As part of Downtown Saskatoon’s 40th year as a business improvement district, it is rebranding with a new Strategic Plan.  

Executive Director Shawna Nelson explains that the plan will guide the district’s growth through investment, safety, connectivity, and identity. This includes new logos, new events, a Clean Team with dedicated uniforms and equipment, and more programs geared at driving people downtown. 

 “This whole summer, we’ve got a patio live music series. We’re going to have eight pop-ups on patios throughout the district. We also have some great festivals, and we’re going to have some piano pop-ups throughout the downtown. You’re going to see some pianos that we’ve purchased, and we’ve tuned, and we’ve painted.” 

Another initiative includes encouraging the public to support local shops and restaurants with the launch of new exclusive visa gift cards. The downtown gift card allows you to make purchases at any of the 150 businesses that are signed up to take part.

“If you want to create your own experience, you can come downtown and go for breakfast in the morning at one of our restaurants. Then, later on you can go catch a movie, and later go for supper and maybe spend the night in one of our participating hotels.”

To purchase a gift card, head to dtnyxe.ca.