Misaskwatomina on list of new names for city infrastructure
The City of Saskatoon is making good on its plan to include more aboriginal names on city infrastructure — including the 14-letter Cree word for Saskatoon berry. City council’s planning, development and community services committee unanimously approved Monday adding three Cree words and three Metis words to the list of names to be applied to city streets, parks and other infrastructure. The Cree words, suggested by the EcoQuest program at City Park School, are amisk (beaver), misaskwatomina (Saskatoon berry) and newo (four). Saskatoon, the city and the berry, is derived from the original Cree word. The Metis words, proposed by the grades 6-7 class at St. Michael Community School, are ayishiinoo (aboriginal), rispay (respect) and shakihi (love). Coun. Zach Jeffries praised the “more inclusive” approach to naming. The mayor decides how to apply names that make the master list.
City hall buys some ice in July for $1M
What does $1 million buy these days? Saskatoon city council’s planning, development and community services committee voted unanimously Monday to contribute $1 million to the cost of building a new twin-pad arena just south of the Saskatoon Field House. The facility, which is expected to cost more than $30 million, is being built by the University of Saskatchewan. It is expected to be completed either by September 2017 or September 2018. The U of S takes responsibility for operation and maintenance of the facility, but the city’s $1 million ensures minor hockey and other community groups will have access to one of the sheets of ice. The U of S is replacing Rutherford Arena, which was built in 1929, with the twin pad facility. The city’s solicitor will draw up an agreement.
Timeline for growth plan extended
The crucial plan to guide Saskatoon’s growth beyond current city limits will take a little longer. The plan to govern growth in the region around Saskatchewan’s largest city has been delayed until April 2017. The partnership includes the cities of Saskatoon, Martensville and Warman, the town of Osler and the RM of Corman Park. The consultant hired to complete the plan, O2 Planning + Design Inc., at a cost of just under $650,000, was supposed to finish it by June. The total budget for the project had been set at $986,000. The extension will cost the five communities $183,050 more, including an additional $62,000 from the City of Saskatoon.
You call that a playground?
Coun. Tiffany Paulsen wants city hall to be careful about what it considers an indoor playground. The City of Saskatoon is moving forward with a plan to incorporate indoor playgrounds or play centres within existing and future recreation facilities. But Paulsen suggested city hall staff take a look at some of the private indoor playgrounds in the city. Some of the facilities presented as indoor playgrounds at Monday’s planning, development and community services committee meeting do not really qualify, Paulsen said. A city report cited play facilities at Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre and the Shaw Centre. The report also mentioned private facilities such as the Fun Factory on Quebec Avenue North and CJ’s Climb and Play in Warman.
A/C bylaw battle brewing?
A City of Saskatoon report recommends some new rules to govern where air conditioning units can be placed in relation to existing residential properties. Coun. Tiffany Paulsen said there is enough support on council to warrant a further debate on the subject. “I am interested in pursuing this,” Paulsen said at Monday’s planning, development and community services committee meeting. A city report from February backed no new rules on noise, appearance and location or air conditioning units due to few complaints. The new report suggested a separation distance for air conditioners from an adjacent dwelling’s doors or windows. The committee voted to refer the matter to next month’s city council meeting for a more complete debate.
Keeping the trash out of the woods
Next month, Saskatoon city council will consider several measures to stop the dumping of garbage in a wooded area in the city’s southwest. A City of Saskatoon report recommended three options to try to stop illegal dumping in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area just south of the CN yards. The options range from installing gates and short posts to discourage vehicle traffic in the area for $30,500 to installing a chain-link perimeter fence for $949,000. Three speakers addressed Monday’s planning, development and community services meeting on the problem. Julia Adamson said 70 volunteers recently cleaned up about 120 kilograms of garbage each during a cleanup effort. The garbage included 85 tires. “This was a gargantuan effort that took weeks and weeks of planning,” she said. Speakers stressed the need for a more methodical approach to keeping the area clean.