All posts by VVCA

Boulevard Gardening Engagement

City of Saskatoon, Garden, VVCA News & Events, ,

The City of Saskatoon is currently reviewing its Boulevard Garden Guidelines to identify:

  • Options and priorities to consider for a Guideline Update 
  • Any concerns residents have with boulevard gardening
  • Ways that the City can support residents who are boulevard gardening
  • If we have missed anything in the review to date

We are engaging the public and project stakeholders at this time with the goal of having all updates to the guidelines implemented prior to the start of the 2021 gardening season. Boulevard gardening is a great, healthy way to grow vegetables, flowers, and community on your block.

We do understand the significant impact COVID-19 is having on community members and organizations at this time. If you would like to provide your input on this project but are unable to during the timeline described below, please contact greenstrategy@saskatoon.ca to discuss other arrangements.

Engagement Opportunities:

  1. Online Public Survey: will be open until January 14 and can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BoulevardGardens. The survey has 28 questions (multiple choice and short written responses) and we estimate it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.  All responses are completely voluntary.   
  1. Stakeholder meetings: If you would like to request an online meeting or phone call with the Project Manager, please respond to greenstrategy@saskatoon.ca. Depending on interest, we may arrange an online drop in meeting to answer questions and take feedback.
  1. Keep updated: If you’d like to receive notifications on the progress of this project, you can sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WT9WZRZ or check out our Engage Page here: https://www.saskatoon.ca/engage/boulevard-gardens.

SCOA January 2021 programs

VVCA News & Events,

Giddy Up Partner with the Mayfair Hub Club – Jan 21, 1 pm
Kick up your toes with this low impact line dance class. Also Globe Walk “Walk the Great Trail” 2021 presentation, test your skills with a Western quiz! Pharmacy tip of the month. Watch for the monthly prize draw. To register, click here

SCOA Coffee Break: Conversations with Physicians – Jan 25, 1 pm
Join us for a conversation with Sask Geriatric EM Physician Dr. Brittany Ellis and geriatrician Dr. Krista Lagimodiere. To register, click here

Joint Presentation: Saskatoon Transit & SCOA – Jan 27, 2 pm
Learn to use the transit system like a pro to get where you need to go! Email Betty betty@scoa.ca or call 306.652.2255 for more information. To register click here

Mindfulness – Jan 19, 1:30 pm
Join us for a presentation with Jeanne Corrigal, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. To register, click here

Check out our classes for seniors! Get “techy” with our advanced workshops, watercolour painting, cooking and more!

For more information visit our website www.scoa.ca or phone 306.652.2255

Saskatoon Council on Aging Inc.
2020 College Drive [Saskatoon Field House]
Phone: 306.652.2255

City: rezoning application 1414 + 1416 Main Street

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, ,

Please be advised that the Planning and Development Division has received a rezoning application for 1414 and 1416 Main Street, located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Main Street and Cumberland Avenue South; details are provided in the attached notice and on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/engage/14141416-main-street.

An online public information meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning is scheduled for Thursday December 10, 2020 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. The meeting will take place through a Microsoft Teams Live event. Please refer to our Engage Page (www.saskatoon.ca/engage/14141416-main-street) for the meeting user guide, and meeting link.

If you have any questions or wish to provide written comment to the Planning and Development Division regarding this application, please contact:

Jim Charlebois | Senior Planner II
306.975.2292
jim.charlebois@saskatoon.ca

Rezoning Proposal

Blackrock Developments Ltd. has applied to rezone 1414 and 1416 Main Street (located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Main Street and Cumberland Avenue South) to facilitate the development of a multiple-unit dwelling, subject to a Zoning Agreement.

The application will also require an Official Community Plan map amendment from “Low Density Residential 1” to “Corridor Residential” to align with the policy framework established in Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9700, 2020.  The intent of the “Corridor Residential” land use designation is to enable the development of a range of housing types in ground-oriented low to medium density residential buildings and provide a transition of densities from the nearby identified BRT network corridor on 8th Street.

The proposed development would be a four-story, apartment style dwelling containing 26 units of varying sizes. A total of 42 on-site parking spaces (12 above ground, 30 below ground) have been proposed. The proposed RM4 Zoning Agreement would ensure that only the specific development proposal put forward by the applicant could be constructed. A location map, renderings, and site plan are included with this information package.

The subject properties are currently zoned R2 – One and Two-Unit Residential District, which provides for residential development of one and two-unit dwellings as well as related community uses.

City: Discretionary use approval

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events,

Planning and Development has received an application from Realscapes Investments Inc. requesting discretionary use approval to operate a short-term rental property at 320 Hugo Avenue in the Varsity View neighbourhood. One off street parking stall is required and no construction or alterations are proposed as part of this application. This site is located in the R2 Zoning District (One and Two-Unit Residential District) which prescribes short-term rental properties as a discretionary use.

Property owners have until December 7 to respond with questions or comments, following that period Planning and Development will determine if there are items that need to be addressed, or if the application can proceed through the approval process. The approving authority for short-term rental properties in the R2 District is City Administration.

This link details further information on the application and the discretionary use process. This notice has been sent to registered property owners 75 metres from the subject site.

Rink Raffle tickets

VVCA News & Events, ,

Don’t forget to buy some raffle tickets for our community (Brunskill) rink renovation fundraiser.

Due to the pandemic, the draw date has been changed to Tuesday FEBRUARY 23, 2021.

Tickets: $5 each or 3 for $10.

See our Rink page for more details.

NOTE that some members of VVCA will be canvassing the community starting the week of November 23 to sell tickets door to door. They will be observing social distancing and best practices for the pandemic.

Winter activities

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, , , ,

Feeling bored? Want to do something outside in this mild winter weather? Good news!

