Saskatoon Construction

[S'toon guy]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

One other downside is that with an expected student body of 1100, our dismal public transportation system, and pedophiles lurking around every corner (this one is facetious) only a small proportion will be walking. In my kid's school, people drive their kids if they live more than three blocks. I can imagine this school will draw from many miles.

More cars

Mega malls, mega community centres, mega schools, if I were a conspiracy theorist, I would have to suspect the automakers have a hand in our civic design.

The school will primarily serve Willowgrove, which will have 8000 residents. All the existing neighborhoods in the area already have schools, so the only ones traveling many miles will be from the new Evergreen neighborhood until their school is built. Most of the kids attending will be a short walk away.

In fact, there is a linear park with a walking path running all the way through Willowgrove. I would bet the large majority of residents will be within a 5 min walk of this path, and could walk to the school inside 20 min. This probably won't stop people from driving their kids, but you can't blame laziness on neighborhood design.

[milanboy]

Originally Posted by circle33

... Affordable housing complex to be built in downtown Saskatoon

A new 65-unit affordable housing complex is being built in Saskatoon, thanks to an $11.5 million investment from the federal and provincial Affordable Housing Trust.

The project will be constructed next to the Lighthouse Supported Living facility at 227 20th Street East, which currently offers 63 units for low-income individuals....

I guess this spells the end of the Fourth Avenue and 23rd Street project. As a aside, does anyone know it the pool and waterslide from the old Capri is still operational in The Lighthouse?

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by milanboy

I guess this spells the end of the Fourth Avenue and 23rd Street project. As a aside, does anyone know it the pool and waterslide from the old Capri is still operational in The Lighthouse?

You can see the slide if you walk through the alley behind. I'm not sure if it is in use but it is definitely there. More importantly, I don't see that fantastic capri sign (with the palm tree) on the drawings. If they are taking that down a club should definitely buy it.

In response to the other comments I agree that Saskatoon is not exactly a tourist hub yet. I think in the summer it can be a great place to hang out but the real test is the winter - and that is when you realise there is not a ton of stuff to do. Having said that, Saskatoon is still a small prairie city so it shouldn't really be compared to Toronto or places like that. With time, and smart planning, Saskatoon will become a much more cosmopolitan and interesting city.

[Temperance]

Too bad they aren't restoring the building to it's original facade:

http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/allfrockedup/en_empire.shtml

It included a 1200 seat theatre!

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by milanboy

I guess this spells the end of the Fourth Avenue and 23rd Street project. ...........

Yes unfortunately this project died back in March Tallest tower project off

[kgc087]

Saskatoon's club scene is bad, but drinks are by no means over priced. To me overpriced is $15 for a martini, here they average around 8-10. The winter is VERY stagnant here but. I really think this warrants an expansion for midtown to make it more engaging beyond the retail aspect. As well I think this indicates that the city does have a lot of work to do in attracting tourists.

I like the new lighthouse project. I wish they would fix up the capri side, maybe floor to ceiling windows rather then just keeping it but none the less this will def revive that corner.

[shmakim]

Originally Posted by Temperance

the winter - and that is when you realise there is not a ton of stuff to do. Having said that, Saskatoon is still a small prairie city so it shouldn't really be compared to Toronto or places like that. With time, and smart planning, Saskatoon will become a much more cosmopolitan and interesting city.

We love to dream on this board: If you could improve Saskatoon's winter activities, what would you add to the list?

Ski hill built into the landfill?
Expanded Winterfest? (knobby tire bike race, mid-winter barbeque, polar bear plunge?)
More XC skiing? (Nordic ski club already boasts 400 members but more visibility and coordination might help)
Outdoor skating at River Landing's plaza pond?
When is the proposed Fashion Week? February?

What do other, larger cities do to stay sane over the winter? I'm thinking Montreal and Toronto but I have no experience with their winters...

[shmakim]

Maybe a mid-winter festival centered (naturally) at River Landing, focused on ice sculptures... or do we already have that? Might be fun to offer beginner ice sculpting workshops to get participants out.

[kgc087]

Fashion week will be sept 2011 to start then another prob in feb-march, could be a big winter event for sure! I think the idea of expanding the winter festival is excellent! There should be family activities, adult activities etc. Perhaps there could even be a fire festival so it helps warm things up, plus it would be a wicked attraction in winter. I'm so pro ski hill in the landfill, hopefully the city is that visionary.

[drm310]

So is this view looking at the north face of the building, meaning that the addition will be to east where a parking lot is now? I wonder if that's one of Impark's lots - <sarcasm>my heart bleeds for them if it is</sarcasm>.

I love how they misspelled "conceptual" on the rendering. Really professional.

Originally Posted by circle33

This just in..

Affordable housing complex to be built in downtown Saskatoon

A new 65-unit affordable housing complex is being built in Saskatoon, thanks to an $11.5 million investment from the federal and provincial Affordable Housing Trust.

The project will be constructed next to the Lighthouse Supported Living facility at 227 20th Street East, which currently offers 63 units for low-income individuals.

