World-class track facility, 6 other recreation proposals, could be in Saskatoon's future

Seven community groups attended a special Saskatoon city council meeting Wednesday to ask for the support of council financial and otherwise for their recreational projects.

"It's like a rec and culture pitch party at city hall," said Mayor Charlie Clarkafter several of the afternoon's presentations.

Here are the pitches, in order of appearance at city hall.

New PotashCorp Children's Discovery Museum

Saskatoon's children's museum is planning a move to the Mendel Art Gallery buildingin order to expand its offerings.

First, the building needs upgrades. Renovations are set to begin in November.

• Mendel Conservatory to close this winter for renovations

The museumplans to construct indoor playgrounds, some of them designed by Canadian artists, for its audience of children under 12.

The group is asking for $2 million of the project's $15-million budget from the city over three years.

Gordie Howe Sports Complex Upgrade

The Friends of the Bowl Foundation has already received $2.5 million from the city, and is asking for an additional $5 million over five years.

The group has already raised $20 million of its $30-million budget, which includes the installation of a world-class track and field facility, located at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex's speed-skating facility.

The track can be constructed over top the speed skating oval.

New lacrosse facility

Saskatoon's SWAT, the city's junior lacrosse team, has hosted national championships, but is restricted in its bids because of a lack of spectator seating at the city's current surfaces.

A new facility would include fitness and pro shop features, and could host small concerts and trade shows.

The project is in its infancy, and there is no financial request to the city yet.

Year-round facilities on the riverbank

The Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival has asked the city for a long-term, 30-year lease at its site overlooking the South Saskatchewan River.

The organization ishoping to construct a series of permanent structures, starting in the fall of 2018.

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan is looking for partnership and support from the city to plan washrooms, parking, and increased accessibility.

The project is expected to cost $3 million, and the festival plans to assume any fundraising responsibility.

River park for all ages

The Saskatoon River Park Association is planning to build a river park in conjunction with a new hydro facility on the river, which would include a white-water channel.

The site could be used for kayaking, paddle-boarding, and other water sports.

The group is asking for the city's support to be included in the request for proposals, partnership for on-shore amenities and support in obtaining federal funding.

The not-for-profit River Park Association would assume 100 per cent ofthe fundraising for the in-water capital, about $5 million.

Downtown soccer stadium

The Canadian Premier League hopes to create a Saskatchewanfranchise, which would require a large soccer stadium.

The proposal includes an 8,200-seatmodular stadium, projected to cost up to $20 million.

Project spokesperson and former soccer player Joe Belansaid at Wednesday's meeting that north downtown Saskatoon would provide a perfect location.

He is asking the city for a possible land dealand partnership. There is no financial request at this time.

Northeast leisure centre

The city's YMCA has asked council to explore partnership opportunities for the construction of a leisure centre in the city's northeast.

The group has identified a need for such a centre, which suits its mandate in Saskatoon: one-third health promotion, one-third early years child care, and one-third community development.

There is no financial ask for this project, but CEO Dean Dodge spoke of a possible scenario where the city pitches in for construction with the YMCAand the non-profit agrees to financial responsibility for running the centre.