m.) commutes. 

If you live too far away to ride your bike, consider taking Saskatoon Transit part of the way. All buses are equipped with front bike racks that are free and easy to use. Racks on the front of the buses hold two bicycles on a first-come, first-served basis, accommodating tires up to 2” wide. Plan your trip using the Transit app and Google Transit.

Share your pedal adventures with #BYXE on your social media channels and we may share them on our pages, plus you will be entered to win prizes!

Visit saskatooncycles.org/byxe for details about the week-long activities planned and join our Facebook Event for updates!

Attention all Saskatoon Transit users!  

Please be aware the Downtown Transit Terminal will undergo a short-term construction project from May 8-14, 2023. The rehabilitation work aims to fix the structural deficiencies of the road surface and missing sections of curb at the terminal. 

The project has been scheduled in May to minimize the impact on transit riders and residents. The terminal will be moved along 3rd Avenue from 23rd Street to 24th Street with minimal effects on transit service and schedules. Wayfinding will be available to help locate transfers and buses, and transit staff will be on hand to assist. 

Please note the sidewalks on both sides of the existing terminal will stay open, and the Transit Customer Service Centre will maintain regular hours of operation. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to make improvements. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at transit.services@saskatoon.ca or 306.975.3100. Thank you for your cooperation and support. 

Some of Saskatoon’s most travelled roads are scheduled for major upgrades this summer. Construction projects will include resurfacing the west bound lanes of Circle Drive North between Millar Avenue and Alberta Avenue, and resurfacing sections of Preston Avenue between Preston Crossing and 8th Street.

“There are several areas of Preston Avenue that are in rough shape and in need of new asphalt,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction. “We’ll also get to Wanuskewin Road to resurface both sides between 71st Street and Penner Road.” 

Many roads will be completely resurfaced following water main replacements. Replacing the decades old water mains with durable PVC piping will continue in several areas of Saskatoon, including Downtown.

“Downtown water main replacement work will happen in phases throughout the summer and fall to avoid closing several blocks at the same time, starting with 22nd Street East between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue.” 

About $67.19 million is earmarked for road and bridge construction and maintenance in 2023. One of the most significant construction zones is already set up on the Circle Drive North Bridge where crews are now two months into a nine-month long rehabilitation project. Sidewalk repairs and annual street maintenance programs like street sweeping, pothole and utility cut repairs, and line painting are now underway or about to start.

Also, this month, the Saskatoon Transit Downtown Terminal will be undergoing road and sidewalk work. For approximately one week, the Terminal will temporarily move to 3rd Avenue North, in front of City Hall. Bus stop locations will be marked in advance.

Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) is already working Downtown, upgrading the underground electrical vault on the west side of 2nd Avenue between 21st Street and 22nd Street. Work began in late April and is scheduled for completion by mid-June. This is a cornerstone project that will allow SL&P to proceed with additional electrical renewal projects to update Downtown power infrastructure.

Despite some street closures due to construction, Schmidt says Downtown businesses will remain open and accessible by sidewalk.

“There will be pedestrian and traffic detours Downtown and throughout the city all summer. We thank residents for their patience and are asking everyone to respect work zones.”

For more information on current and future construction, please visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Time to hop into spring, looks like warmer days are ahead!
Many fun Easter long weekend activities await! How about ...

• planning a spring walk to go see the animals at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
• strolling through Remai Modern to enjoy newest collections
• diving in for a family swim or workout at one of the City's Leisure Centres
• visiting a Saskatoon Public Library location to borrow some new books

Check out all the details on what's open or closed, what's happening with parking, waste collection, transit service and more including adjustments to civic services and hours of operation on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, here.

The City has developed a comprehensive plan to establish a Downtown Event and Entertainment District to become a hub of commercial, cultural and community activity. City Council will discuss a report to approve the Downtown Event and Entertainment District vision statement and guiding principles at its meeting March 29, 2023. 

“This is a journey toward revitalizing downtown,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical services. “A new event centre is just one aspect of the larger vison of creating an animated public area of thriving business and entertainment in Saskatoon’s Downtown, which is accessible to everyone.” 

