Saskatoon

This article is about the Canadian city. For other uses, see Saskatoon (disambiguation).
Saskatoon
City
City of Saskatoon

From left to right: central Saskatoon featuring the South Saskatchewan River and three of its bridges; the Delta Bessborough hotel; the Saskatoon Fireworks Festival; Broadway Avenue; Wanuskewin Heritage Park; the University of Saskatchewan; the Saskatoon berry; Saskatoon skyline featuring the Broadway Bridge in foreground

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): "Paris of the Prairies", "Toontown", "S'toon", "Hub City", "POW City" (for potash, oil and wheat), "The City of Bridges", "Science City", "Saskabush"[1][2][3]
Saskatoon

Location of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan

Coordinates: 52°08′N 106°41′W / 52.133°N 106.683°W / 52.133; -106.683
Country  Canada
Province  Saskatchewan
Establishment 1883
Incorporation 1906
Government
 • Mayor Don Atchison
 • Governing body Saskatoon City Council
 • MP
 • MLAs
Area[4]
 • City 170.8 km2 (65.9 sq mi)
Elevation[4] 481.5 m (1,579.7 ft)
Population (2011)[5]
 • City 222,189
 • Density 1,060.3/km2 (2,746/sq mi)
 • Metro 260,600
Demonym(s) Saskatonian
Time zone CST (UTC−6)
Postal code span S7H to S7W
Area code(s) 306, 639
Pronunciation /ˌsæskəˈtuːn/
Website www.saskatoon.ca

Saskatoon (i/ˌsæskəˈtuːn/) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is centrally located in the province and straddles the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. A cultural and economic hub of central and northern Saskatchewan, it is the largest city in the province and one of the fastest-growing in the country, with a civic population of 260,900[6] and an estimated metropolitan population of 305,000.[7]

Saskatoon is home to the University of Saskatchewan, the Meewasin Valley Authority which protects the South Saskatchewan River and provides for the city's popular riverbank park spaces, and Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a National Historic Site of Canada representing nearly 6,000 years of First Nations history. The Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344, the most populous rural municipality in Saskatchewan, surrounds the city and contains many of the developments associated with it, including Wanuskewin.

Saskatoon is named after the berry of the same name, which is native to the region, and is itself derived from the Cree "misâskwatômina". There is a significant Indigenous population in the city, and several urban Reserves within its boundaries. It is known for its relatively diverse and vibrant culture, as well as its eight (plus two planned) river crossings, earning it the nicknames "Paris of the Prairies" and "Bridge City."

Historic neighbourhoods of Saskatoon include Nutana and Riversdale, which were both separate towns before amalgamating with the town of Saskatoon and incorporating as a city in 1906. Nutana, Riversdale, their historic main streets of Broadway Avenue and 20th Street respectively, as well as the downtown core and other central neighbourhoods, are seeing significant reinvestment and redevelopment today. Similarly, the old rail town of Sutherland was annexed by the city in 1956 and is now another historic neighbourhood of Saskatoon, just beyond the University lands.

Etymology

The name Saskatoon [in Cree: sâskwatôn, "Saskatoon" or the locatives: misâskwatôminihk, lit: "at the saskatoon berry", misâskwatôminiskâhk, "at the place of many saskatoon berries", mînisihk "at the berry"] comes from the Cree inanimate noun misâskwatômina "saskatoon berries", which refers to the sweet, violet-coloured berry that grows in the area.

History

Main article: History of Saskatoon

In 1882, the Toronto-based Temperance Colonization Society was granted 21 sections of land straddling the South Saskatchewan River, between what is now Warman and Dundurn.[8] The aim of the group was to escape the liquor trade in that city and set up a "dry" community in the Prairie region.[8] The following year settlers, led by John Neilson Lake, arrived on the site of what is now Saskatoon and established the first permanent settlement.[8] The settlers travelled by railway from Ontario to Moose Jaw and then completed the final leg via horse-drawn cart as the railway had yet to be completed to Saskatoon.[8]

Barr Colonists in 1903

In 1885 the Northwest Rebellion affected the tiny community in a variety of ways. Chief Whitecap and Charles Trottier passed through the present day University campus on their way to join Louis Riel's armed forces at Batoche, Saskatchewan. Following the fighting at the Battle of Fish Creek, and the Battle of Batoche, wounded Canadian soldiers convalesced at the Marr Residence which is today a historic site. A few died in care and were buried in the Pioneer Cemetery near the Exhibition Grounds.