Units at The Lighthouse are fully furnished, have private bathrooms and come with full cable and air conditioning. Meal service, as well as weekly housekeeping, linen and laundry service is available on-site....


photo: thestarphoenix.com



SP Story

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Good to hear that your sister and husband enjoyed their brief stay in Saskatoon. Just curious what age group they fall into? As we try to move Saskatoon forward and become more cosmopolitan, it seems to me it is imperative that the city be seen as 'cool' by those in that 20-45 age demographic.

I myself am just over (48) this age group, but recognise the importance of attracting and retaining this age group to Saskatoon.

I guess I can answer this, being the young tike at 24 here on this site.
People my age really do love this city...for what it is.

However, the size is the big factor for our city (as always) for this age group as things get a bit recycled here with everyone dating the same people and not really being able to escape to a night out without meeting several people you know (stoon's 1 degree of separation).

However at the same time, it is the people of our city that retain our people. We are very open, independent, active and cultured. (Thank you University and live music scene!) The club scene is actually quite decent for our size and our live music scene can rival almost any city in the county. And it is the size of the city that retain my friends looking to set roots down with a family.

So Saskatoon is doing fantastic for the cards its dealt, as the main things keeping people away are factors that can't really be changed:
Population and Winter.

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by shmakim

Contributing to the cultural scene, I've started a Japanese drumming group in town - we'll be appearing at Canada Day in Diefenbaker Park, the Dragon Boat Races (Jul 23) in Rotary Park, the Fringe, and hopefully at the Fireworks Festival.

</shameless self plug>

Come jam at our weekly sunday tam tam in rotary park.
That entire park on sunday has now embodied everything that is Saskatoon's culture and the reason why people love this city.

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by drm310

So is this view looking at the north face of the building, meaning that the addition will be to east where a parking lot is now? I wonder if that's one of Impark's lots - <sarcasm>my heart bleeds for them if it is</sarcasm>.

I love how they misspelled "conceptual" on the rendering. Really professional.

Yes the rendering shows the north side of the building and the addition will be to the east which is a parking lot.

I grabbed a few shots this morning. A great little project and we can X off another parking lot.

Good catch on the conceptual drm. I took the liberty to fix it and post it below.


^^ North view of parking lot and future expansion of the Lighthouse.


^^ North view


^^ South side of parking lot with the famous Capri signage on the roof.


^^ Photograph by: Image Supplied, The StarPhoenix - Typo fixed by me.

[Jerry]

Someone back some time ago was interested in the Saskatoon tunnels and our glass sidewalk blocks. It may have been Kgc087. In an case I came across an article in the SP that ran in Oct. of 2008 that may be of interest to some.

It really is a worthwhile read.

SP Article - Trip back in time value

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

I guess I can answer this, being the young tike at 24 here on this site.
People my age really do love this city...for what it is.

However, the size is the big factor for our city (as always) for this age group as things get a bit recycled here with everyone dating the same people and not really being able to escape to a night out without meeting several people you know (stoon's 1 degree of separation).

However at the same time, it is the people of our city that retain our people. We are very open, independent, active and cultured. (Thank you University and live music scene!) The club scene is actually quite decent for our size and our live music scene can rival almost any city in the county. And it is the size of the city that retain my friends looking to set roots down with a family.

So Saskatoon is doing fantastic for the cards its dealt, as the main things keeping people away are factors that can't really be changed:
Population and Winter.

I win, I'm only 22, living elsewhere in Canada I've realized Saskatoon has some really great things like dining, a unique cultural identity but 100% BLOWS in the club scene. Pubs are great, and small live music places, but for those nights of dancing to good house music there is only a handful of places, Divas and Bacchus (and the up and coming 302). I really think the city needs to focus on more shopping, promoting finer dining, WAY more festivals and for the love of young people a completely rejuvenated night life. I know I sound completely negative but really being blunt with my opinion is the best way to convey it.

[kgc087]

Thanks Jerry, I remember reading that article a while ago. I still think the city should reclaim that valuable addition to our downtown, although they have been lighting it up at night which is great!

[WoodlandCritter]

i completely agree with whats being said here, saskatoon is great. but lacking on bringing tourists into the city. when i talk to fellow classmates or people from outside the province they snuff saskatoon off as merely a large farm town. I asked classmates if they would consider ever coming to a small centre like saskatoon for a work term and most said they never even considered it. They think its boring here. Even with all the growth going on. But don't get me wrong, i have seem the changes occuring here in the city over the past 3-4 years and its been great. So hopefully we can change the minds of those from outside the province to come and stay.

As for the Capri, It would be nice to see them beautify the existing building a little more.

I haven't heard much about this on here but what do people think about the new fire hall going up near the wildwood BP's? I like what i am seeing so far.

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by shmakim

We love to dream on this board: If you could improve Saskatoon's winter activities, what would you add to the list?

Ski hill built into the landfill?
Expanded Winterfest? (knobby tire bike race, mid-winter barbeque, polar bear plunge?)
More XC skiing? (Nordic ski club already boasts 400 members but more visibility and coordination might help)
Outdoor skating at River Landing's plaza pond?
When is the proposed Fashion Week? February?

