Historic neighbourhoods of Saskatoon includeNutana andRiversdale, which were separate towns before amalgamating with the town of Saskatoon and incorporating it as a city in 1906. Nutana, Riversdale, their historic main streets ofBroadway Avenue and20th Street, as well as thedowntown core and other central neighbourhoods are seeing significant reinvestment and redevelopment.Sutherland was a rail town beyond theUniversity of Saskatchewan lands, annexed by the city in 1956.
The nameSaskatoon (inCree:sâskwatônᓵᐢᑿᑑᐣ, "Saskatoon" or thelocatives:misâskwatôminihkᒥᓵᐢᑿᑑᒥᓂᕽ, lit: "at the saskatoon berry",misâskwatôminiskâhkᒥᓵᐢᑿᑑᒥᓂᐢᑳᕽ, "at the place of many saskatoon berries",mînisihkᒦᓂᓯᕽ "at the berry") comes from the Cree inanimate nounmisâskwatôminaᒥᓵᐢᑿᑑᒥᓇ "saskatoon berries", which refers to the sweet, violet-colouredserviceberry that grows in the area.[12] However, the exact origin of the naming of the settlement is unclear. FounderJohn Lake apparently told multiple stories, including the most famous, where in August, 1883 he was handed a handful of berries, told their name, and exclaimed, "Arise Saskatoon Queen of the North!" It is considered most likely that the name in fact derived from one already in use:manemesaskwatan, or "the place where willows are cut," referring to the Cree practice of cutting saskatoon berry willows for arrow shafts.[13]
Barr Colonists in Saskatoon in 1903. The settlement of Saskatoon saw an economic boom when the travelling Barr Colonists encamped around the community.
In 1882, theToronto-based Temperance Colonization Society was granted 21sections of land straddling the South Saskatchewan River, between what is nowWarman andDundurn. The aim of the group was to escape the liquor trade in Toronto and set up a "dry" community in thePrairie region. The following year settlers, led byJohn Neilson Lake, arrived on the site of what is now Saskatoon and established the first permanent settlement. The settlers travelled by railway fromOntario toMoose Jaw and then completed the final leg via horse-drawn cart, as the railway had yet to be completed to Saskatoon.[14][15]
A town charter for the west side of the river was obtained in 1903, and this settlement adopted the name Saskatoon; the original townsite, which became a village that year, was renamed Nutana. In 1906 Saskatoon became a city with a population of 4,500, which included the communities of Saskatoon, Riversdale and Nutana. In 1955, a newly established community west of the city,Montgomery Place, wasannexed, followed by the neighbouring town ofSutherland in 1956.[16] Saskatoon serves as a regional center for the northern prairies and for central and northern Saskatchewan.[17]
Saskatoon lies on a long belt of rich, potassicchernozem in middle-southern Saskatchewan and is found in theaspen parkland biome. The lack of surrounding mountainous topography gives the city a relatively flat grid, though the city does sprawl over a few hills and into a few valleys. The lowest point in the city is the river, while the highest point is in theSutherland-College Park area.[18] Saskatoon, on a cross-section from west to east, has a general decline in elevation above sea level heading towards the river, and on the east bank of the river, the terrain is mostly level until outside the city, where it begins to decrease in elevation again.
Saskatoon is divided into east and west sides by theSouth Saskatchewan River. It is then divided into Suburban Development Areas (SDA) which are composed of neighbourhoods.[19] Street addresses are demarcated into north and south (for avenues aligned in those directions) and similar east and west (for streets aligned in those directions). West of the river, the demarcation line for north and south addresses is 22nd Street, while east and west are divided by Idylwyld Drive (north of 20th Street) and Avenue A (south of 20th). On the east side, in order to line up with 22nd/Idylwyld, Lorne Avenue demarcates east and west while Aird Street, a minor residential road, marks the north–south boundary, except in theSutherland community where a separate east/west demarcation takes place with Central Avenue as the boundary (there is, however, no separate north–south divide). As a result of the unusual demarcation on the east side, few streets there actually carry a "North" or "West" designation, and only a few streets in Sutherland are demarcated "East" and "West".
