Saskatoon Construction

[GTR200]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

And the Rumley looks like a tractor warehouse(which it was)...

I will agree the ground level on the 2nd Avenue lofts needs work, but beyond that, the adaptive reuse of a landmark building is commendable and generally well receivied (they added another floor!).

Perhaps this is just a matter of taste. I liked the Bay building before it came to be known as the 2nd Ave lofts. It's all about the unique pattern of colors on the corner, without that the building would look dreadful (though better than some buildings due to the materials used).

The Rumley had a lot of work done to the exterior. All I'm trying to point out is that the 2nd Ave lofts need more done. So I think we are in agreement here.

[ninipanini]

I don't know why, but I've always kind of liked the old Bay building. I know it's a little tacky, but no one can say it isn't unique in Saskatoon. It's nice to see something a little different, and I'm glad that it's being renovated to make room for higher density residential in the city centre!

[Ruckus]

A few posts back I commented on how I hated the stucco on Discovery Plaza. Well, upon closer inspection, it is actually brick (still prefer aluminum paneling). The other day I only saw the building from across the street, and it was dark

Here are some close up shots. Take notice of how the arcade interacts with the sidewalk, it spans the entire length of the building (something we don't often in Saskatoon).

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by GTR200

The Rumley had a lot of work done to the exterior. All I'm trying to point out is that the 2nd Ave lofts need more done. So I think we are in agreement here.

Agreed

[kgc087]

So it looks like the city has finally started construction on the 25th street extension. They are ripping up the roadway between 1st and 2nd Ave I'm assuming to do something with water mains and electricity etc. This is VERY exciting and good news. This extension is integral to securing the redevelopment of the north downtown!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

So it looks like the city has finally started construction on the 25th street extension. They are ripping up the roadway between 1st and 2nd Ave I'm assuming to do something with water mains and electricity etc. This is VERY exciting and good news. This extension is integral to securing the redevelopment of the north downtown!

One of the news stations reported on the construction. Apparently the city is completing the 25th Street streetscape enhancement project they began years ago for 25th Street from 2nd Ave to Spadina. I suppose you could call 1st Ave to 2nd Ave the 2nd Phase or something along those lines. The City Yards redevelopment from 1st Avenue to Idylwyld could be termed 3rd Phase, or Final Phase. That's how I see it.

You could be correct in the water mains, power connections. I too would assume they would be completing that kind of preparation work.

[Ruckus]

Saskatoon candidate for $150M plant
By Cassandra Kyle, The Star Phoenix August 7, 2009 9:21 AM Be the first to post a comment

The Saskatoon region is on the shortlist to become the site of Fortune Minerals Ltd.'s $150-million hydrometallurgical processing facility set to separate elements from ore mined at its NICO project in the Northwest Territories.

Rick Schryer, director of regulatory and environmental affairs with Fortune Minerals, said the company is looking to build the processing facility near a community on the CN rail line that has a ready supply of skilled labour and meets the company's economic requirements.

The NICO gold-cobalt-bismuth-copper deposit, located about 160 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife, is in its environmental assessment stage and is set to come into production by late 2012.

"We did a cost benefit analysis and decided it was better if we moved the processing plant to a southern location, even if it means trucking and transporting 80,000 tonnes of concentrate a year," Schryer said.

EDMONTON, WINNIPEG ALSO IN RUNNING

The Edmonton region and the Winnipeg area are also on the company's shortlist.

Fortune Minerals is working to balance the cost of shipping product from the NICO site with the price of power. The plant, which will separate the elements using hydrometallurgical processes and ship the individual products to buyers, will be a high power user, consuming an average of 17 megawatts at any given time, Schryer explained.

"The further you move away from the Northwest Territories, obviously the higher your transportation cost, but there's a tendency for power, as you move from Western Canada to Eastern Canada, for power rates go down," he explained. "So like I said, it's a balance. You're getting further away, but the power costs are going down."

The plant would employ 85 people in specialty jobs.

It's difficult to attract and retain a skilled workforce in remote northern areas such as the site of the NICO deposit, Schryer said.

"We feel Saskatoon is an area that's attractive to people because there's a skilled labour force that's already here, there's the university, there's a lot of infrastructure in and around Saskatoon that makes it attractive to put this type of processing plant in place," he said.

Wherever Fortune chooses to put the plant, there could be spinoff capacity associated with the facility. About 11 kgs of cobalt is used in every hybrid car battery, Schryer explained, so a hybrid battery recycling facility might work well alongside the hydrometallurgical processing plant.

Jennifer Balon, director of business attraction with the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), said if Fortune Minerals decides to build its processing facility here, it could encourage the development of the province's base metals industry.

"We're pretty much a uranium and potash mining story right now, but Saskatchewan has an enormous base metal and precious metal reserve as well and this (facility) can open that up, I think," Balon said. "This, to me, is just opening the door to that production for Saskatchewan."

Although the Saskatoon region technically has a 33.3 per cent chance of becoming the site of the Fortune Minerals facility, Balon believes the region has a very good chance of landing the project. Both SREDA and Enterprise Saskatchewan have been in discussions with the company about the plant, she said.

