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. 

A Saskatoon Transit bus was involved in a serious collision with a pedestrian this morning at the intersection of College Drive and Cumberland Avenue. 

Saskatoon Transit is cooperating fully with the police investigation: no charges have been laid against the Transit Operator.

Counseling services have been made available to the Operator and our Transit team affected by this incident.

Additionally, as is the practice anytime a Transit bus is involved in a traffic incident, there will be an internal investigation conducted by Saskatoon Transit.

Looking for some fun activities to take in over the Family Day long weekend?

• How about going for a swim and play at a Leisure Centre?
• Looks like mild weather, maybe skating indoors or outside?
• A relaxing museum visit to Remai Modern?
• Fun and fresh air at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo?

The City has you covered!  

Check out the City’s holiday hours of operation and adjusted civic services and also find information on what's happening on Family Day, Monday, February 20 with Saskatoon Transit services & the Transit Customer Service Center,  parking requirements, the Municipal Impound Lot, Waste Collection, Landfill hours, Woodlawn Cemetery & more.

Have a safe and happy long weekend Saskatoon!

Visit saskatoon.ca for more information on City programs and services.

When there are service adjustments, Saskatoon Transit wants riders to know as soon as possible. Here are some ways riders can stay informed of any changes to service:  

• Pin the routes you use in the transit app to receive push notifications in real time with all the information you need for your trip   
• Bookmark SaskatoonTransit.ca/service-alerts and check for service alerts to see all adjustments currently in effect 
• Call Transit Customer Service (306.975.3100) with questions or for help trip planning 

Saskatoon Transit strives to maintain scheduled service, however, there are times when service may be impacted. To keep riders in the know, service alerts are issued when: 

• Regularly scheduled frequency is temporarily reduced 
• Service is delayed by more than 15 minutes 
• Stops are temporarily closed, or routing is temporarily altered (detours)  
• Additional service is provided to help with busy routes 

When there is a known possibility that frequency may be affected in the morning, service alerts will be issued the night before on the potentially affected routes. This is done so riders can plan to either use a different route or travel at a different time. Follow up service alerts will be issued in the morning when service impacts are confirmed to update riders. 

City Council, at its Public Hearing meeting held on November 21, 2022, adopted amendments to Bylaw No. 9170, The Procedures and Committees Bylaw, 2014, that contained several updates to the 2023 Council and Committees meeting schedule as follows:

• New day and times for City Council Regular Business and Public Hearing Meetings: previously held Monday, these move to Wednesday; Regular Business will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Public Hearing will remain at 6 p.m. concluding at 9 p.m. 

• New day and times for City Council Budget deliberations: will move to begin on Tuesday, continuing Wednesday and Thursday if required, and these will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
   
• New days for Standing Policy Committees (9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and Governance and Priorities Committee (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.): these move to Tuesday and Wednesday. (Committee Meetings’ start and end times remain the same.) 

• New deadline for public submissions: The deadline for public submissions for items already on an agenda is moved to Monday at 5 p.m. the week of the meeting for all regular Committee/Council meetings.  Initial submissions to appear on the agenda when released remain Tuesday at noon the week before the meeting.  For Special Meetings, the deadline will be outlined with the Notice/Agenda posted on the City’s website.
  
  • The deadline for submissions to Committee/Council for items not on an agenda remains noon on the Tuesday before the meeting.

• No change: Agendas will continue to be posted at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the week before the meeting. 

Residents are encouraged to follow your City Council’s decision-making. The 2023 Council meeting calendar, meeting agendas, minutes, and video can be found at saskatooon.ca/meetings. Through the City's website, you can also contact your Ward Councillor or request to submit a letter, or make a five-minute presentation at a council/committee meeting. 

A reminder for members of the public attending City Council Chambers, there is a Visitor Screening protocol in place.

Please email city.clerks@saskatoon.ca or call 306-975-3240 for any meeting-related questions.

Once again, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late-night transit service on New Year’s Eve.

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Cory Shrigley, Manager Customer Support & Engagement, Saskatoon Transit. “We encourage everyone to plan their route before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit.”   

Residents are encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Multi-modal options are available on the Transit app. You can plan your trip taking the bus out of the downtown or busy areas and book your ride share for the short distance home all from inside the app. Transit+ seamlessly integrates a Riide or Uber vehicle with a transit connection.

By combining transportation modes residents can minimize wait times and costs.

Free bus service will be available on Saturday, December 31, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route).

For a transit schedule go to SaskatoonTranist.ca/route-and-schedules, use the transit app or call 306.975.3100 for help with trip planning.

“There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” Shrigley says. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

Access Transit is free for registered customers as well but must be reserved.

Check this detailed list for the 2023 rates and fees effective January 1, 2023.

Visit saskatoon.ca to learn more about the civic services and programs provided by the City, including a detailed list of adjusted holiday hours.

• Wondering what's open, what's closed at the City of Saskatoon over Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day and all those days in between?
• Looking for ideas of activities to do over the holiday season?
• Curious about hours of operation for City Hall, the Landfill, or the Municipal Impound Lot?
• Trying to figure out what days you have to pay for parking or if waste collections are impacted over the holidays?

We've listed it all for you here! Check out this detailed listing of what's planned for adjusted civic services and hours of operation over the holidays.

The City offers many fun things to take in as we all wind down 2022:

• Consider checking out swimming or fitness at a Leisure Centre or getting cozy with some new books from a Saskatoon Public Library.
• Plan for a family skate at an Indoor Rink , wander through the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan or check out the new wolves at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo!
• And don't forget the convenient Jingle Bell Express offered by Saskatoon Transit!

The City of Saskatoon extends warm wishes to all residents for a safe and happy holiday season! Especially at this time of year, consider acts of kindness as a gift to those in need.

Visit saskatoon.ca for more information on City of Saskatoon services and programs.

City crews, with contractor assistance, have been working through the night as the storm brought an additional 13 cm of snow. Crews are addressing the snow accumulation and applying de-icing material to bridge decks and the driving lanes of major roads such as Circle Drive, Idylwyld Drive, College Drive, and Attridge Drive.     

What you can expect from us

Crews will continue to prioritize the driving lanes of emergency routes, Circle Drive and other expressways and major arterial roads while the snowfall continues. Today, there are 28 graders, 8 snow plows, and 15 sanders working on Saskatoon’s streets.

Once the snow stops, crews will proceed to address the following routes:

1. Saskatoon Transit routes as well as double lane streets like Clarence Avenue, McKercher Drive, and Millar Avenue.
2. Streets in school zones and in Business Improvement Districts, and streets that connect neighbourhoods.
3. City facility sidewalks, Meewasin Trail, pathways along major routes, and walkways over bridges and overpasses.

How you can help us

• Drivers should anticipate winter driving conditions and adjust their driving. This includes slowing down and allowing more space between vehicles.
• Report icy conditions – particularly those at intersections and on/off ramps – to the Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or customercare@saskatoon.ca. 
• When you see the blue and amber flashing lights of snow crews, please give them lots of room to do their work.  

Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the Snow by checking the latest Snow & Ice Report posted to saskatoon.ca/SnowReport.