Saskatoon Construction

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by kgc087

That is so unfortunate, that is the one project I was really looking forward to have move forward in Saskatoon. I don't understand why no one can find financing, over 100 condos are being built in downtown toronto and all over the suburbs, someone is supplying someone with money. Perhaps Nasser will buck up the extra dollars and just create a mega complex. How much money do they need? Perhaps I should talk to a friend who is interested in becoming a developer in Saskatoon, this could be their break through project.

Originally Posted by dsim249

It might have something to do with the following:

Greater Toronto Area = 5,600,000
Saskatoon CMA = 265,000

But yes, you should talk to your friend. Don't take no for an answer!

I'd say it has more to do with the following:
$35,000,000 divided by 65 units = $538,461 per unit.

That spelled the end of that project pretty quick. I had a look at some of the preliminary plans for this project and my first thought was that you couldn't have came up with a less economical design if you tried. There was a tremendous mix of building shapes and materials and the ratio of buiding envelope to floor space was incredibly high. It was a funky, interesting exercise that, unfortunately, never had a chance.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Does anyone have any knowledge on when the new webcams for the Circle Drive project will be up? Also does anyone have any pictures of what is going on on the east bank? I saw a crane with a concrete bucket swinging in and out of sight while I watch the current camera.

Thanks!

[Jerry]

New police HQ contract process transparent, fair

By Clive Weighill, The StarPhoenix March 17, 2011 4:02 AM

Following is the viewpoint of Weighill, Chief of Police in Saskatoon.


The article, Police facility right size (SP, March 12), implies that city council should have more public debate regarding the new Saskatoon police headquarters. This suggestion is based on misinformation.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/polic...nt+fair/4454064/story.html#ixzz1Gqsq1ML8

[Jerry]

Media Advisory: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Gordon Wyant, the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest, will make an important announcement on infrastructure.

Date:
March 17, 2011
Time:
11 a.m.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
222-3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Source

--------------------------------------------------------------------

You really have to love election time . It will be interesting to see what will come of this.

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Does anyone have any knowledge on when the new webcams for the Circle Drive project will be up? Also does anyone have any pictures of what is going on on the east bank? I saw a crane with a concrete bucket swinging in and out of sight while I watch the current camera.

Thanks!

Not really sure when the new cams will come online. I have a few photo's from last week on some of the bridge work. I noticed work at river level on the east side but it is all fenced off and the view is limited from the observation area.



^^ Looking west taken from east side of river.


^^ Some concrete work on the east side of the river in the foreground.


^^ View from the Holiday Park Industrial Park looking south. Bridge is to the left.

[drm310]

Students rally for U of S aboriginal centre

By Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix
March 17, 2011 9:16 AM

University of Saskatchewan students rallied to support a proposal for a new aboriginal student centre, a project that has struggled to find funding.

About 50 students, faculty and concerned citizens were at the U of S Convocation Hall Wednesday for the rally.

Plans for the Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre have been around for about five years, but the U of S has only secured about $5 million of the $15 million it needs for construction. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Students+rally+aboriginal+centre/4454054/story.html

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

This is rather unfortunate. I understand the concern, but is a fitness park the best alternative to volleyball? How about a few basketball courts...there are none along the entire MVA trail system. I suspect they would get used a lot during the summer months (animate the area).

I sometimes wonder if the planners here have ever been out of Saskatoon. The concern about needles is rather ridculous if you think about all the miles of beach in Vancouver and the disproportionate number of IV drug users there as compared to here. Given the level of concern our planners have about a few hundred square metres of sand and the relatively few IV drug users here, you would expect hundreds of people to get stuck by discarded needles on the beach in Vancouver every day. Likewise Toronto. It doesn't happen. So why be so fricking paranoid here?

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by drm310

Ecovillage at River Landing won't go forward

By David Hutton
Wed, Mar 16 2011
City Hall Notebook

The Prairie Ecovillage Development Corp. (Pedco) failed to come up with money to finance its green housing development at River Landing.

The developer had until June to get all of the approvals necessary for the mixed use project, but said in a press release Wednesday the development has now been canceled.

Read more: http://communities.canada.com/saskatoons...e-at-river-landing-won-t-go-forward.aspx

Oh man, this is such a disappointment! It is getting a bit deflating to hear announcements of such promising projects and then have them sit idle or get pulled, as this one has. Saskatoon is really suffering from a lack of some serious deep pockets of money in terms of developers (like the Hills in Regina). I have no doubt there was demand for Eco-Village, but how do you get past the required financing requirements without someone with very deep pockets or access to serious money. And what a joke for Sandi Schultz, City of Saskatoon, to say this presents an opportunity to now sell the land at a re-assessed value of almost 2x as much....like that is ever going to happen. We have yet to see ANY private development happen yet...(RLV still to break ground). Although I know it is not popular with many citizens, I would fully support tax or land concessions being made in River Landing to get some stuff going...we need to look long term at development and taxex that will be collected.