A second major water feature aside from the river is the Hudson Bay Slough, a remnant of a glacier-formed body of water that at one time dominated the northern end of the city. Industrial development has resulted in most of the slough being drained, however a large remnant has been preserved off Avenue C as part of RCAF Memorial Park, and another portion remains intact within the Hudson Bay Industrial area. Several residential communities also feature "man-made lakes," withLakeview (developed from the early 1980s) being the first.
Pike Lake andBlackstrap Provincial Parks are both approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of the city onHighway 60 andHighway 11, respectively.Batoche, a national historic site associated with theNorth-West Rebellion of 1885, is 90 km (56 mi) north of the city. Both Blackstrap and Batoche are popular destinations for school field trips.
Saskatoon experiences a borderlinecold semi-arid climate (Köppen:BSk) tohumid continental climate (Dfb), with typically warm summers and long, cold winters. Climate data from theUniversity of Saskatchewan, in the inner city meets semi-arid criteria. This is due to slightly higher average annual temperature and slightly lower average annual precipitation than the Airport, on the city's northwest periphery.
Winter skyline of Saskatoon with theSouth Saskatchewan River bisecting the city. Winters in the city are long and cold.
The city has four distinct seasons and is in planthardiness zone 3b.[20] Saskatoon has a dry climate and sees 352.3 mm (13.87 in) of precipitation per year on average, with the summer being the wettest season. Saskatoon is sunnier than average in Canada as a result, averaging 2,350.4 hours of bright sunshine annually. The extreme temperatures are typically accompanied by below average levels of humidity. Thunderstorms are common in the summer months and can be severe with torrential rain, hail, high winds, intense lightning and, on occasion,tornadoes. The frost-free growing season lasts from May 21 to September 15,[21] but due to Saskatoon's northerly location, damaging frosts have occurred as late as June 14[22] and again as early as August. The average daytime high temperature peaks at 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) from July 31 to August 8.[23][24]
The "Blizzard of 2007" was described by many residents as the worst they had seen and paralyzed the city with its low visibility, extreme cold and large volume of snow.[25] Winds rose to over 90 km/h (56 mph) and an estimated 25 cm (9.8 in) of snow fell throughout the day.[26] Many area residents took refuge overnight at area work places, shopping centres, hospitals and the university.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) on 6 June 1988.[27] The lowest temperature ever recorded was −50.0 °C (−58.0 °F) on 1 February 1893.[28]
In the2021 Canadian census conducted byStatistics Canada, Saskatoon had a population of266,141 living in107,052 of its115,619 total private dwellings, a change of7.7% from its 2016 population of247,201. The population of Saskatoon is made up of 50.9% women and 49.1% men.[41] With a land area of 226.56 km2 (87.48 sq mi), it had a population density of1,174.7/km2 (3,042.5/sq mi) in 2021.[42]
At thecensus metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the Saskatoon CMA had a population of317,480 living in125,100 of its134,720 total private dwellings, a change of7.6% from its 2016 population of295,095. With a land area of 5,864.48 km2 (2,264.29 sq mi), it had a population density of54.1/km2 (140.2/sq mi) in 2021.[43]
The2021 census reported thatimmigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 53,210 persons or 20.4% of the total population of Saskatoon. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were Philippines (11,840 persons or 22.3%), India (5,845 persons or 11.0%), China (4,695 persons or 8.8%), Pakistan (3,975 persons or 7.5%), Nigeria (2,090 persons or 3.9%), United Kingdom (2,045 persons or 3.8%), Bangladesh (1,830 persons or 3.4%), Vietnam (1,510 persons or 2.8%), United States of America (1,470 persons or 2.8%), and Iraq (1,200 persons or 2.3%).[44]
The Saskatoon area was inhabited long before any permanent settlement was established, to which the ongoing archaeological work atWanuskewin Heritage Park and other locations bears witness. Canada'sFirst Nations population has been increasingly urbanized, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Saskatoon, where the First Nations population increased by 382% from 1981 to 2001;[46] however, a portion of this increase, possibly as much as half, is believed to be due to more people identifying themselves as Indigenous in the census rather than migration or birth rate.
