Saskatoon Construction II

[The Bess]

I like it to Jerry, it takes the bridge in a new direction which makes more sense than just for traffic. This would probably do more for the statements of "unifying the city" than just having a connection for cars.

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by frenchy

Check out this rendering of the pedestrian traffic bridge. This would definitely become some sort of icon for the city of Saskatoon.

http://www.openprojects.ca/2013/02/03/saskatoon-traffic-bridge-redux/

Very interesting. I think the design could use a bit more tweaking but it is definitely a step in the right direction. I wish city politicians would think a bit more outside the box.

[Echoes]

Stats Can has released population estimates for Canadian CMAs.

The Saskatoon CMA is pegged at 284,000 people in 2012.

Further, the City of Saskatoon projects the population of the city proper as of Dec. 31, 2012 to be 239,000.

My guess is that the CMA population will hit 300,000 by the end of 2014. Any other guesses?

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Stats Can has released population estimates for Canadian CMAs.

The Saskatoon CMA is pegged at 284,000 people in 2012.

Further, the City of Saskatoon projects the population of the city proper as of Dec. 31, 2012 to be 239,000.

My guess is that the CMA population will hit 300,000 by the end of 2014. Any other guesses?

I would predict closer to the end of 2013 mark, judging by last years growth.

[drto]

I think you're probably close. Following the latest trends it could happen sooner but maybe the jump from 2011 to 2012 is more of an anomaly and annual increases in the 7000 range are more realistic.

[Echoes]

Saskatoon fastest growing, youngest city in Canada

David Giles, Global News : Wednesday, February 06, 2013 1:48 PM

OTTAWA – Saskatoon is Canada’s fastest growing and youngest city.

Statistics Canada reported the findings today in its annual demographic estimates.

The population in the Saskatoon census metropolitan (CMA) area on July 1, 2012 was 284,000, up 11,200 from the previous year.

Saskatoon’s CMA includes Martensville and Warman.

StatsCan said that was growth rate of 40.4 per thousand, the strongest growth rate for any CMA in Canada in more than 15 years.

This was the third straight year Saskatoon had the strongest growth in the country.

That is a stark cry from 10 years ago when Saskatoon was among the slowest growing CMAs.

The turnaround is attributed to international and interprovincial migration, with international migration accounting for over half the population increase at 6,100 in the past year.

Saskatoon also has the youngest population at a median age of 34.9 years compared to the national average of 40.0 years.

Statscan said more births than deaths and positive net migration contributed to slower population aging.

Regina was named the second fastest growing city in Canada and the third youngest.

Source

[Echoes]

Search for College Quarter hotel set to begin

By OCN January 21, 2013, 10:15 am

Visiting scholars, out-of-town researchers, sports teams and even parents of students in residence who want to attend convocation may soon have a place to stay that is only steps from the U of S main campus.
The university is proceeding with plans to find a hotel company interested in building across College Drive from the main campus in College Quarter. Judy Yungwirth, director of corporate administration, said a hotel is one component of a larger development of services in the College Quarter that could eventually include retail, residential and commercial space as well as a new ice rink.

The addition of a hotel, retail and rink to College Quarter has been on the books for some time but has been on hold waiting zoning approval from the city. The university began the zoning application process for College Quarter with the city in 2010, Yungwirth explained. Approval was finally received Dec. 10 but the delay is understandable. “The city really wanted to get it right because this is a significant infill. Now this paves the way for us to enter into long-term leases and arrange with third parties for development on the site.”

A request for proposals (RFP) for a hotel will go out in January. The site has been identified – east of the parkade on College Drive where beach volleyball courts and seed barn are currently located – but the size of the hotel has yet to be determined. “We have discussed the possibility of about 120 rooms,” said Yungwirth, “but it will be based on whatever is financially feasible for whoever builds the hotel.”

[....]

From On Campus News

[Echoes]

City on the way to 250K

By Sean Trembath, The StarPhoenix February 7, 2013

Saskatoon is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada for the third year in a row.

In the year-long period ending on July 1, the population of the Saskatoon census metropolitan area (CMA), which includes bedroom communities such as War-man, Martensville, Dundurn and Dalmeny, grew 4.1 per cent, to 284,008 from 272,771, according to numbers released Wednesday by Statistics Canada.

Saskatoon itself, discounting the surrounding area, grew by between three to 3.5 per cent, to about 243,000 people, according to a City of Saskatoon estimate. If that rate continues, the population in the city would exceed a quarter million in less than a year.

"This is pretty positive stuff," said Murray Totland, Saskatoon's city manager. "There's not much negative that I can find in this. I think we would be the envy of many cities in Canada that would love to have these types of numbers."

The next-closest growth rates among CMAs are in Regina and Calgary, which both increased by 3.2 per cent, Statistics Canada says.

While the city knew the population was rising, Totland said the extent of the growth was a surprise.

"We've always been talking about growth rates averaging around two per cent, maybe 2½," he said.

He was careful to note the higher rate is nothing to be alarmed about, at least in the short term.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/City+250K/7929781/story.html#ixzz2KEWcXi54

^ This article cites the estimated population of Saskatoon proper at 243,000.

I think we can be quite confident that the city will be topping the quarter million mark, and the CMA exceeding 300,000, in the next 1-2 years.

[drm310]

Stonebridge development back on table at Saskatoon City Hall
Revised plan supported by city staff

By Scott Larson, The StarPhoenix
February 7, 2013 8:23 AM

A scaled-back version of a commercial development for Stonebridge, first proposed last year that was unable to secure a zoning change from City Hall, will likely be back before council in April.