VVCA Community Rink behind Brunskill School is now open. Please keep in mind our rules for use, and also consider buying some raffle tickets for our rink renovation fundraiser. More information can be found here.

Cross Country Ski Trails have been groomed in President Murray and Grosvenor Park parks. Get your wax out!

Saskatchewan Council on Aging Raffle

VVCA News & Events,

The pandemic prevents many older adults from seeing their loved ones, accessing social events, shopping, exercise and other facets of daily life. Social isolation is a serious risk to health and wellness. The Saskatoon Council on Aging helps connect seniors with friends and loved ones as well as the community where they live.  

Tickets on sale now for our “Get Connected” 50/50 raffle! 50 percent of the proceeds go to support programs and services for older adults impacted by the pandemic.

Visit scoa.ca for more information

The Saskatoon Council on Aging is a non-profit organization that works on behalf of the approximately 79,000 older adults 55 and over in Saskatoon and area. 

So you want to be President?

VVCA News & Events, ,

Interested in making your community a little better? The Varsity View Community Association is always looking for volunteers!

VVCA is run by friendly volunteers who organize and attend meetings, provide programs and activites for youth and adults, work with the City regarding development, parking, policing and other issues, keep the rink in good condition, publish a newsletter and website, raise money for community events and projects, and generally try to make the Varsity View and Grosvenor Park neighbourhoods a little nicer to live in.

Sounds fun, right? If something on that short list fills a need in you, or you have other ideas on how to improve your neighbourhood, join us on Zoom at a monthly VVCA board meeting and have your say. We’d love to hear your ideas and would be more than happy to find you a spot on our board if you are interested.

Right now, the VVCA is looking for a President – someone to act as a chair for our meetings, prepare agendas, meet with and represent the community, and inspire us all to improve the community and the City. Sounds like a big job, but it’s more than worth it and there are lots of other volunteers to help share the load.

Email info@vvcasaskatoon.com for more information, or check our About page or Facebook for information on the dates of our next board meeting.

Rink Raffle

VVCA News & Events, , ,

Please support our Varsity View Community Association Rink Renovation Project Raffle!

Our local Varsity View community skating rink brings together adults and children alike for fun with friends and family all winter long with skating and hockey. It feels like old fashioned place where friends and strangers meet, come and go, join an informal game of hockey or skate around and have a chat. From young kids, to college students, to grandparents, all play together and the natural harmony created is infectious.

This community rink is in dire need of a renovation, as the boards and fences are damaged and even dangerous. We are hoping to raise money to re-fence, re-board and regrade the rink, but we must raise money to make this dream a reality!

We created a raffle with the following fabulous prizes, some donated by businesses in our community:

Grand Prize: $1500 cash
2nd Prize: $200 cash plus Crew Rowhouse 12 class pass valued at $225

3rd Prize: $200 cash plus $175 All in the Wild Gallery gift certificate

4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Prize: $50 D’lish by Tish gift cards

3 tickets for $10 or 1 ticket for $5
Draw date: FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Covid-19 put a damper on our fundraising efforts, and the need for community members  to play outside all year-round is greater than ever!

We offer contactless ticket purchase by emailing angela.margaret.jones@gmail.com, and using e-transfer to that email. We will send you a picture of the tickets and ticket numbers, and if you desire the original tickets we will mail them to you.

This is a great local cause and every dollar raised is a dollar that goes straight to the renovation!

Fall 2020 Street Sweeping

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, ,

RE: Time for your beauty sweep!! 2020 fall street sweeping starts October 13

The annual Fall Street Sweeping program gets underway Tuesday, October 13!
Cleaning up leaves in the fall helps prevents them from collecting in gutters causing flooding in the spring.

Only the leafiest streets in the following 11 neighbourhoods will be swept: Buena Vista, Caswell Hill, City Park, Exhibition, Holiday Park, King George, Mayfair, Meadow Green, Nutana, Riversdale and Varsity View.

Check out the area maps at saskatoon.ca/sweep to see which streets are included. Remember, no neighbourhoods have every road swept.

Watch for the yellow “No Parking” signs and move vehicles off the street by 7 a.m. on your sweeping day. Tickets and towing will occur so we can access the full curb lane.

How to prepare:

  1. Clean up leaves that can blow onto the street. Please do not push or blow leaves onto the street. This is illegal and residents may receive a Bylaw Notice. Excess leaves can delay the cleaning schedule or even cause the entire street to be skipped.
  2. Place leaves and yard clippings in your City of Saskatoon green cart or consider taking them to one of the City’s compost depots for free. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/compost.

Find your area sweeping sweeping schedule at saskatoon.ca/sweep. Stay up to date with the City of Saskatoon Service Alerts for any unexpected changes that may affect the sweeping schedule.


Civic Election: mail-in ballots

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, ,

The 2020 Civic Election is November 9, 2020. Eligible voters in Saskatoon will cast their ballot for Mayor, City Councilors and School Board Trustees. This fall, vote your way, vote safely. Apply today https://bit.ly/2GEHlsF.

How to:

Apply in-person by appointment from August 5 to November 8, 2020. Apply online from August 5 to October 30, 2020.

To apply for your mail-in ballot package, you must:
– complete the voter registration and mail-in ballot application form
– have an eligible voter witness your signature when completing the application. Any eligible voter in the 2020 Saskatoon civic election can be a witness

Your mail-in voting package will arrive in the mail in mid-October, along with a ballot and self-addressed, stamped envelope. 
Once you receive your mail-in ballot package, follow these instructions. Return your ballot package back promptly.

Note: In order to be counted, mail-in ballots must be received at the 2020 Civic Election Office at 226 Cardinal Crescent before 8:00 pm on Election Day, November 9.