Saskatoon Civic Operations Center Phase One

operational

Opportunity The City of Saskatoon wanted to replace its 100-year-old transit facility, relocating several key operations and services to a new site to ensure civic services keep pace with the growing city over the next 25 years. Saskatoon Transit decided to relocate its transit service to a new 180-acre site off of Dundonald Avenue. The site will be developed in several phases, the first of which will involve the construction of a Civic Operations Centre (COC) and a permanent Snow Storage Decontamination Facility. The City opted to use a P3 for Phase One and on January 22, 2013 it was announced that the federal government would contribute up to $42.9 million to the project through the P3 Canada Fund. Innovations The long term P3 agreement allows the City to retain full ownership of the facilities while providing better cost certainty and harnessing the expertise and innovation of the private sector. Results The new site, located in the city’s southwest quadrant, provides direct access to the new Circle Drive South Bridge and road system, which will allow the City to move equipment, materials and vehicles around the city quicker. A snow management facility built services the City’s southwest quadrant and eliminates the set-up, maintenance, and environmental remediation costs associated with temporary sites. The COC site helps improve cooperation and coordination between services, allowing divisions to share resources, tools and equipment, administrative and meeting space, and support functions like mechanical services.  “Our Government is encouraged to see that the P3 model is being adopted by municipalities like Saskatoon as an innovative and cost-effective solution to improving local infrastructure services. We believe this project will serve as a model for other municipalities also considering P3s to deliver their infrastructure commitments.” - Gerry Ritz, Agriculture Minister and Regional Minister for Saskatchewan “The Civic Operations Centre is yet another example of how the City of Saskatoon is preparing for growth. In step with the Strategic Plan, we are developing new funding strategies to make investments today with tomorrow’s needs in mind. Saskatoon is the first city in the province to use a P3. We continue to be leaders in finding innovative approaches to invest in our assets while managing the City in a smart and financially sustainable way.” - Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison

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