Through a partnership between the municipal, provincial, and federal governments, Saskatoon is set to benefit from an expanded public transit system and a new leisure centre.

Federal Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development Jenna Sudds says the collaborative investment of $151.9 million will increase access to fast and reliable rapid transit and leisure activities in the city.

“Saskatoon’s Bus Rapid Transit will be expanded and renewed through four new projects including 16 new stops for the green line, 25 new accessible zero-emission buses, and 30 diesel buses to upgrade the fleet,” Sudds stated.

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says 14 thousand people moved to the city last year bringing the population to almost 300 thousand, and the public transit system has taken a toll. He says the new improvement project was desperately needed. He says parents have been complaining of their children missing the bus because they are continually too full and have to drive past the bus stops.

“The development of 15 kilometres of rapid transit is going to be very exciting with modern stations, and the technologies that are going to go along with that is huge,” Clark added.

Saskatoon will also be getting a new leisure centre in the Holmwood sector on the city’s east side. It will feature a pool for lane swimming, a fitness room, multipurpose rooms, and childminding spaces.

Of the total project cost, nearly $61 million is coming from the federal level, almost $34 million from the Province, and the remaining $57 million from the City.