Work starts on consolidated city centre school to open in 2024

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Saskatoon public school board chair Colleen MacPherson acknowledged the role the schools play in their individual communities and said the division is focused on engaging with families throughout the process. 

Moe said the new school will offer many of the same programs and services already available in the schools, like nutrition programs, public health services, cultural programs and counselling.

“A school is the heart of a community and this is evident in the three neighbourhoods of King George, Pleasant Hill and Riversdale,” MacPherson said. “But while these schools have welcomed and educated thousands of youngsters over the years, the facilities themselves … simply cannot keep up with the learning needs of students.”

Included in that community work is potentially replacing the White Buffalo Youth Lodge with a new on-site recreation facility.

The City of Saskatoon has been looking for a way to replace or rejuvenate the 20-year-old building since 2013.

The current building is managed by the Saskatoon Tribal Council; the city owns the structure and pays for costs associated with maintenance and repairs.

The division is currently in talks with the STC and city council about plans for the creation of an integrated facility, MacPherson said, although nothing has been finalized.

It’s unclear what will happen to the three school buildings. The Saskatoon Heritage Society (SHS) wants King George and Pleasant Hill preserved in some fashion. It made the request in a letter addressed to MacPherson and included as part of a May report to city council’s governance and priorities committee.