A town charter for the west side of the river was obtained in 1903 (Nutana became a village in that year). In 1906 Saskatoon became a city with a population of 4,500, which included the communities of Saskatoon, Riversdale and Nutana. In 1955 Montgomery Place and in 1956 the neighbouring town of Sutherland were annexed by the fast-growing City of Saskatoon.[9]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Saskatoon
Innovation Place with the Canadian Light Source synchrotron in the foreground.

The economy of Saskatoon has been associated with potash, oil and agriculture (specifically wheat), resulting in the moniker "POW City".[10] Various grains, livestock, oil and gas, potash, uranium, gold, diamond, coal and their spin off industries fuel the economy.[11][12] The world's largest publicly traded uranium company, Cameco, and the world's largest potash producer, PotashCorp, have corporate headquarters in Saskatoon. Saskatoon is also the new home of BHP Billiton's Diamonds and Specialty Products business unit. Nearly two-thirds of the world's recoverable potash reserves are located in the Saskatoon region.[4] Innovation Place founded in 1980 brings together almost 150 agriculture, information technology, and environmental, life sciences and agricultural biotechnology industries in a science park or technology park setting.[13] Saskatoon is also home to the Canadian Light Source, Canada's national synchrotron facility.[14]

Saskatoon’s digital media scene is growing with start-up tech companies such as Noodlecake, OneStory, Point2, Vendasta Technologies, and Zu. [15]

Another of Saskatoon's nicknames, "Hub City", refers to its ideal central location within Canada for distribution and logistics.[10] Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport with 105,620 aircraft movements in 2008 was listed as the 19th busiest airport in Canada, 12th busiest in passenger traffic.[16][17]

Saskatoon is also known as "Bridge City" or "City Of Bridges" because of its number of bridges that cross the Saskatchewan River which divides the city.

Saskatoon is developing the South Central Business District, or block 146, which is called the River Landing Project.[18][19][20] Long range planning is underway for an expected city population of 325,000 by 2028 (2011 MXD report).[21]

Saskatoon is expected to see a 4.2 percent growth in gross domestic product for the year 2012.[11] The city saw a 3.4% growth in 2004, 5.1% increase in 2005 and a 2.8% increase in 2006. Saskatoon held Canada's No. 1 economic growth spot for Canada in 2005 according to the Conference Board of Canada.[22][23] The Conference Board again predicted the city would rate first for economic increase in 2012, showing a growth rate of 4.2%. The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) has also been ranked amongst Canada's top ten economic development organizations by Site Selection magazine.[24]

Pike Lake and Blackstrap Provincial Parks are 40 km (25 mi) south of the city. Blackstrap Park is often used for school field trips. Batoche is located 90 km (56 mi) north of the city.

Geography

Saskatoon lies on a long belt of rich, potassic chernozem in middle-southern Saskatchewan and is found in the Aspen parkland biome. The lack of surrounding mountainous topography gives the city a relatively flat grid, though the city does sprawl over a few hills and into a few valleys. The lowest point in the city is the river, while the highest point is disputed between the suburb of Sutherland in the east side and the Silverwood-River Heights areas in the city's north end. Saskatoon, on a cross-section from west to east, has a general decline in elevation above sea level heading towards the river, and on the east bank of the river, the terrain is mostly level until outside the city, where it begins to decrease in elevation again.

Saskatoon is divided into east and west sides by the South Saskatchewan River. It is then divided into Suburban Development Areas (SDA) which are composed of neighbourhoods.[25] Street addresses are demarcated into north and south (for avenues aligned in those directions) and similar east and west (for streets aligned in those directions). West of the river the demarcation line for north and south addresses is 22nd Street, while east and west are divided by Idylwyld Drive (north of 20th Street) and Avenue A (south of 20th). On the east side, Lorne Avenue demarcates east and west while Aird Street marks the north/south boundary, except in the Sutherland community where a separate east/west demarcation takes place with Central Avenue as the boundary (there is, however, no separate north/south divide).

Saskatoon skyline and the South Saskatchewan River

Climate

Patches of aspen trees surrounded by wheat fields in the summer.

Saskatoon is in the aspen parkland biome and is in plant hardiness zone 2b.[26] Its climatic zone is humid continental (Köppen climate classification Dfb).