"There are huge opportunities with this Fortune Minerals facility," she said. "It's just so exciting and the economic potential could be absolutely huge for this province, it goes so far beyond the 85 jobs and the $150-million capital project."

The company is expected to make a decision on the location of its processing plant within the two to three weeks.

[email protected]

© Copyright (c) The Star Phoenix

Source
_____________________________

This is an intriguing and significant proposal from a mining firm.

No doubt we are facing stiff competition from Edmonton and Winnipeg, but, I am optimistic and confident SREDA and Enterprise Saskatchewan have the experience, institutional and industry support, and incentives from the provincial government to make Saskatoon the winning candidate.

But there are many factors to consider...

Winnipeg is the furthest. However it is close to Northern Ontario, which is also well endowed with a mineral extraction, processing industry (good source of skilled labor).

Edmonton is the closest. Its the biggest city of the three, more amenities...higher cost of living than Stoon or Winnipeg.

Saskatoon is geographically centered. Has a collection of mining firm head offices, and supporting consulting and manufacturing companies.

These competitions for investment are often unpredictable. One is never too sure what kind of compromises or incentives are being offered.

Wait and see

[kgc087]

As far as I recall according to the cities budget for this year they were completing watermains etc for the 25th st. extension this year.

If Saskatoon becomes the host city for this refining plant as well as the host for Canada's neutron production we will greatly increase our level of input and influence in the scientific field provincially and nationally! From the sounds of the article Saskatoon is best positioned in regards to distance to transport the material vs. power costs. Hopefully the city does all it can to secure such a major development.

[swilley]

Update on The Lighthouse... Source

Saskatoon Project – Saskatoon, SK
• Preliminary drawings for the concept, were completed by ONPA, an architectural firm in Edmonton, and
approved by the Lighthouse Group who will be managing the affordable housing units for Saskatchewan
Housing Corporation.
• A detailed costing estimate was prepared by KDL Consulting, a cost consultant firm from the City of Saskatoon
on the approved concept plans
• The cost estimate on the concept plan which was derived from the program provided by Saskatchewan Housing
Corporation and the Lighthouse Group increased from the original estimate done by Stoneset in April of 2008 of
@$18,000,000 to @$23,300,000. Even though Stoneset was given the approval to proceed with their original
$18,000,000 budget, the budget from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation was reduced from @$15,000,000
down to @$13,000,000 and with the cost estimate of @$23,300,000 to build the affordable housing units to the
proposed program would leave a financial shortfall of @$10,300,000.
• Numerous meetings with representatives of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Lighthouse Group, the
City of Saskatoon and the Minister of Housing have taken place to discuss what options would be available to
address the @$10,300,000 shortfall. At a meeting in May, a request was made for Stoneset to provide a
detailed cost breakout of all the components of the affordable housing portion of the project. This was
completed at the end of May and was submitted accordingly. Stoneset is currently waiting for a response as to
whether Saskatchewan housing will proceed with the project in its entirety or that a new program will need to be
prepared to match the funding that they have available.

[socialisthorde]

clearly, the "hard to house" need to pretend they are nuclear physicists or football players. There appears to be plenty of provincial money for those underpriveleldged groups . Seriously, 23,000 per unit sounds remarkably cheap, given that these are people who in the past would likely have been hospitalized or otherwise institutionalized and 23,000 wouldn't buy six months there.



edit> oops sorry, I missed some zeros. Still and all that, 10,000,000 seems like a drop in the bucket next to what the government is talking about spending recently.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by swilley

Update on The Lighthouse... Source

Saskatoon Project – Saskatoon, SK
• Preliminary drawings for the concept, were completed by ONPA, an architectural firm in Edmonton, and
approved by the Lighthouse Group who will be managing the affordable housing units for Saskatchewan
Housing Corporation.
• A detailed costing estimate was prepared by KDL Consulting, a cost consultant firm from the City of Saskatoon
on the approved concept plans
• The cost estimate on the concept plan which was derived from the program provided by Saskatchewan Housing
Corporation and the Lighthouse Group increased from the original estimate done by Stoneset in April of 2008 of
@$18,000,000 to @$23,300,000. Even though Stoneset was given the approval to proceed with their original
$18,000,000 budget, the budget from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation was reduced from @$15,000,000
down to @$13,000,000 and with the cost estimate of @$23,300,000 to build the affordable housing units to the
proposed program would leave a financial shortfall of @$10,300,000.
• Numerous meetings with representatives of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Lighthouse Group, the
City of Saskatoon and the Minister of Housing have taken place to discuss what options would be available to
address the @$10,300,000 shortfall. At a meeting in May, a request was made for Stoneset to provide a
detailed cost breakout of all the components of the affordable housing portion of the project. This was
completed at the end of May and was submitted accordingly. Stoneset is currently waiting for a response as to
whether Saskatchewan housing will proceed with the project in its entirety or that a new program will need to be
prepared to match the funding that they have available.

Split the shortfall three ways, proportionally related to their total investment in the project. Alas, it probably is not that simple (we are not given all the info due to the nature of private/public partnerships).

