Saskatoon eyes up to $22.8M in loans for sports complex, dump revamp

Sports and garbage are the source of two big financial asks going to Saskatoon city council next week.

The city wants councillors to endorse the borrowing of up to $22.8 million to help fund two big projects: a $23.4-million revamp of the city dump and the $43-million renovation and expansion of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

The requests will be heard at city hall on Monday night.

Friends of the Bowl, a not-for-profit, is in charge of construction and fundraising for the sports complex project. The group has asked the city for up to $10 million in interim financing. The city now wants city council's permission to borrow that money so that it can pass it on, as needed, to Friends of the Bowl. 

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A committee of council has already approved the plan, but a majority of council now needs to give the nod.

The project, once budgeted at $30 million, includes:

•  An "international-standard" track and field and speed skating oval, which is expected to open this May.
• Ski trails cutting through Glenn Reeve Fields and other parts of the complex.
• A multi-sport indoor training facility to include classrooms and a weight room.
• Space for a Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
• Two baseball and softball practice fields for kids.
• Lighting at the Glenn Reeve Fields to allow for night-time cross-country skiing.
• Batting cages.
• More parking and walkways between facilities.

Here's how it all lays out:

Construction was about 25 per cent complete, and $24 million had been raised (mostly from private donors in Saskatoon), as of July.

The city says it would dole out its cash in instalments based on the needs of the foundation and market conditions.

The Friends of the Bowl has agreed to repay the money, plus interest, by 2023.

New waste cell, recovery point at dump

The city is also asking to borrow up to $12.8 million for its reorganization of the landfill.

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That project includes:

• Construction of a new waste cell. The current cell is expected to fill up by 2020.
• The relocation of service buildings that have reached the end of their life.
• Creating a one-stop "Recovery Park" entry point for people bringing in garbage and recyclables.

Here's a full breakdown of how the city proposes to fund the project:

The city hopes to receive $3 million in federal funding, but if that doesn't work out, the city may ask to borrow $12 million instead of up to $10 million.

City councillors will discuss the loans Monday night at city hall some time after 6 p.m.