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Saskatoon, SK
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Saskatoon is located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River, with a metro population of 233,923. Saskatoon is the most populous city in the province of Saskatchewan, and has been since the mid-1980s when it surpassed the provincial capital of Regina. Residents of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians.
Saskatoon is often called the "City of Bridges" for its seven river crossings (it is also occasionally referred to as "The Paris of the Prairies", for the same reason). The name Saskatoon comes from the Cree inanimate noun "misâskwatômina," which refers to a sweet, violet-coloured berry which grows in the area. A long-time nickname for Saskatoon is "Hub City", while the name is also commonly abbreviated "S'toon". Following the release of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988, the city became popularly known as "'Toontown", after a similarly named location in the film, although the nickname "'Toontown" had been in use in Saskatoon prior to the film's release. Another, less commonly used nickname is "POW City". POW stands for Potash, Oil, and Wheat.
Saskatoon is often called the "City of Bridges" for its seven river crossings (it is also occasionally referred to as "The Paris of the Prairies", for the same reason). The name Saskatoon comes from the Cree inanimate noun "misâskwatômina," which refers to a sweet, violet-coloured berry which grows in the area. A long-time nickname for Saskatoon is "Hub City", while the name is also commonly abbreviated "S'toon". Following the release of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988, the city became popularly known as "'Toontown", after a similarly named location in the film, although the nickname "'Toontown" had been in use in Saskatoon prior to the film's release. Another, less commonly used nickname is "POW City". POW stands for Potash, Oil, and Wheat.
HistoryThe first permanent settlement of Saskatoon occurred in 1883 when Toronto Methodists, wanting to escape the liquor trade in that city, decided to set up a "dry" community in the rapidly-growing Prairie region. The settlers, led by John Lake, arrived on the site of what is now Saskatoon by traveling by railway from Ontario to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and then completing the final leg via horse-drawn cart (the railway had yet to be completed to Saskatoon). The city, however, celebrated its centennial in 1982, as the initial location for the settlement was identified in 1882.
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 was annexed by the fast growing City of Saskatoon.
ClimateSaskatoon is in a dry-prairie/savanna biome and experiences warm summers and very cold winters. The city has four distinct seasons. Extreme temperatures range from -50°C in winter to 41°C (-58°F to 104°F) in summer. Saskatoon is fairly dry; the average annual precipitation is 347.2mm (13.7in), with the summer being the wettest season. A positive aspect of the low precipitation is that Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in Canada as a result, averaging 2,381 hours of bright sunshine annually. The extreme temperatures are also more tolerable on account of the typically low humidity.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was -50°C in 1893. The lowest wind chill ever recorded was -61.9°C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was 41°C in 1988.
GeographySaskatoon 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.
LandmarksOne of the city's best known landmarks is the Delta Bessborough, better known as The Bessborough, the Hotel Bessborough or, more colloquially, "The Bess" (or "The Bez"; the latter is phonetic). Built by the Canadian National Railway as a railway hotel during the Great Depression of the 1930s as a make-work project, the hotel was designed to resemble a Bavarian castle. The hotel has passed out of the ownership of the CNR and has survived several changes in ownership, as well as the suggestion that it be demolished in order to restore the riverbank. The Bessborough and the Mendel Art Gallery are currently the only two major structures located on the river side of Spadina Crescent. Over the years, the Bessborough has become Saskatoon's most iconic symbol and most recognizable skyline feature; one of the most frequently-circulated photographs depicting Saskatoon is of the hotel framed in one of the arches of the Broadway Bridge
The city is currently redeveloping the south downtown region of River Landing. This redevelopment will result in the development of a Hotel/Spa to the downtown core, a huge, new theater complex with twelve theatres with stadium-style seating owned by Cineplex Entertainment which opened in the Summer of 2006, parkland, a new facility for Persephone Theatre (currently located outside the downtown core), and a year round home for the Saskatoon Farmers Market.
EducationSaskatoon has a number of higher education institutions:
University of SaskatchewanSt. Thomas More College is a Catholic federated college of the University of Saskatchewan. Affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan are the Lutheran Theological Seminary, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad (Anglican Church of Canada), and St. Andrew's College (United Church of Canada). All three are located on the university campus. The First Nations University of Canada Saskatoon campus is located at the corner of 7th Ave. N. & Duke St., with the main campus in Regina.
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and TechnologyGabriel Dumont Institute
Saskatoon has 78 elementary schools and 14 high schools (with three more under construction), serving about 37,000 students. Saskatoon has two school boards, The Saskatoon Public School Division and the Saskatoon Catholic School Division.
