Local group shows off Shaw Centre
Jodi Schellenberg, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, November 06, 2008
Saskatoon hopes to some day make a splash in international swimming circles, and on Wednesday local officials took the first step by showcasing the Shaw Centre to the aquatics world.
Saskatoon Sports Tourism invited swimming representatives to the state-of-the-art facility, which is under construction on the city's west side, with the hope of raising interest in the city hosting international events, said Kim Gallucci, representing the organization.
"(We) have to start now for the future," said Gallucci.
Work continues Wednesday on the pool deck, running track and family leisure pool at the Shaw Centre
Greg Pender, The StarPhoenix
Phase 2 of the facility has an Olympic-sized pool which was designed specifically to host international events, said Gallucci.
The facility will also help develop more local athletes as the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre is not up to international standards, said Gallucci.
The Shaw Centre will have a 10-lane, high-performance competitive pool, a six-lane warm-up pool, a leisure pool with water slides and water toys, spectator seating, a three-lane running track, a cafeteria and a multipurpose meeting room.
Aquatics representatives from across Saskatchewan and Canada toured the facility and for the most part were impressed with the presentation.
"(It) has the opportunity to be delightful to be here," said Eldon Godfrey, president of the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas, which oversees aquatics competitions in North and South America.
Mayor Don Atchison said the city will be able to host any swimming event because of the Shaw Centre.
"It doesn't matter what event it is, we want it to be the best," said Atchison.
Not only will the facility be able to host international competitions, students from the two schools attached to the facility, Bethlehem High School and Tommy Douglas Collegiate, will be able to use the facility as well.
There is lots of potential in the future for the schools and the Shaw Centre to work together, said Dianne Wright, Shaw Centre administrator.
"The schools are talking about setting up specialized programs," she said.
Wright said they are discussing a leadership program with the school to train students as lifeguards.
Families in Saskatoon will enjoy the leisure pool, hot tub and water slide. The leisure pool will have a little slide in the shape of a shark for younger children and a zero depth beach.
The first phase of the facility, which includes the Hamm Fitness Centre, two shared gymnasiums and a preschool room, opened in January. The second phase of the facility is scheduled to open next summer.
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008
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City wise to reject 'local first' push
Gerry Klein, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, November 06, 2008
There may be many reasons for council to rethink who should be awarded the contract for a social housing project in Pleasant Hill, but the idea that it must go "local first" is not one of them.
Council received a report last week from its administration that suggested it award the project for 57 housing units to the Ontario-based Cenith Energy Corp. On the advice of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association, a decision was put off until councillors could meet more informally with the proponents.
This week, during the open portion of a meeting of the executive committee, which is made up of all members of council, questions were raised as to the credibility of both leading proposals.
Cenith quoted a price of $170 per square foot for a project that is to be 70 per cent more energy efficient than conventional housing.
It would include a wind-generation station, along with solar and geothermal heating.
Its local competitor, the Affordable New Home Development Foundation, wasn't able to provide the committee with a definite estimate of its costs, even though the three local builders were present who would do the work.
They would construct three buildings of 12 units each, with a neighbourhood-friendly design featuring patios, porches and balconies.
Council entered very dangerous territory when it decided to head to committee to assess the proposals, rather than automatically stick to its policy of going with the lowest qualifying bid. That danger was made clear both in the comments made by Coun. Bob Pringle to my colleague Randy Burton, and by Joe Ehr of Ehrenburg Homes, one of the builders that would get the work should council opt for the foundation over Cenith.
Both suggested that being local should count for something when it comes to granting a civic contract.
"Does it not mean something if the local companies have supported and worked in our community for a number of years?" Ehr asked the committee.
To his credit, Mayor Don Atchison made it clear that being local means nothing when it comes to spending public funds.
But the issue is much greater than simply sticking to the principle that councillors have a duty to guard the public purse.
If local contractors believe their residency should entitle them to preferential treatment, they can't help but take that into consideration whenever they cost out a contract. Likewise, contractors from outside the city would be less likely even to apply for work if they know from the start they won't be treated fairly.
Combined, these conditions are bound to drive up the costs of public projects.
Since there is a limited amount of public money that's available for such initiatives as building social housing that is cost-effective and environmentally compatible, in the long run this would mean fewer units are built, more people are unable to obtain help from such projects and less work is done to mitigate the impact on the environment.
The damage is greater still.
Saskatoon's economy depends on the free flow of goods and services. Companies based in this city are able to compete around the world, and they do so very effectively. If the municipal government were to institute policies that are deemed protectionist, the hurt could be far greater than just to local home builders.
In his interview with Burton, Pringle pointed out that when he headed the Saskatoon Food Bank, he always knew he could turn to local companies when help was needed. It's very much to the credit of local companies that they step up when asked. But they also likely recognize the benefit of being good corporate citizens.
Such contributions make Saskatoon a better city and strengthen the economic foundation they depend upon for future business and workers. But to take that one step further and discount companies from outside the city because they don't provide the same charitable service to Saskatoon actually makes that economic foundation weaker.
Right now, Saskatoon's boom means there is ample work available within the city. That hasn't always been the case. If Saskatoon-based businesses want to survive during the tough times, they need to be able to compete in other markets. By putting up a firewall around Saskatoon during the good times, they can expect to have other markets blocked when they go looking for work.
Council created for itself one other problem when it agreed to defer consideration of this contract. Alan Thomarat, chief executive officer of the builders' association, has provided council with ample good advice as the city adjusted from stagnation to boom. However, by trying to influence council members on this contract, he potentially created the perception that the powerful have disproportionate influence on civic decisions.
The city administration has more than enough ability to assess the relative merits of contracts. If City Hall needs more help -- for example to determine the feasibility of innovative environmental technology -- the University of Saskatchewan or the National Research Council can provide it.
At a time when protectionism is threatening to undermine years of prosperity and growth, Saskatoon shouldn't be compromising its competitive edge by embarking down the same dangerous road.
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008
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, too bad the expansion will cover it up. 
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