I REALLY hope there is another Nasser out there that can come up with the $35 million to get Eco-Village back on track...

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

This is rather unfortunate. I understand the concern, but is a fitness park the best alternative to volleyball? How about a few basketball courts...there are none along the entire MVA trail system. I suspect they would get used a lot during the summer months (animate the area).

I too was disappointed to hear about this. My initial reaction was the same as some other posters as to how do so many other cities manage to cope with "the risks and costs" of maintaining sand/beach volleyball courts. I have played summer/beach volleyball in the city for over 15 years now. The Louis league (which uses converted tennis courts by Griffiths Stadium) has averaged close to 100 teams every year. There are additional leagues that operate with similar numbers (Sutherland and Sports on Tap). There IS a demand for this kind of amenity.

I also heard the City person say that it is also harder to 'organise' a game of volleyball versus using a fitness park. Well, beach volleyball can be played by 2's, 4's or 6's...so it doesn't take a lot of org to get 4 people together to have some healthy fun by the river!

I think this is a huge mistake....if there was a reason in the first place to have beach volleyball courts in the plan, why abandon it now!!!???

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

I sometimes wonder if the planners here have ever been out of Saskatoon. The concern about needles is rather ridculous if you think about all the miles of beach in Vancouver and the disproportionate number of IV drug users there as compared to here. Given the level of concern our planners have about a few hundred square metres of sand and the relatively few IV drug users here, you would expect hundreds of people to get stuck by discarded needles on the beach in Vancouver every day. Likewise Toronto. It doesn't happen. So why be so fricking paranoid here?

Vancouver popped into my mind right away. Locally, I was reminded of the playground outside of Riversdale Pool. Last time I was there it had sand (not wood chips or rubberized surface). Isinger Park on the west end of RL Phase II has the rubber probably due to the similar concerns. It is a poor excuse, and reinforces the 'negative perceptions' that the recently announced Riversdale visioning process is expected to address. Contradictions.

A fitness park sounds like a boring playground for adults. As a component of one's workout plan, it is an ineffective form of strength training. If they want people to spend time down there, pair it with a few game oriented activities. Mix of activities bundled together > individual oriented activity. A better compromise is needed.

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I too was disappointed to hear about this. My initial reaction was the same as some other posters as to how do so many other cities manage to cope with "the risks and costs" of maintaining sand/beach volleyball courts. I have played summer/beach volleyball in the city for over 15 years now. The Louis league (which uses converted tennis courts by Griffiths Stadium) has averaged close to 100 teams every year. There are additional leagues that operate with similar numbers (Sutherland and Sports on Tap). There IS a demand for this kind of amenity.

I also heard the City person say that it is also harder to 'organise' a game of volleyball versus using a fitness park. Well, beach volleyball can be played by 2's, 4's or 6's...so it doesn't take a lot of org to get 4 people together to have some healthy fun by the river!

I think this is a huge mistake....if there was a reason in the first place to have beach volleyball courts in the plan, why abandon it now!!!???

Another poor excuse. I am certain a league would use those courts often, to the point of City having users book time. It is a prime location for team sports. River Landing is envisioned to strengthen community. Bang for buck, a fitness park will fail to improve community spirit on the same level. This is a major setback for improving Riversdale and increasing usage of Victoria Park.

[TheCricket]

AMEN!! I have lived in Vancouver and the sandy beaches vs. Hasting's finest and their proximity clearly don't seem to deter folks from taking a stroll along the beach. You'd almost think our planners have their heads in that sand!!

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

I sometimes wonder if the planners here have ever been out of Saskatoon. The concern about needles is rather ridculous if you think about all the miles of beach in Vancouver and the disproportionate number of IV drug users there as compared to here. Given the level of concern our planners have about a few hundred square metres of sand and the relatively few IV drug users here, you would expect hundreds of people to get stuck by discarded needles on the beach in Vancouver every day. Likewise Toronto. It doesn't happen. So why be so fricking paranoid here?

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Not really sure when the new cams will come online. I have a few photo's from last week on some of the bridge work. I noticed work at river level on the east side but it is all fenced off and the view is limited from the observation area.



^^ Looking west taken from east side of river.


^^ Some concrete work on the east side of the river in the foreground.


^^ View from the Holiday Park Industrial Park looking south. Bridge is to the left.

Thanks man, I appreciate the pictures, expecially the one of the overpass on the west side of the project. I was really hoping when I saw the original plans they would go ahead with that bridge, but wasn't sure it was going to happen. Now I can clearly see that it is! Also how are things around Circle and Idylwyld going? I know when I last lived in Toon Town I remember my commute through there was quite slow at times, until they opened 8th St exit back up.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Media Advisory: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Gordon Wyant, the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest, will make an important announcement on infrastructure.

Date:
March 17, 2011
Time:
11 a.m.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
222-3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Source

--------------------------------------------------------------------

You really have to love election time . It will be interesting to see what will come of this.

