Saskatoon white water park group considering private sponsors, federal funding

The white water park proposal has recently resurfaced in Saskatoon and now the project is looking to move forward without provincial or municipal funding.

Advocates for the park say they will go to the private sector for money, as well as the federal government. First proposed nearly a decade ago, the water park is designed to cater to rafting, tubing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming.

For many people in Saskatoon, the South Saskatchewan River feels like something to look at — but not touch, according to Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark. 

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​​​People who enjoy being on the water like Jonathan Storey, co-owner of Escape Sports, feel the park could offer people a fantastic way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

​"I think anything that can make that river more accessible to people in terms of just getting them near the water, in the water. encouraging people to get out there and swim and be active, I think that's just a fantastic thing to be promoting," said Storey.

Saskatoon has bylaws against swimming in the river, and often times the dangers of going in the river are the focus, rather than the river itself.

"There's this weird dynamic of, you're kind of encouraged to get out and be active, yet, don't swim. You're going to get a ticket," said Storey, who is part of the committee proposing the park.

He often goes for paddles in the river and would to have more people in city enjoy the river.

• Whitewater park proposed for Saskatoon weir area

That's something the Mayor Clark agrees with. 

"We have this beautiful river in the middle of the community but, you sort of look at it, but don't touch it," said Clark during his State of the City speech last week.

When the park was first proposed to the City of Saskatoon, it was decided that instead of building the park, the city would build new bridges and an art gallery.

But now with the city of Saskatoon looking to build a $65 million power plant at the weir with the help of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, building the park would be much cheaper.

Originally a $4 million budget was proposed for the project. With the power plant being built, the group proposing the park says that would be cut down to $3 million.

Do we really need it right now?- Ivan Landego, commenting on the proposed white water park

"Do we really need it right now?" asked Ivan Landego, as he walked along the river.

"I mean a lot of people aren't working and already [the city] is looking at a $9 million deficit. I mean maybe we don't need a  white water park quite yet."

Mayor Clark said as long the project is accessible to the entire community, then he's on board with it. 

However, the exact cost and details of the power plant won't be know until later in 2017, and as a result the actual cost of the park won't be known until then.