Calling bird-lovers

VVCA News & Events, , ,

Calling all bird-loving walkers! 

Birds in Real Danger, Saskatoon (B.I.R.D.S) aims to reduce bird-window strikes in the city, and we need your help to do it! All you need is a camera (your phone works great!), some paper, a pen, and a few bags, and you can help document evidence of birds injured or killed by window strikes.

Hundreds of birds are treated at Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation after striking windows – and those are just the ones lucky enough to survive the impact and be found by a caring person.

With the ongoing development of larger buildings, many covered in glass and on or near the riverbank, the City of Saskatoon may well see an increase in the number of bird injuries and mortalities from collisions with glass structures. By documenting occurrences of bird collisions with windows, and by educating the public on the issue, BIRDS aims to gain support for the adoption of bird-friendly guidelines for buildings. 

If you’d like to join us in looking for evidence of window strikes in Saskatoon’s downtown area, on the University campus, or even in your own neighborhood, contact us at lswr@sasktel.net. 

Your regular walk might just save the birds!

Saskatoon Transit to resume June 8

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, ,

Saskatoon Transit to resume fare collection: to align with Re-Open SK Phase 3

As the province and our community move toward re-opening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Saskatoon Transit will resume loading passengers and collecting fares at the front doors starting June 8, 2020.  

“Our team will always keep the safety of our customers and employees at the forefront of everything we do, which is why we went to rear door boarding and suspended fare collection.” says Jim McDonald, Director, Saskatoon Transit. “Saskatoon Transit is proud to provide transportation services our customers can rely on as we move into Phase Three of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.”   

New measures:  
·  Front door loading and fare collection will resume effective June 8, 2020.   
·  Vinyl panels are being installed as protective barriers for operators. Operators have also been issued gloves and re-useable masks for protection of themselves and riders. 
·   One-way passenger flow: boarding through the front and exiting through the rear doors of the bus. 
o   Exceptions will be made for customers with mobility aids to exit through the front of the bus.   
·  Transit riders are encouraged to follow the recommendations for using face masks or face coverings on buses and at bus stops. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends wearing a non-medical mask where physical distancing is not possible or is unpredictable. 
·  Saskatoon Transit will continue to monitor capacity on buses, and customers may experience pass-ups. 
o   Riders are encouraged to use the mobile app called “transit” to check the schedules in advance and attempt to travel at non-peak times as much as possible.

“Following the guidance of the Chief Medical Health Officer and drawing on the best practices of the transit industry worldwide, Saskatoon Transit has implemented additional safety measures. We’ll also continue with many of the procedures and practices already at work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” McDonald says.   

Measures already in place that will continue:  
·        Enhanced bus cleaning and sanitizing   
·        Additional personal protective equipment for Access Transit operators   
·        Communication to staff and riders encouraging good personal hygiene 
·        Rear door loading with no fare collection until June 7, 2020  

As restrictions begin to lift and people gradually return to some activities they did prior to March 2020, Saskatoon Transit wants to ensure everyone gets where they need to be as safely and efficiently as possible.   

For more information, visit SaskatoonTranist.ca or call 306-975-3100. 

Residential Parking Program Reinstated May 25, 2020

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, ,

Residential Parking Program Reinstated Monday, May 25, 2020 – Use Existing/Expired Permits

The Residential Parking Program (RPP) is being reinstated effective May 25, 2020. As City Hall remains closed to the public, existing permits issued for the 2019-2020 season will continue to be honoured until new permits are available for purchase.

If you do not have an existing permit and require one, please contact Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or revenue@saskatoon.ca. Existing 2019-2020 permits will be issued free of charge as a temporary measure. All eligibility requirements remain in effect and proof of residency, as well as vehicle and licence information will be required when requesting permits.

Issuance of RPP permits for 2020-2021 are expected to resume later this year, and full payment of the annual fees will be due at that time. Once these dates are available, additional notification will be provided to residents in the RPP.

City Parks Events Cancelled Till July

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, , ,

Sport Fields:

The City of Saskatoon (City) is constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and residents. At this time we are following the information being shared through Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization (EMO) who is in contact regularly with the provincial and federal health agencies. Under the current Public Health Order, all private and public gatherings – inside and out – are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Effective immediately, City Administration will not be approving any sport field rental requests for the months of April, May and June including and up to Tuesday June 30, 2020. Please note that this may be extended depending on the direction from the Government of Saskatchewan.

To assist with sport field operations and allocation planning, the Recreation and Community Development Division will send out a brief survey next week with a deadline to receive information the following week.

