Saskatoon Construction

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

No one said anything about post counts or views. It's the amount of projects being talked about in each forum that I was refering to, and it was to make a point about perception.

Honestly, I don't know how many ways there are to explain it...if you don't understand by now, I give up. Maybe Swilley can explain it to you, I think he or she now understands the point I was making.

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

I think a lot of it is perception. (Honestly, if you were going solely on the information in the Regina and Saskatoon Construction threads on this site, you would think that Regina is miles ahead of Saskatoon right now.)

Projects and posts are one and the same in a development/construction thread, although some might argue differently.

I suppose us Saskatoon members need to step it up to reflect the true state of development in our city, rather than allow some perceived reality to continue, thanks BrannyMuffin

[Hawker]

If you really wanted to count relatively small things such as renos you could count the Credit Union Centre renos that add a bunch of luxury boxes and finish off the upper concourse.
Anybody know how that is going/when it is starting? For spring there seems to be a lot of events @ CUC...I'm going to a concert there in July and I'm hoping to see the improvements.

[Ruckus]

Future Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo development, IIRC a Global news report mentioned more than half of the $2.1 million has been raised.

I love the Forestry Farm, its no Calgary Zoo, but still has its memories(school field trips,irritating the animals,etc).


Attention: Saskatchewan Media

Re: Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo

Date: May 2, 2006

For Immediate Release

Campaign Takes Flight

Curtis Kimpton, Chairman of the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation Board, today announced that the Saskatoon Zoo and Forestry Farm Park will begin development of the most ambitious expansion plan ever at the family focused facility. "We are announcing five new development projects at an estimated cost of $2.1 million. The plan includes an Education Centre, Bear Exhibit, Phase Two of the PotashCorp Ark, Raptor Flight Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre, and an Accessible Park Playground."

In order to build these important projects the Foundation, with financial assistance from Cameco, launched a fundraising effort themed The Cameco Who's Whoo at the Zoo Campaign. Barrie Meissner, Foundation Executive Director stated; "Thanks to Cameco we are able to launch a comprehensive campaign aimed at attracting donations and title sponsorships from government agencies, large corporations, small business, and the general public." Meissner also announced a number of major contributors have already "Given a Hoot" by making significant contributions to projects that will begin construction in 2006. Recognized for their early support of the campaign along with Cameco are the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club, PotashCorp, SaskTel, and Pelican Media.

The Saskatoon Zoo is Saskatchewan's only Zoo. The long term goal is to provide diversified recreational and educational programming to citizens of Saskatchewan via a zoological, horticultural, and Heritage Park. The Zoo and Park is a living museum dedicated to education and conservation of indigenous plants and animals with the opportunity to exhibit exotic animals from similar climates. The facility has also been identified as a tourism generator for the city of Saskatoon.

To contribute to the Campaign or for more information call Barrie Meissner at the Zoo Foundation at (306) 975-2241, email [email protected], or go to the website at www.saskatoonzoofoundation.ca

Thanks for Giving a Hoot

Education Center


The Raptor Flight Rehabilitation and
Conservation Centre


The PotashCorp Ark
Visiting Animal Exhibit - Phase 2


The Bear Exhibit


More information
http://www.saskatoonzoofoundation.ca/index.html

[BrannyMuffin]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Projects and posts are one and the same in a development/construction thread, although some might argue differently.

I suppose us Saskatoon members need to step it up to reflect the true state of development in our city, rather than allow some perceived reality to continue, thanks BrannyMuffin

You just proved my point...Perception has nothing to do with reality.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

You just proved my point...Perception has nothing to do with reality.

Hold on, perception still relates to reality, but people must consider what their perception is based on(e.g. Regina or Saskatoon SSP discussions, first hand experience, media reports, post counts/views, statistical figures) to assess reality objectively.

Just an edit.

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Projects and posts are one and the same in a development/construction thread, although some might argue differently.

I suppose us Saskatoon members need to step it up to reflect the true state of development in our city, rather than allow some perceived false reality to continue, thanks BrannyMuffin

[circle33]

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

Thanks for that...Do you have any idea what's going on with the corner of Broadway and 8th?

The sign on the corner is just a place holder. The rumour on the street is the owner of the land wants to put a Tim Horton Drive Thru there. Current zoning doesn't permit such use, and such a development would create traffic chaos on a corner that has enough of it as is.

Over the holidays there was a Season's Greeting sign from Terry Alm of the Sask. Party (who doesn't even hold a seat in the legislature). Alm was a former city councillor rumoured to be in the land owners pocket.

