Open House to View the Detailed Drawings of the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan

The architects for the award-wining Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan will be in Saskatoon on January 12, 2012 to show detailed drawings of the Gallery to residents. The detailed drawings build upon the concept drawings shown and feedback received at the open house held in June 2011. The landscape plan, an overview of the sustainable building features, and building materials and finishes will be shown in more detail.

Also at the open house will be samples of the actual materials to be used for the building, such as the exterior metal, glass, wood, and stone. There will be a short presentation by the architects, followed by a question period.




Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan Detailed Drawings Open House
Thursday, January 12, 2012
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (presentations at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
TCU Place (35 – 22nd Street East); Lower Centennial Hall

5:00 p.m. – Doors open; viewing of the drawings and materials
5:30 p.m. – Presentation by KPMB Architects; followed by Questions & Answers; viewing of the drawings and materials
7:30 p.m. – Presentation by KPMB Architects (repeat); followed by Questions & Answers; viewing of the drawings and materials

The design for the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan was recently awarded the 2011 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence by Canadian Architect Magazine.

The Gallery’s design is a creation of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB) of Toronto in association with Winnipeg-based Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Incorporated.

The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan will be located in River Landing, just west of 2nd Avenue and Spadina Crescent.  Construction is expected to begin in early 2013, with an opening in late 2014/early 2015.

More information:
River Landing Project Update - Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan

Website Focus Group

The City of Saskatoon would like to invite you to participate in a Focus Group meeting on Thursday, January 5, either at 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

The City of Saskatoon has embarked on the first phase of the Website project. The purpose of the project as a whole is to redesign the City’s webpage, making it function better for all users including the public, business community, civic staff and City Council.

The purpose of the Focus Group meetings is to ask you, the user:

• What are you currently doing on the existing City website?
• What would you like to do on the City website?
• What are the priorities to consider when changing the website?

Enhancing the effectiveness of the webpage as a communication tool is of prime importance to this project. Phase One of this project audits user experience and sets the future course of the City’s website for the later implementation phase. Working with website consultants, Infusion, some of the tasks involved in this exercise are:

• A review of municipal websites sites
• Observation of how our online visitors interact with our website
• Focus groups and stakeholder interviews
• Click-path analysis, to understand how users move through system
• Content and functionality
• Best practice analysis
• Generation of ideas for next steps in the realization of the webpage re-design
• Creation of terms of reference and budget guidelines for Phase Two

Phase Two is the implementation of the redesign of the City’s webpage, subject to funding availability. Redesign of the site is to ensure that it meets or exceeds best practices for interactive civic websites and is included in the scope of this project. This project will also make the City of Saskatoon webpage compliant with the World Web Consortium (W3C) standards in order to make the site more accessible to people with disabilities.

Once the first phase is complete, we will have a better understanding of the costs required to proceed with a complete redesign of the City’s website so that it meets the needs of City Council, Administration and most importantly, our citizens, and utilizes the best practices and accessibility standards mentioned above.

Please contact Jeanna South by email (jeanna.south@saskatoon.ca) or by phoning (306) 934-0938 to indicate your interest in participating in a Focus Group meeting. Include your name, contact number, email address, a paragraph explaining your reason for wanting to participate (no more than 100 words) and a time preference by December 30, 2011.

NOTE: There are a limit number of spots available and only successful applicants will be contacted. However, an online survey will also be posted on http://www.saskatoon.ca/ in the upcoming weeks for all citizens who wish to provide their feedback.

Jeanna South

Website Project Manager
Corporate Projects, City of Saskatoon
(306) 934-0938
jeanna.south@saskatoon.ca

2012 Winter Leisure Guide: What's New in Registered Programs

The 2012 Winter Leisure Guide is your access pass to drop-in or registered programs throughout the season. Whatever your age or ability, there are a variety of recreation programs and activities for everyone offered through our fitness and recreation centres, pools, rinks and parks.

