Saskatoon
is home to Canada's fastest growing economy
BY JEANNIE ARMSTRONG, THE STARPHOENIX
The country's top economists are in agreement. Saskatoon will continue
to lead economic growth in Canada through 2013.
FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY
The Conference Board of Canada, known for its conservative economic
forecasts, says that Saskatoon's economy will expand by 4.1 per cent
this year, and will remain at the top of the economic growth leader
board through 2013.The gap between Saskatoon and second place Calgary
is quite significant, with Calgary's economy expected to grow by 3.4
per cent.
What factors are contributing to Saskatoon's sustained economic growth?
According to the Conference Board of Canada announcement, "Saskatoon is
benefiting from strong resource development, while healthy population
growth is bolstering the housing market."
Over $10 billion in new mines and expansions are in development in the
province, and Saskatoon is at the epicenter of all of the activity.
Tim LeClair, Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatoon Regional Economic
Development Authority (SREDA), is quick to point out that mining isn't
the only engine boosting the city's economy.
"We also have to give credit to other sectors of the economy which
aren't related to the resource sector, including manufacturing,
agriculture, transportation and communication," says LeClair.
The Saskatoon region has one of the most diversified economies in the
country, says LeClair.
While mining, energy and agriculture dominate the city's economic
landscape, all three sectors are driving increased activity in the
manufacturing sector, where local companies are busy producing
fabricated metal goods and machinery, transportation equipment, wood
products, electronic and electrical equipment, plastics, as well as
food and beverage processing.
The production of local goods, in turn, impacts the transportation and
distribution industry, as 85 per cent of local manufacturers are also
exporting products outside of Saskatchewan.
FASTEST GROWING POPULATION
Not only does Saskatoon boast the country's fastest growing economy, we
have also earned the title of "Fastest Growing City in Canada."
Between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, Saskatoon's population
increased by 3 per cent, (7,200 residents), for a total population of
265,300, according to Statistics Canada.The federal agency attributes
approximately 50 per cent of the city's population growth to
international migration.Approximately 3,300 international immigrants
relocated to Saskatoon during that 12-month period, attracted by the
city's diverse economy.
CANADA'S YOUNGEST CITY
The arrival of young international families, as well as the growing
aboriginal population, means that Saskatoon is also Canada's youngest
city, according to the same Statistics Canada report. Saskatoon's
residents are the youngest in the country, on average, with a median
age of 35.4 years, compared to the national median of 39.7 years.
Read more at thestarphoenix.com.
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BY CHARLES HAMILTON, BRIDGES
Curtis Olson is on a mission to reinvigorate Riversdale. And the Two
Twenty on 20th street is his home base, the launch pad for his Acts of
Urban Renewal.
WHAT? The Two Twenty
Co-Working Space and Collective Coffee
WHERE: 220 20th Street West in Riversdale
WHEN? “The building was originally a furniture store built in 1962. “We
took possession July 1, 2010. Collective Coffee opened February 26,
2011. The office/studio tenants moved in June 1, 2011, so it was an
11-month project.”
WHY? “The Two Twenty is physical space that fosters collaboration that
is helping startups, pioneers, designers and initiators turn their
ideas into reality. At the core of it is my company, Shift Development,
along with very close collaborators of mine at Collective Coffee,
deezine.ca, Hardpressed Screenprinting and Crystal Bueckert at
BLDGStudio, who have helped me to bring my Acts of Urban Renewal to
completion.
HOW? “We gutted it completely and rebuilt everything from electrical,
mechanical, windows, storefront, interior walls, etc. Tons of materials
were salvaged from Riversdale (Habitat Restore, Roses, Great West
Furniture Warehouse, Inland Steel) was used in the rebuilding of the
spaces.”
Source: Bridges,
The Star Phoenix
Note: The Two Twenty celebrated its grand opening November 10, 2011. At
a press conference prior to the celebration, they announced plans to
expand the operation into the building next door. (via The Two Twenty
on Facebook)
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The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce the birth of two
lion cubs at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Cooey,
the female lion on loan from Ontario, gave birth to one male and one
female cub on September 24, 2011. Both cubs are doing well,
gaining weight, and are currently being raised by their mother under
the observation of Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo staff.
“We are thrilled to have lion cubs born at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm
Park & Zoo,” said John Moran, Manager of the Saskatoon Forestry
Farm Park & Zoo.
Due to the timing of the birth, the cubs will not be on public (or
media) display in the PotashCorp Ark Exhibit until spring 2012.
