The city of Saskatoon has approved the purchase of land that could be the new home of Saskatoon’s North Civic Operation Yard.

The purchase sees two properties acquired in North Saskatoon, 3815 Wanuskewin Drive and 3802 Arthur Rose Avenue. During Monday’s Standing Policy Committee on Finance meeting, Councillor Randy Donhauer said he appreciates this in an industrial area and probably an appropriate place for the civic yards, however, this isn’t just a straight forward land purchase. Donhauer suggested that he would like to see more information on what portions of the civic yards would move there, as well as the impacts on traffic, noise and the community.

Saskatoon’s Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff says at this time it is not certain what operations could move to these locations, but it is part of the city’s overall plan to have satellite yards to better provide services to citizens, both in terms of efficiency and response.

The two properties will be purchased for $16.8 million with an 8 year leaseback of the Wanuskewin Road property, resulting in a net purchase price of $7.8 million.
The funding plan includes Gas Tax funds, the sale of surplus City assets and borrowing.

The 8 year lease will mean that the city will have plenty of time to decide on what, if any, operations are moved to the Northern locations.