Saskatoon is home to five units of the Canadian Cadet Movement:
2293 The North Saskatchewan Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - Homepage328 Medical Cadet Corps45 Sea Cadet Corps702 Air Cadet Squadron107 Air Cadet SquadronArts and cultureGalleries and museumsThe Mendel Art Gallery is situated on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. Over its 41 year history, the Mendel Art Gallery’s permanent collection has grown to exceed 5,000 works of art. In 2005, it began a major renovation project that will expand the size of the gallery by seventy per cent. 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 Mendel has reportedly rejected this suggestion.
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is also 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, and displays them for public viewing. It has branches in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto.
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.
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.
Events and festivalsSaskatoon's major arts venue is the Saskatoon Centennial Auditorium, recently renamed as TCU Place in January 2006, 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. It recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to its main theatre (named in honor of former mayor and senator Sidney Buckwold) and in 2005 began an expansion to add additional convention facilities; this project was scheduled for completion in the spring of 2006.
For rock concerts and major shows, the Credit Union Centre (formerly Saskatchewan Place) is the main venue. It is Saskatchewan's largest arena, with a capacity of 11,300 for sporting events and 14,000 for concerts. Musical acts from Saskatoon include Wide Mouth Mason and The Northern Pikes.
Saskatoon hosts many festivals and events in the summer, including the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Northern Saskatchewan International Children's Festival, the Saskatoon International Fringe Festival (a showcase of alternative theatre), FolkFest (a cultural festival), and the Canada Remembers Airshow.
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. They park in the downtown core on the Sunday. No admission is charged and everyone is free to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Around 5 or 6 p.m. most of the vehicles cruise to the east side and go up and down 8th Street. Hundreds of people line the streets to watch the constant stream of vintage cars and hopefully catch a glimpse of some tire squealing or other antics. The city police are constantly vigilant and more than a few cars have ended up on a tow truck hook, taken away to the impound.
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. Until the late 1990s the fair was held in mid-July, and for many years coincided with "Louis Riel Day", a downtown-based celebration of the life of the famous rebel, which included a canoe/running/horseback riding relay race winding through the parks on both sides of the river and on the river itself. Other events included a cabbage roll-eating contest, tug-of-war competitions and live musical performances. Louis Riel Day was a regular summer event from the late 1960s until the early 1990s when a lack of major sponsors forced its cancellation. 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.
Movie theatresAt present, there is only one single-screen theatre in the city- the Broadway Theatre, which primarily shows arthouse films, while the Roxy (formerly the Towne Cinema has two), an "atmospheric-style" theatre which recently reopened after sitting unused for over a decade and is part of the Rainbow Chain. The remainder of the city's theatres are multiplex-style buildings. In the downtown core, there are only two theatres: the Capitol 4 and the Galaxy. The city's other movie theatres are the Rainbow (a second-run cinema) and the Centre Cinemas, located adjacent to each other in The Centre mall on the city's east side.
Royal presenceVisitors to SaskatoonEdward VIII (as Prince of Wales) - 1919King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth - 1939Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh - 1951, 1959, 1978, 1987, 2005Princess Margaret - 1980The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) - 2001The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) - 1982, 2004The Duke and Duchess of York (Prince Andrew and Sarah) - 1989The Earl of Wessex (as Prince Edward) - 1978
HighlightsSeveral public schools are named for members of Canada's Royal family, including Ecole Victoria School, King George School, Queen Elizabeth School, Prince Philip School Princess Alexandra School, King Edward School (1912-1979).Existing and historic hotels have had royal namesakes, including the King George (1912), the King Edward (1906), the Queen's Hotel, the Royal Hotel and the Patricia Hotel. The Hotel Bessborough was named for a Canadian Governor General who visited the landmark under construction in the 1930s.Ramon John Hnatyshyn, 24th Governor General of Canada, was born in Saskatoon and attended Victoria School, Nutana Collegiate Institute, and the University of Saskatchewan.Royal University Hospital is one of four royally-designated organisations or institutions in Saskatchewan.378 Saskatoon residents were recipients of Canada's Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Queen of Canada's accession to the throne.Several neighbourhoods, parks and streets also have royal namesakes, including King George and Queen Elizabeth neighbourhoods, Victoria and Coronation parks, Prince of Wales Avenue, Princess Street, King Street, King Crescent, Royal Avenue, Windsor Street, Queen Street, Victoria Avenue, Balmoral Street, Empress Avenue, Empress Street.Sports and recreationIce hockey is one of the most popular sports in Saskatoon and is home to many strong amateur teams. Such as the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, who host their games in Credit Union Centre (formerly known as Saskatchewan Place). As well Saskatoon is home to many amateur teams at the Junior B and Midget AAA levels, as well as several youth teams. The biggest chance for 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. Credit Union Centre Seats approximately 11,000 people for ice hockey
As for women's hockey, Saskatoon and the province as a whole are represented by the Saskatchewan Prairie Ice of the NWHL, which is based near Regina in Lumsden. However, there is a strong youth female hockey presence in Saskatoon with a Midget AAA team and several youth teams in the city.
