Fire Station #8 Grand Opening

Instead of the usual ribbon cutting, there was a ribbon chopping with fire axes, to officially open Saskatoon’s newest fire station. The Honourable Lynne Yelich, MP Minister of State, The Honourable Darryl Hickie, Minister of Municipal Affairs, The Honourable Don Morgan, QC, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, His Worship Donald Atchison, Mayor of Saskatoon, and Chief Brian Bentley, Saskatoon Fire & Protective Services, today celebrated the official opening of the new Fire Station #8 in Saskatoon.

It will be the city’s ninth fire station, and will serve the neighbourhoods of Rosewood, East College Park, Briarwood, and Lakeridge. Curious why Station #8 is Saskatoon's 9th Station? Station #8 used to be at the Airport. Fire protection services at the Airport are now through a private service, allowing the City to use the name "#8" at this location. This Lakewood Suburban Centre fire station will be able to meet the national four-minute response time standard for the neighbourhoods it serves. It is also strategically placed to contribute to the eight-minute full first alarm response on the east side of the city. The station will employ 40 firefighters to work rotating shifts on two fire service apparatus’.

The cost of constructing and equipping Fire Station #8 was $5.4 million, of which $4.7 million was provided by the Provincial Government MEEP funding (Municipal Economic Enhancement Program).

“This new fire station enhances the safety of our residents, and ensures the prompt and timely delivery of emergency services,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “Our city is growing, and with the help of the Provincial Government, we are able to meet the needs of our citizens now and in the future.”

Watch some of the highlights of the grand opening.

Public input on the short-listed options for the Traffic Bridge is being gathered on an online Traffic Bridge Forum between October 21st and November 1st. The same content and the same opportunity for response as the October 20th open house is available on this online forum.



Here's a summary of the Short-Listed Traffic Bridge Options:

• All options have the capacity to carry vehicles, pedestrians and cycling traffic for the foreseeable future (e.g. 80 years).

• All options have 3.0 metre pedestrian/cyclist lanes on both sides of the bridge.

• The Conventionally Designed Structure option and Modern Steel Truss option both have 1.5 metre shoulders on the vehicle lanes, which could be dedicated cycling lanes.

• All options use the existing piers (upgraded).

Read more...

Civic By-election Coming Up in Ward 5

With the resignation of Gordon Wyant, Councillor for Ward 5, the City will need to fill his seat.  The City Clerk is taking a report to City Council on October 25, recommending that a by-election be held on Monday, November 29, 2010.  If the report is approved, nominations will open on November 1 and close November 9.  Nomination forms will be available from the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall as well as at the Saskatoon Public Library (main branch) and the Rusty MacDonald Branch Library starting on October 26.  Information for candidates and voters will also be available at http://www.saskatoon.ca/, Those eligible to vote in Ward 5 are residents of Ward 5 that are Canadian citizens, 18 years of age, have lived in the City of Saskatoon for at least three months, and have resided in Saskatchewan for at least six months.



River Landing: Then & Now

Much work has been done to River Landing. Looking back, it's amazing to see the transformation. Here are some interesting pictures, and a brief update on what's to come.

Formerly called the South Downtown Concept Plan and renamed River Landing in 2004, the area is a remarkable opportunity for new development providing a major new destination for residents and tourists, and has helped to revitalize Riversdale and strengthen the Downtown.

New Poster Boxes Downtown

You may have noticed these green boxes downtown. These boxes are new directories and are part of the 3rd Avenue streetscape redevelopment. The Partnership (Saskatoon Downtown Business Improvement District) will use these to display downtown informational posters. These boxes are also equipped with power outlets that can be used, with permission, by street festival activities - street performers, vendors etc. There will be matching poster columns mid-block for use by anyone - promotion of local events, concerts, etc. – similar to postering facilities provided on other streetscaped streets.

The Third Avenue Streetscape project has had much work completed so far this year. Stretching from 19th Street to 23rd Street, this project includes sidewalk improvements with unit paver strip, street trees, sidewalk lights and unique street furniture, the construction of a planted centre median, corner bulbing and extended bus stop bulbs, two lanes of traffic with shared bike lane in each direction, parallel parking, public art and heritage interpretation features. For more information, visit our website. 

LeisureCards - a convenient option

LeisureCards provide unlimited admission to public open times, drop-in fitness and aquafitness classes, and drop-in sports at any of the six indoor leisure centres including the new Shaw Centre. You can also use your LeisureCard for public swimming and drop-in aquafitness classes at the four outdoor pools in the summer. Your LeisureCard provides access to the Fitness Circuit &Terry Fox Track at the SaskTel Sport Centre in Forest Park. LeisureCards offer a convenient and great way to stay in shape, and participate in the many programs the City offers.

Visit our website for locations, hours, schedules, and other exciting programs always happening in Leisure Services.

If you haven't yet, be sure to take part in the "Find Your Fit" promotion at each of the Leisure Facilities. Enter to win a $250 City of Saskatoon Leisure Services Gift Certificate!