Downtown festival site gets official green light
Construction on the first phase of a permanent festival site on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon could start this year now that city council has, as expected, given its final approval for the project.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the $12.8-million transformation of Friendship Park, between the Broadway and Traffic bridges, toward the end of a marathon meeting that stretched over two days earlier this week.
The first phase is expected to include a headquarters building with accessible washrooms and an entry “bosque” containing seating, gathering space, room for lines and bicycle parking.
While the bulk of the funds will have to be allocated in future budget years, the city expects $2 million in provincial infrastructure stimulus spending will cover the cost of the first phase of construction.
Council also agreed to look at ways to expand community “engagement” on the project with people living downtown near Friendship Park, and seek input from Indigenous organizations.
Tuesday's vote was something of a formality, as the mayor and all 10 councillors enthusiastically supported the proposal at their governance and priorities committee meeting earlier this month.
This looks like a solution that is going to have a tremendous impact on our community for years to come.
“This looks like a solution that is going to have a tremendous impact on our community for years to come,” Mayor Charlie Clark said at the time.
The site is designed to accommodate up to 7,500 people for concerts, food vendor fairs, races such as the local marathon, and multiple smaller events in summer as well as winter.
The concept emerged more than a year ago, after city hall said it would not approve large events in adjacent Kiwanis Park over concerns about festivals damaging the grass.
Taste of Saskatchewan was left out of Sasktel Centre's 2020 budget before a deal was reached with city hall.
The event was ultimately cancelled anyway, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.