Canadian football is likely the most successful on field sport in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Hilltops of the Canadian Junior Football League host their games at Gordie Howe Bowl. The Hilltops have won 12 national junior championships throughout their history. As well, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies are one of the top University football programs in Canada. The Huskies have played in four of the last five Vanier Cup games, including the most recent in 2006 held in Saskatoon. As well, many Saskatonians support the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. The Roughriders play in Regina but are notable for their strong support from all areas of the province.
Baseball, however has been less than well supported in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Yellow Jackets college summer league baseball team is a member of the Western Major Baseball League and play their games at Cairns Field. They are not affiliated with any Major League Baseball team nor do they carry any professional players. In the past other teams have attempted to grace Saskatoon's professional sports landscape including the Saskatoon Riot, Saskatoon Smokin' Guns, Saskatoon Stallions and the latest being the Saskatoon Legends, who folded during the 2003 season. However, there is hope that the Golden Baseball League will find an owner for its proposed Saskatoon franchise and begin play in 2008 or 2009 at Cairns Field.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies play Canadian Interuniversity Sport league games at the University Campus. Their facilities include 4,997 seat Griffiths Stadium, 700 seat Rutherford Arena, and a new state-of-the-art Physical Activity Complex 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 men's hockey and football lately.
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 Credit Union Centre, while the SWAT split their games between Credit Union Centre and Kinsmen Arena. The SWAT play Tier I, Junior B lacrosse and will play their inaugural season in early 2007. The indoor soccer franchise intends to begin full operations in 2008.
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.
For horse racing fans, Marquis Downs at Prairieland Park offers live horse racing from May to October.
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.
See: List of Sports Franchises in Saskatoon
Facilities and servicesLaw and order Saskatoon Police Service Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corman Park Police Service Saskatoon Correctional Centre Regional Psychiatric Centre
HospitalsRoyal University HospitalSaskatoon City HospitalSt. Paul's HospitalSister cities Umeå (Västerbotten, Sweden) Shijiazhuang (Hebei, China)
Tampere (Pirkanmaa, Finland) Chernivtsi (Ukraine)Notables
Notable persons who were born, grew up or lived in Saskatoon:
Kaare Andrews - comic book artist Mel Angelstad - professional ice hockey player Colby Armstrong - NHL hockey player - Pittsburgh Penguins Brent Ashton - Former NHL Hockey Player Mike Babcock - NHL head coach - Detroit Red Wings Lorne Babiuk - Director, VIDO Jon Ballantyne - NYC Jazz musician Composer, Artist Wade Belak - NHL player - Toronto Maple Leafs Allan Blakeney - former Premier of Saskatchewan Derek Boogaard - NHL hockey player - Minnesota Wild Sidney Buckwold - former Mayor of Saskatoon Sandy Burnett - record producer Ethel Catherwood - Olympic medalist John Diefenbaker - former Prime Minister of Canada Shane Endicott - NHL hockey player Dallas Stars Sylvia Fedoruk - scientist, former Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Don Freed - singer/songwriter Dawna Friesen - NBC journalist Gayleen Froese - author Michael Garnett - NHL Goaltender - Atlanta Thrashers Joanna Glass - playwright Glenda Goertzen - author Tom Grummett - comic book artist Chris Hajt - professional ice hockey player - Lukko Stu Hart - professional wrestling patriarch Ray Hnatyshyn - former Governor General of Canada Gordie Howe - former NHL elite hockey player Bill Hunter - ice hockey entrepreneur Miklos Kanitz - Holocaust survivor Dave King - university and NHL hockey coach Regan Lauscher - Canadian luge champion Catriona LeMay Doan - speed skater, Olympic medalist Curtis Leschyshyn - former NHL hockey player Keith Magnuson - former NHL hockey player, Chicago Blackhawks (d. 2003) Tyler Mane -ex pro wrestler and actor Yann Martel - Booker Prize winning author Mike Maurer - CFL fullback Chris McAllister - Former NHL hockey player Dr. Michael D. Mehta - professor, author, Director of SaskPower and Canadian