All posts by VVCA

March Greetings from your Councillor

VVCA News & Events,

Dear Varsity View residents:

The best thing about winter in Saskatchewan is how it helps us appreciate the longer and warmer days of spring. I love those first warm days in Saskatoon when people flood out onto the MVA trails and parks and share the euphoria of the new season – hopefully coming soon.

As you read this we are right in the final stages of getting the Varsity View Local Area Plan to City Council. Thanks so much to all of the residents who have spent their valuable evenings in meetings with each other debating ideas for your neighbourhood into the future on parking, traffic, parks, infill, cycling, safety, the University, and more. The document is rich with information and ideas about Varsity View and worth reading especially if you live there! It is available on-line – probably easiest to find if you search Varsity View Local Area Plan on Google.

(City of Saskatoon link to VVCA LAP)

I am interested to hear your feedback about the snow clearing/removal operations that we have had so far in 2013/14. While we didn’t have as much snow as last year, with the additional funding from the budget we did change quite a few things up and are doing a review of the program to see what worked and didn’t work. I am also hopeful that we are going to see a much improved street sweeping program this spring too.

The Neighbourhood Infill Design Guidelines/Granny suite recommendations should be coming to Council this spring – after a great deal of work by many Ward 6 residents providing input and direction to this process.

We are also into a very important stage with the Growth planning work we are doing through the Growing Forward/Shaping Saskatoon planning process. We are getting down to brass tacks on overhauling and modernizing the Transit system, developing an Active Transportation Master Plan, determining the best way to build “density corridors” and sorting out the best way to get people across the river. This is laying a foundation now for a new design our City for the future. There will be more public meetings, and you can check out www.growingfwd.ca to learn more and provide your ideas.

If you want more information on this or anything else – please check our my website at www.charlieclark.ca – and you can sign up for my riveting civic e-newsletter too!

Enjoy the spring!
Charlie Clark
306 229.4447
Charlie.clark@saskatoon.ca
@charlieclark6 on Twitter

VVCA Annual Social/Fundraising Event

VVCA News & Events,

VVCA Annual Social & Fundraising Event 2014 Poster

Varsity View Community Association would like to invite you to our annual social and fundraising event. 19+ event.

Event Details:

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Louis’ Pub at the U of S

Steak/Chicken/Vegetarian Meal and Dessert
Doors open at 6 pm, Live Band: In the Queue, First Set at 8 pm

$25 per person for Dinner and Entertainment

Tickets available through an executive member or

by sending a request to varsityviewca@gmail.com

You can download our event poster here.

Walk for MS on April 27

VVCA News & Events, ,

Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world. Based on current incidence rates, the MS Society of Canada estimates that approximately 1000 new cases of MS are diagnosed in Canada each year, which means three more Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. Chances are you have a relative, friend, coworker, acquaintance or classmate with the condition.

“My role as a mother of two children living with MS is to listen, provide encouragement and believe in the hope that one day we will end MS. I encourage everyone to raise as much money as possible to ensure the research and support is there for all the people we love.” – Joan McFarlane-Rolfs, 20+ yr Saskatchewan Blue Cross MS Walker

Lace up your walking shoes and take a step for someone you love. Join us in the fight to end MS. The Saskatchewan Blue Cross MS WALK in Saskatoon takes place on April 27th, 2014 at the Archibald Arena.

For more information or to register and to start fundraising, visit www.mswalks.ca or call 306 244-2114.

Family Dance!

VVCA News & Events, , ,

The Brunskill Home and School Association, along with the Varsity View Cooperative Preschool, are hosting a Family Dance for preschoolers and grades K-5 and their families, on Friday, April 4th 2014, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Though the event is aimed at the younger grades, all are welcome to attend.

A pizza dinner will be held in the small gym from 5:30 to 6:30. Order forms will be sent home closer to the event. A concession will have a iimited amount of pizza by the slice to purchase, as well as drinks and snacks. Glow stick sales, a 50/50 draw and face painting will also be part of this fun filled evening! Mark your calendars!

See the Varsity View Cooperative Preschool site for downloadable pizza supper order form.