“It’s important to allow the cubs to grow and mature before exposing
them to the outdoor exhibit,” said Moran.
The Zoo will update the public on the progress of the cubs with
pictures throughout the fall and winter months on the City of
Saskatoon’s Facebook page.
Lions, known for their strength and courage, are a species at risk due
to their depleting numbers over the past 20 years. As the second
largest living member of the cat family, they can be easily identified
by their magnificent manes and tan bodies. Lions are the most
social of the cats, living in prides comprised of one to two males and
up to a dozen related females and their young.
Forestry Farm gates are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (October
1 to April 14), and the Zoo is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(September 6 to April 30).
For information on admission rates and other interesting things to see
at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, visit saskatoon.ca.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or our City Blog. Click on the links at
saskatoon.ca.
For more information please contact:
John Moran
Manager, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
(306) 975-3385
Source: News Release
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BY DAVID HUTTON, THE STARPHOENIX
The next stage in the evolution of Saskatoon's oldest park will include
an expansive new play area for children that will become an outdoor
skating loop in winter.
The concept plan for the $5-million makeover of the 46-acre Kinsmen
Park and area, sponsored by Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., includes
upgraded cross-country skiing trails, a skating loop and a year-round
concession. In the summer, the park plan includes a large new
playground with distinct "play areas" for young children and youth, and
the expansion of the Canpotex-sponsored miniature train ride, which
will follow the path of the old horse racing track around the park
perimeter.
"We had a strong idea to create a place for children and families,"
said Jeff Cutler, the Vancouver-based design consultant hired by the
city for the project.
"We wanted a better range of uses throughout the year."
The carousel will be updated and a ferris wheel and a swing ride
installed in a small amusement park near a large plaza area off Spadina
Crescent that will also include a train station for the miniature ride.
The softball fields off 25th Street will be removed to allow more
"flexibility" and to open the park up, Cutler said.
The goal is to change the character of Spadina Crescent surrounding
Kinsmen Park from a busy arterial road to a "boulevard" with slower
traffic, Cutler said.
The long-term plan shows a roundabout on Spadina for traffic exiting on
to the University Bridge off-ramp. New crosswalks will be built to
improve access from the park to the Mendel Art Gallery, which a group
is proposing to convert to a children's museum once the gallery is
relocated to River Landing.
The concept plan lays out changes over the next 25 years. The
short-term plan - with $5 million from PotashCorp - is to build the new
playground area, upgrade the amusement park, remove the softball fields
and build pedestrian paths.
Over the next 10 years, community gardens will be installed, a
concession building expanded and a hot-air balloon launch installed. In
winter, there will also be more terrain for skiers, a ski bridge, a
tobogganing hill, an outdoor fire pit and warming huts. The 25-year
plan details the expansion of the civic conservatory attached to the
Mendel Art Gallery and a new amphitheatre for Shakespeare on the
Saskatchewan.
The city hopes to get the unfunded portions of the long-term concept
plan for Kinsmen Park sponsored, said Jeanna South, a senior city
planner.
"What will result because of the elements we're including is something
that's very unique and very identifiable as a park in Saskatoon and not
something that could be quite ubiquitous and rubberstamped around the
whole world," South said.
The only bidder for the Mendel Art Gallery building is led by the
Children's Discovery Museum in concert with the Saskatchewan Children's
Festival and Wide Open Children's Theatre. If public feedback about the
museum proposal is positive and the plan is approved by council, the
group will create a more detailed business plan.
Bryan Kosteroski, president of the Saskatoon Amateur Softball
Association, said the softball community has been in talks with the
city for more than two years about the possible change. There are plans
underway to add lights and upgrades at some of the Glen Reeve diamonds
to make up for the loss of space.
"Building new diamonds is not always the solution," Kosteroski said.
"We have to maximize resources where we have them.
"There's been a lot of discussions with the city about our growth and
the city has been a real positive. We're very satisfied about where
we're going."
The concept plan for Kinsmen Park requires council approval in December.
Source: The Star Phoenix
More information available at saskatoon.ca.
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On
Ice Management Group Inc. in association with Credit Union Centre are
pleased to announce that Saturday, September 22, 2012 Saskatoon will
host the current Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins vs. Canada’s newest
NHL team the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL pre-season game.
“This year’s game will feature the current Stanley Cup Champions Boston
Bruins against Canada’s newest franchise the Winnipeg Jets” – says John
Graham. “The Bruins are one of the original six NHL teams and to my
knowledge this will be only the second appearance of an original six
team to Saskatoon”.