Saskatoon has the second highest percentage of Indigenous population among major Canadian cities at approximately 11.5%,[44] behindWinnipeg at 12.4%[47] andRegina close by with 10.4%;[48] in certain neighbourhoods such asPleasant Hill, this percentage exceeds 40%.[49] Most First Nations residents are ofCree orDakota cultural background although to a lesser extentSaulteaux,Assiniboine, andDene communities also exist.
Saskatoon also has a substantialMétis population and is close to the historically significantSouthbranch Settlements to the north, as well as the Prairie Ronde settlement nearDundurn, Saskatchewan.
Panethnic groups in the City of Saskatoon (2001−2021)
According to the 2011 Census, 66% of the population identified asChristian, withCatholics (28.5%) making up the largest denomination, followed byUnited Church (10.9%), and other denominations. Others identified asMuslim (2.6%),Buddhist (0.8%),Hindu (0.7%), with traditional (indigenous) spirituality (0.5%), and with other religions. 28.5% of the population reported no religious affiliation.[54]
Saskatoon's major arts venue isTCU Place, which is next to Midtown Plaza downtown. Since opening in 1967, it has hosted scores of concerts, theatrical performances, live events such as the Telemiracletelethon, high school graduation and universityconvocation ceremonies, and conventions. It is also home to theSaskatoon Symphony Orchestra. It recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation to its main theatre (named in honour of former mayor and senatorSidney Buckwold).
For over 25 years, Saskatoon has hosted a gathering of antique automobiles, (mainly from the 1960s) that has grown into an event called "Cruise Weekend". The event is usually held on the last weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) in August. Activities include a poker derby, dances, and a show 'N' shine with over 800 cars from all over western Canada. No admission is charged and everyone is free to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.
The city's annual exhibition (now called the Saskatoon Exhibition but also known in previous years as Pioneer Days and "The Ex") is held every August atPrairieland Park. In the late 1990s, the Saskatoon Exhibition was rescheduled to August so that it no longer was in direct competition with theCalgary Stampede, which frequently overlapped the event.
Saskatoon'sSikh community celebrates the festival ofVaisakhi with a parade held in May.[58]
The francophone community is represented by the Fédération des francophones de Saskatoon which organizes many cultural events.
Art museums in Saskatoon include theRemai Modern, located atRiver Landing, a development along the shoreline of the South Saskatchewan River, in the Central Business District. The art museum is situated in a 11,582 m2 (124,670 sq ft) building designed byBruce Kuwabara, and houses over 8,000 works in its collection.[59][60] The design for the museum won the Award of Excellence from the Canadian Architect magazine in 2011. Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and other 20th-century artists have a home in the Remai Modern museum.[61] Opened on October 21, 2017, the Remai Modern has been listed at no. 18 in the New York Times "52 places to go in 2018: A starter kit for escaping into the world."[62] The Remai Modern inherited the collection of the defunctMendel Art Gallery, which operated inCity Park from 1964 to 2015.
The Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery is on the main floor of the Saskatchewan Craft Council building in the Broadway Avenue area. It is Saskatchewan's only public exhibition gallery dedicated to fine craft as an art form. Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery presents seven to eight exhibitions each year. The SCC Fine Craft Boutique, located in the gallery, features the work of over 75 SCC fine craft artists.
TheMeewasin Valley Centre, in Friendship Park, has information on Saskatoon's history, the South Saskatchewan River, and the future of the Meewasin Valley.[65]
Saskatoon is also home of theSaskatchewan Western Development Museum. This museum, one of four throughout the province, documents early pioneer life in Saskatchewan. It is noted for its interior recreation of a "Boom Town" main street, including one original building relocated from its original site. TheSaskatchewan Railway Museum is just outside the city and includes displays of rolling stock and historic railway buildings from various parts of the province.
TheForestry Farm Park and Zoo is a National Historic Site situated in the northeast region of the city. The Forestry Farm was a historic nursery (dating from 1913) responsible for growing many of the trees planted within the prairie provinces. In 1966 the nursery operations were discontinued and part of the region turned into a municipal park. The city zoo is also housed within the park and features over 80 species of animals.[66]Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a National Historic Site situated five km to the north of Saskatoon. It is anIndigenous archaeological site and features displays, special events, and activities, recent renovations are on hold due to a lack of funds during the renovations.
