Saskatoon Construction

[Ruckus]

Health Sciences crane


VIDO crane


The Synchrotron (We should push hard for another...a bigger one)








Health Sciences crane








Spadina Crescent construction






Saskatoon's Peace Tower








Library




2nd Avenue Lofts






I know a few of you think the Sturdy Stone Building is an ugly grey blight on our downtown, but, put those thoughts aside for one moment and listen to this proposal:

Sturdy Stone Building meet...


Frances Morrison Library...


these two definitely got something going for them...


Our downtown library should expand into the Sturdy Stone ground level parking lot. Simple, lots of room, and we could incorporate the grandness of the building into the overall layout of the library.

The provincial government indicated they are open to expansion onto the Sturdy Stone property (they have services there).



Across the street from Saskatoon Square


There's three Affinity bank branches downtown, well, one might just be offices (the Standard Life Building on 4th Ave).




Imagine a ceiling height like this in our library










It'd be a major adaptive reuse project, but, unlike any library anywhere!

[kgc087]

I personally love the sturdy stone building, I think its a great addition to the downtown. It would be fantastic to see the library expand into it as well as take on some of its brutality architecture. I was actually doodling some renderings of the library and how it would look with a level spanning over 23rd st. Everything I created was awkward to say the least (unless the splurged and needed no supports at the cantalieverd end!!!). I really picture the library being redone to incorporate more glass, local art, a cafe/bistro, perhaps even a small performing arts centre, conference space and well a building that is actually inspiring and stimulating since that's what libraries are meant to do!

[Ruckus]

I too think St. Mary's school should be reused.

With no policies to protect/reuse structures, we the Public should expect to be cheated many more times in the future.

Public cheated again
The StarPhoenixFebruary 26, 2009

In Ordinary people not heard (SP, Feb. 20), Patti Gera is saddened by the destruction of our built heritage and by public consultations strategically positioned to support decisions already made.

The process that robbed Saskatoon of the Gathercole and Legion buildings now threatens St. Mary's Community School. Built in 1913, it's Saskatoon's first Catholic school.

On Dec. 2, 2006, the city and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools hosted a visioning and design workshop. Participants were divided into five groups. Four groups concluded the school should be retained. Participants also established 12 key design principles. No. 1 was to keep the school for adaptive re-use. These sentiments echo the neighbourhood's local area plan approved in principle by city council in June 2002.

A March 2006 planning study said the building envelope is in "good condition" and that major repairs to the exterior "are not anticipated." The school needs work, but what 95-year-old building wouldn't?

In June 2006 an architectural firm was hired to develop a concept plan for the area. On Sept. 21, 2006, the city, the Catholic school division and the province reviewed the plan at a private meeting. On Oct. 2, 2006, trustees considered two scenarios in camera: one shows townhouses and parking spaces at the school site, and the other, green space. Both scenarios show a new school on an adjacent site. Trustees chose the latter option. Workshop participants weren't shown the designs or told about the closed-door meetings.

The public has been cheated -- again.

Joe Kuchta
Saskatoon

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

Source

[rrskylar]

What exactly is the Sturdy Stone property, is it a parkade? When was it built?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

What exactly is the Sturdy Stone property, is it a parkade? When was it built?

Its a combo building. Parkade for the mid-floors, government offices on the top few floors, as well as a few ground level, and 2nd floor offices.

Constructed 1977.

Fans of 20th-century Brutalist architecture will find a few structures of note...Downtown, the Sturdy Stone Centre (1977) is a unique wedge-shaped building with a stark white exposed concrete exterior.

Source

[WhereverIRoam]

Nice pictures SASKFTW. If those were taken today, kudos to you. It's extremely cold.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by WhereverIRoam

Nice pictures SASKFTW. If those were taken today, kudos to you. It's extremely cold.

Was it ever. Must have been at least -28, maybe into the -30s with windchill.

I just couldn't put off snapping photos any longer, cold weather or not.

[drm310]

Actually, I wrote that article on Tripadvisor, and I got the description of the building's cladding wrong. It's not concrete, but actually smooth-sawn Tyndall stone (Red River dolomitic limestone). It was from a recently published book I borrowed from the library... unfortunately, I can't remember the title!

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Its a combo building. Parkade for the mid-floors, government offices on the top few floors, as well as a few ground level, and 2nd floor offices.

Constructed 1977.


Source

[Wyku]

I don't see why they couldn't re-use the current St. Mary's school in an Albert Community Centre style community center.