Take a look at what's new in registered programs this Winter:



Active Ager Sampler Pack
Get a feel for Drums Alive®, Forever in Motion I, Gentle Aqua Motion and Zumba Gold ®, or NIA ®, in this unique sample session designed specifically for those over 55 years. Class begins with a 45 minute demonstration, adaptable for all skill levels, followed by a question and answer period with coffee and refreshments. It’s everything you need to prepare you for lifelong fitness! Offered at Lawson Civic Centre.

Forever…in motion Aquatic
Specifically designed for people 50+, this low impact aquatic exercise program is ideal for those with limited mobility and joint discomfort. Improve your endurance, flexibility, strength and balance as you participate in functional exercises to keep you strong and healthy. Offered at Lawson Civic Centre.

Forever... in motion I
Specifically designed for people 50+, this beginner class focuses on improving and maintaining mobility. Improve your endurance, flexibility, strength and balance as you participate in functional exercises to keep you strong and healthy. Offered at Lawson Civic Centre.

Personalized Swim Instruction
A personalized 20-minute swim lesson that provides one-on-one instruction for swimmers that may require individual assistance. Identify the skill that you would like to work on and we will help you to improve that skill (ie. front crawl, back crawl, whip kick). Book as many 20 minute sessions as you like. Offered at Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre and Lawson Civic Centre.

Smart Start Group Fitness Training Package
Ideal for team conditioning, school groups, adult or youth groups who want a fitness program designed specifically for your them! Pick the date, time and type of land fitness class (Fitness Yoga, Spin, Zumba,
Muscle Sculpt, etc.) and we will pair your group with the the perfect instructor! Group sessions serve a maximum of 20 individuals; single or multiple bookings available. Offered at Saskatoon Field House and Shaw Centre.

Learn to Zumba
Ditch the workout, join the party! Learn the basic movements of this new and exciting Latin-inspired dance program. The cardio based movements will be simplified so they are easy to follow. The combination of fast and slow rhythms will tone and sculpt your body, while having fun! Offered at Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre and Saskatoon Field House.

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre Event Packages
Make a splash with your next event! Harry Bailey Special Event Packages are now available for up to 75, 150 or 250 people. These after hour packages are great for Grade 8 Graduations, sport group celebrations, team building and youth groups to name a few!. For more information about special event package pricing and availability, please call
975-3321.

Included in the packages are the following:

• Pool amenities included in the package Zoom Slide
• Climbing wall
• 3 m diving board
• Hot tub
• Meeting room
• Leisure pool (for up to 250 people only)

To register for these or any Leisure Services program, refer to the the 2012 Winter Leisure Guide which is accessible online and for pick-up at any indoor Leisure Centre.

2012 Automated Garbage Collection Calendars: New Collection Routes

The City of Saskatoon provides waste collection services to approximately 66,000 residential properties. Neighbourhood growth and new efficiencies in garbage collection have led to changes in most garbage collection routes for residents using individual roll-cart containers. The new route system will be implemented January 1, 2012. This week, the new 2012 Garbage Collection Calendars will be delivered to households via Canada Post--please review the new calendar carefully so you know when your garbage will be collected.

Also please note, the December 2011 information on the new 2012 calendar was printed in error – please consult the existing 2011 calendar, located on our website, for the correct collection routes for December.

Waste Collection Routes
The City of Saskatoon is divided into ten collection routes. Your waste collection days are determined based on these routes. On one side, the calendar features a colour-coded system for collection dates and routes; find your neighbourhood in the list and match it to a coloured collection route--then, find your coloured route in the calendar for scheduled collection days. You will also notice that Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days are identified on the calendar with a black, double keyline; these collection days take place on Saturdays with locations available on the City web-site.

Frequently Asked Questions
On the other side of the calendar, you will find useful diagrams and detailed answers to Frequently Asked Questions about waste collection, including:

• How do I use my garbage cart?
• Where do I put my cart?
• Front street individual cart collection.
  And more...

After November 29th, you can pick up additional copies of the 2012 Automated Garbage Collection Calendar at neighbourhood libraries and City Hall, or view the calendar online.