Blood Services Andrea Menard - musician, actress Cameron Mitchell - actor Joni Mitchell - musician, artist Keith Morrison - former NBC television news anchor Farley Mowat - novelist Carey Nelson - long-distance runner Darin Nesbitt - professor at Douglas College Jim Pattison - billionnaire businessman Michaela Pereira - KTLA Morning Show co-anchor Northern Pikes - Rock Band Rich Pilon - former NHL hockey player Roy Romanow - former Premier of Saskatchewan Dr. W.A.S. Sarjeant, a.k.a. Antony Swithin - geology professor and author Theresa Sokyrka - musician, artist Brent Sopel - NHL hockey player - Chicago Blackhawks Don Sparrow - illustrator David Sutcliffe - actor Brian Skrudland - former NHL hockey forward / 2 time Stanley Cup Champion. Arthur Slade - author Jarret Stoll - NHL hockey player - Edmonton Oilers Roderick Toombs, a.k.a. Rowdy Roddy Piper - WWE wrestler Shannon Tweed - actress and one-time Playboy Playmate of the Year, partner of Gene Simmons of Kiss and mother of his kids Guy Vanderhaeghe - author Cam Ward - NHL hockey goaltender - Carolina Hurricanes Wide Mouth Mason - Rock Band Ed Whalen - host, Stampede Wrestling Grant Wilson - actor The Deep Dark Woods - Alt-country Band Henry Woolf - actor Janet Wright - actress and cast member of Corner GasSaskatoon in popular cultureMovies and television At one point in the 2007 movie Hannibal Rising, a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal is said to be looking for someone in a small town south of Saskatoon.
Television Series
In a "Simpsons" episode, Homer, upon obtaining Canadian health cards in order to get cheap drugs, is told that he can buy enough drugs "to make Regina look like Saskatoon."
Music Rock band Wide Mouth Mason, who hail from Saskatoon, have a song titled "Unfolding" that contains the lyric "It's a lazy afternoon on the eastside of Saskatoon." Canadian rock group The Guess Who recorded a song called "Running Back To Saskatoon." Johnny Cash co-wrote and recorded a song called "The Girl From Saskatoon." A verse in country singer Sammy Kershaw's song "Anywhere But Here" goes "Well I hear it's cold up in Saskatoon but it couldn't be colder than our bedroom." A verse in City and Colour's song "Comin' Home" goes "I've been through the Rockies, I've seen Saskatoon." Punk band No Fun At All's song "My Extraordinary Mind" contains the lyrics "Sunday afternoon, I was bending every spoon/Stopping all the clocks in Saskatoon." The opening line of the Tragically Hip song "Wheat Kings" refers to Saskatoon: "Sundown in the Paris of the Prairies . . ." In the movie Slap Shot, Sonny James sings a song called "A Little Bit South of Saskatoon." Soul Coughing in their song "Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago," proclaims, "Saskatoon is in the room." Old Crow Medicine Show in their song Cocaine Habit Saskatoon is mentioned. In his song, West St. James, Winnipeg singer Greg Macpherson mentions Saskatoon: "After a 7 hour delay in Saskatoon yesterday." The Men They Couldn't Hang in their song "Grave Robbing in Gig Harbour" refer to a dead beauty queen and the man who loved her: "She was extricated from her tomb / By a broken man from Saskatoon"
BooksIn the Mark Twain novel, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court avoids being burned at the stake as a heretic by "conjuring" a solar eclipse. Midway through the string of nonsense that he spouts as an incantation is the phrase, "Saskatoon, Saskatchewan."In David Letterman's Book of Top Ten Lists and Zesty Lo-Cal Chicken Recipes, in the list "Top Ten signs you are at a bad airport" it says: All flights are either coming from or going to Saskatoon, Canada.External linksCity of Saskatoon Official WebsiteTourism SaskatoonAn Interactive Map of Saskatoon Narratives of Saskatoon 1882-1912Development planning map as of October 13, 2005. (PDF format).Narratives of Saskatoon Ferry in the early days 1882-1912
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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By seekthestars
7 days
Heading back to Canada from Ft Lauderdale to Saskatchewan. Any tips?
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By jcwarren
14 days
Alberta & Saskatchewan
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2 people reviewed Saskatoon
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Top
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at 5:12PM May 29, 2008
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at 6:19AM May 29, 2008
The only good city in Saskatchewan
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