March Updates

Hello Ward 6 residents –

I hope you will join in on Tuesday, March 30th to learn and ask questions about community safety trends in our ward, and how to keep our neighbourhoods safe. No need for an app, just go to my website and click the link that will be provided.

Assessment Notices

Saskatoon property owners are receiving assessment notices, as is done every four years in Saskatchewan.

In light of the challenges during the pandemic, Council readjusted the municipal budget to lower the tax increase to 2.83 per cent.

Spring Construction

Spring construction season is underway, and there are several projects planned for our ward. The dry pond at WW Ashley Park will be constructed this year to mitigate flooding issues in the area. It will return to a sports field upon completion, and another new community soccer pitch is set to open at Aden Bowmen Collegiate in May. Permanent infrastructure is being built at the road closure on 14th Street and Temperance, including bi-directional cycling lanes that will form part of the future Neighbourhood Bikeway along 14th Street. Also, areas close to Luther Tower will be getting watermain and road work done this year. Find out more about the 2021 construction season here:

We are making progress on basic infrastructure improvements in our historic neighbourhoods, and The Building Better Roads program is starting to reflect a much better maintained city.  Council has also directed more money for sidewalks in 2021.

Re-zoning

Council has approved applications for multi-residential buildings at the corner of Main Street and Cumberland and behind Extra Foods on Main Street near Broadway. As Saskatoon’s Growth Plan takes shape, multi-residential development applications are coming forward in areas in and around the core. Building density in the heart of the city is designed to improve efficiency and land use, reduce urban sprawl and support a modern public transportation system. While infill growth is necessary, it is important that multi-residential projects are done respectfully and in consideration of both adjacent properties and the overall neighbourhood.

It is also critical that residents feel informed and able to provide meaningful feedback. Council has directed a review to improve awareness and strengthen engagement. There is a lot happening in our city, and I encourage you to check out:

Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) 

City Council has approved the first Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) for our city, and applications are anticipated to be available later this year. 

Marr Residence

You may have heard about the roof problems at the Marr Residence, so I wanted to provide an update.  As I sit on the boards of both the Marr and Albert Community Centre, we have been working toward a sustainable capital funding program for these heritage buildings. At Council in February, administration assured Council and the public that it will address all urgent building needs, as we continue long-term planning.

Permanent Festival Site

Engagement will soon begin for a permanent festival site in Saskatoon’s Friendship Park. Protecting heritage, trees, greenspace and public access are cornerstones of the festival site plan, and this engagement will give residents of downtown and adjacent neighbourhoods the opportunity to weigh in and mitigate concerns around issues such as noise and parking.

A couple of kudos for our city this past month. 

Saskatoon was awarded the highest level, platinum certification, for its data use and collection from The World Council on Cities Data www.dataforcities.org The WCCD is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that helps communities in Canada and across the globe to embrace standardized, independently verified, and globally comparable city data to become more sustainable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and smart. And the second nod for our city comes from S & P Global Rating Services. The City of Saskatoon has, once again, been confirmed as having a ‘AAA’ credit rating with a stable financial outlook, a rating it has achieved for more than a decade. S&P states the City, “will continue to benefit from a strong and diverse economy that supports strong budgetary performance, keeping debt issuance manageable and liquidity exceptional.”

Last, but not least, I want to give a huge shout out to all of the community associations in Ward 6. 

These volunteers are working exceptionally hard during Covid to provide additional outdoor opportunities at your rinks, hills and cross-country ski trails.  Thank you so much for all you do for your neighbourhood!

Stay well,

Cynthia