The city has four distinct seasons. Saskatoon sees only 353 mm (13.9 in) of precipitation per year on average, with the summer being the wettest season. Saskatoon is sunnier than average in Canada as a result, averaging 2,268 hours of bright sunshine annually. The extreme temperatures are typically accompanied by below average levels of humidity. Thunderstorms are common in the summer months and can be severe with torrential rain, hail, high winds, intense lightning and, on rare occasion, tornadoes. The frost-free growing season lasts from 21 May to 15 September,[27] but due to Saskatoon's northerly location, damaging frosts have occurred as late as June 14[28] and again as early as August.

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was −50 °C (−58 °F) in 1893. The lowest wind chill ever recorded was −60.9.[29] The highest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) on June 5, 1988.[29] In the very end of July and beginning of August the daytime temperature peaks at 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) at the airport.[30]

The "Blizzard of 2007" was described by many residents as the worst they had seen and paralyzed the city with its low visibility, extreme cold and large volume of snow.[31] Winds rose to over 90 km/h (56 mph) and an estimated 25 cm (9.8 in) of snow fell throughout the day.[32] Many area residents took refuge overnight at area work places, shopping centres, hospitals and the university.

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1901113—    
191112,004+10523.0%
192125,739+114.4%
193143,291+68.2%
194142,320−2.2%
195153,268+25.9%
196195,526+79.3%
1971126,449+32.4%
1981154,210+22.0%
1991186,058+20.7%
1996193,653+4.1%
2001196,811+1.6%
2006202,340+2.8%
2011222,189+9.8%
Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total Population
Visible Minority group
Source:[36] 		European 164,970 82.8
First Nations 10,855 5.4
Métis 8,605 4.3
Chinese 4,185 2.1
Other visible minority 2,470 1.3
South Asian 2,210 1.1
Filipino 1,855 0.9
Black 1,825 0.9
Latin American 1,045 0.5
Southeast Asian 1,005 0.5
Inuit 60 0.0
Total population 199,385 100

The 2011 census listed Saskatoon's population at 222,189, a 9.8 per cent increase over 2006.[37] A civic estimate at the end of 2014 had Saskatoon's population at 257,300.[38] and Saskatoon's CMA population as 300,634[7] A study released in July 2008 found that Saskatoon's population fell by approximately 2,000 people during the previous sixteen months, as more people move out of the city proper and into "bedroom communities" and adjacent Alberta.[39]

According to the 2006 census, 18% of the population consists of youths under the age of 15, while those over 65 constitute 13% of the population. The median age of Saskatoon residents is 35.5 years of age, four years younger than Canada as a whole. [40]

The above land area figure was provided by the City of Saskatoon in January 2006 and takes into account recent annexations up to that point. It does not include the two large annexations of land that occurred in the summer of 2010. These portions of land have been zoned under the provincial land management acts.

Ethno-cultural Groups in Metropolitan Saskatoon, out of 222,635 (number is greater than 222,635 because many reported more than one ethnicity)[44]
A Saskatoon neighbourhood (Nutana)

In terms of race, according to the 2001 census,[45] 190,120 or 85.4% of the city's population were white Canadians, 19,900 or 8.9% were Aboriginals, with less than 5% belonging to other visible minority Canadians such as Han Chinese, South Asians, etc. combined.

Some 78.5% of Saskatoon's inhabitants profess to be Christian, mostly Protestant (40.1%) and Roman Catholic (32.5%).[46] Another 19.6% of Saskatoon's inhabitants do not profess a religious faith at all.[46] Minority faiths include Sikhism, Buddhism (0.7%), Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam (0.6%).[46]

Aboriginal peoples

The Saskatoon area was inhabited long before any permanent settlement was established, to which the ongoing archaeological work at Wanuskewin Heritage Park and other locations bears witness. Canada's First Nations population has been increasingly urbanized, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Saskatoon, where the First Nations population increased by 382% from 1981 to 2001;[47] however, a portion of this increase, possibly as much as half, is believed to be due to more people identifying themselves as Aboriginal in the census rather than migration or birth rate. Saskatoon has the second highest percentage of First Nations population among major Canadian cities[48] at nearly 9%, behind Winnipeg at 10.2% and Regina close by with 8%; in certain neighbourhoods such as Pleasant Hill, this percentage exceeds 40%. Most First Nations residents are of Cree or Dakota cultural background although to a lesser extent Saulteaux, Assiniboine, and Dene communities also exist.

Saskatoon also has a substantial Métis population and is close to the historically significant Southbranch Settlements to the north, as well as the Prairie Ronde settlement near Dundurn, Saskatchewan.

