The COVID-19 pandemic has been Saskatoon’s biggest challenge over the last year. Mayor Charlie Clark says the pandemic has carried on a lot longer than expected and the third and fourth waves have affected the local economy, the health care system and has taken the lives of hundreds of Saskatchewan residents.
Clark says there is a lot to look forward to in terms of economic recovery in 2022. “The potential for a lot of new investment coming into the area and I think there’s two big challenges. One is the ensure our downtown and the small mom and pop businesses that have been just surviving, especially in the hospitality industry can get through this period and the other is around addictions, homelessness, mental health and trauma.” Clark says Saskatoon is seeing signs that homelessness is worse than last year at this time. Mayor Clark adds there needs to be a real effort needed to address those issues and ensure the right supports are in place.
When looking back at 2021, Clark noted that the City has strengthened its relationships with Indigenous partners. The opening of the CUMFI Elders Lodge in Pleasant Hill and the temporary homeless shelter spearheaded by the Saskatoon Tribal Council are a couple of the examples Clark provided. “The first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was a big day for our community where we really saw the community come together and those have all been important steps we’ve seen progress on.”
When asked about school zones and the City’s decision to change how it manages schools zones during his year-end interview with CJWW News, Mayor Charlie Clark said City Council looked at a number of recommendations from City Administration. The decision to expand the hours of school zones was due to the fields and playgrounds being utilized outside of the regular school hours. Beginning sometime in 2022, the City will from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., year round. Clark says the removal of school zones in and around high schools will have a big impact on some of the City’s more busier streets. Clark says the multi-year budget process, something the City has adopted over the last few years, allows the City to free up their staff and focus on other projects the City is wanting to do.
Since staff don’t have to prepare for a full budget every year, it helps to make the City more efficient says Clark. In addition to freeing up City staff, it helps council to make longer-term decisions which help to plan for the future better. Looking ahead as the pandemic continues, Mayor Charlie Clark says if the proof of vaccination and the mask mandate remain in place, activities such a concerts, diners and sporting events can continue to take place. He says this will allow hotels, restaurants and art venues to keep their doors open.
Some of the highlights from the downtown over 2021 include the opening of the K. Nasser Plaza at the Nutrien Tower and the approval of a new downtown festival site. Once the calendar flips to 2022, Clark says more progress will be made when it comes to the downtown entertainment district along with improving and expanding transit in the city.
