Thu, Oct 30 2014 – Alex Fallon, the new president and CEO of SREDA, explains how the North Partnership for Growth will not only benefit Saskatoon, but the surrounding region.
Today, the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G), comprised of political leaders and administrators from the Cities of Saskatoon, Martensville, and Warman, the Town of Osler and the Rural Municipality (RM) of Corman Park, as well as an advisory representative from the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), announced that they have selected consulting firm, O2 Planning + Design Inc. (O2), to develop a Regional Plan for the Saskatoon area.
O2 is a Calgary-based global practice with extensive urban and regional planning expertise. The firm will work closely with a recently hired project manager for the development of the P4G Regional Plan.
“I am confident O2 has the experience and capability to deliver a Regional Plan that sets out a long-term, sustainable vision for land use, infrastructure and economic development in the Saskatoon Region,” says Alex Fallon, Independent Chair of the P4G Regional Oversight Committee and President and CEO of SREDA. “The decision by P4G to award the contract to O2 is an important step in continuing to build on the Saskatoon Region’s economic momentum and plan for future growth.”
The goal of the P4G Regional Plan is to ensure each of the five partnering municipalities can benefit from growth opportunities, increase efficiencies and reduce costs by working together. The P4G Regional Plan will focus on creating strong partnerships, and a prosperous future; and prosperity and exceptional quality of life for everyone in the region.
“Today’s announcement is a major step in working with our partners toward a prosperous future for our Region” says Judy Harwood, Reeve of the RM of Corman Park. “The development of this Plan will provide for continued, healthy and planned growth and prosperity while respecting the needs of all of the P4G partners. We want to ensure that the RM of Corman Park as well as all of our partners can enjoy and benefit from balanced and fair economic growth.”
The plan, which is expected to be completed by mid-2016, will consist of plans for land use, transportation and servicing. It will also outline the funding strategies needed for implementation and proposed new governance and administrative structures for the region.
Stakeholder and community engagement will be a key part of the P4G Regional Plan process. In the coming months, P4G will announce how citizens and stakeholders can become involved.
“Growing as fast as we have over the past 5 years has created a lot of great opportunities for Warman and the surrounding area” says Sheryl Spence, Mayor of the City of Warman. “We recognized early on the value in partnerships that allows us to get the best product in a reasonable amount of time. As we continue to grow, partnerships such as this one with P4G, will be integral to achieving our residents’ vision of sustainable growth for Warman.”
“The City of Martensville is a strong supporter of regional planning and we are very excited to see the process move to this next stage” says Kent Muench, Mayor of the City of Martensville. “I am hopeful that having an experienced and innovative consultant to lead us through a process that engages the community will produce a Regional Plan where everyone benefits.”
“Planning for growth encourages all partners to grow their space in a collaborative, effective manner” says Ben Buhler, Mayor of the Town of Osler. “As we share our intents not only with our neighbours, but the entire region, there will be a solid on-going connection between municipal governments. The Town of Osler looks forward to working with the region in a positive and practical way, while keeping community in mind.”
The budget for the P4G Regional Plan project is $926,000, including the cost of the O2 contract and a dedicated project manager. Each of the partnering municipalities will be contributing to the cost of the project.
“I am pleased to offer my support to this landmark regional partnership”, says His Worship Donald Atchison, Mayor of the City of Saskatoon. “Our goal is to create a region that offers all partners the opportunity to benefit from economic expansion. In doing so we will provide a better quality of life for families for generations to come.”
The Saskatoon area is one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada. Recent estimates indicate it grew by approximately 4 percent over the past year and could reach a population of 500,000 within 20 years.
Saskatoon City Council will be asked to award the contract to O2 at its meeting on October 27, 2014 on behalf of the P4G partnering municipalities.
For more information, visit www.saskatoon.ca and look under “R” for “Regional Plan”.
Media, for more information:
Alan Wallace, Director
Planning and Development, City of Saskatoon
306-975-2755
Richard Brown,
Mayor’s Office, City of Saskatoon
306-975-3500
Ben Buhler, Mayor
Town of Osler
306-239-2155
Judy Harwood, Reeve
RM of Corman Park
306-242-9303
Kent Muench, Mayor
City of Martensville
306-931-2166
Sheryl Spence, Mayor
City of Warman
306-933-2133
Alex Fallon, President and CEO
Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA)
306-664-0723