Saskatoon Construction

[EarlyByrdProductions]

[QUOTE=Ruckus;4825549]haha, you're always out of the loop dsim249. But no, my comment wasn't directed at you.

It was directed towards EarlyByrd. This rumor will play out just like it did in 2008...*crickets chirping*


yeah sorry for a bit of a rumour drop without much source.
the father of a friend seems to be involved with what might make a Saskatoon CFL team a bit closer to reality as most would assume.
...of course like everyone else, believe it when we see it type thing.
but I really don't know much more detail on this and it was interesting feedback from the thread here on wether we can sustain a cfl team or what a new stadium in the far north downtown would be like.

and a quick comment to Crisis:
I agree we could support the Huskies more but the mediocre huskie turnout is not a perfect prediction on a cfl team here.
ex) t.o can't fill a seat to an Argo's game but suddenly an NFL game and its sold out at big $$.

Anyway. This is drifting further away from stadium construction so maybe we'll leave it at that.

Either way I can't wait for those rails downtown to get out of there.
I think Ken Achs hit it on the nose when he made the point there aren't any other major cities in Canada with that much undeveloped land not being used right downtown. And a brilliant letter to council too.
I have much respect for you Mr. Achs!
Saskatoon owes you.

[milanboy]

Originally Posted by kiwi4life

i was talking to a freind of mine who said that the riverbank startde to cave in, so the city is doing some foundation work or something to keep it from caving in, but Drm310, im pretty sure u might be right, it could just be that, so who knows, i could be so wrong too

A while back an article in the Star Phoenix or a story on CBC radio stated that the city was dealing with 3 areas where the riverbank was collapsing. The area by the Broadway was already mitigated. They listing the University bridge area, the area near the new south bridge where a power tower was in risk of sliding into the river, and a third location that was somewhere in the north end of the river. Me thinks that this is it.

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Crisis

Here's a couple of fun shots from during the construction of the wine store:

Good stuff Crisis those gave me a good chuckle

[Jerry]

More on our White Water Park and Hydro Power Station. If council approves it Monday night then public consultations will start in June.
A project like this would make Saskatoon unique.
Funny that this would run in the Leader Post.

Saskatoon could see rafting course

More info on page 62 of the full agenda here Council Agendas & Decisions

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

and a quick comment to Crisis:
I agree we could support the Huskies more but the mediocre huskie turnout is not a perfect prediction on a cfl team here.
ex) t.o can't fill a seat to an Argo's game but suddenly an NFL game and its sold out at big $$.

Someone lied to you. The NFL games have been borderline busts in Toronto. They are not selling out for big bucks. They tried the big bucks thing the first game and were left with thousands of open seats that they had to give away to fill the stadium. This has not been the resounding success you make it out to be. It's been nearly the opposite.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by Jerry

More on our White Water Park and Hydro Power Station. If council approves it Monday night then public consultations will start in June.
A project like this would make Saskatoon unique.
Funny that this would run in the Leader Post.

Saskatoon could see rafting course

More info on page 62 of the full agenda here Council Agendas & Decisions

When this first came out about the whitewater rafting park, I was thinking "riiiiiiight...dream dream dream." But wow, this is still getting serious consideration. What a neat, and distinctive idea for the city if it comes to fruition.

[midnightrambler]

I agree with Achs. Why isn't the 25th St. Extension completed? Or even started? Is there businesses in the way of the road or something? It just seems like it should have been done 25 years ago. I'd like to see that move ahead before anything else.

Where would the move the bus mall if they moved it? Midtown Plaza? Take over an Impark lot?

I like the design that was shown for the canopy. But I can see them dragging their feet on that for 10 years. Maybe Achs is right in his desire to see it moved.

As for the River Rafting / Hydro development. I think the area is currently awesome and a gem for the city, and I wouldn't want to see them mess up the area with a bunch of concrete and power lines. So every effort should be made to make it look completely natural.

[neoen]

First off, Im not saying I'm for or against the whitewater park. I see good things and bad things.


I'm interested to see what Regina-ites say about it though. I note one difference between this and the new stadium. It will pay for itself, whereas the stadium never will.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by neoen

First off, Im not saying I'm for or against the whitewater park. I see good things and bad things.


I'm interested to see what Regina-ites say about it though. I note one difference between this and the new stadium. It will pay for itself, whereas the stadium never will.

They are two completely different projects.

But this is a discussion that will not go well and should not be in the Saskatoon thread, IMO. Start a new one maybe. But I just don't see how it's even a comparison or a thread word debating. Nor do I understand the reason why you would want to start a "mine vs yours" debate about it?

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Originally Posted by Jerry

More on our White Water Park and Hydro Power Station. If council approves it Monday night then public consultations will start in June.
A project like this would make Saskatoon unique.
Funny that this would run in the Leader Post.

Saskatoon could see rafting course

More info on page 62 of the full agenda here Council Agendas & Decisions

wow.
this is much more than I was expecting.
to have a world class, olympic training grounds type course right downtown?
I approve.
I normally prefer these types of ventures to be a private investment but it seems like the city is making some good choices.

My initial reaction upon hearing the option a while back was, Saskatoon is GREAT in the summer (weather, festivals, parks, patios, riverlanding, everyone gets off to their lakes) if we are spending public money on a leisure venture of this sort make it work in the crappy weather of WINTER.
(But I don't think putting this whitewater concept inside is an option...)
So although a new exciting leisure activity for winter for the people of Saskatoon is still not here yet...this project gets my thumbs up.

[milanboy]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

... Where would the move the bus mall if they moved it? ...

One block east between the library and city hall has often been touted as a good location for the bus mall. It won't affect any businesses and lots of library patrons also take the bus.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Crisis

[...]

lol, that's great Crisis!