Health

The Saskatoon Health Region is responsible for health care delivery in the region. The health region operates three hospitals within the city boundaries, these include Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, and St. Paul's Hospital (Saskatoon). Royal University Hospital is a teaching and research hospital that operates in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan. The health region also operates hospitals in smaller neighbouring communities.[49] In addition to hospitals the health region operates long-term care facilities, clinics and other health care services.

Recent data suggests that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of new HIV cases in Canada[50] and that 1/4 cases of HIV infected babies are from Saskatchewan.[51] This increase in HIV cases has been in part attributed to growing IV drug use, a gang problem, poverty and prostitution in the city of Saskatoon, which has a higher rate of HIV than other areas.[51][52][53]

Security

The Saskatoon Police Service is the primary police service for the city of Saskatoon and holds both Municipal and Provincial Jurisdiction. The following services also have jurisdiction in Saskatoon: Corman Park Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian National Railway Police Service and the Canadian Pacific Railway Police Service. As of December 31, 2012, the SPS had 442 sworn members, 59 Special Constables, and 136 civilian positions.[54]

Crime

The 2006 census crime data, released July 18, 2007, showed Saskatoon leading Canada in violent crime, with 1,606 violent crimes per 100,000 residents annually. However, crime statistics produced by the Saskatoon Police Service shows that crime is on the decline. In 2010, total crimes against people went up 1.28% and total crimes against property fell by 11.75%.[55]

There were accusations in the early 1990s that the Saskatoon police were engaging in starlight tours, where officers would arrest Aboriginal men and drive them out of the city in the dead of winter to abandon them. The majority of the accusations turned out to be false; however, several starlight tours did take place.[56][57]

Attractions

The Bessborough

One of the city's landmarks is the Delta Bessborough Hotel, known to locals as the Bez. Built by the Canadian National Railway, it was among the last railway hotels to be started before the Great Depression of the 1930s brought their era to a close. Although the building was completed in 1932, it did not open its doors until 1935 due to the Depression. The Bessborough and the Mendel Art Gallery are currently the only major structures located on the river side of Spadina Crescent. One of the most frequently circulated photographs depicting Saskatoon is of the hotel framed in one of the arches of the Broadway Bridge.[58]

The Meewasin Valley Trail follows the South Saskatchewan River through Saskatoon. Summer activities include cycling, jogging and walking through parks and natural areas. Cross-country skiing is popular during the winter months, along with skating in Kiwanis Memorial Park. Access points are found throughout the city with interpretive signage and washrooms located along the route. There are parks throughout the Meewasin Valley, with washrooms, picnic facilities, and lookout points along the river bank.[59]

In the winter the Meewasin Skating Rink is open free to the public; it is located in Kiwanis Memorial Park beside the Delta Bessborough hotel. The outdoor rink has been open since 1980.

For years, a parcel of land west of the Traffic Bridge, south of 19th Street, and east of Avenue C has been the subject of on-again, off-again redevelopment plans. The site formerly held the Saskatoon Arena, a power plant, a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the head offices of the Saskatoon Public School Division; all these structures have been demolished to make way for redevelopment, with plans for same dating back to the 1980s. The most recent version of the plan called River Landing is ongoing.[60] Calgary developer Lake Placid has proposed a 200 million dollar mega hotel/condo project to be built on the site although Lake Placid had difficulty securing financing and missed an October 30, 2009, deadline to submit a 4.5 million dollar payment for the parcel of land which seemingly killed the deal.[61][62] On November 16, 2009, it was revealed by Lake Placid that the financing should be secure within a week.[63] In April 2010, Saskatoon City Council voted in favour of entering new negotiations with Lake Placid over the site.[64]

As of May 2010, landscaping and the development of the Frank & Ellen Remai Arts Centre a new performance venue for the Persephone Theatre had been completed on River Landing, joining a senior citizens residence that had been built in River Landing in the 1990s. The Saskatoon Farmers' Market and some commercial sites have also been developed. Future plans separate from Lake Placid include the development of a new art gallery to replace the Mendel Art Gallery by 2014.[65]

Other landmarks in the city include the iconic Traffic Bridge (which as of summer 2011 is expected to be demolished and replaced by a new structure), the University of Saskatchewan campus, and the large Viterra grain terminal which has dominated the western skyline of the city for decades and is large enough to be visible from Pike Lake Provincial Park 32 km away.

Transportation

Road

Saskatoon is located on the Yellowhead Highway spur of the Trans-Canada Highway system, also known as Highway 16, which connects Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Highways 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 41, 219, 684, and 762 all meet at Saskatoon, with highway 60 terminating just west of the city limits.

