Saskatoon Construction

[TheCricket]

Perfect... because we don't have enough of those already!!

[circle33]

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

Wendy's on Idylwyld is in the process of being converted to another Tim Horton's.

No shit ?

....

[ToddStoon]

Is the Lighthouse opposite of the Galaxy theatre really being expanded or renovated? It seems like a weird place to me for a shelter to be right next to some of the most expensive land in Saskatoon, River Landing and our flagship theatre. I would think the organization could get a pretty penny for the place and rebuild further out and have a larger centre and serve more people. Or do I just not get it?

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

Is the Lighthouse opposite of the Galaxy theatre really being expanded or renovated? It seems like a weird place to me for a shelter to be right next to some of the most expensive land in Saskatoon, River Landing and our flagship theatre. I would think the organization could get a pretty penny for the place and rebuild further out and have a larger centre and serve more people. Or do I just not get it?

I suspect there are two reasons, one of them would likely be widely aknowledged the other less so. The first would be access. Most of the people served do not have cars, so being in a central location helps them to be more integrated and have access to other services. The second reason, I suspect is to not have face the inevitable NIMBY resistance a move to anywhere else would trigger.

[Yeff]

This will be a VERY welcome improvement to the city that will benefit many people for many years!

"For Immediate Release
October 5, 2010

PotashCorp Gives $5 Million to Saskatoon’s Kinsmen Park

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) and the City of Saskatoon today
announced a sponsorship agreement for the renovation and rejuvenation of Kinsmen Park. Speaking this morning at the
gift announcement, Bill Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of PotashCorp, outlined the company’s commitment of a minimum
of $5 million to help renew the park.

“At PotashCorp, we have a goal to improve the well-being of those communities where we have operations,”
said Doyle. “Kinsmen Park is a gathering place that builds family and community in Saskatoon, and we are very excited
to support that.”

On behalf of Canpotex Limited, Doyle also announced a further funding commitment. With the support of Agrium, Mosaic
and PotashCorp, Canpotex will fund the rejuvenation of the park’s train ride.

Over the past few years, with some aspects of Kinsmen Park showing their age, the City of Saskatoon began to plan for
possible renovations and enhancements to the park. PotashCorp was eager to help.

“Wow, what a gift! I am delighted to accept this generous sponsorship from PotashCorp and Canpotex for the renewal
of Kinsmen Park,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “This is our oldest park in Saskatoon, and we appreciate the ongoing
investment PotashCorp is making in our community to ensure Saskatoon continues to be vibrant and a great place to live.”

With the Kinsmen Park & Area Masterplan, the City of Saskatoon aims to establish Kinsmen Park as a prominent civic
activity node integrating activities on both sides of Spadina Crescent. Improvements to the area will focus on activities and
programming for children and on creating a lively urban environment used and enjoyed by all ages and abilities year-round.

The Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon also acknowledged PotashCorp’s contribution. “We began discussing the possibility of
PotashCorp’s participation in the park’s renewal nearly a year ago,” said Rick Peddle, President of the Kinsmen Club of
Saskatoon. “I’m very pleased to be able to share in the announcement today, and we’re very proud to partner with
PotashCorp.”

Kinsmen Park has been a feature of Saskatoon for more than 100 years. The Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon began equipping
the 46-acre site in the 1950s, starting with a train and a carousel. Currently, the area includes a children’s play area,
paddling pool, antique carousel, children’s train ride, picnic areas, concession area, two ball diamonds and winter cross-
country skiing facilities. Kinsmen Park & Area also includes facilities on the East side of Spadina Crescent, including the
existing Mendel Art Gallery and grounds, the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site and the Shearwater Tours boat dock.

PotashCorp is the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity, producing the three primary crop nutrients – potash,
phosphate and nitrogen. As the world’s leading potash producer, it is responsible for about 20 percent of global capacity.
With operations and business interests in seven countries, and its head office and five potash operations in Saskatchewan,
PotashCorp is an international enterprise and a key player in meeting the growing challenge of feeding the world."

[Echoes]

^ Haha, BHP and PotashCorp are at war to win over the hearts of Saskatonians. BHP has assumed sponsorship of the Enchanted Forest, and PCS is throwing some money at Kinsmen Park.

Do any of them want to finance River Landing Village for us???

[Ruckus]

^ I hope the takeover doesn't go through. We'll be better off with multiple firms developing Saskatchewan's resources.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Check out my post on a university building a city.

I love it! University design should integrate into city

We are moving in the right direction. The Edwards School of Business has a presence downtown, and fingers crossed the new school of architecture will be housed in the John Deere building. Over the longer term, the College Quarter will no doubt cement the relationship between the city and university. It is my hope that the campus experience can be exported to neighborhoods throughout the city. The City should have a goal to transform several neighborhoods into walkable, pedestrian-oriented communities. Some of the neighborhoods beyond Circle Drive will be a challenge, but road congestion will be reduced dramatically, and community cohesion improved if higher density nodes were established around suburban commercial, and neighborhood parks. I wonder which neighborhoods would be open to such ideas...expropriation should be carefully considered so as to not destroy the social fabric of the community.

I really enjoyed reading Sarah Marcoux's blog post Doctors should prescribe better neighborhood design to improve overall well-being. Who benefits from a well-designed neighborhood? We all do!

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

^ I hope the takeover doesn't go through. We'll be better off with multiple firms developing Saskatchewan's resources.

