Saskatoon Construction III

[Saskabusher]

Also, BHP is going all in on their billions second phase, in the news now, which should be great for Saskatoon.
It's notable that they're moving from North Prairie, who gave them a similar expansion option with land adjacent, to River Quarry which seems far more adept and professional, also with room for an expansion tower. Ducheck Holdings scores another win over penny-pinching and uninspired NPD.... Someone asked about the North Prairie tower at the top of the University Bridge. I didn't even include it in my last list of what's happening;>) It's not.

[phone]

Originally Posted by Saskabusher

Also, BHP is going all in on their billions second phase, in the news now, which should be great for Saskatoon.
It's notable that they're moving from North Prairie, who gave them a similar expansion option with land adjacent, to River Quarry which seems far more adept and professional, also with room for an expansion tower. Ducheck Holdings scores another win over penny-pinching and uninspired NPD.... Someone asked about the North Prairie tower at the top of the University Bridge. I didn't even include it in my last list of what's happening;>) It's not.

My understanding was that they were expanding into River Quarry, rather than vacating North Prairie. But I could certainly be mistaken as I have no inside knowledge, and just remember reading that on this forum at some point.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by phone

My understanding was that they were expanding into River Quarry, rather than vacating North Prairie. But I could certainly be mistaken as I have no inside knowledge, and just remember reading that on this forum at some point.

It is also my understanding that they will retain their space in the North Prairie building. One of their floors in River Quarry will act as their Integrated Operations Centre for the mine, so I'd be surprised if they consolidated their current office personnel into only 2 floors, but not 100% sure on this.

[roryn1]

Originally Posted by Saskabusher

Also, BHP is going all in on their billions second phase, in the news now, which should be great for Saskatoon.
It's notable that they're moving from North Prairie, who gave them a similar expansion option with land adjacent, to River Quarry which seems far more adept and professional, also with room for an expansion tower. Ducheck Holdings scores another win over penny-pinching and uninspired NPD.... Someone asked about the North Prairie tower at the top of the University Bridge. I didn't even include it in my last list of what's happening;>) It's not.

Exciting! Great competition to build the next big office tower in town!

[circle33]

Originally Posted by Saskabusher

I haven't seen or heard, but is there any movement on projects that have been approved and should see some action soon?:

-Ground clearing at the YWCA, DT, for extension? (4 story)
-Same, for Knox Tower? (Sorry, CEO... 19 story condo rental)
-Same, for "Two Twelve" Sask Crescent (5 story condo)
-Same, for Broadway/12th Street/ Modus (8 story office)

These are all great projects/infill. I hope they find traction

Don't forget 8th and Broadway. I saw them removing a tree stump for the lot a month or so ago. That must mean they are serious.

[ninipanini]

Originally Posted by circle33

Don't forget 8th and Broadway. I saw them removing a tree stump for the lot a month or so ago. That must mean they are serious.

Every once in a while I see something going on there... the stump removal was quite the protracted process, they were dealing with those for quite a long time. I believe construction is supposed to start late 2024 or maybe it was early 2025 - I think it was stated on one of the flyers the city sent around notifying everyone about the intentions for the site. Fingers crossed!

On another topic, what about the big tower proposal on 11th (is that right) on the river bank - any news on this one?

[serrakat]

Originally Posted by ninipanini

Every once in a while I see something going on there... the stump removal was quite the protracted process, they were dealing with those for quite a long time. I believe construction is supposed to start late 2024 or maybe it was early 2025 - I think it was stated on one of the flyers the city sent around notifying everyone about the intentions for the site. Fingers crossed!

On another topic, what about the big tower proposal on 11th (is that right) on the river bank - any news on this one?

I was involved in this project, so any speculation of start times is just that. We haven’t heard a word from the owners about when they want to build.

[SaskatoonDreamer]

Of note, I see Curtis Olson from Shift Development has joined Meridian. He has been a great advocate for the growth of Saskatoon so I think the future of Meridian is in good hands

[TheCricket]

Does anyone know what the new build is just down from Early's on Lorne, close to Ruth? At first I thought it might be another chain hotel, but there doesn't seem to be any indication as to whether that is office space for someone specific or another proposed development. Any ideas?

[phone]

Originally Posted by TheCricket

Does anyone know what the new build is just down from Early's on Lorne, close to Ruth? At first I thought it might be another chain hotel, but there doesn't seem to be any indication as to whether that is office space for someone specific or another proposed development. Any ideas?

I believe those are medical offices

[phone]

Lease Cancelled for Proposed Grocery Store in Midtown

Who knows what the calculus was on the landlord's side, but one would have hoped that they would have cut Arbutus some kind of compromise here... disappointing, but not completely unexpected.

[phone]

With BHP's $6 billion investment at Jansen, when do you think they are going to start engaging in some meaningful city-building projects like Nutrien is so inclined to do?

[asdfgh]

Originally Posted by phone

With BHP's $6 billion investment at Jansen, when do you think they are going to start engaging in some meaningful city-building projects like Nutrien is so inclined to do?

They are in the process of renovating and moving into the River Quarry building right now, so there is that at least.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by phone

With BHP's $6 billion investment at Jansen, when do you think they are going to start engaging in some meaningful city-building projects like Nutrien is so inclined to do?

BHP Arena?