University Bridge in Saskatoon.

The following bridges cross the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon (in order from upstream):

The Via Rail station, front entrance.

Construction of Saskatoon's ring road, Circle Drive, began in the mid-1960s (after first being proposed in 1913), and was completed on July 31, 2013 with the opening of the $300-million South Circle Drive project.[67]

Railway

The Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway have connections to Saskatoon. Both railways operate intermodal facilities and trans-load centers; while Canadian National Railway also operates an automotive transfer facility.[68] Saskatoon is a stop on The Canadian passenger transcontinental rail route operated by Via Rail. The Saskatoon railway station is located in the west end of the city; it was opened in the late 1960s as a replacement for Saskatoon's original main station which was located on 1st Avenue downtown—the relocation of the station sparked a major redevelopment of the downtown that included the construction of the Midtown Plaza, TCU Place (aka Centennial Auditorium) and other developments. The many provincial transportation connections and geographic location of Saskatoon give it one of its nicknames The Hub City. The Saskatchewan Railway Museum is located just outside the city. Recent debates about moving all the railways out of the city are raising questions about a future LRT system, but the city's Mayor says the population is too small.[69]

A pathway in the River Landing Central Business District.

Air

Saskatoon/John G. Diefenbaker International Airport provides scheduled and charter airline service for the city, and is a significant hub for mining and remote locations in Northern Saskatchewan. Non-stop scheduled destinations include Calgary, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Ottawa, Prince Albert, Regina, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Seasonal and Charter service is provided to Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Phoenix and Churchill, MB. Air Canada, Westjet and Purolator Courier all have cargo facilities at the airport. Saskatoon/Corman Air Park is a general aviation airport located 15 km south-east of Saskatoon.

Buses

Transit services in Saskatoon are provided by Saskatoon Transit. The route system was revamped on July 2, 2006, creating increased access to most parts of the city. An up to date schedule is posted at Saskatoon Transit Route & Schedule Adjustments.[70]

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company connects Saskatoon via bus service to nearly 200 towns and villages in the province.[71] The Saskatoon bus terminal is also served by Greyhound Canada inter-provincial service between Manitoba and Alberta.

Education

Entrance to Thorvaldson Building located on the Main campus of the University of Saskatchewan
Kelsey campus of SIAST. Central Industrial Area

Saskatoon has a number of higher education institutions:

Saskatoon has 78 elementary schools and 14 high schools, serving about 37,000 students. Saskatoon has three main school boards, the Saskatoon Public School Division, the Saskatoon Catholic School Division and the Conseil des Ecoles Fransaskoises.

The western annexation of what is now called the Blairmore SDA also brought the Yarrow Youth Farm within the city limits; operated by the Province of Saskatchewan, this is a correction facility for at-risk youth. The City's current Projected Growth Map indicates that the farm is expected to be incorporated within planned development of the region.[72]

Arts and culture

Galleries and museums

Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory

The Mendel Art Gallery is situated on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. Its permanent collection exceeds 5,000 works of art. In 2005, it began a major renovation project that will expand the size of the gallery by seventy percent. In September 2005, however, the City of Saskatoon announced that it had entered discussions with the Mendel to the end of having the Mendel abandon its renovation/expansion project in favor of instead relocating the facility to a new arts and culture centre that is planned for the south downtown area.

The Art Gallery of Saskatchewan was announced in April 2009 as the replacement for the Mendel Art Gallery, which will be constructed at River Landing, around the previously constructed Remai Arts Centre, which houses the Persephone Theatre company. The Art Gallery will be built matching contributions of $13 million from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan. The City of Saskatoon and other key partners have also committed funding in support of this project. The total estimated costs for the Gallery, which will serve as the destination centre for the River Landing project, will be approximately $51 million.[73]

Currently, the City of Saskatoon is waiting for design proposals on the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. According to the Mendel Art Gallery website, the new Gallery will be a multistory building, adjacent to Persephone Theatre, in the range of 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2). The facility will allow up to three times the present available gallery space and will include studio and classroom space for education programs including an adaptive community studio and lecture theatre, meeting rooms and space for administrative functions. Emphasis will be placed on meeting functional requirements while also providing an appropriate signature architectural presence in the city’s south downtown. The atrium that is visualized for the front of the Gallery will provide not only adequate space for Gallery functions and activities and special public events but will also be a gathering place at River landing and will include visitor services and a gift shop. There will also be a bistro, restaurant, and catering support. The site will also incorporate an underground parking facility with 250 parking spaces.[74] The decision to drop the Mendel name has been controversial.[75][76][77]

AKA Gallery is an artist-run centre that facilitates the production, presentation and interpretation of a diversity of contemporary art with an emphasis on innovative artistic practices. Adapting a responsive approach to programming and related activities, AKA Gallery aims to be a catalyst for the development and sustainability of a lively and engaged community of artists and audiences. In connecting artists to the community and welcoming them to become involved, AKA Gallery strives to enrich artistic practices and critical discourses on a local, regional, and national level.