If you have a mobile device, you can access the calendar online by scanning this QR code:

Waste Management Solutions
The City of Saskatoon is pleased to provide residents with comprehensive waste handling services. For more information about the new calendar, or if you encounter problems with your collection, please contact the Waste Stream Management Customer Service Line at 975-2486.

Please visit our website for more information concerning:
Garbage Collection and Landfill

Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery

Circle Drive South Project Update: November 29, 2011

Note:  The Circle Drive South Project construction web camera page is currently experiencing technical problems and we hope to have it up and running soon.

As the cold weather approaches, road work is winding down in some areas of the project, but work on the new bridge and overpasses will continue throughout the winter.

Crews have finished most of the work on the west side of the new south bridge. The earth berm in the river on the west side has been removed.  On the east side of the river, steel piles have been driven into the ground to support the end of the bridge, called the bridge abutment.  Crews have also created another earth berm extending out from the riverbank so crews can construct the concrete piers or columns that support the bridge deck.  This pier work should be completed by Christmas time if weather permits.

The Preston Avenue South detour opened on. October 26.  Crews are working on the new overpass at the intersection of Preston and Circle Drive, which will be very similar in look to the Clarence Avenue overpass, but Circle Drive will be approximately 6 meters lower than it is now.  This detour will be in place for approximately one year.

Work continues on the new Lorne Avenue interchange, with the top decking installed and crews are now building the retaining walls.  Lorne Avenue was anticipated to be open by late fall, but there is still too much work to do on the roadway, so it will re-open in spring 2012.

Crews continue to work on the new Idylwyld Drive overpass (west of Clarence Avenue). Concrete has been poured on the top deck. Crews are working on the approach roads and retaining walls.

In the northwest area of the project, the new traffic overpass on 11th Street east of Circle Drive is expected to open to traffic in mid-late November/early December. The two railway overpasses in the area will be finished at the same time.  Once 11th Street opens up again to traffic, Fletcher Road at Dundonald Avenue will be permanently closed, as the new Circle Drive freeway will pass right through that area.

Spadina Crescent at the new south bridge location is expected to be open early December.  It had been closed for approximately 18 months as the bridge was constructed.  There may be some intermittent closures of Spadina in the spring to finish up work in the area.

Two-way traffic has been diverted to the westbound lanes on the Valley Road as crews work on the new Valley Road overpass. This detour will be in place for one year.

Our Circle Drive South Project hotline is always open for recent updates and detours at
1-888-851-5303. Or check out the shots on the live web cams at Diefenbaker Park, facing west across the river to focus on bridge work, as well as two new cameras showing the 11th Street work. This is Saskatoon’s most massive infrastructure project, involving a new south bridge, five interchanges, three railway grade separations, and ten kilometres of freeway. The project will be open to traffic by September 30, 2012.

Overhead shot of the new south bridge in the summer.

Here’s to the Earthkeepers – and their work at the Saskatoon Landfill!

On Thursday, November 24, students from last year’s Grade 10 Aden Bowman Collegiate Earthkeepers program were on hand to unveil their new signs at the Saskatoon Landfill, highlighting projects at the Green Energy Park. It was the culmination of an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) project launched last April, involving the Aden Bowman Earthkeepers, three university students from the School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), and Saskatoon Light & Power. The four signs are part of the public education materials developed by the students which also included printed and online brochures. Each of the signs provides information on the different technologies at the Green Energy Park to take advantage of the Landfill’s energy resources.

“It was so great to know that your work was going beyond the teacher’s desk, that it was actually going out into the real world and making a difference,” said Mickey Koplovich, one of the Earthkeepers students, who added that working with the SENS was “pretty cool.”

Charlie Freeman, another Earthkeepers student, said the experience and the class had a profound influence on her. “Who would have thought that a bunch of Grade 10 students could do something that is now being recognized in the city and across the province?” she said. “The landfill is such a big space, and it’s awesome that we could actually do something with it to educate people and help the environment.”

The project originated with Saskatoon Light & Power, who provided the direction and resources. The Earthkeepers program at Aden Bowman is a great initiative. The City is proud to provide an educational experience for these students!