No supervision will be provided. Parents must attend with their children.

Earth Hour 2014

VVCA News & Events, ,

As many of you may know, Earth Hour 2014 is just around the corner! On Saturday, March 29th at 8:30pm, the City of Saskatoon will join others from across Saskatoon (and around the world) to take part in this global event to acknowledge the importance of environmental awareness and action, during and beyond the hour.

This year, the City of Saskatoon is inviting community associations, businesses, organizations, students and community members to share their Earth Hour stories online. An online forum is available at http://shapingsaskatoon.ca/forums/earth-hour for people to post why they feel earth hour is important, how they’ve participated in the past, and what they’re planning this year. We hope members of your community association will consider contributing to this online discussion, as well as help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with friends, family, and colleagues.

Saskatoon Transit is also offering FREE Transit on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 7:30 pm until 1:00 am as a way of showing support for action on climate change. Reduce your footprint and save money by giving transit a try!

We also encourage you to post your Earth Hour photos online to show the world how you’re participating in Earth Hour! Simply post your photos to your Facebook or Twitter account on March 29 with the hashtag #yxeEarthHour to show how you’re taking action on climate change. Two lucky winners will be drawn to receive a 1 month bus pass and transit promo prize pack from Saskatoon Transit!

To find out more about Earth Hour 2014, please visit: http://www.saskatoon.ca/departments/utility%20services/environmental%20services/pages/earthhour.aspx

University student project: Varsity View & U of S

VVCA News & Events, , ,

My name is Megan Vandendriessche and I am a Regional and Urban Planning student at the University of Saskatchewan. For one of my classes, entitled INCC 310: Cultural Heritage Mapping, I am focusing on examining the cultural influences that the University of Saskatchewan has had on shaping the development of Varsity View from 1907 to present day. I am interested in any sources or stories that may help me determine these influences. I hope to share my findings with the Community of Varsity View when the project is finished.

If you, or know someone who would have some information to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at: mlv304@mail.usask.ca BEFORE April 1st, 2014.

University student project: Varsity View Commercial Area

VVCA News & Events, ,

My name is Brittney Beckie and I am a Regional and Urban Planning student at the University of Saskatchewan. For one of my classes, entitled INCC 310: Cultural Heritage Mapping, I am focusing on developing an inventory of the commercial businesses that have been and are currently located within Varsity View.

I am aware that Varsity View was originally zoned Residential A (one or two family dwellings). However, some businesses did locate within Varsity View and I want to find out more information on the variances to the bylaw that would have had to occur too allow those businesses to locate within the community. Essentially, I am looking at the relationship between the commercial and residential aspects of the community throughout the years.

If you, or if anyone you know has valuable information on this topic, please do not hesitate to email me at bfb606@mail.usask.ca before APRIL 1, 2014.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,

Engineering for Kids camps

VVCA News & Events,

Engineering for Kids offers STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) enrichment for kids ages 4-14. Sessions are inquiry-based and every lesson has a hands-on component. Programs are delivered through camps, clubs, birthday parties, after school classes, and workshops.

Registration for Spring Camps (April 21-25) and Summer Camps is now available online – see Camps on the website. We are also offering a series of 90-minute classes on Saturdays – see Classes. The next common dismissal days are May 16th and June 27th – see Clubs.

Click the ‘Register’ link to the left of the website.

Summer Band Camp Program

VVCA News & Events, ,

The 2014 Summer Band Camp program is now open to online registrations.

All of the information and online registration is available on the SBA website. Just click on the band camp you are interested in to be taken to the registration information area.

Print brochures will be distributed to band directors over the next few weeks if you prefer to register by mail. You can also download a print registration form from our website.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the SBA office or your local camp coordinator.

Dates
Saskatoon Junior: July 20 -25
Saskatoon Senior: July 27 to August 1
Regina Junior/Senior: July 27 to August 1
Yorkton Junior: August 10-15
Kenosee Junior: August 17-22

Varsity View LAP Moving Forward!