And here it is (among other things):

Saskatoon’s portion of the funding will go toward two projects. Highway 14 will receive $13 million in improvements, with the majority going towards the intersection with Highway 7 in the Blairmore area. Two new diamond intersections will be also added to Highway 14 to accommodate increased traffic in that part of the city.

“From a safety and a traffic perspective, it’s a very important project,” said Wyant.

An additional $9.9 million will be use for an ultraviolet disinfection system and chlorine contact chamber in conjunction with an expansion at the storage reservoir/high-lift pumping station on Avenue H. Of the eight initiatives announced, this is the only one not based on roads.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Highw...funding/4458295/story.html#ixzz1GtqAUvTF

[gowest]

Originally Posted by dsim249

And here it is (among other things):

Saskatoon’s portion of the funding will go toward two projects. Highway 14 will receive $13 million in improvements, with the majority going towards the intersection with Highway 7 in the Blairmore area. Two new diamond intersections will be also added to Highway 14 to accommodate increased traffic in that part of the city.

“From a safety and a traffic perspective, it’s a very important project,” said Wyant.

An additional $9.9 million will be use for an ultraviolet disinfection system and chlorine contact chamber in conjunction with an expansion at the storage reservoir/high-lift pumping station on Avenue H. Of the eight initiatives announced, this is the only one not based on roads.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Highw...funding/4458295/story.html#ixzz1GtqAUvTF

This is great news as traffic is extremly heavy in this area. Truck traffic coming off Highway 7 must go right past the shopping centre.. The three new apartments look to have about 228 units. Add to that the new townhouse complex there will be a huge amount of traffic in the area.

The new bridge has another large crane in place now and they are suppost to start to lift the steel beams into place at the end of the month.

[gowest]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Thanks man, I appreciate the pictures, expecially the one of the overpass on the west side of the project. I was really hoping when I saw the original plans they would go ahead with that bridge, but wasn't sure it was going to happen. Now I can clearly see that it is! Also how are things around Circle and Idylwyld going? I know when I last lived in Toon Town I remember my commute through there was quite slow at times, until they opened 8th St exit back up.

The photo at the west end is going to be the Valley Road connector and will cut across the edge of the landfill. 11th and Circle is going deeper and deeper as they work on the underpasses below the railway crossings. It's amazing to see how much dirt gets piled up and then moved to another part of the project. An ariel photo of this area would be great to see and then we would have a better idea of the scope of the work done.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by gowest

The photo at the west end is going to be the Valley Road connector and will cut across the edge of the landfill. 11th and Circle is going deeper and deeper as they work on the underpasses below the railway crossings. It's amazing to see how much dirt gets piled up and then moved to another part of the project. An ariel photo of this area would be great to see and then we would have a better idea of the scope of the work done.

They're going under the tracks and not over? Is there a particular reason for that? Just cost I would imagine.

Hm. I need to look at the plans for this project again.

[gowest]

I think part of the reason for going under is that the road is coming thru the old Intercon site then has to cross two rail lines and come out on the west side of the CN line that runs north. It appears that it will go under the crossing where the north-south CN line crosses the east west CP line. They actually detoured both lines slighty for the building of the roads. Pretty complicated in that location, probably the most of anywhere on the project.

[Jerry]

Here is a couple of images of the area and yes it looks like the road will go under the tracks in 2 places.



^^ Looking North at Circle Drive & 11th Street. Montgomery Place in the bottom left corner.


^^ Looking North at Circle Drive & 11th Street.

Image Source - City of Saskatoon

[Jerry]

Outfitter on horizon

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix March 18, 2011 4:09 AM


Interest from an International outfitting company in opening a Saskatoon store is leading to the proposed development of the fourth phase of Preston Crossing.

Harvard Developments Ltd. of Regina will go before city council next month to seek approval for the latest phase of construction at the retail centre, which will be anchored by Cabela's -an outdoor lifestyle supply store based in Nebraska.

"If we're successful at city council, as soon as the frost is out of the ground and allows us to commence the construction season we'll be doing the earthwork. And shortly thereafter, likely by about July 1, Cabela's would be on-site commencing the construction of their store," said Blair Forster, Harvard Developments' vice-president, development. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Outfitter+horizon/4462116/story.html#ixzz1Gx3tktJh

--------------------------------

No surprise here but certainly a welcome sight to Saskatoon.

[prairieguy]

Interesting article in Star Phoenix today about the 'underground' rooms/tunnels in Saskatoon. The city is looking at doing an assessment and is looking to cost share the assessment part with building owners, but any structural work needed 'underground' would be the responsibility of building owner.

I think the city should take on the full cost of this AND look to preserving these 'glass lit' historical features of downtown. Other cities who have these glass block sidewalks are looking at ways to preserve and enhancement them (i.e. lit at night). What a cool feature that could be for Saskatoon with some interpretive signs erected downtown with the background story on these. Maybe we could re-use the LED lights from the Traffic Bridge to light these glass tiles/blocks from underneath!?

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Safety+worry+down+below/4462032/story.html