A key component of that accessibility is the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. In November 2018, City Council directed the Administration to plan for the future of Saskatoon’s Downtown and that the focus of the planning work includes an entertainment district fully integrated with the BRT, not just an event centre and a convention facility.  

The guiding principles incorporate priorities, policies and strategic initiatives from referencing several previously approved documents, including the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, City Centre Plan, Imagine Idylwyld and the Official Community Plan. 

“With these plans in mind, the area will be developed sustainably and with a focus on Indigenous placemaking,” Willems says. “By offering residents and visitors a gathering place for entertainment and events, with a variety of restaurants, venues, shopping and nightlife, Saskatoon’s Downtown will become an economic driver for the city and the province.” 

The vision and principles have been created and refined through discussion with many stakeholders, including Council Committees, to create a robust and inclusive document. 

“We have developed our vision statement and eight guiding principles that will be the bedrock for how we move forward,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. 

Vision Statement 

A safe and vibrant Downtown is a welcoming and inclusive place for all people to come together in cooperative spirit. The District supports a strong economy, strengthens our diverse community, and attracts people to live, work and play in the Downtown. 

Guiding Principles 

• Reconciliation by honouring Indigenous Peoples, histories, languages and culture
• A distinctive identity through placemaking/placekeeping 
• Architectural and public realm design excellence 
• Reliable and efficient transportation options 
• Downtown density with a focus on housing 
• Leadership in sustainability and resiliency 
• A robust and diverse economy 
• A healthy and safe community 

“There will be many opportunities for targeted and broad engagement for all residents and visitors to provide feedback on the project, as well as targeted engagement with stakeholders, rights holders and partners,” Anderson says. 

The vision and guiding principles are an important start towards planning for the District and there will be more to the journey, a continuation of working with the community and businesses, to ensure the Downtown District reflects the values, history and people of Saskatoon  

“Establishing a clear vision and guiding principles are foundational to creating a district that reflects and includes all of us,” says Councillor Cynthia Block who represents the downtown and is Council’s strategic lead for downtown development. “An event centre  and convention facility are tools, but evidence shows success comes from everything that builds up around them. A district roadmap gives us the best chance to succeed and makes it uniquely our own.” 

Block adds the City is developing a funding strategy that will have a minimal impact on taxes.  

“We are looking at funding tools that other cities have used successfully, as well as contributions from other orders of government,” she says. 

Once approved, the vision statement and guiding principles will be referenced in future reports related to the District Plan and how the guiding principles have influenced that work. 

Administration will continue to prepare District Plan-related reports to the Governance and Priorities Committee and City Council at major milestones throughout the District Plan process. 

The full report, including the full text of the vision statement and guiding principles, can be found on the meeting agenda.

Negative interactions where an operator was directly impacted by a member of the public have decreased, shows a report being presented to City Council’s Standing Policy on Transportation on March 7. The report summarizes incidents on buses and around Transit facilities.  

Negative interactions overall impacting operators are down by approximately 50% in 2022 when compared to the years prior; however, negative interactions between transit passengers and members of the public at transit stops and terminals trend up year over year.  

The most common negative attributes associated with interactions impacting operators are verbal altercations, intoxication, and acts of aggression. The most common negative attributes associated with passenger and public interactions are intoxication and verbal altercations. That said, Mike Moellenbeck, Operations Manager for Saskatoon Transit stresses, all such incidents remain rare. 

“While we take all negative interactions and assaults impacting operators very seriously, thankfully they remain very rare. There are about two operator assault incidents for every one million rides,” says Moellenbeck. 

Aside from physical force – including a push – assault also includes spitting or throwing items. Negative interactions include assault, intoxication, aggression, fare dispute, harassing behaviour or road rage against an operator. 

“We are all aware of greater mental health concerns and social distress in communities nation-wide; Saskatoon is no different,” he says.  “Saskatoon Transit will always support its Operators and riders and look at ways to enhance training and safety protocols to create a more positive workplace and ride experience.”  

Moellenbeck adds that the Plexiglas operator safety barriers Council approved in November 2020 are being installed with about one-third of the fleet complete. The remainder is expected to be installed this spring.