What do other, larger cities do to stay sane over the winter? I'm thinking Montreal and Toronto but I have no experience with their winters...

Well I think a hugely expanded winter festival would be a must. It can modelled after other big winter festivals like winterlude in Ottawa or carnivale in Quebec. I also think it would be great to have another festival - perhaps a music festival with performance in a bunch of venues throughout the city. The ski hill idea is a good one. You could start with a big tubing hill with snowboarding features as well. I also think the X-country skiiing areas of the city could be greatly expanded, considering the extensiveness of the meewasin trail system.

On another note...I agree it's too bad they aren't making even minor improvements to the capri facade. The project is still good for the area and the city. Would be nice if there was an entrance on 2nd and some street-level retail and landscaping. That could help to animate that now dead area of 2nd. I would also really like to see Galaxy cinemas do a bit of landscaping of its parking lot and plant some more trees. Also, when is that small parcel of land next to the cinema getting developed? I know Galaxy does not own it all and I remember seeing a plan somewhere indicating a couple of retail business going in there along 2nd such as a bookstore and coffee shop.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I win, I'm only 22, living elsewhere in Canada I've realized Saskatoon has some really great things like dining, a unique cultural identity but 100% BLOWS in the club scene. Pubs are great, and small live music places, but for those nights of dancing to good house music there is only a handful of places, Divas and Bacchus (and the up and coming 302). I really think the city needs to focus on more shopping, promoting finer dining, WAY more festivals and for the love of young people a completely rejuvenated night life. I know I sound completely negative but really being blunt with my opinion is the best way to convey it.

Scratch is another one! They mix it up nicely, with electro/dance and hip hop djs, and have even brought in some fairly big name electro bands (yacht from Portland and The Glass from NY). Not to mention Ice cream social, the 50's & 60's sock hop night every last Thursday (except this one, as We are Lovers are there that night) of every month. That idea started in Vancouver and was brought to Saskatoon and used as a branch off of it under the same name. The only 2 nights like that that I know of anywhere.

[Temperance]

More good news:

Pleasant Hill plan takes initial step
Incentives play key role in community revitalization
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenixJune 18, 2010
The homes on the corner of Avenue O South and 19th Street West in Pleasant Hill four years ago were, by all accounts, dying.

The dilapidated rental units beside St. Mary School contributed to the image of the neighbourhood as somewhere to be feared by those unfamiliar with it, a perception the community is dead set on changing.

"The housing was not suitable and nobody should have to live the way the homes were," said Pleasant Hill resident Ilsa Arnesen-Kun.

"For something this drastic you had to have that government intervention."

On Thursday, in their place, the first homes in the largest inner-city revitalization project attempted in the province went on the market amid hopes of a turnaround.

"It's going to be a completely different area," Arnesen-Kun said. "People are going to have different thoughts."

The stacked, energy-efficient townhouses, a unique design in Canada, include two buildings, each with 12 two-to-three bedroom units built by River Ridge and Ehrenburg Homes. The hope is low-income families will take advantage of programs to move from rental to home ownership.

"This is like we're harvesting that first tomato," said Keith Hanson, executive director of the Affordable New Home Development Foundation, who spearheaded the townhouse development. "A lot of time and effort has gone in to make the garden grow."

To get to the opening of the first home has not been without risk and heavy costs.

Not including the new St. Mary School, governments will spend $6.3 million in total on the 13-acre Pleasant Hill Village project, including $3.7 million of city money that has been spent to acquire land, then demolish the 33 single-family homes that once made up the distressed neighbourhood off 20th Street.

On the private investment side, a $14-million seniors' housing complex is being readied for 20th Street by the Knights of Columbus and more than $15 million in new housing is planned to be completed by the end of 2012.

Despite the promise of urban renewal, there was little uptake when the city offered to sell the land for $1 to developers willing to build quality homes that could be offered at the low end of the market.

As a result, the city offered to buy back any units that aren't sold at prices now between $190,000 and $240,000, described by some as a lucrative incentive that officials argue was necessary to jump-start the area.

If any of the units don't sell by November, the city must buy them and market them. Twelve of the 24 units have been sold to affordable housing corporations, which will at first rent them out.

"This is a big test," Hanson said. "When you have a whole new project and all sorts of new housing coming in, how do you know (what will happen)? What will people pay?"

The city is faced with the decision of whether to continue its incentive program on the remaining lots in the development and much hinges on how sales of these first units go, said senior planner Alan Wallace.

"We hear there's a lot of demand," Wallace said. "This will test the ability of people to visualize what this is going to be and buy into it."

Many urban renewal projects across North America have fallen back into states of disrepair after such major interventions, but all involved are betting good urban design and quality homes will not only fight off decay but that the renewal effort will spark development elsewhere in Pleasant Hill.

"This is a neighbourhood that's on the move," said Coun. Pat Lorje.

"It's changing and you can see improvement every month."