The Affinity Gallery is located on the main floor of the Saskatchewan Craft Council building in the trendy Broadway Ave. area. It is Saskatchewan's only public exhibition gallery dedicated to the celebration of Fine Craft as an art form. Affinity Gallery presents up to eight exhibitions annually, including DIMENSIONS; Canada's longest running, open, juried craft exhibition.

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada www.umc.sk.ca is located on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. The foremost attraction for Ukrainian culture in Saskatoon, it houses various artifacts such as textiles, tools, musical instruments, and clothing, with many pieces on display for public viewing. The Ukrainian Museum of Canada has other branches in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto.

The Meewasin Valley Centre, in Friendship Park, has information on Saskatoon's history, the South Saskatchewan River, and the future of the Meewasin Valley.[78]

Saskatoon is also home of the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum. This museum, one of four throughout the province, documents early pioneer life in Saskatchewan. It is noted for its interior recreation of a "Boom Town" main street, including one original building relocated from its original site. The Saskatchewan Railway Museum is located just outside the city and includes displays of rolling stock and historic railway buildings from various parts of the province.

The Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is a National Historic Site situated in the north east region of the city. The Forestry Farm was a historic nursery (dating from 1913) responsible for growing many of the trees planted within the prairie provinces. In 1966 the nursery operations were discontinued and part of the region turned into a municipal park. The city zoo is also housed within the park and features over 80 species of animals.[79] Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a National Historic Site situated five km to the north of Saskatoon. It is an Aboriginal archaeological site and features displays, special events, and activities, recent renovations are on hold due to a lack of funds during the renovations.

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival tents south of the Mendel Art Gallery.
Prairieland Park.

Events and festivals

Saskatoon's major arts venue is TCU Place, which is located adjacent to Midtown Plaza downtown. Since opening in 1967, it has hosted scores of concerts, theatrical performances, live events such as the Telemiracle telethon, high school graduation and university convocation ceremonies, and conventions. It is also home to the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. It recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation to its main theatre (named in honor of former mayor and senator Sidney Buckwold).

For rock concerts and major shows, Sasktel Centre is the main venue. It is Saskatchewan's largest arena, with a capacity of 15,000 for sporting events and 14,000 for concerts. Musical acts from Saskatoon include Joni Mitchell, Kyle Riabko, Wide Mouth Mason, The Northern Pikes, The Sheepdogs, and The Deep Dark Woods, as well as countless others popular at both local and regional levels.

Saskatoon hosts many festivals and events in the summer, including the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival, The Great Plains Comedy Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Saskatchewan Children's Festival, the Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival (a showcase of alternative theatre), Saskatoon Folkfest (a cultural festival),[80] Doors Open Saskatoon and the Canada Remembers Airshow.[81]

For over 25 years, Saskatoon has hosted a gathering of antique automobiles, (mainly from the 1960s) that has grown into an event called "Cruise Weekend". The event is usually held on the last weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) in August. Activities include a poker derby, dances, and a show 'N' shine with over 800 cars from all over western Canada. No admission is charged and everyone is free to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.

The city's annual exhibition (now called the Saskatoon Exhibition but also known in previous years as Pioneer Days and "The Ex") is held every August at Prairieland Park. In the late 1990s, the Saskatoon Exhibition was rescheduled to August so that it no longer was in direct competition with the Calgary Stampede, which frequently overlapped the event.

Saskatoon was the 2007 host city for the Juno Awards, Canada's foremost music industry honours.

Live theatre

The Persephone Theatre during Earth Hour 2009

Live theatre is a central, vibrant part of Saskatoon's culture. Saskatoon is host to a number of live theatre venues such as the Persephone Theatre, which is located in the Remai Arts Centre at River Landing in downtown Saskatoon, The Refinery and the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. Saskatoon is also home to performance groups such as: Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Opera Association, Live Five, Skit Skit, Troup du Jour, Wide Open Children's Theatre, and Saskatoon Summer Players. Local improv groups such as The No-No's and Saskatoon Soaps have weekly and monthly performances respectively at various venues around the city. Laff Trax Comedy Theatre is Saskatoon's live comedy club performing several shows a week at different venues throughout the city.

