City to discuss proposed multi-million dollar hydro project

A multi-million dollar hydro project and stronger protection for a conservation area northeast of the city are both on the agenda at Saskatoon City Council Monday afternoon.

Earlier this month, the city announced it was planning to build a hydro power station in partnership with the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

The estimated cost of the project could be anywhere between $61.5 and $65.2 million, which would be paid for by the tribal council and private investors. Costs would be offset by revenue generated from the station and funding from other levels of government.

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The City of Saskatoon estimates it could provide power to at least 2,400 homes per year, if it were approved.

The proposal was last presented to the city in 2015 but had been on hold until funding could be identified.

Meanwhile, the proposed hydro project is giving hope to a long-delayed white water park project at the weir. Proponents told a city council committee that if the project went ahead, the price of building a park for paddliers would drop from $14 million to $3 million.

Swale protection

Council will also be talking about better protections for the city's Northeast Swale.

Conservationists worry the 26-kilometre section of wetlands and grasslands are in danger due to encroaching development, including the still-under-construction North Commuter Parkway. 300 hectares lie within the city limits.

At a committee meeting earlier this month, councillors voted in favour of looking into environmental reserve status for the area.

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The committee also recommended that a working group be formed, made up of city adminstration, the Northeast Swale Watchers and the Meewasin Valley Authority.

Conservationists raised a number of concerns about the current plan for the swale, including the need for dark sky buffer zones and crossing areas for small mammals.

Sidewalk patios

As well, councillors will be voting on whether the city should make it easier for businesses to set up parking patios in downtown Saskatoon.

For years, businesses have complained that the original $12,000 fee, added on to the cost of building the patio, was too expensive. In 2015 and 2016, only two businesses applied for the program.

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At a committee meeting earlier this month, councillors voted to drop fees substantially, from $35 per day to $13.20 per day.

Some business owners advocated dropping the fees entirely.