Live theatre is a central, vibrant part of Saskatoon's culture. Saskatoon is host to a number of live theatre venues such as thePersephone Theatre, which is in theRemai Arts Centre at River Landing in downtown Saskatoon, The Refinery and the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company.
TheBroadway Theatre primarily showsarthouse films – while the two-screenRoxy Theatre is an "atmospheric-style"second-run theatre that reopened in 2005 after sitting unused for over a decade. The remainder of the city's theatres aremultiplexes. The only movie theatre in thedowntown core is theScotia Bank VIP Theatre; theCapitol 4 shut down on April 3, 2008.[67] The city's other movie theatres are The Landmark Theatre in the new subdivision of Brighton, Rainbow Cinemas (a second-run cinema) and the Cineplex Cinemas atThe Centre mall on the city's east side.
Among the many movie theatres of the past that have come and gone was the Capitol Theatre, which opened in 1929 with a showing of the firsttalkie to be exhibited in Saskatoon.[68] The Capitol closed in the early 1980s to make way for the Scotia Centre office tower; its name was transferred to the aforementioned Capitol 4 a block away.
One of the city's landmarks is theDelta Bessborough Hotel, known to locals as theBez. Built by theCanadian National Railway, it was among the lastrailway hotels to be started before theGreat Depression of the 1930s brought their era to a close. Although the building was completed in 1932, it did not open its doors until 1935 due to the Depression. The Bessborough and theMendel Art Gallery are the only major structures on the river side of Spadina Crescent. One of the most frequently circulated photographs of Saskatoon is of the hotel framed in one of the arches of theBroadway Bridge.[69]
TheMeewasin Valley Trail follows the South Saskatchewan River through Saskatoon. Summer activities include cycling, jogging and walking through parks and natural areas. Cross-country skiing is popular during the winter months, along with skating in Kiwanis Memorial Park. Access points are found throughout the city with interpretive signage and washrooms along the route. There are parks throughout the Meewasin Valley, with washrooms, picnic facilities, and lookout points along the river bank.[70] In the winter the Meewasin Skating Rink is open free to the public; it is in Kiwanis Memorial Park beside the Delta Bessborough hotel. The outdoor rink has been open since 1980.
For years, a parcel of land west of theTraffic Bridge, south of 19th Street, and east of Avenue C has been the subject of on-again, off-again redevelopment plans. The site formerly held the Saskatoon Arena, a power plant, a branch of theRoyal Canadian Legion, and the head offices of theSaskatoon Public School Division; all these structures have been demolished to make way for redevelopment, with plans for same dating back to the 1980s. The most recent version of the plan called River Landing is ongoing.[71] Calgary developer Lake Placid has proposed a 200 million dollar mega hotel/condo project to be built on the site although Lake Placid had difficulty securing financing and missed an October 30, 2009, deadline to submit a 4.5 million dollar payment for the parcel of land which seemingly killed the deal.[72][73] On November 16, 2009, it was revealed by Lake Placid that the financing should be secure within a week.[74] In April 2010, Saskatoon City Council voted in favour of entering new negotiations with Lake Placid over the site.[75]November 2010, Victory Majors Investments buys out Lake Placid's interest in the project and inAugust 2011 of the next year proposed a major overhaul to original design which would later include building a 20-story residential and 14-story hotel towers, and an 18-story and a 13-story office tower as part ofRiver Landing Towers completed in 2021.
Located in Saskatoon's Central Business District,Midtown Plaza is one of several shopping centres in the city.
TheSaskatoon Farmers' Market and some commercial sites have also been developed. Future plans separate from Lake Placid include the development of a new art gallery to replace the Mendel Art Gallery by 2014.[76] Other landmarks in the city include the iconic Traffic Bridge (which was demolished in 2016 and is currently being replaced by a new structure evoking the appearance of the original), the University of Saskatchewan campus, and the large Viterra grain terminal which has dominated the western skyline of the city for decades and is large enough to be visible fromPike Lake Provincial Park 32 km away.