Stress on the word rumour. Angry community asociation types are my source.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Hawker

If you really wanted to count relatively small things such as renos you could count the Credit Union Centre renos that add a bunch of luxury boxes and finish off the upper concourse.
Anybody know how that is going/when it is starting? For spring there seems to be a lot of events @ CUC...I'm going to a concert there in July and I'm hoping to see the improvements.

Good Suggestion. I'll add it to the list.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Hawker

If you really wanted to count relatively small things such as renos you could count the Credit Union Centre renos that add a bunch of luxury boxes and finish off the upper concourse.
Anybody know how that is going/when it is starting? For spring there seems to be a lot of events @ CUC...I'm going to a concert there in July and I'm hoping to see the improvements.

It has allready started.

[jaysfan99]

I took some pitures this weekend. Here is the link.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558828407SsFESq

[patalb]

For those interested in the academic health sciences complex project:

Academic Health Sciences Project Progress Update
Monday May 14 –3:30 p.m.Arts 241 Neatby-Timlin Theatre
Agenda:
•Introduction –M. Atkinson
•E wing presentation –Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture
•D wing presentation –Flad and Associates in partnership with Friggstad Downing Henry Architects
•A/B wing renovation plans –C. Bergen, FMD, U of S
•Closing remarks/questions

This meeting is intended to provide an update to all Faculty, Students and Staff in the various Health Sciences Colleges and other interested parties

[macca]

Originally Posted by jaysfan99

I took some pitures this weekend. Here is the link.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558828407SsFESq

Did you do the Rumley before/after yourself?

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by swilley

It has allready started.

Thanks Swilley...I helped open that building in 1988, so excited to see it finally get the boxes and such that should have been in there from the start.

[jaysfan99]

I was bored and was curious what it would look like with big windows, so I decided to play around with MS Paint. I hope they can maybe add another level on top.

Originally Posted by macca

Did you do the Rumley before/after yourself?

[jaysfan99]

Does anyone here know if the old Bay condo project is going to get anything done on the street level? I keep driving by, and nothing is happening. I hope they renovate the outside of that building, it really looks dated.

Originally Posted by Country

Seeing as we're vying for some "renewal" in this thread I thought I'd post the list of projects in Saskatoon. If I forgot anything please say so:

Recently Completed/Under Construction
-Renovation/expansion of TCU Place
-Affinity Credit Union on 22nd and 1st (3 floors)
-Infill retail space on 1st. ave.
-Riverfront Condos on 24th and Spadina (15 floors?)
-Farmer's Market at River Landing Phase 2 (business centre, restaurant, Isinger Park and market square to be completed in near future as well)
-Persephone Theatre at River Landing Phase 1
-2nd avenue lofts (old Bay building)
-Station 20 West and Pleasant Hill revitalization (medical/dental clinic, library branch, grocery store, cafe, affordable housing...)
-Eaton's Lofts on Ave. D
-Five Story office building at Innovation Place
Rumored/Approved/"On the Horizon"
-Water's Edge Condos on Sask Cres.
-Conversion of Rumely Tractor Warehouse into condos and office space
-Holiday Inn at 22nd and Pacific (at least 140 rooms= 10-12 stories?)
-Expanded food court and retail space including new entrance for Midtown Plaza
-Conversion of King George Hotel into condos and retail space by Meridian Developments
-Retail strip on 2nd ave. alongside galaxy cinemas
-Mixed use highrise on former Extrafoods site downtown
-Mixed use highrise on former Remai Hotel/spa site at River Landing
-River Landing Destination Centre
-Expansion of Mendel Art Gallery
-Condo/apartment towers in River Landing phase 2
-Possibility of Cameco building new head office in downtown
University
-Construction of "D Wing" of Academic Health Sciences building
-InterVac Centre
-Aboriginal Student Space
-College of Law Expansion
-Feed Technology Research Facility
-Griffiths Stadium Upgrades
-Aquatic Toxicology Expansion
-Western College of Veterinary Medicine Expansion
-University Services Building
-Canadian Light Source expansion
-University Residence Project
-Also planned for the U of S is a major re-development of the "College Quarter" including student residences, a new rink, performing arts centre, retail and a giant "moat" encompassing much of it
-The Saskatchewan Children's Hospital will be constructed in the coming years as part of Royal University Hospital
Other
-approx. 2,000 housing starts expected this year
-Expanded trade/convention space at Prairieland Park
-Renovations at Credit Union Centre: 24 Luxury Boxes, completion of upper concourse
-Condo conversions of apartment blocks/downtown highrises (i.e- Opus on 7th street)
-25th street extension to Idylwyld Dr. and consolidation of city yards allowing new residential development in warehouse district
-the opening of several new restaurants/bars/shops around the city
-South Bridge to complete Circle Dr.
-Construction of 2 high schools and Shaw recreation centre in new Blairmore SDA
-Future removal of city bus barns in Caswell Hill to allow for park/residential development

What did I forget?

