The Saskatoon Chamber welcomes news of a potential partnership between Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon to develop the city’s downtown entertainment district.

Muskeg Lake was the first nation to explore an economic partnership with the City of Saskatoon 38 years ago with the signing of an agreement that brought the first urban reserve onstream. Together, the City and MLCN pioneered and advanced the idea and it has returned significant economic benefits – to both partners – ever since.

As outlined in our letter to City Council, there is some urgency to advancing the DEED and we’re pleased to see a potential new path emerging to bring it to fruition. A November 2023 economic impact study commissioned by the Saskatoon Chamber and partners found that the development of a downtown district could inject $1.37 billion into Saskatoon’s economy through increased spending, job creation, group booking and overnight hotel stays in our city – in addition to strengthening Saskatoon’s case for air services and making downtown safer.

While much of the conversation on DEED has necessarily focussed on how much it could cost, the study also identified the costs of inaction.

Delay means higher construction and labour costs on anything new, and the costs of operating and putting band aids on our current facilities will become more expensive also.

Meanwhile, cities like Regina, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Calgary have either constructed or planned new facilities in redeveloped districts. Each will rob us of opportunities to host major events and conferences, representing millions in lost economic activity—benefits that could have supported our local businesses, good jobs and downtown economic development.

Many of Saskatoon’s flagship projects over the last 10 years have been made possible thanks to local leadership and local investment. The buildings and amenities now known as River Landing were made possible thanks to the vision of local founders – not to mention the many city-building infrastructure projects advanced by Nutrien, Cameco and many other local companies.

The Chamber commends MLCN for its leadership in initiating a conversation with the City of Saskatoon. Its track-record of success and business-minded approach provides a strong foundation to explore a potential partnership around the DEED.

Read our letter here.