Saskatoon Construction

[Pavlov]

Hi everyone. I've just moved to Saskatoon from Calgary to attend the College of Law at the U of S. Perhaps some of you know me from my posts in the Alberta or Canada subforums, or my photo threads in the City Photos forum. If not then please allow me to introduce myself. I'm looking forward to contributing to this thread (if and when I have time; damn law school)

[circle33]

Welcome to Saskatoon, comrade.

[swilley]

Welcome Reesonov, great to have you. Thoughts on Saskatoon so far?

[Ruckus]

Welcome to Toontown

[ToddStoon]

I've looked a little bit at the whitewater park. It's not something that would draw me down to the water but hey, if people want it, I wouldn't stand in the way of it. I have a few questions though which I wonder if anyone can answer:

1) Does it mean the destruction of the weir?
2) Is access just from the west side of the river?
3) Where would parking be for the park?
4) How many months would it be active for?
5) Wouldn't the added noise be a detriment for nearby residents? True, they have the weir sound right now, but its a 'white noise' instead of yelling or shouting going on.
6) Assume this would send the pelicans packing?

I know some might mock me for my questions but I'm just wondering about these points. I'm all for getting more river-focused attractions and entertainment options in the city -- I'm just not sure the cost of the park would be justified and would be a little leery of a large amount of public funds being pumped into it.

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

this?

Having recently flown in and out of the airport a few times. I haven't seen any evidence of construction on the terminal. I think this is just a preliminary plan for a future expansion.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

I've looked a little bit at the whitewater park. It's not something that would draw me down to the water but hey, if people want it, I wouldn't stand in the way of it. I have a few questions though which I wonder if anyone can answer:

I know some might mock me for my questions but I'm just wondering about these points. I'm all for getting more river-focused attractions and entertainment options in the city -- I'm just not sure the cost of the park would be justified and would be a little leery of a large amount of public funds being pumped into it.

My knowledge, and maybe some answers to your questions (by no means am I an expert on the subject).

1) Does it mean the destruction of the weir? No not destruction of the physical structure, more like an addition or modification. The current structure would remain, the park development would step down from the weir itself(IIRC the weir is 11 feet high from the river bottom)...every 10 meters or so plateaus or levels would step down from the previous level until some final optimal level is achieved (river depth of 3 feet???)

2) Is access just from the west side of the river? Yes it appears that is the idea proposed in the conceptual drawings.

3) Where would parking be for the park? The west side of the river, general area below the three-way stop at 33rd Street and Spadina.

4) How many months would it be active for? I've heard 6-8 months, or as little as 4 months. Depends on river flows (optimal performance), and weather (optimal environment).

5) Wouldn't the added noise be a detriment for nearby residents? That's open for interpretation. Is the current level of traffic and activity coming and going from the weir (fishing, relaxing, hanging out, walking, cycling, running) a detriment for nearby residents? IMO the river and the surrounding parks are for the public to enjoy. If private citizens wish to voice there concerns about noise levels(competitions might be extra noisy?) I'm sure the city has an approach to work with citizens requesting/demanding peace and quiet. A noise bylaw already exists for riverside activities, concerts, festivals, which ensures a certain level of serenity , I'm sure the bylaw could be altered to include whitewater park competitions if that is an issue, but if the issue is just regular use....sorry move to the suburbs or purchase an acreage

6) Assume this would send the pelicans packing? Yes, according to expert opinion. However, the pelicans may not leave the river all together. A whitewater park may create a new environment to which the pelicans will exploit aggressively.

[joelpiecowye]

nicely said, i still hope ot gets built even though i doubt it will happen, if it gets built in like 5 years it would be perfect for me

[ReginaGuy]

I like that plan, but I hope they put some vegetation on those concrete dividers. They just look so out of place

[Ruckus]

Corner of 2nd Avenue and Princess Street (North Downtown)

[Jonitecture]

MORE PICTURES, i drove by the birdge, didnt see the light show, but the red lights on the bridge are disapointing

[joelpiecowye]

here a bit more infor on the waterpark

http://www.saskatoon.ca/org/leisure/facilities/pdfs/weir_faq.pdf

I guess calgary is building one and their weir isnt much by looking at pictures on google

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

MORE PICTURES, i drove by the birdge, didnt see the light show, but the red lights on the bridge are disapointing

Red lights on the bridge? Tell us more...

[Ruckus]

Seems Jonitecture was one of many who witnessed a sneak peek of the new Traffic Bridge lighting.

Originally Posted by Star Phoenix Letters

Bridge lights a dim idea
The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2007

I live overlooking the Victoria Street bridge and was treated to a sneak peek of the "vintage" lighting being installed on the structure.

Hold on to your hats!

City council has OK'd spending tax dollars on tacky Las Vegas garage sale lighting. Maybe the lights were purchased from a midway ride factory?

I thought a coat of paint would have done a better job on the bridge. Council has given the nod to another Saskatoon farce.

