The dry storm pond at W.W. Ashley District Park behind Lathey Pool in the Haultain neighbourhood is now substantially complete.

Director of Saskatoon Water, Russ Munro, says it’s the first project for the City’s Flood Control Strategy to reduce flooding in the most flood-prone areas during intense rains.

It took about ten months to build and it will catch overflow, but when it’s dry, it will serve as a sports field and park space.

There are still some finishing touches before the site can open, like installing stair railings and park benches, so it will remain closed until next fall, to give the newly installed sod and seed time to establish.

Munro says the second of nine Flood Control Strategy projects is a dry storm pond in Churchill Park off of Wilson Avenue.

The federal government is contributing 40 per cent of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6-million for the nine projects.
The rest comes from the City through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue from Storm Water Utility charges.