Saskatoon Construction

[nook]

So today I was talking with a friend of mine, and he mentioned that way back when the city built Sask. Place, they had a vote to decide where they would put the arena, and that part of the idea of putting Sask. Place out in the boonies was that they would build an overpass or two for easy access to the arena.

Obviously this hasn't happened, but why? Has the city just forgotten about it? No money? Bigger fish to fry?

Also, if anyone can remember... What were the debates back in the late 80s when they were talking about where to place the arena? (Why did they choose to put it in the boonies/What was the argument for putting it downtown/Why didn't they put it downtown.. etc) I was only two or three when they made that decision, so I have no idea. Seems like it would have been an interesting debate!

[1ajs]

try looking through old news papers archives of some sort imagin theirs digital copy somewhere???

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by nook

So today I was talking with a friend of mine, and he mentioned that way back when the city built Sask. Place, they had a vote to decide where they would put the arena, and that part of the idea of putting Sask. Place out in the boonies was that they would build an overpass or two for easy access to the arena.

Obviously this hasn't happened, but why? Has the city just forgotten about it? No money? Bigger fish to fry?

Also, if anyone can remember... What were the debates back in the late 80s when they were talking about where to place the arena? (Why did they choose to put it in the boonies/What was the argument for putting it downtown/Why didn't they put it downtown.. etc) I was only two or three when they made that decision, so I have no idea. Seems like it would have been an interesting debate!

The details are kind of fuzzy, but major fail Grant Devine and Co. pressured the city into that location. Land was cheaper, and they believed it would spur industrial development... Also, I vaguely recall controversy erupting over the mayor's connection to the construction firm.

I could be wrong about all of the above (I hope I am).

[Measuring Stick]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

The details are kind of fuzzy, but major fail Grant Devine and Co. pressured the city into that location. Land was cheaper, and they believed it would spur industrial development... Also, I vaguely recall controversy erupting over the mayor's connection to the construction firm.

I could be wrong about all of the above (I hope I am).

I am struggling to find information on this online to post as well. But from what I remember the Mayor at the time had a personal interest in the land surrounding that which Sask Place now sits upon. The mayor wanted to Arena located there in order to bring up the land value of his surrounding land. 1980s politics at its best

[111ddd]

I have also heard that the mayor had an interest in the land around Sask Place. Not sure if that's just a rumor or not.

[prairieguy]

SaskPlace (CUC)

There was a very well organised group that used parking as a major scare tactic to oppose the downtown location. Even back then, there were many complaints about the availability of parking downtown. A group group used a public scare compaign that with any or all the events that could happen at an arena it would just further congest and create parking havoc downtown. Somehow, this argument was viewed as credible and people thought it better to go with a location that could have lots of surface parking.

The whole idea of a downtown facility spurring development and business for hotels, bars, clubs, etc. was lost in the fear of parking! Also, I don't believe anyone talked about a large parkade being part of the proposal for downtown, which not only would have alleviated some parking issues during events, but also would have created more parking for down times.

What a mistake the public made, but it was the public that made the decision

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

SaskPlace (CUC)

There was a very well organised group that used parking as a major scare tactic to oppose the downtown location. Even back then, there were many complaints about the availability of parking downtown. A group group used a public scare compaign that with any or all the events that could happen at an arena it would just further congest and create parking havoc downtown. Somehow, this argument was viewed as credible and people thought it better to go with a location that could have lots of surface parking.

The whole idea of a downtown facility spurring development and business for hotels, bars, clubs, etc. was lost in the fear of parking! Also, I don't believe anyone talked about a large parkade being part of the proposal for downtown, which not only would have alleviated some parking issues during events, but also would have created more parking for down times.

What a mistake the public made, but it was the public that made the decision

don't act like we have learnt anything from our mistakes...didn't we just build a beautiful casino out in the 'boonies'

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

don't act like we have learnt anything from our mistakes...didn't we just build a beautiful casino out in the 'boonies'

Yep, Saskatoon has a great track record for missing out on downtown opportunities. Amazing that the South Downtown is actually going ahead.

[Morogolus]

What a forehead slapper that casino debaucale was. I actually moved away from Saskatoon for almost 3 years because of that. All these annoying religious people going door to door getting all the xenophobes and NIBYs to sign a petition even though every other city in Saskatchewan already has a casino without any problems and we already had a casino in the exhibition grounds.

I hope they're happy, now there's a really nice classy casino 20 minutes out of town and all that revenue is now going into the reserve rather than the city and our downtown.

