Parking lot to replace Marquis Downs horse racing track

A gravel parking lot will replace the decades-old race track, Marquis Downs at Prairieland Park.

Today, Saskatoon’s city council voted 10 to one to demolish the barn, grandstand and track. Marquis Downs used to host live thoroughbred horse racing, which was discontinued in 2021.

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The report provided to council outlined how “horse racing is no longer occurring at Marquis Downs and the buildings are past their serviceable life.”

Coun. Robert Pearce admitted during the meeting that this transition was “unimpressive.”

There’s no date yet on when the demolition will happen.

Council approved minor boundary alterations to the land leased in the south and southeast portions of Prairieland. Council also approved adding extra washrooms and relocating the Doukhobor building.

Prairieland will be responsible for the associated costs for the approved changes and the demolition.

Discussions are underway between Prairieland and city administration regarding the use and redevelopment of the bar Sports on Tap.

Changes to e-scooter bylaw

Council also approved changes to the Traffic Amendment Bylaw, specifically surrounding e-scooters, which the city’s transportation committee first discussed in May.

Council’s decision aligns with e-scooter usage in other Canadian cities, including Regina.

Now, people will be allowed to ride their personal e-scooters in Saskatoon on city roads, whereas before, only shared, rented e-scooters that came with helmets, speed limitations and other safety features were permitted. Personal e-scooters can be used on bike lanes and multi-use pathways.

Shared and personal e-scooters are not allowed to be used in bus zones, areas dedicated to buses or bus stops. E-scooters also cannot go beyond 15 km an hour on the Meewasin Trail.

Former Extra Foods on Broadway Avenue site for high-rise

Council unanimously approved a five-year tax abatement for developer, The Wesley – Westcliff, who is building a high-rise at the former Extra Foods grocery store located on 906 Broadway Ave.

The abatement includes more than $1 million in city property taxes and $500,000 in Education property taxes, which is through the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive.

Since the Education property tax portion exceeds $25,000 per tax year, council needs final approval from the provincial government.

The building will be 14 stories high, including commercial space on ground level, three floors of above-ground parking and more than 120 residential rental units. It’s anticipated that the project will be finished in 2027.