I think the entrance would be better without the angels. They're interesting, but so, ummmm out of place More greenery would be a nice touch; virginia creepers climbing the facade and wrapping the angels.

Originally Posted by Jerry

More on our White Water Park and Hydro Power Station. If council approves it Monday night then public consultations will start in June.
A project like this would make Saskatoon unique.
Funny that this would run in the Leader Post.

Saskatoon could see rafting course

More info on page 62 of the full agenda here Council Agendas & Decisions

I wasn't expecting the proposal to have extensive riverbank development (a la River Landing materials/form). The rider wave is another unexpected addition (to feel the power of flowing water is exhilarating; I did a river boarding trip along the Kananaskis River and experienced it first hand...good workout too ). The pedestrian bridge would be a welcome addition for cyclists (CP is so crowded on hot summer days). But, I hope the CP ped bridge remains open (the views are unmatched).

The hydo component seals the deal for the whitewater park. Saskatoon is very fortunate to have it's own electric utility to generate revenue for municipal infrastructure. I hope we never sell it to SaskPower.

Originally Posted by neoen

First off, Im not saying I'm for or against the whitewater park. I see good things and bad things.


I'm interested to see what Regina-ites say about it though. I note one difference between this and the new stadium. It will pay for itself, whereas the stadium never will.

No, no, no. That's a taboo discussion. Take it somewhere else (preferably off of SSP).

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

wow.
this is much more than I was expecting.
to have a world class, olympic training grounds type course right downtown?
I approve.
I normally prefer these types of ventures to be a private investment but it seems like the city is making some good choices.

My initial reaction upon hearing the option a while back was, Saskatoon is GREAT in the summer (weather, festivals, parks, patios, riverlanding, everyone gets off to their lakes) if we are spending public money on a leisure venture of this sort make it work in the crappy weather of WINTER.
(But I don't think putting this whitewater concept inside is an option...)
So although a new exciting leisure activity for winter for the people of Saskatoon is still not here yet...this project gets my thumbs up.

I think wetsuits could extend the season...well, for some of us

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Hey Temperance, if you don't mind me asking, what is your specialty?

Hey - don't mind at all. My specialty is generally: social and legal aspects of mass violence (causes, prevention, justice). I'm doing my PhD in human rights law at the National University of Ireland and doing research on the causes of genocide (this means I spend time in countries like Rwanda, Cambodia, and Bosnia and talk to people who have killed). Scared yet?


On a very different note...the whitewater park concept sounds great. A real win-win (just so long as it is environmentally sound).

[kgc087]

This would be a huge tourist attraction for Saskatoon, as well could help promote the idea of creating an athletic strip through saskatoon (rapids in the north and hiking and skiing in the south (landfill)). I def give 2 big thumbs up! Is there a downside to this project? I don't really see one, the noise will be so minimal b/c the rapids are on the east side so residents on the west will not even notice over the already noisy weir. Here's hoping!

[mike474]

Yea, like Temperance said the biggest downside could be environmental. It's not like the current state of things is natural by any means, but I hope there's no impact to the fish and pelicans. If I had to choose between that and the whitewater park I'd take the former.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Temperance

Hey - don't mind at all. My specialty is generally: social and legal aspects of mass violence (causes, prevention, justice). I'm doing my PhD in human rights law at the National University of Ireland and doing research on the causes of genocide (this means I spend time in countries like Rwanda, Cambodia, and Bosnia and talk to people who have killed). Scared yet?


On a very different note...the whitewater park concept sounds great. A real win-win (just so long as it is environmentally sound).

Thanks for the reply. One can never tell with certainty what one's interest is. Genocide is a complicated, heavy, deeply emotional research topic to undertake. I can recall a Mr. Obang Metho of the Anuak Justice Council telling our 100 level political studies class back in 2006 of the genocidal events in Ethiopia (scary stuff indeed).

Best of luck and safe travels in completing your work Temperance.

__________________

I'm such a flip-flopper/hypocrite with the whole going off-topic thing. Sorry guys, I just can't help myself sometimes. Enforcement is usually complaint driven (feel free to call me on it -- publicly or with a PM -- if it gets out of hand).

Back to construction and development

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

I'm such a flip-flopper/hypocrite with the whole going off-topic thing. Sorry guys, I just can't help myself sometimes. Enforcement is usually complaint driven (feel free to call me on it -- publicly or with a PM -- if it gets out of hand).

Back to construction and development

Ha ha I think a lot of us go off-topic once in awhile. Overall it's not to bad and the posts can be loosely traced back to construction and development.
The annoying thing is a certain rumor that pops up at least once a year.

[Jerry]

WOW this is really looking great.

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Whitewater renderings

By davidhutton Fri, May 7 2010


Here are the two artist's renderings of the whitewater park and hydro facility at the weir on the east bank or university side of the river. The first is looking southwest from the university side while the second is looking east and shows a kayaker in the standing river wave.Yes, that's a pedestrian bridge across the river.

The consultants stayed away from the development of the west side of the river because of homeowner concerns For access to this location by vehicle a road will have to be built, which would likely be the extension of a maintenance road from Innovation Place. The story from today is here. If you're interested in reading more about standing river waves the NY Times did a travel piece on the Montreal wave and the growth of this industry here. The concept works much like Flow Rider that you see in a lot of indoor water parks... Unlike Montreal, I'm told you wouldn't have to be roped in to this but instead would just paddle up and wait your turn.





Source

[Temperance]

Pretty cool. My only complaint is that the pedestrian bridge looks a bit too much like a freeway bridge. Would be nice to see something a bit lighter and more graceful when (or if) they get around to actually designing the thing.

[Jerry]

I agree the bridge needs some work but overall it's a pretty exciting project.

Just noticed the rock climbing feature in the renderings.


Source