Saskatoon committee to consider funding new school playgrounds, increased funds to U of S rink
CBC News | Posted: January 30, 2017 1:14 AM | Last Updated: January 30, 2017
Standing policy committee on planning, development and community services meeting Monday morning
The City of Saskatoon will consider putting money toward playgrounds at four new joint-use schools opening in the fall.
At Monday's meeting of the standing policy committee on planning, development and community services, a report will be heard on the request for funding for the playgrounds.
In a joint letter from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Saskatoon Public Schools, the city was asked to give a one-time contribution to play facilities planned at the schools opening in the Evergreen, Rosewood, Stonebridge and Hampton Village neighbourhoods.
The plan is for each site to include a large outdoor basketball court and two playgrounds for each of the two schools.
The letter acknowledged that the school divisions normally involve school community councils, community associations and the city to plan for the playground's design and fundraising.
The report will recommend that city council approve a contribution up to $800,000 for the play structures; the school divisions had referenced a recent purchase and installation of a play structure that cost approximately $200,000.
The report also recommends another $400,000 be given for park landscaping and construction costs to integrate neighbourhood park parcels with the school sites.
Home Ice Campaign returns
The committee will also again be hearing from the Home Ice Campaign on its request for the City of Saskatoon to contribute an addition $3 million to a twin ice rink at the University of Saskatchewan.
The city has already agreed to pay $1 million toward Merlis Belsher Place.
Earlier this month, the campaign asked the committee that the amount be increased. Councillors at the meeting asked the campaign to provide more information about its funding requests to federal and provincial governments.
The committee also wanted more detail on how the project would benefit community groups and winter sports other than hockey.