[gowest]

People who work in the north end of the city will understand this, however most people in the city will have no idea of how bad planning can create a monster. The area I am refering to is Miller Ave and 51st Street. This intersection is one of two that enters the rapidly growing north industrial area and is crossed by one of two east-west roads thru the area. On one corner is McDonalds, on another is Timmie's. Traffic backs up for blocks at the lights and people are constantly trying to cross the back-up to get into these outlets. As they wait they block traffic thru the intersection. Much of this traffic is large semi's which start and stop very slowly. Now with the construction of the Co-op car and truck fuel and wash centre on the third corner, more traffic will be trying to turn off and on these roadways. hopefully the City will think before approving the type of developement for the fourth corner. If people think they have traffic problems on bridges or in the south end, don't complain to workers in the north end as they are the experts in traffic back-ups. Mom in her mini-van full of kids at five in the afternoon will sit for ever until someone allows her to make the dangerous left turn across two lanes of traffic to get into McDonalds or the person who just has to have their Timmies will sit in the middle of the intersection on their cell phone not worring about the blocks of traffic that can't move because of them. If you ever want to see the height of stupidity, go get a coffee at Timmie's at 4:30 pull up to the front of the lot, park and watch the entertainment. Good luck to all the drivers in the New Year and remember getting food or coffee is more important than paying attention.

[Temperance]

Count me as among the anti-casino crowd - and I am certainly no religious zealot or NIMBY (my BY is the Atlantic Ocean in Galway, Ireland), I just don't think casinos are a great way to develop your city. And...I'm kind of glad the reserve is able to soak up that revenue. I'll leave it at that because I really don't want to start a whole debate.

Having said that the arena was definitely a completely bone-headed move. It is just stuck out there in the middle of a field - not contributing anything to development. And yes, I still refuse to call it Credit Union Centre when so many tax dollars went into it.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

What a forehead slapper that casino debaucale was. I actually moved away from Saskatoon for almost 3 years because of that. All these annoying religious people going door to door getting all the xenophobes and NIBYs to sign a petition even though every other city in Saskatchewan already has a casino without any problems and we already had a casino in the exhibition grounds.

I hope they're happy, now there's a really nice classy casino 20 minutes out of town and all that revenue is now going into the reserve rather than the city and our downtown.

Actually consider yourselves lucky the casino is outside the city, there are two mega-casino's in Winnipeg where all the revenue goes strictly to the casino's, both have in-house restaurants, bars etc. Both have been in their present locations for over ten years and there are no spin-off business's around either. All casino's do is suck expendable dollars that probably would be spent on other entertainment.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Morogolus

What a forehead slapper that casino debaucale was. I actually moved away from Saskatoon for almost 3 years because of that. All these annoying religious people going door to door getting all the xenophobes and NIBYs to sign a petition even though every other city in Saskatchewan already has a casino without any problems and we already had a casino in the exhibition grounds.

I hope they're happy, now there's a really nice classy casino 20 minutes out of town and all that revenue is now going into the reserve rather than the city and our downtown.

... You moved to another city for 3 years because a casino wasn't built downtown...?
Sounds logical. Care to elaborate?

[Morogolus]

Originally Posted by dsim249

... You moved to another city for 3 years because a casino wasn't built downtown...?
Sounds logical. Care to elaborate?

It was just the last straw that I was living in a dead end city that was never going to go anywhere, so I moved overseas to Taiwan to teach English then I tried living in Spain which didn't work out so well and I had to move back.

Although this was all back in 2003 and now I'm pretty happy with the direction the city is going and hope it continues.

[Jerry]

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

[1ajs]

Merry Christmas Saskatoon from the Pegcity

[Dalreg]

Well Merry Christmas Saskatoon, hope you all have a great day, from me and all of us former Saskatchewanians down here in Australia.

[Jerry]

Critical year ahead for south downtown: Atchison
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix December 29, 2010


Mayor Don Atchison says 2011 should be the year River Landing sees private-sector shovels in the ground as momentum begins to build in the south downtown.

The massive River Landing promenade has seen more than $80 million in public investment, but private-sector development has lagged behind, meaning taxpayers are footing the $1-million annual bill for snow clearing, sweeping and maintenance at the landmark site. [...]


Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Cri...tchison/4038739/story.html#ixzz19a9Ns2GC

[gowest]

For those of you following the south bridge, the camera is back operating on line. If you haven't seen it in real you should go the the east bank and look. It gives you a better idea how far across the river they are compared to the camera view.

[Jerry]

Interested in having lunch with Ken Achs check this out >>> January 12, 2011 Saskatoon SYPE Luncheon Featuring Ken Achs

Ken Achs: One of Saskatoon’s most prestigious entrepreneurs and real estate developers.