Phil Tank

Saskatoon city council voted to study data centres, approved an increase in the budget for two new fire stations and could soon be reconsidering how much money the city pays for public art projects.

Saskatoon city politicians confront conditions from the Rural Municipality of Corman Park to proceed with a sewage pipeline that would carry biosolids to a handling facility outside city limits, part of a $93.4-million project.

A city council committee voted unanimously Wednesday to defer the temporary removal of 25 downtown benches recommended by the administration and business improvement district.

Public opposition to a proposed affordable housing project helped convince the city to abandon a plan to rezone the site. But it appears the company behind the 25-unit building is poised to more than double that number with a new development north of downtown.

Saskatoon Coun. Randy Donauer acknowledges that the controversy over spending $297,400 on three artificial rocks prompted him to seek a vote on ending the public art funding portion built into some capital projects.

Finance Minister Jim Reiter released the province's first-quarter update Thursday, revealing a projected deficit of $825 million, $6 million more than predicted in the spring budget.

Saskatoon city hall and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools have struck a deal to rent out space at the adjacent Shaw Centre aquatic facility for use as classrooms for Bethlehem Catholic High School.

The Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel is warning SaskPower customers a rate increase of between 5.4 per cent and 6.4 per cent could be coming next year as SaskPower faces "significant financial and operation pressures."

Saskatoon city council's transportation committee voted Wednesday to bump consideration of a report on the controversial dedicated bus lanes to council on Sept. 23.

A longstanding plan to connect the Meewasin Trail on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River between the Circle Drive Bridge and the Chief Mistawasis Bridge is finally moving ahead, despite challenges.