The four 4’ X 8’ signs can be viewed at the entrance to the Saskatoon Landfill. The students’ on-line brochures can be viewed at the City of Saskatoon website (www.saskatoon.ca) by clicking ‘L’ for ‘Landfill Gas’; ‘W’ for ‘Wind Turbine’, and ‘T’ for ‘Turboexpander’ under the Service Directory.

City Sick Time and Workplace Injures Declining

City workers are spending less time off the job than in previous years and if they are sick or injured, they are away for a shorter time.

This was the news Council heard at its meeting Monday November, 21 when it received the 2010 Absenteeism Report. The study reviews short term absenteeism rates and the costs for employees, departments and branches. It outlines trends as well as opportunities for improvement.

Short term absenteeism is separated into two categories:

• Periodic Absences (less than 10 days for the same illness/injury)
• Absences due to Ongoing Medical Conditions (10 days or more for the same illness/injury)

The report also includes statistics related to occupational injuries and illnesses (WCB-Workers’ Compensation Board).

The City takes a broad but detailed approach to absenteeism, health and safety. It strives to ensure employees struggling with injury or illness are supported while at the same time tracking and managing workplace absenteeism.

In 2010, absenteeism decreased in all areas of measurement and continues to be lower than provincial numbers reported by Statistics Canada for the Public Sector:

• Total incidents
• Average hours per person
• Average incidents per person
• Total hours
• Total cost

The City achieved another positive--occupational illnesses/injuries decreased including:

• Number of lost time injuries
• Number of lost time days
• Workers’ Compensation Board costs

Overview
The 2010 Statistics Canada Labour Force study outlines all Saskatchewan Public Sector workers were absent due to illness or injury 7.5 times last year and were off the job on average 9.7 days. Comparatively, in 2010, City of Saskatoon employees had an average of 3.1 incidents of short term sick leave and missed an average 7.1 days. Also, nearly 2 in 10 workers (518 employees) took no sick days.

The following graphs show the five year trend:

Periodic Absences

Periodic absences are those less than 10 days for the same illness or injury. Incidents represent the number of times an employee was away on short-term sick leave regardless of the number of hours the person was away.

In 2010, five City departments reduced significantly in costs and hours associated with periodic absenteeism. Departments will continue to ensure that the Attendance Support Program is used to its fullest extent. This program is a positive, supportive process that promotes the best possible attendance. It includes:

• regular tracking and review of all employees’ attendance
• education for employees on expectations
• available supports for employees with attendance issues

Ongoing Medical Condition
Absences due to ongoing medical conditions are absences greater than 10 days for the same injury or illness.

City workplace programs will continue to focus on early safe modified duties and/or accommodations. Employees with ongoing medical conditions are referred to the Disability Assistance Program as early as possible in order to ensure the employee has the support they need as they manage their illness/injury.  As a result, the City is able to make sure it has adequate medical information about employees’ accommodation needs. In addition, healthy lifestyles and wellness programs are also encouraged.

Occupational Injuries & Illnesses (WCB)

An injury-free environment benefits everyone and everyone deserves a safe and healthy workplace. Safety is the first consideration in everything the City does, with the goal of zero accidents at work and at home. The development and implementation of a Corporate Health and Safety Management System will be the focus for all departments going forward.

Continued focus on early safe modified work programs and accommodation has greatly reduced the length of occupational illnesses/injuries.

The City rate of lost time injury (injuries per 100 workers) was 5.51--down from 6.67--in 2009 and is on target to be lower once again in 2011.
There were 4614 days lost due to occupational illness/injury in 2010, compared with 7437 days in 2008 (an 38% decrease). WCB costs decreased from $1.2 million in 2009 to $1million in 2010. 

For the past three years the City has focused on better reporting and management of short term absenteeism. It’s also kept a close watch on statistics relating to work related injuries and illnesses. This heightened attention resulted in declining rates of short term absenteeism as well as occupational related injuries and illnesses.

The City continues to develop a wide range of health and wellness programs to help prevent injury and illness. Such programs--in addition to proactive, preventative health and safety plans--have had a positive effect and lowered absenteeism rates and injuries in the workplace and at home.