Getting to Garth Brooks: What you need to know about parking, ride service for Sask. shows

As Saskatchewan gears up for the biggest concert event in the province’s history, people are being reminded about travel plans.

Country music star Garth Brooks is set to play six shows at SaskTel Centre between Thursday, June 9 and Sunday, June 12.

Thursday and Sunday will see one show each, with two shows back-to-back scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

It’s on those double-show dates that the City of Saskatoon has announced a change for drivers: people using northbound Idylwyld Drive will not be allowed to turn left on Marquis Drive starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Instead, drivers will continue north to 71st Street, where police officers will be on scene to direct traffic.

Additionally, drivers coming from south/west neighbourhoods are asked to please use Idylwyld Drive to Highway 16, exit to the Battlefords. Those travelling from north/east areas are asked to use Wanuskewin Road, or Millar Avenue, to Marquis Drive.

Ride Options

Saskatoon Transit will operate shuttles to SaskTel Centre from the downtown terminal at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue.

Those buses will cost standard transit fare for riders.

SaskTel Centre is also operating its own Park & Ride service using 60 chartered buses. Those will run from  Lawson Heights Mall, Market Mall and Confederation Mall.

These shuttles are not affiliated with Saskatoon Transit. The cost to use them is $5 for the round-trip.

Parking is available at SaskTel Centre for all shows — concert-goers are encouraged to carpool and to arrive early. Rockstar parking for the shows is also still available for purchase through SaskTel Centre for $10.

Staff, signage and Saskatoon police will direct people.

And Remember

1. Concert goers are reminded to check the date and time on their tickets; with six shows in four days, there’s potential for attending the wrong show.
2. Transit won’t be extending hours on other routes, so people are being reminded they may have to make alternative arrangements to get home from the downtown terminal or from the mall Park and Ride locations.
3. SaskTel Centre doesn’t allow RVs or trailers on site, and no tailgating is permitted.
4. There will be no re-entry permitted for patrons at the shows.
5. There is no opening act during the double-show days Friday and Saturday. Brooks is expected to take the stage promptly at the listed start time for the early evening shows. The later shows on Friday and Saturday could see some fluctuations in their start times — staff said they won’t start until the venue is near capacity.
6. People attending the later shows are asked to arrive early, and go to a holding area in the South End parking lot near Highway 16 to clear pre-scanning and security.

Thursday, June 9

• Doors open at 6 p.m. , show to start at 7:30 p.m.
• Park & Ride service from Lawson, Market and Confederation Malls to start at 5:45 p.m.

Friday, June 10

• Early show: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., show to start at 7:00 p.m.
• Park & Ride service from Lawson, Market and Confederation Malls to start at 5:15 p.m.
• Additional Park & Ride busses will come out of Preston Crossings southwest lot for the late show only.
• Late Show: Doors expected to open at 10 p.m. Park and Ride from the malls starts at 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 11

• Early show: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., show to start at 7:00 p.m.
• Park & Ride service from Lawson, Market and Confederation Malls to start at 5:15 p.m.
• Additional Park & Ride busses will come out of Preston Crossings southwest lot for the late show only.
• Late Show: Doors expected to open at 10 p.m. Park and Ride from the malls starts at 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 12

• Doors open at 6 p.m. , show to start at 7:30 p.m.
• Park & Ride service from Lawson, Market and Confederation Malls to start at 5:45 p.m.