Suzy Schwanke has set up a free little art gallery in Saskatoon’s Queen Elizabeth neighbourhood as a way for people to enjoy art.
Learn more from CTV News Nicole Di Donato @ndidonatoCTV Updated Wednesday, April 21, 2021 3:48 p.m. CST and
from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix – Apr. 23, 2021
The public library is, of course, an important resource to every city and community.
Private little libraries add value by encouraging reading, making books more available and building community. Patrons may take a book and return it, keep and /or leave one in its place.
Over the past couple of years, I have found more little libraries popping up in Your Community.
There are now at least seven, one or more in each neighbourhood.
In Exhibition: on Lorne Ave., and on Hilliard St. E.
In Queen Elizabeth: on Maple St., on Adelaide St. E., on William Ave. and on York Ave.
In West Haultain: on 4th St. E.
The “Librarians” are retirees, working folk, professionals, all of whom are interested in reading and encouraging others to read. They are all involved in the community.
Their motivation to erect the libraries is as varied as the books in them: For Rick, it was a winter woodworking project. Natasha’s was a gift from a friend, who built it from an old cupboard. She had appreciated the ones she had used while living in Kenya. Adrian was inspired by one he had seen that was created by an artist. Andrew made a few additions, to a Christmas gift from a family member, to reflect the couple’s interests. Another librarian received hers as a Mother’s Day gift from her children.
The rewards for their efforts are, primarily, seeing folks reading; having books being re-read and not thrown into a recycling bin. It’s interesting to watch the comings and goings, interact with their neighbours and make new friends. Interesting conversations have been started beside the library. Sometimes there are tangible rewards like treats left for the dog.
Most don’t monitor what others add to the library but some don’t include religious books or eroticism. When there are children’s books, they go quickly. It’s not always books that are left: CDs, puzzles, a Meccano set, crayons, crochet cotton – even plants have been left under a box.
The patrons of the libraries are of all ages: adults, children, young adults, all interests and come from all walks of life.
The neighbours have provided good support and use of the library. There has been little graffiti and comments have been complimentary.
It’s not just libraries. Don’t forget the Free Little Art Gallery can be found on Hilliard St. E
If you know of others, please, tell us where to look (info@qexca.ca).
If you search for “little libraries” online, you will find the “Little Free Library” organisation. Currently in Your Community, only the one on Hilliard St. is registered with the organisation.
Know your responsibilities and risks.
Provided that the library box does not include a permanent structure, there are no issues with erecting your library on City property, including the easement.
The City of Saskatoon and utility providers sometimes need access to public land, for example, to maintain underground utilities or build or repair sidewalks. This means that your library could be removed or damaged. The City and utility providers are not liable for damage to or removal of materials or structures on public land. The same guidelines apply as for Boulevard Gardens.
Can you match the photos to the locations? Do you know of any others Library Boxes in Your Community? Share a photo by email, Facebook or Instagram.
The City of Saskatoon wants the residents of the city to experience all that cities’ parks have to offer; to help do this, the city has created a contest! Until August 18, 2024 you can take a selfie or video at a park in the city then tag the city at @CityofSaskatoon on Facebook, Instagram or X with the hashtag #ExploreYXEParks, only if you are a Saskatoon resident aged 18 or older. If you are lucky, you will win 1 of 14 prize packs, which include a $100 Leisure Gift Card!
Not all parks in the city are included in this contest. Please visit the City of Saskatoon contest page for more information on which parks are included, the official contest rules and suggestions of transit and active transportation methods for getting to your park of choice.
The City of Saskatoon is asking for feedback to help improve the connectivity and accessibility for walking and cycling traffic on Victoria Avenue from Taylor Street to Ruth Street. There are two ways for you to provide input for this project, as you may have seen from the flyer delivered to your door.
On Tuesday, July 23rd, there will be an open house at Avalon Alliance Church (413 Cascade Street) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm that you can ask questions and provide input for this project.
From now until Tuesday, August 20th there is an online survey that you can fill out to share your ideas.
For more information about this project, like the current timeline, please visit the City of Saskatoon website. Your feedback on this project will help shape the future of our community.
If you are looking for a way to keep your kids active this summer, Kids in the Park maybe for you (and your kids)! This year, Kids in the Park will have their drop in soccer program in the Exhibition and Queen Elizabeth neighbourhoods. Starting on Wednesday July 3rd, this program will be held weekly until Wednesday August 21st, as both neighbourhoods have their programs on the same day make sure to double-check the times for which location before attending.
For any questions, or for more information, please visit the Saskatoon Youth Soccer website.
Your community association is looking for additional help to continue to improve our community. Do you want to make a difference in your neighborhood? If so, then we invite you to join the QEXCA!
Currently, we are looking for volunteers for the following positions:
For more information about any of these roles, please read the full Volunteer Opportunities information here. If you are interested in volunteering, you can complete our Volunteer Application form, or email us at volunteers@qexca.ca.
Photo Credit – City of Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon sent out a flyer to residents surrounding Weaver Park to remind them that the dry storm pond and the multi-purpose field are still closed at this time to allow the landscaping to be completed. At this time, it has not been decided when the storm pond and accompanying field will be available to be used by the community.
Many residents and businesses in low lying, older areas have been devastated multiple times by flooding where the storm water system does not have the capacity to adequately manage flash flooding. Streets in these higher-risk flood areas were not designed to convey storm water like they are now in newer neighbourhoods.
The City of Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy (FCS) is underway with the completion of the dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District Park and the nearly completed construction in Churchill Park. The dry ponds are designed to hold storm water that would otherwise cause flooding during intense rainfalls. They are designed to drain within 24 hours, so the area can continue to be utilized as park or recreational space outside of rainfall events.
