Saskatoon Minute: Affordable Housing, Aquatic Centre, and OVG Misses Meeting

Saskatoon Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatoon politics

This Week In Saskatoon:

• This morning, at 8:00 am, there will be a Special Meeting of the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners. The meeting is closed to the public, and it appears that the topic of discussion is “bargaining”.
  
  
• Renovations at the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre are underway, over a year after its closure. The project’s budget has increased from $13.5 million in 2019 to nearly $30 million after Council approved an additional $6 million in June. Although some planned upgrades like replacing the 50-metre pool and adding new fitness facilities have been canceled, the renovation will focus on accessibility improvements, pool repairs, and upgrades to change rooms, restrooms, and the building’s mechanical systems. The work is expected to be completed by March 31st, 2026, with the centre reopening in late spring.
  
  
• The City is moving forward with using $41.325 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to develop affordable housing. A proposal is in place to sell a 1.4-acre parcel of land at McKercher Drive and Heritage Crescent, located at the Lakewood Civic Centre, for this purpose. The site currently houses community gardens, which would be relocated nearby if the project is approved. Council will discuss this proposal and its implications, including potential impacts on green space and density, at a public hearing on August 28th.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Oakview Group (OVG), the private partner for Saskatoon's planned downtown arena and convention centre, was expected to present details on a $170 million, 25-year deal but did not attend a scheduled committee meeting. OVG notified the City that they were finalizing their internal review of the agreement and would provide updates before the August 28th Council meeting. The City left the item on the agenda despite OVG's absence, leading to questions from Councillors about the profit projections and the potential financial risks to the City. More details on the agreement and costs will be discussed at the August 28th meeting.
  
  
• Don Atchison officially announced his candidacy for Saskatoon’s mayoral race, bringing the total number of candidates to four. Atchison, who served as mayor from 2003 to 2016, joins Cynthia Block, Gord Wyant, and Cary Tarasoff in the race, with the election scheduled for November 13th. Current Mayor Charlie Clark, who is not seeking re-election, confirmed his departure from the race earlier this year.
  
  
• The 2024 Saskatoon Exhibition saw a total attendance of 204,991, marking the second-lowest turnout of the past decade. This year's figures represent a decline from previous years, with attendance having dropped from 225,894 in 2022 and 207,046 in 2023. The lowest attendance since 2018, this year's event was impacted by cooler temperatures earlier in the week, though warmer weather helped boost numbers over the final days.