World's largest potash producer Nutrien's corporate head office tower in downtown SaskatoonHeadquarters forCameco, the world's largest publicly traded uranium company. Saskatoon's economy has traditionally been associated with theprimary sector of the economy.
The economy of Saskatoon has been associated withpotash,oil andagriculture (specificallywheat), resulting in the moniker "POW City".[77] Various grains, livestock, oil and gas, potash, uranium, gold, diamond, coal and their spin off industries fuel the economy.[78][79] The world's largest publicly tradeduranium company,Cameco, and the world's largestpotash producer,Nutrien, have corporate headquarters in Saskatoon. Saskatoon is also the new home of BHP Billiton's Diamonds and Specialty Products business unit.
Saskatoon is developing the South Central Business District, or block 146, which is called theRiver Landing Project.[85][86][87] Long range planning is underway for an expected city population of 325,000 by 2028 (2011 MXD report).[88]
Saskatoon was expected to see a 4.2 percent growth in gross domestic product for the year 2012.[78] The city saw a 3.4% growth in 2004, 5.1% increase in 2005 and a 2.8% increase in 2006. Saskatoon held Canada's No. 1 economic growth spot for Canada in 2005 according to theConference Board of Canada.[89][90] The Conference Board again predicted the city would rate first for economic increase in 2012, showing a growth rate of 4.2%. The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) has also been ranked amongst Canada's top ten economic development organizations bySite Selection magazine.[91]
From 1988 to 2016Hitachi Canadian Industries operated a power equipment manufacturing plant. It was closed and assets acquired by Brandt Group in 2017.[92]
Saskatoon is governed by aCity Council comprising ten councillors elected to represent ten separate wards, and a mayor elected city-wide. Historically, councillors have at times been elected at-large, and term lengths for both councillors (known as aldermen until 1991) and mayors have varied over time; council has operated on a ward-basis continuously since 1994, while both mayors and councillors have served four-year terms since 2012.[93] Municipal elections are held in the fall. As of 2025, 209 individuals have served on the town or city council, and 29 individuals have served as mayor, with 24 of those individuals having first served as a councillor.[93] The city's current mayor, elected in the2024 municipal election, isCynthia Block.[94]
The 2006 census crime data, released July 18, 2007, showed Saskatoon leading Canada inviolent crime, with 1,606 violent crimes per 100,000 residents annually. However, crime statistics produced by theSaskatoon Police Service shows that crime is on the decline. In 2010, total crimes against people went up 1.28% but total crimes against property fell by 11.75%.[104] In 2014, Saskatoon dropped to fourth highest in Canada for its CSI after being in second place for several years.Crime in Canada uses Crime Severity Index calculated using the crime rate and the severity of those crimes. 2019 saw a record 16 homicides reported in Saskatoon, giving the city a homicide rate of around 6.5 murders per 100,000 people.[105]
In the early 1990s, the Saskatoon police were found to engage in "starlight tours," where officers would arrest Indigenous men and drive them out of the city in the dead of winter to abandon them.[106][107]
Construction of Saskatoon'sring road,Circle Drive, began in the mid-1960s (after first being proposed in 1913), and was completed on July 31, 2013, with the opening of the $300 million South Circle Drive project.[108]
TheCanadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway have connections to Saskatoon. Both railways operateintermodal facilities and trans-load centres; while Canadian National Railway also operates an automotive transfer facility.[109] Saskatoon is a stop onThe Canadian passenger transcontinental rail route operated byVia Rail. TheSaskatoon railway station is in the city's west end; it opened in the late 1960s as a replacement for Saskatoon'soriginal main station which was on 1st Avenue downtown—the relocation of the station sparked a major redevelopment of the downtown that included the construction of theMidtown Plaza,TCU Place (originally named the Centennial Auditorium) and other developments. The many provincial transportation connections and geographic location of Saskatoon give it one of its nicknamesThe Hub City. TheSaskatchewan Railway Museum is just outside the city. In the early 2000s, talk about moving all the railways out of the city raised questions about a futureLRT system, but the city's then-Mayor said the population is too small.[110] The Canadian Pacific rails in particular run close to the city centre, with at-grade crossings with the main throughfares at 3rd Avenue/Warman Road, Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street, Avenue H, 20th Street, and Avenue P. As of the city's2021 Transportation Study, there seems to be no progress on improvements to the railway network around Saskatoon.[111]
Saskatoon/John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, located in the city's northwest, provides scheduled and charterairline service for the city, and is a significant hub for mining and remote locations in Northern Saskatchewan. Non-stop scheduled destinations include Calgary, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Prince Albert, Regina, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Seasonal and Charter service is provided to Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Phoenix and Churchill, MB.Air Canada,WestJet andPurolator Courier all have cargo facilities at the airport.Saskatoon/Corman Air Park is ageneral aviation airport 15 km southeast of Saskatoon.
