Businesses could be coming to Saskatoon parks
You could soon be sipping on a latte after a ride on a rented bicycle you picked up in one of Saskatoon's riverside parks.
The City of Saskatoon's Planning Development and Community policy committee passed a proposal today that would let seasonal businesses set up shop in city parks. However, as long as the businesses don't interfere with the overall beauty and program plan for the public space.
"Depending on the type of business — the size of the temporary structure, can it be removed off site in the evening, it's location — that will all be taken into consideration," said Cary Humphrey, the City of Saskatoon's director of recreation and sports.
Food and rentals
Businesses in the parks could include everything from food vendors to bike and cross-country ski equipment rentals.
Sarah Robbins, a staff member with the Bike Doctor, welcomes the possibility of setting up a small bicycle rental shop in a park.
"It's a neat of idea that people can go and they can access the parks in the summer time or recreational and have equipment down there for them to try without having to go to the shop," she said.
Opposition to the idea
City councillor Pat Lorje doesn't like the idea of businesses in parks.
"They should be renting commercial property, using commercial space that's already zoned for commercial businesses rather than using park space," she said.
The city said there will be strict guidelines and businesses would have to get approval and a license from the city. Proposed fees would range from $600 for non-profit groups to $1,800 for commercial businesses.
The proposal now has to be reviewed by the Meewasin Valley Authority and other key stakeholders. The organizations will then report back to the committee.
City council has approval.
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