Saskatoon Minute: Merry Christmas, Wonderhub Deficit, and School Land Levies

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• It’s Christmas on Wednesday. Thank you to every single one of our readers and supporters who reached out, donated, volunteered, or shared our content this year. We appreciate every single one of you and hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with friends and family. Merry Christmas!
  
  
• We don’t often use these weekly emails to explicitly ask for support, but we’re in the middle of our year-end fundraiser, and we’ve set a goal to raise $10,000 by December 31st. This is a critical time for non-profits, and reaching our goal will ensure we can continue the important work we do. If you value what we bring to the table and want to see us keep going, please consider making a donation today. Every bit helps, and we’re deeply grateful for your support. You can contribute by clicking here. Thank you!
  
  
• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week. Regularly scheduled meetings will resume in the new year.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Saskatoon’s City Centre and District Plan was discussed at a recent Municipal Planning Commission meeting. The plan includes updates to zoning bylaws to encourage mid-rise buildings and changes to surface parking lot rules. Key proposals include narrowing 22nd Street, adding wider sidewalks, and improving downtown streets for better accessibility. A permanent outdoor festival site at Friendship Park and a national urban park are also part of the vision. The City plans to implement these projects over the next decade, with some expected to begin in eight or more years.
  
  
• Saskatoon developers are pushing back against increased school land levies, citing concerns over the additional financial burden during a housing crisis. The new elementary school land levy in areas like Brighton and Elk Point is set at $230.50, up from $183.50 in 2023. Starting in 2025, a high school land levy will also be introduced, though the City plans to request the Province's help in reducing or eliminating it. The Saskatoon and Region Homebuilders’ Association argues the levies will drive up housing costs and disproportionately impact home buyers. The Association has filed for a judicial review and called for greater consultation with stakeholders.
  
  
• It was revealed that Nutrien Wonderhub, the only children's museum of its kind in Saskatchewan, is facing a projected $325,000 deficit for the 2024-25 year. To address this, the museum is exploring options like raising admission fees and seeking new revenue sources. The Wonderhub has requested additional financial support from the City, but this was not granted. While the museum has received funding for specific projects, it lacks consistent operational funding, as it no longer qualifies for annual support from SaskCulture.