Transit operations in Saskatoon are provided bySaskatoon Transit. The route system was revamped in 2018, creating high-frequency corridors on 22nd Street, 8th Street, and College Drive. An up-to-date schedule is posted at Saskatoon Transit Route & Schedule Adjustments.[112] Saskatoon was serviced bySTC for bus service connecting across the province until May 2017,[113] andGreyhound Canada for inter-provincial bus service between Manitoba and Alberta until Greyhound discontinued service on October 31, 2018.[114]
The western annexation of what is now called theBlairmore SDA also brought the Yarrow Youth Farm within the city limits; operated by the Province of Saskatchewan, this was a correction facility for at-risk youth. The facility was subsequently closed in March 2015 and the land, located within the under-developmentKensington community, was out up for sale the following autumn.[115]
Ice hockey is a popular sport in Saskatoon and the city is home to numerous amateur teams, including theSaskatoon Blades of theWestern Hockey League (WHL). Saskatoon was a major league hockey city from 1921 to 1926 when theSaskatoon Sheiks played in theWestern Canada Hockey League. Major professional hockey appeared poised to return to the city in 1982.Bill Hunter, a local sports promoter, attempted to purchase theSt. Louis Blues of theNational Hockey League (NHL) and move them to Saskatoon. The city built a new arena to support the move, but the relocation was prevented by the league.[116] In the early 1990s, Hunter made a bid for a Saskatoon expansion NHL franchise, but ultimately failed to secure adequate funding.[117]
The city is home to two professional franchises, theSaskatchewan Rush of theNational Lacrosse League (NLL), and theSaskatchewan Rattlers of theCanadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The Rush relocated to Saskatoon from Edmonton in 2016; already the defending NLL Champions, the Rush made it to the NLL final in its first three seasons in Saskatoon, winning in 2016 and 2018. The Rattlers were a charter CEBL franchise and won the league's inaugural championship in 2019. Saskatoon is also home to the semi-professionalSaskatchewan Heat of theNational Ringette League (NRL).
Canadian football is another popular sport in Saskatoon, and the city is home to a number of successful football teams. TheUniversity of SaskatchewanHuskies are one of the top University football programs in Canada, with threeVanier Cup national championships and 19Hardy Trophy Canada West championships. The Huskies have made nineVanier Cup appearances since 1990, and were the first team from outside of Ontario to host the Vanier Cup, doing so in 2006. TheSaskatoon Hilltops of theCanadian Junior Football League have won 22 national junior championships throughout their history, the most in the country. TheSaskatoon Valkyries are theWestern Women's Canadian Football League's most successful club, having won 8 WWCFL Championships since play began in 2011.
TheHuskies playU Sports league games at the University campus. Their facilities includeGriffiths Stadium,Merlis Belsher Place, and the Physical Activity Complex. The Huskies participate in twelve sports at the national level and have been most successful in football,[118] men's volleyball,[119] women's basketball, and men's and women's Track and Field.[120]
Saskatchewan International Raceway has been in operation for over 40 years and is home to 1/4 mileIHRA drag racing and holds racing events from May to September. North of the city liesWyant Group Raceway, a paved oval track home to local stock car racing as well as races for several different Western Canadian series. In 2009, theNASCAR Canadian Tire Series made its inaugural stop there, signalling a move to a larger profile track in Saskatoon.Marquis Downs at Prairieland Park hostedhorse racing from 1969 until 2020; the owners hope to build a soccer-specific stadium on the site.[122]
The city is home to a number of sports and recreation centres. Saskatoon has threecurling clubs:Sutherland,Nutana, andCN. The city has two indoor soccer facilities under the control of the non-profitSaskatoon Soccer Centre organization.Lions Skatepark was built in the Riversdale area in 2003. Saskatoon is home to several golf courses and various parks which include tennis courts, ball diamonds, and soccer pitches for spring, summer, and fall use, and outdoor rinks for winter use.