North Ridge Development Corp. wants to build a commercial development at Preston Avenue and Cornish Road off Circle Drive. Plans call for 145,000 square feet of development on 17 acres.

"We significantly reduced the original size, addressed the community concerns and feedback regarding the size and scope (of the project), and listened to the tenant mix that they wanted to see," said David Calyniuk, business development manager with Northridge, of the new plan.

Last year city administration recommended a required zoning change be denied to the development because it was not compatible with the neighbourhood plan.

Tim Steuart, the city's manager of development review, said city administration is supportive of the revised plan. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/S...ty+Hall/7929848/story.html#ixzz2KEgIuKcn

[casper]

There was an article in the Star Phoenix about how the province will not be building any more liquor stores. Instead it will have some type of competition for private operators to obtain licenses. It identified license would be available for two new stores for Saskatoon an one new liquor store for Regina based on population growth.

Any thoughts? Likely big box format. Likely something that the private operators out of Alberta would bid on.

[Echoes]

The Pat hits the auction block

By Jeff Davis, The StarPhoenix February 8, 2013

All equipment at the much-beloved and recently closed Patricia Hotel - even the kitchen sink - will be auctioned off next week, clearing the way for "the Pat" to be razed.

The mix of goods can only be called eclectic. Up for sale are bar taps, flatscreen TVs, wall decorations, kitchen equipment, foosball tables and even the Pat's old Ice-O-Matic.

Auctioneer Terry McDougall, owner of McDougall Auctioneers Saskatoon Ltd., said the sale is being rushed because the building's new owners are keen to tear down the historic property.

"The demolition starts on the 17th or 18th of this month," he said.

The building has been purchased by a newly registered corporation called The Patricia Group, according to David Bakonyi, who spoke on behalf of the company.

Bakonyi said a Vancouver-based group of investors will not speak about their plans for the site until "the dust settles a bit."

The auction, taking place Wednesday, will be conducted online, McDougall said.

"People can sign up on our website and bid, just like eBay," he said. "Highest bid wins."

Photos of the roughly 800 lots are being posted online, but prospective buyers will also have a chance to inspect the lots in person by visiting the Pat one last time on Tuesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/hits+auction+block/7935959/story.html#ixzz2KJrjUUL6

[neoen]

Affinity's new main office is s-l-o-w-l-y moving along.

[Dino35]

The new Rock Creek in Blairmore will be opening to the public on Monday Feb 11. They are just doing the dry runs now and will be fully operational on Monday.

[nook]

Saskatchewan Place/Credit Union Centre turned 25 last night as the Blades played host to the Lethbridge Hurricanes to mark the milestone anniversary. They also broke their attendance record as 12,588 were on hand to watch the game. Arenas pretty much have a 35-40 year lifespan before they're replaced... Do you think that discussion will happen sooner or later in Saskatoon?

Also, looking at pictures of the construction of Sask Place... boy was it ever out in the sticks when they built it. You figure with that much freedom from being the only building out there they could have built a few more major exit/entrance points for parking.

I was only a toddler when they debate was going on with the location, but part of me wonders if the arena were built downtown if that would've forced the city to improve the transit system to accomodate for the lack of parking.

[circle33]

^I think a venue like CUC will last longer than that as it isn't required to provide ever increasing "revenue generating streams" that a building hosting a professional sports concern must. Maybe I don't get around much anymore, but doesn't feel the slightest bit antiquated or run down in my view.

Funny, I was reading an interview with the mayor of the day (in SP a few days back, not going to bother sourcing it) regarding the location controversy at the time and his comment was along the line of they obviously made the right decision as no talks about it anymore. Well maybe not in the circle he frequents, but I still here people bitch about it all the time.

[SkydivePilot]

Ah, the CUC is - just - broken-in and still looks fresh!!! It'll bet that it'll look great for a very long time to come. The Brandt Centre [formerly the Agridome] is also doing great for being 36 years old. (Despite the fact that it is - still - orange and has 1/2 the regular seating as does the CUC. Lol!)

[kiwi4life]

Good to hear that the attendance record was broken at C.U.C. also good to hear a vancouver developer has come and bought the pat..hopefully they will put up something nice there. I would definately love to see more developer from outside saskatoon come in and do some large scale projects to better the city. Lets see what happens in the long run

[lbird]

Police station on 25th and Ontario (when built!):



Untitled (to me at least) new office building between 23rd and 24th and Wall and Ontario (Rumley in background):



Thomson Jaspar office building on 23rd and Ontario:

[lbird]

I drove past the site about a month ago and was really disappointed by how the project looked. It's an awful clash between the existing old dirty brick structure with a soaring glass atrium mashed on one side. And surrounded on three sides by a massive parking lot.

BTW, CBC is moving (or expanding) from 2nd Ave. to the lobby of the large office tower on the corner of 4th and 21st.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by lbird

I drove past the site about a month ago and was really disappointed by how the project looked. It's an awful clash between the existing old dirty brick structure with a soaring glass atrium mashed on one side. And surrounded on three sides by a massive parking lot.

BTW, CBC is moving (or expanding) from 2nd Ave. to the lobby of the large office tower on the corner of 4th and 21st.

The "old dirty brick structure" is the best part. It's a shame it had to be expanded and modernized but I am happy it's still standing, even though the location for such is questionable. If I could turn back time (not like Cher) and I had the means to redevelop the space I would aim for residential.