The City of Saskatoon has decided to source all of the city’s plants from bulk greenhouses in 2023, instead of growing them in city greenhouses as in previous years.
Saskatoon’s greenhouse facility, operated by the Department of Parks, was built in 1958 and provides the city with flower beds, pots and indoor displays at City Hall.
An information report from the city committee stated that the greenhouse was full of rotting wood, cracking and falling glass, and was proving to have a hard time supporting snow fall in winter.
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“It is reaching the end of its service life,” said director of facilities management Troy Lafreniere. “At that time, nothing, until recently, had indicated a significant issue and the potential for short-term structural risks.”
The Parks Department reported that the operation was at increased risk and that an order to evacuate the greenhouse could be given at any time, even if the greenhouse was full.
The estimated cost to replace the greenhouse is $2.5 to $6 million, depending on the structure plans.
Replacement of the greenhouse was discussed by the city council in 2016, but never came to fruition.
Lafreniere said, “The plans we will bring forward will not be for the city of today, it will be an appreciation of what’s on the horizon in terms of expansion and our population and our future flowerpot program.”
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A competitive bidding is held to secure fresh seasonal greenery at wholesale prices. It was also said that they are discussing a possible partnership with Mewasin or the greenhouse programs of the University of Saskatchewan.
They plan to offset the cost by creating savings in the greenhouse program’s operational areas.
The future of the city greenhouse has not yet been decided.
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