Saskatoon has welcomed members of the Royal Family since 1919.The Queen most recently visited for a gala concert at Credit Union Centre, before a live audience of 12,000 and television viewers nationwide in 2005. The Queen was presented with the key to the city on the same visit, after touring the Canadian Light Source synchrotron and greeting thousands of well-wishers on a walkabout at theUniversity of Saskatchewan (the Queen traditionally stayed at the on-campus residence of the President of the University of Saskatchewan when she visited the city). Sovereigns and consorts who have visited includeEdward VIII as Prince of Wales in 1919,King George VI andQueen Elizabeth in 1939, andElizabeth II and theDuke of Edinburgh, as Princess Elizabeth in 1951 and afterwards as Queen in 1959, 1978, 1987 and 2005.
Connections to the crown include the royal namesakes of about one hundred neighbourhoods, parks, streets, schools and other places. These includeKing George,Queen Elizabeth andMassey Place neighbourhoods, and Victoria, Coronation and Princess Diana parks. It was at one time considered that Saskatoon's Broadway Bridge would be renamed George V Bridge.[123] Landmarks and institutions also have connections and these include theRoyal University Hospital, one of four royal designations in Saskatchewan. Grade schools named for royals include Ecole Victoria School, King George School, Queen Elizabeth School, Prince Philip School and Princess Alexandra School.
Existing and historic hotels with royal namesakes include the King George Hotel which has been recently converted to ultra-luxury condominiums, the King Edward Hotel, the Queen's Hotel and the Patricia Hotel. TheHotel Bessborough was named for a Canadian Governor General who visited the landmark under construction in the 1930s. TheQueen Elizabeth Power Station is within the city and named after Queen Elizabeth. The Prince of Wales Promenade along theSouth Saskatchewan River is a focal point on the riverfront trails. In 2002, 378 Saskatoon residents were presented with Canada'sGolden Jubilee Medal by vice-regals to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.[124]
Saskatoon has partnered itself with three cities around the world. It has not taken on a new partnership since joining with Chernvitsi in 1991. The city says it is working on a proper policy and management framework for handling new applications asMadison, Wisconsin applied to be a twin in 2018, but was told Saskatoon had no intention to move forward with the plan "at this time."[125][126]
^Climate data was recorded on the University of Saskatchewan campus from 1915 to 1966. In 1966 the station was moved 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast to the current location, near Attridge and Circle Dr.[29]
^Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
^Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
^Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
^Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
^Although the permanent settlement was started in 1883, Saskatoon dates its founding to 1882, hence its "Century Saskatoon" centennial celebrations occurring in 1982, not 1983.
^O'Brien, Jeff; Ruth W. Millar, William P. Delainey (2006). Roberta Coulter (ed.).Saskatoon: A History in Photographs. Coteau Books. p. 88.ISBN1-55050-336-7.
^"Saskatoon U of S".Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. October 31, 2011.Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. RetrievedApril 13, 2016.
^"Saskatoon SRC".Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. October 31, 2011. RetrievedApril 13, 2016.
^"Saskatchewan's Economy".About Saskatchewan/Economy. Government of Saskatchewan. Archived fromthe original on December 19, 2008. RetrievedJanuary 16, 2009.
^Cutler, Jeffrey; Hallin, Emil; de Jong, Mark; Thomlinson, William; Ellis, Thomas (2007). "The Canadian Light Source: The newest synchrotron in the Americas".Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A.582 (1):11–13.Bibcode:2007NIMPA.582...11C.doi:10.1016/j.nima.2007.08.086.
^Community Service Department, City Planning Branch (June 2000)."Future Growth Study"(PDF). City of Saskatoon. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on August 7, 2012. RetrievedApril 26, 2009.
^"Economic News".Enterprise Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. September 19, 2008. Archived fromthe original on July 6, 2011. RetrievedApril 26, 2009.