Saskatoon also boasts the only burlesque group in the Prairies, the Rosebud Burlesque.

Movie theatres

Cineplex Entertainment Galaxy Theatre

The Broadway Theatre primarily shows arthouse films – while the two-screen Roxy Theatre is an "atmospheric-style" second-run theatre that reopened in 2005 after sitting unused for over a decade. The remainder of the city's theatres are multiplexes. The only movie theatre in the downtown core is the Galaxy Cinemas; the Capitol 4 shut down on April 3, 2008.[82] The city's other movie theatres are the Rainbow Cinemas (a second-run cinema) and the Centre Cinemas, located adjacent to each other in The Centre mall on the city's east side.

Among the many movie theatres of the past that have come and gone was the Capitol Theatre, which opened in 1929 with a showing of the first talkie to be exhibited in Saskatoon.[83] The Capitol closed in the early 1980s to make way for the Scotia Centre office tower; its name was transferred to the aforementioned Capitol 4 a block away.

Music

Saskatoon is recognized nationally as one of the top college towns for a live music lover (with Montreal and Toronto).[84]

Saskatoon is home to a large blues/jazz community that frequents many bars and clubs known for their blues- and jazz-related acts, including Amigo's, Buds on Broadway, The Bassment and formerly Lydia's.

The Canadian rock band The Sheepdogs are from Saskatoon.

Canadian musician Joni Mitchell calls Saskatoon her hometown.

Royal presence

Main article: Crown in Saskatoon

Saskatoon has welcomed members of Canada's Royal Family since 1919. The Queen most recently visited for the a gala concert at Credit Union Centre, before a live audience of 12,000 and television viewers nationwide in 2005. The Queen was presented with the key to the city on the same visit, after touring the Canadian Light Source synchrotron and greeting thousands of well-wishers on a walkabout at the University of Saskatchewan. Sovereigns and consorts who have visited include Edward VIII as Prince of Wales in 1919, King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, and Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, as Princess Elizabeth in 1951 and afterwards as Queen in 1959, 1978, 1987 and 2005. Other members of the Royal Family who have visited include Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in 1980, the Prince of Wales (Charles) in 2001, the Princess Anne in 1982 and (as Princess Royal) in 2004, the Duke and Duchess of York (Andrew and Sarah) in 1989, and the Prince Edward in 1978. Governors General and Lieutenant Governors also pay regular visits to Saskatoon. Saskatonian Ray Hnatyshyn is credited with popularising his office as Governor General from 1990 to 1995. Lieutenant Governors Barnhart, Fedoruk, McNab, Monroe, Porteous and Worobetz were all former residents of Saskatoon.

Connections to the crown include the royal namesakes of about one hundred neighbourhoods, parks, streets, schools and other places. These include King George, Queen Elizabeth and Massey Place neighbourhoods, and Victoria, Coronation and Princess Diana parks. It was at one time considered that Saskatoon's Broadway Bridge would be renamed George V Bridge.[85] Landmarks and institutions also have connections and these include the Royal University Hospital, one of four royal designations in Saskatchewan. Grade schools named for royals include Ecole Victoria School, King George School, Queen Elizabeth School, Prince Philip School and Princess Alexandra School. Existing and historic hotels with royal namesakes include the King George Hotel which has been recently converted to ultra-luxury condominiums, the King Edward Hotel, the Queen's Hotel and the Patricia Hotel. The Hotel Bessborough was named for a Canadian Governor General who visited the landmark under construction in the 1930s. The Queen Elizabeth Power Station is located within the city and named after Queen Elizabeth. The Prince of Wales Promenade along the South Saskatchewan River is a focal point on the riverfront trails. In 2002, 378 Saskatoon residents were presented with Canada's Golden Jubilee Medal by vice-regals to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.[86]