Lyle Kabatoff

Saskatoon

[drm310]

Originally Posted by Jonitecture

im not sure if you being sarcastic, but yes, i had nothing wrong with that building there, and i wish they hadnt torn it down to just leave a big hole

After Meridian announced that the original tower was scrapped, they hinted at a 5-6 storey mixed-use building for that site. But there is no mention of it on their web site, so it's hard to say if that's true or just someone's speculation.

[prairieguy]

I have been reading a lot of feedback on the Lake Placid proposal for River Landing area in the Star Phoenix. I guess it is not that surprising that there have been a number of negative opinions on the proposal. As we have noted before, those opposed to things always seem to be more vocal then those supporting.

However, most of the negative comments are not so much about the proposed design, but that it is not accomplishing the objective of a destination type amenity that will draw people to Saskatoon.

I have been a resident of Saskatoon all my life (over 40 years), and I have to say that I really don't think Saskatoon will ever be a 'destination location' for out of province or Country visitors. Yes, we can hold large national and international conferences, and for those who happen to be visiting the city (perhaps to see relatives or friends), it is great to have a city that is attractive and vibrant. But lets face it, Saskatoon will likely never (at least in my life time) be the type of destination that people from around the world will be clamoring to get to.

Again, I love this city and consider it to be a great place to live and play. My point is, those that have been criticising the Lake Placid proposal based on the lack of a 'destination attraction' are perhaps living in a fantasy world. This may be due to City Council always including that as an objective, but in terms of a 'destination', it is probably more practical to think of it in terms of "does this create a space that residents and visitors will want to visit and enjoy. Does it add to the beauty of our city". I think the proposal does do this. Let's start thinking realistically and support this proposal, that provides an enhancement to the city. So what if it is not the type of development that will make someone from Europe want to come to Saskatoon? I think what it does, is show those that DO come here, that we are a modern vibrant city. The fact that it is adjacent to our greatest asset(the river) and a brand new live theatre complex (persephone) and a newly revitalized farmers market and children's water park will make this an area that locals and their friends and visitors will want to experience.

[macca]

prairieguy, you are absolutely right. Those looking to other cities and their "destination" spots need to understand that these places have more than one tourist trap (generally) downtown as a draw to visitors. They have a world of amenities and services that are unavailable in the places people come from. Saskatoon needs to start by becoming more vibrant, more diverse, more cosmopolitan, and far, far denser before we begin attracting the type of development the naysayers are clamouring for.

Personally, I'd rather see 10 000 new residents downtown than an IMAX theatre. The wonerful thing is, one will follow the other in this order. There's no garuantee the other way around.

[Ruckus]

Well said prairieguy and macca

After reading many of the responses, the conclusion: most people reply with such negative, irrelevant responses because they are ignorant of reality, or simply choose to create their own as praireguy stated "fantasty world".

The responses really illustrate an obvious problem with our society: lack of education or lack of exposure to complex issues and the critical thinking necessary to understand them.

Oh well......time and technology should overcome our current state of discourse....eventually.

[macca]

Some ground work being done on the former Legion site. I thought Remai didn't know what they were going to do with it? Anyone have any clues?

[joelpiecowye]

sorry i have no clue but here is a new article for a muliple downtown

Saskatoon businessman advises city to build multiplex downtown

RON WALTER
The Moose Jaw Times Herald

A prominent Saskatoon businessman and former Moose Jaw resident advises the city to build the multiplex downtown and take advantage of an opportunity for growth.
Saskatoon had a chance to locate the arena project in the downtown but blew it, Ron Waldman, president of Great Western Brewing in Saskatoon, told the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting Wednesday.
The project should have gone downtown, he said.
“Instead, the so-called south downtown sat idle for 20 years. Only now is it being developed. It should have been developed 20 years ago.”
Downtowns are the heart of the community, said Waldman.
“Parades and protests are held downtown. They don’t march in the suburbs.”
A project like the multiplex should be downtown where people gather for important events, he said.
Council should use the multiplex as an instrument for growth, adding to benefits from the spa, cultural centre and casino, he said,
“Moose Jaw is the No. 1 tourist destination in Saskatchewan,” said the Vanier Collegiate graduate.
While he managed the family Coca-Cola bottling business, Waldman says he was unprepared for the employee morale and cash flow shortage when he took over the employee-owned brewer in the 1990s.
The operation was greatly successful for a short while after taking over a closed national brewery but sales fell when products were inconsistent and failed to meet customer tastes, he said.
A new board of directors gave the Saskatchewan government confidence to save the brewery with a debenture convertible into shares.
“Our customers wanted us to succeed but for a while they took their business elsewhere.
“(By challenging the way they think, employees and management) built the business one bottle at a time, one customer at a time,” said Waldman.
Delivering the brand experience to customers became the focus and Great Western began winning international brewing awards.
On a more mundane level, contract brewing for other companies allowed the company to buy more equipment and build expertise to develop the main business.
Great Western, owned by employees and management that bought out the province, has attracted suitors from bigger breweries, he admitted.
“Our shareholders are very proud of being entrepreneurs (and not ready to sell),” said Waldman.
Eighty-five per cent of product moves out of province, with half going to Alberta.
“We want to focus on those opportunities. There are still unnerved markets out there.”