Plans by Saskatoon Water are on track for the third FCS project: construction of a dry storm pond on the north side of Weaver Park this year. The project, which was approved by City Council on April 25, 2022, will help mitigate flooding near the intersections at Dufferin Ave. and Cascade St. and at Dufferin Ave. and Bute St.
This project update has the latest information about the Weaver Park Project. The next project update is scheduled for 2024.
Related to the Weaver Park Dry Storm Pond Project, the City will be removing and replacing old watermains. If you have been notified of a watermain and service connection replacement project on your street, this short informational video explains the process and what to expect.
As well, this summer, the City will expand the scope of the project to include irrigation upgrades on the south side of the park, which will be fenced off and closed for construction beginning in late-July.
During the dry storm pond project engagement process, the City had committed to keeping the playground open, however this recent change in scope means construction will now be taking place on all four sides of the playground. The playground will also be affected by the irrigation upgrades.
These upgrades mean the park will be completely irrigated – both the pond (north) and the multipurpose field (south).
It is the City’s aim to keep the playground open for as long as possible, but it will eventually be fenced off and temporarily closed. It will reopen this fall or possibly earlier, depending on adjacent construction progress.
If you have any questions about the watermain project, please contact:
Transportation & Construction Division | tel 306.975.2476
Construction & Design Department | Technical Services Department
City of Saskatoon | 222 3rd Avenue North | Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
constructionupdates@saskatoon.ca
Please, visit “Weaver Park Redesign” for a recorded presentation that includes the renderings, information on how the dry storm pond will function and an explanation on the various stages of construction.
For questions or concerns related to this project, please, contact:
Mitch McMann, Storm Water Utility Manager
Saskatoon Water, City of Saskatoon
222 3rd Avenue North Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
Phone: 306-986-0914
E-mail: mitchell.mcmann@saskatoon.ca
This year, Diabetes Canada is asking for Community Champions to organize their own Lace Up walks. A Community Champion would be responsible for picking a location for the 5 km walk and getting other people involved with the walk. This could be anyone, your family, friends, coworkers, church members. By becoming a Community Champion and creating and going on your own Lace Up walk, you will be joining thousands of people across the country to helping fight diabetes by raising awareness and possible donations while also getting some fresh air!
If you are interested in becoming a Community Champion, please look over these steps outlining the process of how your efforts as a Community Champions would need to be used, while also showing what support Diabetes Canada will provide you.
If you have any questions about becoming a Community Champion, please feel free to email the Lace Up team members in the Community Champion step outline.
The QEXCA is now offering our winter edition of Tiny Tots Soccer for free! Would you like an activity for your kids (aged 5 – 7) to be active, have fun, interact with children their own age and learn some soccer skills along the way? Then the Tiny Tots Soccer program could be just what you are looking for. Your children will be encouraged to take part in a variety of age-appropriate games and drills, focused on ways to develop their soccer skills, all while having fun and learning to be a part of a team. Due to the number of children in the program, a parent or adult caregiver must stay during the class to help supervise their children. Weekly commitment is appreciated.
Please see the full schedule for more information about Tiny Tots Soccer. Spots are limited, so if you are interested, please email programs@qexca.ca as soon as you can to guarantee your child’s spot.
The lighting poles at the Queen Elizabeth Rink need to be replaced, for safety concerns because of their age. This replacement will occur on Saturday, December 9 starting at 9 am. During this time, please, stay away from the rink and construction equipment. The end goal of this replacement is to make sure that Your Community Association continues to provide a safe and fun skating environment. Besides addressing safety concerns, the new pole will be taller, which will decrease the light pollution the rink will give off.
If you have any questions, please email info@qexca.ca.
Since 2007 the St. Frances Cree Bilingual school has been educating students in the Exhibition area and beyond. Its current location in the community is just temporary while they worked towards funding and designing their permanent building. This new school, in the Holliston neighbourhood, will feature three stories that will support 600 students from pre-school to grade 9, with 70 additional spots dedicated to childcare; the timeline for this new school completion is Fall of 2025. While it is disappointing to see this school leave the community the new building will provide a better learning environment for a larger number of students. For more information please read the CBC’s Story about this topic: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/st-frances-cree-bilingual-school-building-saskatoon-1.6889170
On June 26, 2023, after inflationary pressures caused delays in construction, the start of construction of the new school was announced. Read More at https://www.gscs.ca/fra/page/5700/new-school-updates.
What is a “Brownfield”? Brownfields can include sites previously used as gas stations, rail yards, dry cleaners, warehouses and storage areas for toxic substances as well as riverbanks, waterfronts, and any other sites where there was a history of commercial or industrial activity. While often associated with environmental contamination, brownfields are not necessarily contaminated. Some brownfield sites may remain underdeveloped because of stigma associated with previous commercial or industrial activity on the site. From the City of Saskatoon’s Brownfield Renewal Strategy & Incentive Program Recommendations Report 2018.
The lot on the south-west corner of Broadway Ave. and Taylor St. was the site of a gas station until the 90s. From 1952, this lot held a radio studio for CFNS, which apparently was the Radio-Prairies Nord Ltee. Station, and was in operation until 1966-67. In 1968 the Broadway Texaco service station began operations. This service station was in business until the late 1990s. In the early 1990s it switched from a Texaco to an Esso service station.
Now it is owned by a former Queen Elizabeth School student, who is conducting environmental remediation processes on the soil. That will take a couple of years to complete and obtain Provincial approval. Until then, the realtor, who is the son-in-law of the owner, has an agreement to use the property, May to October, for food trucks – maybe ice cream and lemonade.
Many thanks to Ken Dahl, City of Saskatoon Archives, for the history of the location.
This story was originally published in our Spring 2023 newsletter. Check the newsletter out if you want to read more stories or find out information about Your Community Association.