[molasses]

Originally Posted by Country

Great news! Could you perhaps elaborate on your situation of moving there.. did you buy an old character home? for how much? how many other young professionals that you know of are moving in? Not trying to be nosy.. just great to hear news like this.

Renting an old character home (once it was a condemned rooming house, that's been extensively reno'd) with the idea that once the current owners figure out their work/living situation I'll likely buy it.

I know a couple people who just had their house assess a 2 bedroom character bungalow at $120000.....that seems to be the going rate for something you can move into right away.

As for young professionals, I personally know 8 that live within 4 blocks of me.....just go for a wander on a Saturday and you'll notice the different characters that live there. Of course there is still crack houses and some pretty rough lives, but it is changing.....and by the end of summer the Hot Art Cafe (in the old Chelsea bakery across from the park cafe) will be selling espresso/lattes on 20th, so it is changing.

Oh ya, and now 20th has a lower vacancy rate than Broadway.

Also for another small tidbit from that area, construction should be starting right away (if it hasn't already) on the 17th Street Green link and pathway system. The old right of way running from Spadina to Avenue P is being redeveloped into a green space with a walking/cycling path, trees and benches etc. It should be a nice buffer between the industrial areas an King George, as well cleaning up that abandoned space.

[molasses]

Originally Posted by jaysfan99

Does anyone here know if the old Bay condo project is going to get anything done on the street level? I keep driving by, and nothing is happening. I hope they renovate the outside of that building, it really looks dated.

Yes, there should be street level commercial at least in a portion of it, so expect it to be cleaned up a bit.


Oh ya and in regards to the Rumley building, here is the building in the states that has been reno'd that the developer/architects have gone to check out and get ideas from.
http://www.rumleylofts.com/

[ToddStoon]

Went to see the Farmer's Market last weekend. It was a zoo. Hopefully it's just because it was the first weekend for it, but parking was a nightmare and just getting to the market takes a bit of work with the smallish streets around it and with an inadequate parking lot.

The building itself is great but I think it's already too small. Every available space was occupied and I remember reading in the paper that they are already considering expansion plans (!!!?!?!?). Maybe when it has been landscaped, it'll be nicer but there seems to be a few infrastructure problems that weren't perhaps thought out well enough beforehand.

One thing I do think though is that the rundown houses to the west of the market's parking lot are due for some reno's. Actually while I parked my car there, I watched someone work on their house, giving it a new coat of paint and some TLC. I think with the market moving in, as well as soaring house prices, that a lot of areas in Saskatoon are going to see some gentrification. If there's one good thing about these housing prices (making it hard to afford for new homeowners), it's that it could really revitalize the core neighbourhoods when people who would have normally lived on the East side, move into the west-side 'hood'.

[ToddStoon]

This might be slightly off topic, but I've been writing a blog at Saskatoonlive.com for the past 5 or 6 months now where I'm posting things that I think 'Make Saskatoon Great'. I'd really be appreciative if some of you would check it out. I'm always looking for people to submit articles on local places, things to do, shopping and dining that they like in Saskatoon and that make it unique (no chain stores or restaurants). If you'd like to contribute, send me an email from the contact page on the blog.

[jaysfan99]

Looks just like the Rumley here in Saskatoon. I noticed the windows are small. I hope they do a better job here in Saskatoon, and have bigger windows. Wonder when they plan to start work on it.

I wonder why it is taking so long for the old Bay building to get finished. Maybe they are running out of money.

Originally Posted by molasses

Yes, there should be street level commercial at least in a portion of it, so expect it to be cleaned up a bit.


Oh ya and in regards to the Rumley building, here is the building in the states that has been reno'd that the developer/architects have gone to check out and get ideas from.
http://www.rumleylofts.com/

[jaysfan99]

Nice page ToddStoon. I've been working on a page also, but it is on just the current construction projects happening in Saskatoon. Hope to be up and running in a few weeks.

Originally Posted by ToddStoon

This might be slightly off topic, but I've been writing a blog at Saskatoonlive.com for the past 5 or 6 months now where I'm posting things that I think 'Make Saskatoon Great'. I'd really be appreciative if some of you would check it out. I'm always looking for people to submit articles on local places, things to do, shopping and dining that they like in Saskatoon and that make it unique (no chain stores or restaurants). If you'd like to contribute, send me an email from the contact page on the blog.