City launches new website to promote future growth plans

As city officials move ahead with ambitious plans to transform Saskatoon’s transit system into a faster, more competitive rapid transit network, they are preparing to launch a website to get the public on board.

The website, www. growingfwd.ca, is scheduled to launch on Feb. 3. City staff hope it will become a destination for people interested in Saskatoon’s future growth plans.

Three years ago, the city undertook an initiative called Saskatoon Speaks to get input on the city’s future from thousands of people. City officials now say that process is over, and it’s time to set the course for Saskatoon’s growth.

“Compared with Saskatoon Speaks, we are getting closer to the actual rubber hitting the road,” Coun. Charlie Clark told a meeting of council’s planning and operations committee on Tuesday.

The website launch is part of the city’s branding efforts around Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon, which includes a host of planning initiatives, including determining the routes for a new rapid transit bus system, the location of a new bridge in the core of the city and plans to increase the population density of the inner city.

The website will offer people a chance to provide their input. On Feb. 25, the city plans to host a public event at TCU Place to showcase the growth strategy.