VVCA News & Events, , ,

The Varsity View Local Area Plan (LAP) continues to move forward toward adoption by City Council.
The tentative schedule includes:
• Municipal Planning Commission – Tuesday, March 18th (noon – Committee Room A – City Hall),
• Neighbourhood-wide come & go open house – Wednesday, March 19th (4:30pm-7:00pm – Brunskill School Library),
• Planning & Operations Committee – Tuesday, March 25th (noon – Committee Room A – City Hall),
• City Council – Monday, March 31st (7:00pm – City Council Chambers – City Hall).

U of S College Quarter Recreation Plan

VVCA News & Events, , ,

The University is undertaking a Recreation Plan to further develop concepts for the development of the College Quarter. The College Quarter Master Plan, adopted in 2009, sets the framework for the development of College Quarter over the coming years to create an academic and mixed-use village that will welcome both campus users and the surrounding community. A University is not only a place of learning. It also has a role to play in the social, physical and emotional well-being of the community, students, faculty and staff that call it home. The Recreation Plan for College Quarter will complement the existing development plan, creating spaces for movement, sports, play and socializing.

The College Quarter Master Plan integrates athletic fields, student amenity spaces, Griffiths Stadium, PotashCorp Park, the GreenWay and the Saskatoon Field House with new buildings. The University is now working with the community, city-wide stakeholders and campus user groups to refine this plan and add to it – identifying needs, sharing ideas
and brainstorming options for large and small, indoor and outdoor, active and passive recreation options.

How can the plan accommodate a broad range of year-round activities within College Quarter that appeal to a variety of users?
How can it foster a healthy life-style, play and interaction?
How can it provide spaces that draw people outside to sit, unwind and get to know one another?

Some ideas for the Recreation Plan that have been suggested include:
• Trails and cross-country ski loop
• Disc Golf Course
• Bouldering/rock climbing
• Community gardening
• Shaded/protected picnic tables
• Outdoor classrooms
• Skating
• Outdoor adult fitness and child play equipment
• Open air amphitheatre
• Cricket pitch

Complete the Online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RecPlan

Join us at the Ideas Fair
February 27, 7-9 p.m.
Room 224-225 Main Floor, Williams Building 221 Cumberland Avenue North

See PDF.

More info at: http://www.usask.ca/corporate_admin/real_estate/#Quarter

2014 Heritage Festival of Saskatoon

VVCA News & Events, ,

The 2014 Heritage Festival of Saskatoon will celebrate the diversity of Saskatoon and area with the theme Bridge Mixture: Who Do You Think We Were? on Sunday, February 2, 2014, 12 – 5 pm at the Western Development Museum, 2610 Lorne Avenue.

Come explore the rich diversity of Saskatoon from past to present through the variety of heritage and multi-cultural themed displays & interactive exhibits throughout the museum.

Join in the opening parade! Chat with our exhibitors or get answers to your questions. Try your hand at old-time activities or brush up on your “home skills”. Play a game. Learn more about the cultural landscape of Saskatoon. Hands-on activities & demonstrations are offered throughout the afternoon. Entertainment on two stages features performances by fantastic children’s entertainers, dancers, singers, and musicians. Free Admission to the Museum and Festival.

ALSO: Archives Week, February 2-8, 2014, is an annual event showcasing the role that archives and archivists play in preserving and making available Saskatchewan’s documentary heritage. Activities in communities across the province include celebrity reading events, film nights, open houses, exhibits and more.

In Saskatoon they will be displaying, with other members of the Saskatoon Archival Community, in the Archives Pavilion at the Heritage Festival of Saskatoon, Western Development Museum on Sunday, February 2nd from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Admission is FREE!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 7:30 pm: Spotlight on the Past: Celebrity Readings from Archives in Saskatchewan,
– Free admission, refreshments available for purchase
– Doors open at 7:00, event starts at 7:30 pm at “The Bassment”, 202 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon
– Come discover Saskatchewan’s fascinating past – both playful and profound, featuring readers Dwayne Brenna, Amy Jo Ehman, Leisha Grebinski, Skip Kutz, Vera Pezer, and Jeff Rogstad