Saskatoon Construction II - Page 56

EarlyByrdProductions · #**1101** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arts

taguy, that beach in Brisbane is a really cool concept... I have so far been pretty dismissive of the idea of turning the sandbar to a permanent type of fixture - there is no way the city would sanction swimming in the river itself and as lovely as the sandbar is I don't think developing anything around it adds any quality. However seeing what they built in your photos is something that would be really cool, and closer to downtown would be spectacular - I'm not thinking river landing, I'm thinking where the boat launch is just N of the Broadway bridge.

Much agreed.
It looks sectioned off but still uses the water from the river system I believe?

I guess I;ll find out in 3 weeks when I move there

prairieguy · #**1102** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 8:37 PM**

EarlyByrd ... the south bank beach area is actually a chlorinated pool system made to look like a beach. It does have sand, but the bottom of the swimming area is concrete and is just like any other outdoor pool (but free form in design).

You will love Brisbane...some cool architecture and much like Saskatoon, centred around the river. They have an excellent river transportation system instead of a subway system where you can hop on speed catamarans to get in and out of downtown. I am envious of you!!

Dillweed · #**1103** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 1:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by taguy

Below i attached some photos of Streets Beach (an artificial beach)at Southbank in the city center of Brisbane, Australia.

Saskatoon could look at incorporating something like this into the River Landing plans

Sunset Beach in Vancouver. I used to live in the building in the far right. Another example of what I would categorize as at least a quasi-artificial beach.

All those large forked areas were reclaimed over the course of one summer about 15 years ago. I remember watching them working on it from my patio window over the course of one summer. At a big expense I'm sure to the city at the time.

There was a beach there before if you want to call it that. But it wasn't much of a beach the water was pretty much up to the seawall in most places. Probably about the biggest stretch of beach was about the narrowest part of that little bay just above that Granville Island ferry dock in the picture.

Basically they set up what looked a oil rig platform in English Bay and piped sand onto the beach. You can't see it so well in the picture but those points in the picture are all lined with rocks. Obviously to prevent erosion from the tide. Which were all trucked in, haven't a clue where they got the rocks from buy they sure trucked in a lot of them.

Those points kinda act as a breakwater from the ocean so you don't get so much rough water like you do at some beaches like 3rd Beach. Sunset isn't the most hip beach in Vancouver to hang out at. But as you can see there are highrises with people living right across the street. And it is a far cry from what it was like before the city fixed it up.

Can't see it so well in the picture but part of the parking lot was cordoned off and made into a roller hockey rink. Which seems to be quite popular since it always seems to be in use.

Might be a bit expensive but I'm wondering what would be stopping Saskatoon from basically doing the same thing. And creating an artificial breakwater by trucking in rock which would protect swimmers from the current. Just a thought, might be logistically tough and expensive thing to do. I'll leave that for the engineers to decide.

drm310 · #**1104** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 12:57 PM**

Video: New bridge on schedule
Circle Drive South Bridge could be open by the end of September 2012 as scheduled

By Rory MacLean, The StarPhoenix
September 27, 2011

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Video+bridge+schedule/5467258/story.html

drm310 · #**1105** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 2:32 PM**

Massive project rises from the ground
Circle Drive South one year away

By David Hutton, The Starphoenix
September 28, 2011 8:37 AM

Before reporters settle into their bus seats for a tour of Circle Drive South, project manager Doug Drever answers the most pressing question before it's asked.

"Yes," he said Tuesday, "we're very positive the project will finish on time."

The $300-million Circle Drive South project, the largest construction venture in Saskatoon's history, is rising from the ground one year before its expected opening. Road construction will be complete a month before that, Drever said, to leave ample time for safety inspections. [...]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Massive+project+rises+from+ground/5468082/story.html

Echoes · #**1106** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 2:42 PM**

College Quarter plans advance
By Jason Warick, The StarPhoenix September 28, 2011

Quote:

The University of Saskatchewan could soon be asking developers for proposals on a multi-purpose facility on College Drive that would include a hotel, retail and office space and a new hockey arena.

The U of S planning and priorities committee is recommending that a "request for proposal" be submitted for the development, part of a larger vision for the parcel of land known as the College Quarter.

If the university's board of governors agrees, proposals will be solicited this fall.

U of S vice-president of finance and resources Richard Florizone said officials "are just so thrilled with the progress" on the College Quarter, which includes several new residences.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/College+Quarter+plans+advance/5468095/story.html#ixzz1ZG4xLEyQ

WoodlandCritter · #**1107** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 5:06 PM**

I think the idea of having a hotel added near the university is a great idea. As there are many travelling lecturers and guests to universities all the time and for events involving out of town sports teams, students or whoever that needs to do business directly with the university this would be a great idea.

I have been waiting to see what kind of complex/design they would come up with for those football fields by the parkade. Making one large sports/student/recreational space could be nicely done there.

I was down in Moose Jaw this summer and drove by their new rink. It looks pretty nice. But I think what made it most appealing was that it was located downtown and not surrounded by an vast emptiness of asphalt parking lots. It definitely has some street level appeal being right next to the roadways around it.
Would be nice if they built it right near the corner of college and cumberland, kind of how the old football stadium use to look being located at that corner, I don't have a pic at the moment or I would show you what I mean.

prairieguy · #**1108** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 6:39 PM**

U of C has a nice boutique type hotel that could be a model for what U of S could consider.

http://www.hotelalma.ca/guest_rooms

I have organised a few conferences that were held on campus and I can tell you that it would have been fantastic to have an on site hotel to use.