[midnightrambler]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Just a heads up to those of you who sometimes post freely available City of Saskatoon reports/images. If the image you wish to share is tagged with the message "This map may not be reproduced in digital or paper form without the written permission from the City of Saskatoon" , then you can't post it up on SSP.

What do you guys think of the way the City is responding to me posting the future growth map?

Speaking for myself, if I am not permitted to share easily accessible files via the City of Saskatoon website, can they also remove the link on their website.

They're files available to anyone with an internet connection, I'm simply sharing valuable information with my fellow citizens

🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 policies

Here is the City's request as sent to SSP moderators:

Heh, I know Terry Fusco, Good Guy!. I'm suprised that the city cares about that BS. Terry must know he's fighting an uphill battle in the age of MP3's & DivX.
And I agree, There should almost be a direct link to this blog on the city's website. It is pretty informative about Saskatoon's development.

We often post Star Pheonix article's, I wonder what they would say about us doing that as well.

At the end of the day, people are getting informed. Isn't that why it's on the internet?

[midnightrambler]

I wonder if the city would have issue with me positng this. Just as a precaution.

At the end of the day, I would argue that this is not reproduction. Re-Production may necessitate material which would include physicality; where copyright laws may or may not pertain to this particular issue because it is just a bunch of elctricity in a series of little tubes.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by drm310

Actually, I wrote that article on Tripadvisor, and I got the description of the building's cladding wrong. It's not concrete, but actually smooth-sawn Tyndall stone (Red River dolomitic limestone). It was from a recently published book I borrowed from the library... unfortunately, I can't remember the title!

I must commend you for providing information to TripAdvisor. Nice work drm310

Its comforting to know there is a nice sized group of passionate people/groups spreading the Saskatoon story throughout the web (excellent resource for tourists, as well as potential and existing citizens).

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

Heh, I know Terry Fusco, Good Guy!. I'm suprised that the city cares about that BS. Terry must know he's fighting an uphill battle in the age of MP3's & DivX.
And I agree, There should almost be a direct link to this blog on the city's website. It is pretty informative about Saskatoon's development.

We often post Star Pheonix article's, I wonder what they would say about us doing that as well.

At the end of the day, people are getting informed. Isn't that why it's on the internet?

Probably the City's lawyers who are getting their 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 in a bunch.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Its a combo building. Parkade for the mid-floors, government offices on the top few floors, as well as a few ground level, and 2nd floor offices.

Constructed 1977.


Source

Thanks for the info., the building would make a great library or gallery.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

[...]

Our downtown library should expand into the Sturdy Stone ground level parking lot. Simple, lots of room, and we could incorporate the grandness of the building into the overall layout of the library.

The provincial government indicated they are open to expansion onto the Sturdy Stone property (they have services there).

[...]

Imagine a ceiling height like this in our library


[...]

A problem with this proposal...how would they get sunlight into that cavernous hole? We don't need another Murray Building

[drm310]

Thanks SASKFTW I am interested in local history, and I feel it's important that people get accurate information about it. A lot of it is in books, or buried deep in other web sites - which is fine if you actively search it out - but it's important that it be up front for the casual observer on popular websites too.

That's why I am also passionate about heritage landmarks. I think that you get a sense of real civic pride when you learn about the hopes, hard work and accomplishments of our predecessors. There are unique and significant buildings and places that mark those points in time, and we should be concerned with their preservation. The "Saskatoon story", as you called it, is an interesting story that means something. Learning about it can help guide our hopes and dreams for our city in the future.

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

I must commend you for providing information to TripAdvisor. Nice work drm310

Its comforting to know there is a nice sized group of passionate people/groups spreading the Saskatoon story throughout the web (excellent resource for tourists, as well as potential and existing citizens).

[acron]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

I wonder if the city would have issue with me positng this. Just as a precaution.

At the end of the day, I would argue that this is not reproduction. Re-Production may necessitate material which would include physicality; where copyright laws may or may not pertain to this particular issue because it is just a bunch of elctricity in a series of little tubes.

i've been telling you guys - governments don't inspire people, they give out parking tickets... think of the wonderful things those same people could be doing to help the city grow if their "job" was something else, rather than use tax payers' money to waste everyone's time... but again, its not those people's falt, they are just honest people trying to do their "job"... their "jobs" need to be re-examined, so that those poeple's minds are put to productive things... and things will change, we are all making it happen, slowly but surely we are taking things in the right direction. great work everyone. don't let some bureaucrat discourage you. he or she is a person just like you

[acron]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Just a heads up to those of you who sometimes post freely available City of Saskatoon reports/images. If the image you wish to share is tagged with the message "This map may not be reproduced in digital or paper form without the written permission from the City of Saskatoon" , then you can't post it up on SSP.

