Saskatoon Councillors Question Process for St. Mary's School Fence Project
The proposed installation of a perimeter fence around St. Mary's Wellness and Education Centre in Saskatoon's Pleasant Hill neighbourhood has sparked concerns among city councillors regarding both the approval process and associated costs. The school has been advocating for enhanced safety measures due to ongoing issues with hazardous materials and behaviours occurring on and near the property.
Safety Concerns Prompt Fence Proposal
According to a report presented to the city's finance committee, the school has experienced significant safety challenges that necessitate protective measures. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) has requested to lease approximately 1.061 acres of adjacent parkland from Grace Adam Metawewinihk Park to construct an enclosed playground area with a new basketball court.
The school division aims to have the fence installed early this year to address what they describe as persistent safety threats to students and staff. The proposed arrangement would involve GSCS covering all construction costs for the fence, playground, and basketball court, while the city would handle the removal of a small hill on the northwest portion of the property at an estimated cost of $8,000.
Financial Arrangements Under Scrutiny
City administration has recommended a long-term land lease agreement with an annual rate of just $1. Under this proposal, GSCS would assume responsibility for lawn maintenance and irrigation, potentially saving the city approximately $3,400 annually in maintenance costs.
Councillor Bev Dubois raised questions about whether GSCS should cover the $8,000 hill removal expense, noting that "I'm also responsible for the public purse, too, so I need to ask these questions." She further inquired whether provincial government agencies, the Saskatoon Tribal Council, or CUMFI might contribute to these costs.
Process Concerns and Public Access
Dubois expressed reservations about the project deviating from standard procedures, stating that land for educational purposes typically follows government channels. Joel Lloyd, deputy director and CFO for GSCS, explained that since the arrangement involves a lease agreement with a nominal $1 rate, it didn't require approval from the education minister.
Leslie Anderson, the city's director of planning and development, clarified that the existing playground and basketball court would remain accessible to the public. Lloyd emphasized that GSCS would have no objection to community use of the space after school hours for various events.
Broader Implications for School Safety
The debate highlights ongoing challenges municipalities face in balancing school safety needs with responsible fiscal management. The Pleasant Hill neighbourhood situation represents a case study in how communities address security concerns while maintaining public access to recreational spaces.
As discussions continue, the city committee remains divided on whether to approve the unconventional arrangement, weighing the immediate safety benefits against concerns about establishing precedents for similar requests from other schools throughout Saskatoon.