So we still may see the originally proposed development move forward, or perhaps a design rethink with the goal of reducing costs (could be materials, floor plate size, number of floors, amenities, total units, utilities/mechanical elements...).

An update was welcome. Thanks for posting swilley.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

clearly, the "hard to house" need to pretend they are nuclear physicists or football players. There appears to be plenty of provincial money for those underpriveleldged groups . Seriously, 23,000 per unit sounds remarkably cheap, given that these are people who in the past would likely have been hospitalized or otherwise institutionalized and 23,000 wouldn't buy six months there.



edit> oops sorry, I missed some zeros. Still and all that, 10,000,000 seems like a drop in the bucket next to what the government is talking about spending recently.

, an inevitable statement.

The government will have a good excuse to deny funding...or do they.

[kiwi4life]

well still, it is a sign, and at least we get some information, so thats good, hope to hear some more.

[GTR200]

A walk around the University of Saskatchewan. It's a nice place to be summer or winter.







































Love the summer!!!

[WhereverIRoam]

I decided to take out my camera and take pictures of the city for the first time. Unfortunately my cam died on the residential side of downtown. I will have to go back and finish my set. I'm almost never on the west side, and this little afternoon tour I made makes me want to explore the city more often.

[Kruzat]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I still can't get over how people criticize this development. It is a modernist building and they kept that theme. Yes it is still rough around the edges but slowly it is on its way to completion. This is fantastic addition to downtown. It compliments the KG quite nicely by contrasting its transitional features. Every resident I know in that building loves it, they say it's quiet, safe and close to everything (except a grocer). So rather then constantly bashing this development maybe we should look at the positives it is creating

I actually live in 2nd ave lofts, great place, I love it! I have very very few complaints, and the ones I have will be looked at in the future so it's not a big deal. You're totally right about the modernist building, it's a wicked looking structure with all the windows and whatnot, totally different and unique to saskatoon, or anywhere for that matter.

Remember that the KG is a COMPLETELY brand new building, as far as the eye can see. It was like restoring and old car with a different body and interior. It also has a totally different style to it, and I beleive that it is a bit more money per square foot. The bay building exterior on the main floor will be fixed up, there is no doubt. The overhange is very old, but it's functional so they're trying to get some other things fixed first. What you see today isn't the final thing, they got the inside done first so people could move in and they're slowly getting all the details polished up (elevators, stairways, not to mention any deficiencies that still need taked care of). The exterior will come soon, the people on the condo board are very smart, and enthusiastic about the building so it will be the best it can be.

If anyone is considering moving to the building, I highly recommend it! The KG is beatiful too, and I can't wait to take a tour in the open house one of these days.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. I'll post some pictures of the inside of the bay building shortly!

[Morogolus]

I spent 3 days in Calgary this past weekend and I must say it was nice actually seeing cranes and actual construction going on rather than pretty signs with a picture of the building and an empty lot. I don't know who ever said there was a recession going on there, the city seemed to be busting at the seams with new projects.

Just seems we've pretty much wasted a construction season with almost nothing being started other than the university and a Wal-Mart.

Also why is there that piece of Cat equipment that looks like it came from an abandoned construction site in Chernobyl been sitting by the college overpass for 2 weeks? I cringe whenever I drive by it.

[lbird]

Saw that Ibister Park near Farmer's Market is open for business. It's really an underwhelming park, but the small space, 'see-through' concept and concrete berms for the power station aren't much to work with. Green space is always good, however,

Also, I saw that the old 'Venice Shops' downtown that never really took off, on 20th and 3rd, is now sporting 'Edwards School of Business' signs. That's a good location for the downtown campus.

[Scruff Bucket]

Originally Posted by GTR200

A walk around the University of Saskatchewan. It's a nice place to be summer or winter. ...

Thanks GTR! Great images! ... U of S! Brings back A LOT of great memories!

Nice, after they fixed up that (well used) admin building (College Building)!

Originally Posted by GTR200

Ahh! The good, old, but very majestic Thorvaldson Building!

Originally Posted by GTR200

Step inside Thorvalson's old section and you're transported back in time to another era in the University's history! Very much like:

Originally Posted by GTR200

(^^ Is that inside the admin or physics building?)

Does anyone have a current picture of the dome inside Thorvaldson's Lecture Room 271, the "airplane room"? They cleared the dome of the paper airplanes -- that students from past years have shot into it -- when they removed asbestos from the ceiling some years ago, but I believe the tradition has continued!

I really like the system of sky-walks between buildings throughout the campus!

What are they constructing at Place Riel?

Originally Posted by GTR200

As an alumnus of U of S, I should know the buildings in the other images, but I can't quite remember all their names or place them on the campus! Sorry, can anyone go back over GTR's images and fill in the names of them, and provide an update on what they're constructing? Can anyone provide more pics of what's currently happening at U of S? Thanks!

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Kruzat

I actually live in 2nd ave lofts, great place, I love it! ................

Hi Kruzat - Welcome to the forums and thanks for the info on the 2nd Ave Lofts. I always loved the Bay building and was happy to see it got a second life. Looking forward to seeing some interior shots.


Thanks everyone for all the photos.