Sports and recreation

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in Saskatoon and is home to numerous amateur teams such as the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, who host their games in SaskTel Centre (formerly known as Credit Union Centre and Saskatchewan Place). Saskatoon is also home to amateur teams at the Junior B and Midget AAA levels, as well as several youth teams. Saskatoon was a major league hockey city from 1921 to 1926 when the WCHL/WHL Sheiks/Crescents played. They made it as far as the league semi-finals twice, not far enough to challenge for the Stanley Cup. The biggest chance for a return of major professional hockey came in 1982. Bill Hunter, a local sports promoter, attempted to purchase the St. Louis Blues of the NHL and move it to Saskatoon, but the move was prevented by the league. This was due to Saskatchewan's and especially Saskatoon's small size in relation to both St. Louis and the other cities in the NHL at the time. However, it did cause the building of the Credit Union Centre, on the city's northern edge. Prior to hosting the 2010 World Junior Hockey tournament, the arena underwent a major expansion which increased seating capacity to approximately 15,000 and also created several new box suites. In 2012, as part of the proposal by Ice Edge Holdings to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, it was proposed that Saskatoon would play host to a handful of the team's home games each year .

As for women's hockey, there is a strong youth female hockey presence in Saskatoon with a Midget AAA team and several youth teams in the city.

Starting in 2016 the Saskatchewan Rush will play in the National Lacrosse League after moving from Edmonton.

Canadian football is one of the most successful on field sports in Saskatoon. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies are one of the top University football programs in Canada, with three Vanier Cup national championships and 19 Hardy Trophy Canada West championships. The Huskies have made nine Vanier Cup appearances since 1990, and were the first team from outside of Ontario to host the Vanier Cup, hosting the game in 2006. As well, the Saskatoon Hilltops of the Canadian Junior Football League host their games at Gordie Howe Bowl. The Hilltops have won 18 national junior championships throughout their history.

There are currently no baseball teams in Saskatoon. In the past there have been various teams including the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets, Saskatoon Riot, Saskatoon Smokin' Guns, Saskatoon Stallions, and the Saskatoon Legends.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies play Canadian Interuniversity Sport league games at the University Campus. Their facilities include 6,171 seat Griffiths Stadium, 700 seat Rutherford Arena, and the state-of-the-art Physical Activity Complex, which is completely new with the exception of a small swimming pool which was not updated, that opened in August 2003 with the opening of the new College of Kinesiology Building. The Huskies participate in twelve sports at the CIS level and have been most successful in football(Conference champions 18 times/National champions 3 times),[87] men's volleyball(Conference champions 11 times/National champions 4 times)[88] and men's and women's Track and Field(Conference champions 37 times/ National champions 12 times).[89]

In 2007, two new sports teams came into being in Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan SWAT of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League and the Saskatoon Accelerators in the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League. The Accelerators play at the Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre, while the SWAT play at the Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arena.

A drag race at the Saskatchewan International Raceway

Motor racing is a popular sport in Saskatoon. Saskatchewan International Raceway has been in operation for over 40 years; SIR is home to 1/4 mile NHRA drag racing and holds racing events from May to September. As well, just north of the city lies Auto Clearing Motor Speedway; the track is home to local stock car racing, as well as races for several different Western Canadian series. In 2009, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series make its inaugural stop at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, signaling a move to a larger profile track in Saskatoon.

For horse racing fans, Marquis Downs at Prairieland Park offers live horse racing from May to October.

Saskatoon is also home to two full size soccer facilities. Saskatoon Soccer Centre controls both buildings. Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre has four sport court indoor fields while the SaskTel Sports Centre has two outdoor full size turf fields, one indoor full sized turf field, one indoor half sized turf field and one sport court field.

On the recreation side, Lions Skatepark was built in the Riversdale area in 2003. As well Saskatoon is home to several golf courses and various parks which include tennis courts, ball diamonds and soccer pitches for spring, summer and fall use and outdoor rinks for winter use. Blackstrap Ski Hill is also located 30 minutes south of the city, however, has been closed since 2006 due to financial difficulty.

Facilities and services

Frances Morrison Library (the city's main library), across 23rd Street from City Hall.

Local media

Main article: Media in Saskatoon

Shopping centres

Law and order

Hospitals

Future hospitals

Sister cities

Country City State / Region Since
Sweden Sweden Umeå[92] Västerbotten
China China Shijiazhuang Hebei 1985[92]
Ukraine Ukraine Chernivtsi Chernivtsi Oblast 1991[92]

Notable people

References

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Notes

  1. ↑ Climate data was recorded on the University of Saskatchewan campus from 1915 to 1966. In 1966 the station was moved 4km northeast to the current location, near Attridge and Circle Dr.[33]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saskatoon.
Look up saskatoon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Saskatoon.

Coordinates: 52°08′N 106°41′W / 52.133°N 106.683°W / 52.133; -106.683

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