What do you guys think of the way the City is responding to me posting the future growth map?

Speaking for myself, if I am not permitted to share easily accessible files via the City of Saskatoon website, can they also remove the link on their website.

They're files available to anyone with an internet connection, I'm simply sharing valuable information with my fellow citizens

🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 policies

Here is the City's request as sent to SSP moderators:

i've been telling you guys - governments don't inspire people, they give out parking tickets... think of the wonderful things those same people could be doing to help the city grow if their "job" was something else, rather than use tax payers' money to waste everyone's time... but again, its not those people's falt, they are just honest people trying to do their "job"... their "jobs" need to be re-examined, so that those poeple's minds are put to productive things... and things will change, we are all making it happen, slowly but surely we are taking things in the right direction. great work everyone. don't let some bureaucrat discourage you. he or she is a person just like you

[Ruckus]

I received an email for an upcoming presentation/forum that may be of interest to some of you.

Road Map 2020 Forum April 2&3, 2009 Saskatoon

Road Map 2020 will host its 5th Annual Forum on April 2 and 3rd at TCU Place. The theme of this year's event is Revisioning Transportation; Redesigning Community. Join us Thursday evening, April 2 for a Keynote presentation by Gordon Price, who is an award-winning expert on urban planning and transportation. Price's presentation, Re-Imagining Motordom, will tell the story of Motordom and will use Vancouver as an illustration.

On Friday April 3,2009 participate in a full day Forum focusing on transportation in Saskatoon- where we are now and where we are headed.

Speakers include Arne Elias from the Centre of Sustainable Transportation from the University of Winnipeg, Peter Prebble on Intercity Passenger Rail and many more.

Register at www.picatic.com today. For more information, please visit www.roadmap2020.ca or call 652-1400.

Registration Information
Adult: $79.42 plus GST Student: $27.33 plus GST
Last Minute Adult: $89.84 plus GST Last Minute Student: $37.75 plus GST
Note: "Last Minute" prices are in effect from March 30, 2009 - April 1, 2009

Forum Registration Includes:

Reception and Keynote Presentation by Gordon Price
Date: April 2, 2009 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Place: TCU Place

Full Day Forum focusing on transportation in Saskatoon, where we are now and where we are headed.
Date: April 3, 2009 Time: 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM Place: TCU Place
Light breakfast and lunch included!

Go Green Saskatoon! Walk, bike, carpool or use public transit to get to the Forum!

[kgc087]

Saskatoon Airport Enjoys Continued Growth
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Things are looking up for Saskatoon's airport.

Bill Restall of the Saskatoon Airport Authority says The John Diefenbaker International Airport was one of the very few airport in Canada to see postive growth in the month of January. They logged over 100 thousand passengers in January, a 10.5 percent increase over the same month last year.

Restall says things like the popularity of a recently added flight to Denver as things that catch the attention of airlines, and could lead to future expansion of service.

(jd - Mar 3/09)
______________________________________________
City to Look Into Generation at the Weir
Monday, 02 March 2009

The city may soon be able to get electricity from the weir.

The city has awarded the contract to conduct a feasibility study looking into electrical generation from the river. The study will cost a total of 400 thousand dollars. The controversy comes in on the 100 thousand dollars coming from the province to determine if a white water park is possible.

Councillor Pat Lorje says there's too little demand and it's too expensive for the city to build. She says no amount of electrical generation would justify building such a park.

The study should take about a year and a half to complete.
___________________________________________________

As well in the SP today there was an article saying the 3rd Ave. redevelopment program has FINALLY been approved with the smaller median width. Looking at the drawing of the streetscape the smaller median actually looks better for long term use, as well allows for more trees to be used. As well this will make things more comfortable for cyclists. Does anyone know if this is going to be a median similar to 25th St. or one like broadway?

As well there was a magazine in the SP today talking about business in Saskatoon and how the city grew by 6000 people in 2008 and that the same population growth is expected for 2009, not initially but towards the end of the year, we should experience an upturn with real estate rebounding and continual national and international interest in our industry and retail sectors.

SO overall Saskatoon is set to out perform every city in Canada AGAIN! as well as have continued population increases. There is even one projection to reach 290 000 people by 2014!! I have a feeling that with the strong economy more companies internationally will open up offices here because this will be one of the only places they can sustain any business, which in turn will draw people here! GO SASKATOON!