Farmers’ Market launches search for a new home
Co-operative says ‘farmers and businesses don’t like uncertainty’
The Saskatoon Farmers Market Co-operative Ltd. plans to focus on finding a new location, perhaps even a seasonal outdoor spot.
Market president Adi Ramachandran confirmed Friday the co-operative of local food producers will likely stay in its Riversdale location until the end of the year.
After that, the City of Saskatoon announced Thursday that the cityowned building will close for three months while repairs are made to the leaky roof.
Ramachandran said the farmers’ market has not completely ruled out a return to its current location, but he noted the co-operative has already submitted two lease proposals to the city.
“I don’t think the farmers’ market has an appetite for a third time,” Ramachandran said. “I never say never, but our focus is on finding a new home.”
Ramachandran acknowledged the co-operative had submitted one of two proposals the city received to continue to lease the former electrical garage on 19th Street.
The city had sought proposals that would increase “animation” at the site to six nights a week.
The farmers’ market currently operates Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays.
City council voted in September to seek other options for the building, against the wishes of many farmers’ market vendors.
The co-operative’s first lease offer was to continue operating as it had been. Ramachandran said the recent lease pitch included a farmers’ market two days a week and a public facility on the other four days. He declined to provide further details.
Ramachandran said the co-operative is considering all options for a new location, including operating outdoors in summer and at an indoor location in winter.
The Regina Farmers’ Market operates inside a community centre year-round, but also operates an outdoor market at a civic square downtown in the summer.
Ramachandran said there’s “too much uncertainty” with the current location, “and farmers and businesses don’t like uncertainty. So I would say it’s a difficult time.”
Ramachandran said the co-operative pointed out the problems with the leaky roof to the city.
The building dates back to when the A.L. Cole power plant was located adjacent to the current farmers’ market location.