I agree, I also don't want to see the takeover. I just see so much potential in making the mining somehow value added. Think of the economic possibilities!

[WoodlandCritter]

great article kgc087. I agree completely. Our school (UofWaterloo Architecture) was moved off main campus about 5 years ago and relocated to Cambridge Ontario. Many of you may have been at the presentation given by Rick Haldenby(our director) in Saskatoon at the Mendel Art Gallery last summer (i was) and he outlined the benefits of moving the school here. What it has done for this community and the ways the students have given back.
The only thing we miss from this movement is interaction with the rest of the university community. But in our case we are 30mins away from main campus. In Saskatoon the distance from downtown to campus would not be that far. We constantly are given projects related to our environment and "what if" kind of questions relating to redesigning this city. Our next studio project is designing a hotel and spa for the downtown area here. could be neat to see what 70 architecture students could come up with for a river landing project in Saskatoon if there was a school there. Along with many other designs for other potential sites. Just saying haha.

But i digress, good article, only good things to come from this. where can i find the other articles from the other bloggers too?

[gowest]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

I just noticed yesterday that there appears to be a new tennant for the old Rona store just off of Circle Drive. Anyone have any leads as to who has aquired that space?

I heard today that Grand-West Automotive (Tiger Auto) which has a very large warehousing centre just west and to the rear of the Old Rona is taking it over. Rumour, but from people that seem to know.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

^ I hope the takeover doesn't go through. We'll be better off with multiple firms developing Saskatchewan's resources.

I agree, although this whole takeover business has been good to help raise the province's profile again.

And it's putting the heat on PotashCorp to repatriate their exec jobs from Chicago back to Saskatoon.

In today's S-P:
'Saskatchewan government would consider legislation to ensure increased local head office for PotashCorp'

[Yeff]

Originally Posted by Country

I agree, although this whole takeover business has been good to help raise the province's profile again.

And it's putting the heat on PotashCorp to repatriate their exec jobs from Chicago back to Saskatoon.

In today's S-P:
'Saskatchewan government would consider legislation to ensure increased local head office for PotashCorp'

Lingenfelter is a class A douche bag, who cares what hot air he has to spew on a day-to-day basis. People around here crying about the executive jobs and Saskatoon not being the head office simply do not understand the company geographically or its operations. The head office is absolutely in Saskatoon.

[acron]

Originally Posted by Yeff

Lingenfelter is a class A douche bag, who cares what hot air he has to spew on a day-to-day basis. People around here crying about the executive jobs and Saskatoon not being the head office simply do not understand the company geographically or its operations. The head office is absolutely in Saskatoon.

if you understand the company, please enlighten us why most of the senior execs and half the corporate staff don't work here?

also, i don't think people should worry too much about the BHP takes over. other foreign companies will be developing green field mines here in the next few years no matter what happens. canpotex will eventually just be a transportation company anyway...

[Stormer]

The legislation already seems very strong as what head office functions must be located in Saskatchewan:

http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/english/Chapters/1994/26_94.pdf

[ToddStoon]

Hey Kelly, great blog post in the SP. I never really thought much of moving the campus around the city and there are definitely some benefits for doing so. I remember that the Galaxy Theatre downtown actually right now has lectures for nursing (I think) from SIAST. Building other facilities with good transit between the two would offer a lot of benefits for the city.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

Hey Kelly, great blog post in the SP. I never really thought much of moving the campus around the city and there are definitely some benefits for doing so. I remember that the Galaxy Theatre downtown actually right now has lectures for nursing (I think) from SIAST. Building other facilities with good transit between the two would offer a lot of benefits for the city.

It would be interesting to see SIAST and the U of S become more integrated. Perhaps even share facilities that are in heavily transited areas. Maybe the warehouse district will house a lot of expansions for both institutions. I just feel the benefits of young, being educated people are massive. I should have a second post within the next few days continuing on this idea and expanding it in specific directions!

[EarlyByrdProductions]

"lydia's is in fact for sale. Just the business though, nothing to do with the real estate. $750,000 asking price. Also on my way to work this morning, i saw that positive passions has started to put up their signage on the former mckague funeral parlour downtown. nothin like finishing up your evening MBA class and then heading across the street for some edible panties. haha classic" -studentview

Lydias is hands down one of the best places for live music, great conversation and pool/ foosball in a historic building that happens to be right in the middle of our broadway district.
i have heard about it being for sale for years and just hope that it stays open there for generations to enjoy

[Morogolus]

I think that with the 'new Saskatoon' that's been emerging the last few years that City Halls needs to completely revamp the city's website from top to bottom. The current site is ugly and confusing and gives off the wrong impression about our city. There have been so many times I've gone to the website to look something up and was unable to find what I was looking and in the end just became angry and frustrated like when my garbage is getting picked up or when the public swim times are. None of the PDFs for the Circle Drive South Project load for me, you think a 200 million dollar project would have a bit better presentation. The site is just a piece of garbage to be frank. The City of Regina's website is actually very nice and clean and so much easier to navigate. If I'm thinking of relocating to Saskatoon from The States or something and see this garbage on my screen, screw that I'm moving to Regina instead.

Just saying since there's not much else to talk about.

Speaking of the CDS Project I was driving around the city and have to say I was darn impressed with all the work they're doing. The amount of heavy machinery they have going is just incredible.

[bp832]

Last Sunday when I drove past the CDS site around 9pm, the lights were on and the crews were working hard