The most recent information around COVID-19 can be found on the City of website at: www.saskatoon.ca/covid-19. This website also includes further information around frequently asked questions, including affected City services.

Updates will continue to be provided on the City’s website.

If you have specific questions related to your sport field rental, please email allocations@saskatoon.ca.

Outdoor Special Events:

The City of Saskatoon (City) is constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens. At this time we are following the information being shared through Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization (EMO) who is in contact regularly with the provincial and federal health agencies. We must follow federal and provincial regulations and requirements related to COVID-19 prevention. Under the current Public Health Order, all private and public gatherings – inside and out – are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Effective immediately, City Administration will not be approving any outdoor special events for the months of April, May and June including up to Tuesday June 30, 2020. Please note that this may be extended depending on the direction from the Government of Saskatchewan.

The most recent information around COVID-19 can be found on the City of website at: www.saskatoon.ca/covid-19. This website also includes further information around frequently asked questions, including affected City services.

Updates will continue to be provided on the City’s website.

If you have specific questions related to your outdoor special event, please email specialevents@saskatoon.ca.

COVID-19 Resources for Seniors

VVCA News & Events, ,

The safety of older adults and the community is paramount. The Saskatoon Council on Aging is playing their part to flatten the curve for our healthcare system. We have cancelled programs and activities until June. Our phone lines remain open and staff are working remotely. Any senior needing help to get groceries or need a friendly volunteer caller may contact a new volunteer group called the YXE Community Response to COVID-19. Their email is yxecovid19help@gmail.com. Their hotline is 306-361-4357. There are also many other organizations that are helping. To keep updated visit our website www.scoa.ca and click on the COVID-19 banner.

Resources for Seniors

Notify Now signup

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events,

With the COVID-19 situation changing rapidly, Saskatoon residents are reminded to sign-up for notifynow, an important free public safety messaging service from the City of Saskatoon.

The notifynow system can send important public safety messages to citizens in a timely, trusted, and targeted manner. It’s important that when you sign-up, you tell us how to best reach you. Choose one or several of these communication methods:
· via a voice message to your home, work
· call to your cell phone
· email
· text message

You can also add family member’s addresses, such as your child’s school or parents’ home, through the customization tools.

It’s easy to sign-up for notifynow! Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow

YAS 2020 Basketball Camps

VVCA News & Events, ,

FREE Youth Basketball Camps.
During July and August.
Camps in Regina or Saskatoon.

Instructed by Professional “A” certified teachers who are highly accomplished basketball coaches. Separated age and ability sub-grouping for every level from introductory to basics to fundamentals to developing to advanced.

Everyone invited and welcome.

Request more details by email.
info@yas.ca

Pelican Watch 2020

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, ,

From Meewasin:

With the warming temperatures outside, we can’t help but have spring on the mind! It is always a bittersweet time of year at Meewasin, since it means the closing of the Meewasin rink for the season; but also means the launch of our Spring programs – including Pelican Watch!

Saskatoon residents have special visitors each summer. April through October, pelicans gather by the weir to fish. These birds, once on the endangered species list, have been a beautiful sight on the South Saskatchewan River since the late 1970s. For Saskatoon residents, their arrival is a harbinger of spring.

The contest
Guess the arrival of the first pelican to land at the weir for a chance to win a $500 prize pack, with a special pizza party for the youth winner’s whole class!

Follow along on our Facebook event page for fun facts about pelicans all month, and feel free to share the page on any of your social media pages!

While you’re at it, why not enter now!

Good luck and happy (almost) spring!

Rink Raffle

VVCA News & Events, ,

The outdoor skating rink at Brunskill School – operated and maintained by the VVCA – has seen better days. Repairs and upgrades are needed on the boards and netting around the rink. Volunteers on the board and community are keen on doing the work, but they just need the supplies.

In order to help finance the costs, the VVCA is holding a Raffle in support of the Brunskill Rink Renovation Project.