[rdaner]

Hi: I am not from Saskatoon but was reading with interest the relocation of a college to the University campus. Although not right downtown it is not on the edge of the city either. Is this location a complete disaster or is it kind of close to the core?

[phone]

Originally Posted by rdaner

Hi: I am not from Saskatoon but was reading with interest the relocation of a college to the University campus. Although not right downtown it is not on the edge of the city either. Is this location a complete disaster or is it kind of close to the core?

Thanks for your interest. Sask Polytech's current location is in an older pre-war area of Saskatoon, and might be considered at the outer limit of the inner city (though definitely not downtown). I think it's a good location, but it admittedly is cramped and outdated. The current location is also not conventionally considered to be in a "nice" part of Saskatoon, though there are certainly areas that have far worse socioeconomic problems.

On the other hand, the proposed new location, while still within Circle Drive (the area that was mostly built up through to the end of the 1960s or so), has a distinctly more suburban character, and the University in general, while heavily used in its own right, functions as somewhat of an island - it is surrounded by arterial roads, the river, and agricultural research fields.

This makes me think that the new Sask Polytech campus will function as a commuter school, as opposed to the existing urban campus with plenty of nearby pre-war housing. That said, the new campus also makes the prospect of a new river crossing at 33rd Street more realistic, which would be welcome as far as connectivity between the University campus and the rest of Saskatoon is concerned.

My main concern isn't so much Sask Polytech moving to a new campus near the University insofar as the school itself is concerned, but rather what it means for the existing location. The existing campus takes up a significant amount of land, and I have my severe doubts that that land would be repurposed for anything significant for a decade or more following the move. Not only that, but without the school there, there will be fewer students living nearby, which will almost certainly have a negative effect on the surrounding neighbourhood, which forms a relatively intact but possibly precarious streetcar suburb that I would very much like to see succeed as a district.

Time will tell.

[canuck10]

Originally Posted by phone

With BHP's $6 billion investment at Jansen, when do you think they are going to start engaging in some meaningful city-building projects like Nutrien is so inclined to do?

Well they haven't created the equivalent of a Wonderhub yet but BHP has been contributing to worthwhile causes in the city over the past ten years. Off the top of my head these come to mind:

$1.5 M to STARS ambulance
$450K committed to downtown library (although it may never get off the ground now)
$150K - Breakfast for Learning (nutrition in schools)
$100K - Food Bank
Sponsorships like the Enchanted Forest, various fireworks events, etc

[roryn1]

Originally Posted by canuck10

Well they haven't created the equivalent of a Wonderhub yet but BHP has been contributing to worthwhile causes in the city over the past ten years. Off the top of my head these come to mind:

$1.5 M to STARS ambulance
$450K committed to downtown library (although it may never get off the ground now)
$150K - Breakfast for Learning (nutrition in schools)
$100K - Food Bank
Sponsorships like the Enchanted Forest, various fireworks events, etc

Reflecting on the potential community and economic impacts of this project, it’s clear that the benefits extend far beyond just Saskatoon’s economic development. Currently, there’s a noticeable lack of movement from the eastern parts of Saskatchewan into Saskatoon. As I recently drove near the new project area, a wave of optimism washed over me, especially for towns like Humboldt, Jansen, and Wynyard. The absence of a significant city in this region highlights the project’s potential to kickstart something substantial, akin to Red Deer’s role as a connective hub in Alberta.

This initiative is revitalizing an area that hasn’t seen much economic growth since its early days in the 1930s, when the demand for farming led to the establishment of these towns. The project promises to enhance connections not just to Saskatoon, but also to Yorkton and Winnipeg, potentially transforming the eastern part of Saskatchewan in a way similar to Regina’s interaction with Winnipeg.

The transformation is already beginning. Towns once quiet and sparse are on the brink of significant development. With this investment, we could see a bustling city emerge in the next 30 years. This is more than just economic growth; it’s about community building and bringing a new vibrancy to what was once a sleepy, overlooked part of our province. It could turn into a dynamic extension of the Saskatoon metro area, attracting younger people who previously might have overlooked this region.

[phone]

Interesting idea! You are right that it is a large area of the province without a significant urban area. If I could pick a town to ascend to a Red Deer (or even Swift Current) like status, I’d choose Watrous. It already feels like a busy town, with the benefit of its proximity to Manitou. Would be interesting to see a city fill out the country between Watrous and Manitou. Plus, Watrous is on the VIA line, meaning that there could actually be meaningful intercity rail service between Saskatoon and Watrous. It is relatively close to all the different potash mines in the area, close to Last Mountain Lake and Nokomis (which has its own little thing going on).

But realistically speaking (to the extent that this exercise could ever be said to be realistic), Lanigan is probably the more likely candidate for urban ascension, given its location on hwy 16, and better proximity to mines. But its setting isn’t as nice, and it seems a little more rough around the edges than Watrous (not that either could easily be called “smooth”).

[The S'toon Goon]

The mayor of Humboldt seems to think that they will be the community to see the population gains.

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/humbold...mine-1.6627390

I would imagine that Lanigan will see some growth too.

I share your opinion of Watrous as well. If the growth was appropriate and could hold the current charm it would be a neat place to see hit 8-10k. Obviously a pipe dream though.

Maybe that pipe dream can include the brand new BHP arena only a couple blocks from Saskatoon's newest tallest building the BHP tower which spurs a couple new residential towers and yada yada yada..

Gotta dream big every now and then