There will be no bee hives on the roof of Saskatoon City Hall
The weight of the hives and bees swarming are potential problems, city report says
A report studying the feasibility of putting bees on the roof of Saskatoon City Hall shows there are a swarm of obstacles around the idea.
Councillor Darren Hill asked the city to provide information regarding the University Saskatchewan's experience with rooftop beekeeping and how to potentially make it feasible at Saskatoon's civic facilities, including City Hall.
The University of Saskatchewan proposed a rooftop beekeeping project on Kirk Hall. It was aimed at providing an educational opportunity for students and at promoting urban food production. The idea was ultimately rejected.
The report — which came up Monday morning at the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services meeting — highlighted potential problems the city would encounter that matched many of those that led to the U of S rejecting the idea.
Those included:
- The weight of hives which could reach 500 pounds (227 kgs).
- The rooftop is not safe for beekeepers.
- The risk of stings because bees would have to be brought through the building to the roof.
- Cold winters could wipe out hives.
- The risk of swarming.
- Access to fresh water for the bees.
- Currently, no staff is available.
Coun. Hill has been looking into the idea for more than a decade but said the challenges for creating rooftop hives were too numerous.
Right now, Saskatoon residents are allowed to have honey bees on their property.
The urban beekeepers are required to register their hives with the Ministry of Agriculture.