“The Boston Bruins are excited about the opportunity to host a game in
Saskatoon – one of Canada’s true hockey communities” said Peter
Chiarelli General Manager of the Boston Bruins.
“The Winnipeg Jets look forward to visiting Saskatoon and playing the
Boston Bruins” said Kevin Cheveldayoff General Manager of the Winnipeg
Jets. “We know we will have lots of support from Jets fans throughout
Saskatchewan and are excited to play in Saskatoon”
Ticket prices are $42.50 to $92.50 (plus service charges) and are
available through all Ticketmaster outlets, on-line at Ticketmaster.ca,
by calling 306-938-7800 or 1-800-970-7328.
For additional information contact:
Scott Ford
Director of Marketing & Events
Credit Union Centre
306-975-3175
John Graham
On Ice management Group Inc.
416-274-4301.
Source: News Release
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The Meewasin
Valley Authority is the
recipient of the
Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Cecil Nobes Facility Award of
Excellence 2011 for the construction of the Kinsmen Fishing Platform.
The award is presented annually to a municipal organization for the
construction of a facility where the unique or outstanding design
contributes to the overall efficiency or accessibility of the facility
operation component.
Over the years Meewasin has often been asked for a riverbank location
where a wheelchair on the Meewasin Trail could safely gain close access
to the river so the sportsperson with mobility limitations could caste
out a fishing line and catch fish. Despite many land and water
difficulties in pursuing the project, the Kinsmen Fishing Platform
became a reality this fall of 2011.
The platform is accessible from the Meewasin Tail at 33rd St. E. and
Spadina Crescent. The 180m trail with panoramic views is no more than a
5% grade, gradually taking one down the riverbank under the CPR Bridge
to the 200 square foot platform at the shore. The elevation of the
platform is 14 inches above normal water level based on averages during
fishing season. There are two cement stands about two feet high for the
purpose of placing a tackle box, lunch and other personal items, and a
protective lip along the edge of the platform. Fish catachable are
walleye, goldeye, carp, northern pike, whitefish, perch and sturgeon,
although sturgeon are catch and release.
The platform gives the Meewasin Trail user a whole new perspective of
the river valley. Meewasin Trail Ambassador Ron Brown, a wheel chair
user himself says: I think the fishing platform is a good idea. It is a
place for solitude getting rid of traffic noise.
The total cost of the project was approximately $300,000 with the
Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon providing $117,000 of that total.
For more information contact Susan Lamb or Doug Porteous at Meewasin
306-665-6887.
Source: News
Release
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The Saskatoon Airport Authority (SAA) Board of Directors has
given formal approval to the Airport Terminal Expansion project
following the presentation of final design concepts by local
architectural firm Kindrachuk-Agrey. The expansion, budgeted at $53
million and scheduled to begin early 2012, is expected to be completed
by the summer of 2014.
“We are very excited to begin this project that will deliver to our
community its future airport,” states Nancy Hopkins, SAA Board Chair.
“When completed, the public will be treated to a higher level of
service, comfort and efficiency. Most importantly, we will be able to
offer much needed amenities and services for food, beverage and retail.
This is truly a building our community will take pride in.”
The expansion focuses primarily on the post security area adding just
under 130,000 square feet on two floors. “It’s a big project”, comments
President & CEO Bill Restall. “...bigger than our last expansion in
2001. In essence, we are doubling the size of the building,...post
security is where our efforts are focused in order to maximize comfort,
efficiency and deliver a positive customer experience.”
The terminal expansion is part of a 10-year, $105 million overall
Airport capital plan. Future capital projects to be undertaken by the
SAA include a parking structure and a privately funded integrated
on-site hotel complex.
Expansion Facts:
- Construction will begin early in 2012 with completion in
summer of 2014. No construction disruption will be experienced until
after the coming winter charter program.
- The new Terminal will feature a pier design and offer eight
bridgeable gates along with three ground-load positions.
- The expansion will include opportunity for a variety of
food, beverage and retail services as well as a Business Lounge. The
expanded services will primarily be post-security.
- Existing terminal is 139,000 square feet - new building
area will be 266,670 square feet.
- Increased seating capacity is a primary focus and will
incorporate comfortable seating areas, business stations, a fireplace
and children’s play areas.
- The expansion will be funded through the current Airport
revenues including the AIF fund.
For further information contact:
Bill Restall
President & CEO
Saskatoon Airport Authority
306-975-6464
Communications Contact:
Maxine Montgomery
306-975-4952
Source: News
Release
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