RAFFLE DETAILS:
Grand Prize: $1500 Cash
2nd Prize: Crew Rowhouse Gym 12 classes pass (worth $225) plus $200 Cash
3rd Prize: All in the Wild Art Gallery $175 Gift Certificate plus $200 Cash
4th Prize: d’Lish by Tish $50 gift card
5th Prize: d’Lish by Tish $50 gift card
6th Prize: d’Lish by Tish $50 gift card
7th Prize: d’Lish by Tish $50 gift card

3 tickets for $10 OR 1 for $5
DRAW DATE: June 12, 2020 FEBRUARY 23, 2021 (postponed due to COVID pandemic)
License# SR19-4423

Thank you very much to our prize sponsors!
Crew Rowhouse Gym, 341 20th Steet West, Saskatoon, 306-241-8878
All in the Wild Art Gallery, 1011 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, 306-933-4430 (BONUS: there is a 10% off coupon for All in the Wild on the back of your ticket!)
d’Lish by Tish Cafe, 702A 14th Street East, Saskatoon, (306) 652-5483

Interested in tickets? Talk to any board member or email rink@vvcasaskatoon.com and we will try to help you out.

City of Saskatoon Spring Break Camps

City of Saskatoon, VVCA News & Events, , ,

Community Recreation has revamped the Spring Play Programs for 2020. The sessions are intended to engage children and youth in physical activities while developing new and improved skills. All equipment is provided. All programs are free to participate in and are intended for ages 10-14. All programs are led by qualified instructors. Participants must register in advance. For more information call 306-975-3378.

Volleyball
 Session Details: April 14 from 9:00am-12:00pm, Cosmo Civic Centre Gymnasium (3130 Laurier Drive)
Registration Code: CD2380-01
MMA/Anti Bullying
Session Details: April 14 from 1:00pm-4:00pm, Cosmo Civic Centre Gymnasium (3130 Laurier Drive)
Registration Code: CD2380-01
Soccer
 Session Details: April 15 from 9:00am-12:00pm, Cosmo Civic Centre Gymnasium (3130 Laurier Drive)
Registration Code: CD2380-03
Bowling
– 1st Session Details: April 15 from 1:00pm-4:00pm, Canadian Bowling Centre (217 Fairmount Drive)
Registration Code: CD2380-04
– 2nd Session Details: April 16 from 1:00pm-4:00pm, Canadian Bowling Centre (217 Fairmount Drive)
Registration Code: CD2380-06

The Big Shred 2020

VVCA News & Events,

The Big Shred set for May 2 is cancelled in order to minimize the threat of the corona virus pandemic.

On Saturday, May 2 from 9 am – 12 noon, bring your old paper to the ‘Big Shred’ in the parking lot of McClure United Church at 4025 Taylor St. (at McKercher)!

Protect against personal identity theft as your old documents go into the Shred-It company trucks’ shredders! Quickly destroy old bank and utility statements, tax returns (2013 and earlier), old files, outdated documents, etc.

The service is by donation (suggested $10 per paper box, or $5 per shopping bag) to assist the McClure Place Foundation in enhancing seniors’ living at Amy McClure House, a licensed intermediate care assisted living facility at McClure.  Protect your family by removing that unwanted . . . yet personal paper!

Bike Lane Open House

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

March Open Houses

14th Street East Corridor
Open house to discuss a bike lane along 14th Street from Cumberland to Sask Cres.

  • present general information to the public regarding active transportation and neighbourhood bikeways;
  • provide participants an opportunity to discuss concerns, considerations and possible improvements regarding all forms of transportation in their area; and
  • to help inform the neighbourhood bikeway designs that will be specifically tailored for each corridor’s transportation needs.

Neighbourhood Bikeways Project.
Wednesday, March 4
7-9 pm (come & go format)
Emmanuel Anglican Church. 609 Dufferin Ave.

May Open Houses

The objectives of the second phase of public engagement open houses, occurring in May (dates to be determined), will be:

  • present the neighbourhood bike designs;
  • communicate how previous public input informed the designs;
  • collect public feedback on the designs to help prioritize the projects; and
  • summarize public feedback on the designs for the final report to City Council.

At the completion of each phase, summaries of the engagements will be added to the Engage page.

https://www.saskatoon.ca/engage/neighbourhood-bikeways-project

Jane’s Walk 2020

VVCA News & Events,

Jane’s Walk Saskatoon
May 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2020

20 free walks will be posted by mid April on the http://janeswalksaskatoon.ca website with starting location, time and date.

General Description: Jane’s Walk in Saskatoon explores a wide range of our city’s landscapes from quirky hideaways and hot button issues to cultural and historical stories. Volunteers lead the group sharing the story they are passionate about while encouraging dialogue.  Each of the 20 unique walks take an hour, run throughout the weekend, and are free.  Participants just show up.

Join the thousands of people who take part in a Jane’s Walk now in 212 cities world wide, inspired by the urban activist Jane Jacobs.  She knew “vital cities are not helpless to combat even the most difficult problems” and so encouraged people to deeply know the neighbourhoods by walking their city.