Temperance · #**1109** Posted **Sep 28, 2011, 10:35 PM**

I love the downtown beach idea (a la Brisbane) - what a great asset and people magnet that would be for the city.

With regards to the college quarter I guess this proposal means the plan has changed. Where exactly would the hockey rink/retail/hotel be? Originally the hotel was slotted for the northwest of the district and the twin pad arena the northeast (just north of the field house).

Scruff Bucket · #**1110** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 12:34 AM**

Some colleges operate their dormitories as hotels in the summer. This is the case with Seneca College in Toronto, where my wife had us stay one year for 2 weeks, partly because Seneca was her alma mater (being a former student is not necessary for renting out a dorm suite!), and also because the rates were very reasonable. The suites are a basic, furnished, two room setup (with a double bed, TV and (wall-to-wall) built-in study cubicle in each room) with a small, common kitchen area (table, chairs, sink, fridge, microwave, etc.) and bathroom. We had room service (changing linen, towels) twice a week, and included a buffet continental breakfast in the dining room on the main level. It was quite busy -- plenty of young families -- each morning we went for breakfast!

It is not, however, a full-time hotel, as the rest of the year it is filled with students, so this type of operation may not be suitable for visiting academia/dignitaries/any-old-Joe's throughout the year! It seems like a steady, alternative source of revenue for the college during the off-year! Is this what they do with U of S residences?

kgc087 · #**1111** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 12:59 AM**

Wow that's exciting news about the college quarter! The university always has a certain level of architectural integrity that has really helped shape saskatoon. I can't wait for the U of S to start its work on the new architecture school.

EarlyByrdProductions · #**1112** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 1:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairieguy

EarlyByrd ... the south bank beach area is actually a chlorinated pool system made to look like a beach. It does have sand, but the bottom of the swimming area is concrete and is just like any other outdoor pool (but free form in design).

You will love Brisbane...some cool architecture and much like Saskatoon, centred around the river. They have an excellent river transportation system instead of a subway system where you can hop on speed catamarans to get in and out of downtown. I am envious of you!!

Sounds interesting!
I know if the city does anything in terms of a beach in this city the main issue will be not promoting swimming in the currents so that type of cut off from the river will be needed.
Thanks, look forward to my stay!

-

The College Quarter is definitely looking great!
And contrast to 8th where everything is distant with parking lots on both sides before the stores, College is right up to the street so has a much better feel to it!
How long have those 'visitor lodges' been on College?
Seems like a great location and option besides a hotel that overlooks the Uni Bridge and out city!

North_Regina_Boy · #**1113** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 4:29 AM**

Looks like the Circle Drive South project will hit a big milestone in the coming weeks from the looks of Camera 3. They are getting close to being able to put the permanent tracks over the new CN/CP cross-over bridge, absolutely great to see!

roccerfeller · #**1114** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 5:09 PM**

I'm in Saskatoon on some work related stuff, and this is the first time in recent memory (i've been here numerous times before but i was young) and boy oh boy is this city something special

I'm going to check out the University campus later on today (i've already been around the city a few times) and from an outsider visiting, I'm impressed and surprised. Its very clean, very friendly, and the pizza is awesome (as is the thai food)!

downtown is much larger than I thought, and it looks impressive! 2nd ave is really neat! The infrastructure is really well done.

I love it here! Very impressed.

That is all. lol.

The Bess · #**1115** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 5:33 PM**

I understand that they have started excavation of the new police station, has anyone seen this.

Wyku · #**1116** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 6:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bess

I understand that they have started excavation of the new police station, has anyone seen this.

They are definetely prepping the lot, not sure if they are starting excavating or not though (I'll check on my walk after work if nobody else chimes in). They've been busy laying new (huge) sewage pipes under the 25th street extension though; a large section of the parking lot at the Saskatoon Health Region office on 24th and Idywyld has been torn out to make room for this.

Echoes · #**1117** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

I'm in Saskatoon on some work related stuff, and this is the first time in recent memory (i've been here numerous times before but i was young) and boy oh boy is this city something special

I'm going to check out the University campus later on today (i've already been around the city a few times) and from an outsider visiting, I'm impressed and surprised. Its very clean, very friendly, and the pizza is awesome (as is the thai food)!

downtown is much larger than I thought, and it looks impressive! 2nd ave is really neat! The infrastructure is really well done.

I love it here! Very impressed.

That is all. lol.

Roccerfeller, glad to hear you're enjoying your stay. It's always interesting to hear an outsider's perspective on one's town, and always nice to hear something positive.

EarlyByrdProductions · #**1118** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 9:35 PM**

^^^

Don't forget Broadway!!!

and speaking of which, walked down there the other day (and was nice to have autumn leaves under the feet, take that malls!) and saw inside Crave Cupcakes...completely gutted still. So much for being ready for 'August'.

circle33 · #**1119** Posted **Sep 29, 2011, 9:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

and the pizza is awesome.

You're talking about the Saskatoon in Saskatchewan ?

Dillweed · #**1120** Posted **Sep 30, 2011, 12:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

You're talking about the Saskatoon in Saskatchewan ?

Vern's Pizza....the best! Nothing like it around here.

Whenever I'm in town that's one of the first things I do is order an all dressed.

I'm a pizza junkie case you didn't know.