Artfully balancing new renovations with an existing build is the key to this seamless, cosy double addition on a rural acreage.
~ Photo Eymeric Wilding
32
OPENING THE DOOR TO SECONDARY SUITES
Duplexes are Given the Green Light
37
MAUREEN’S KITCHEN
Festive Cranberry Torte
~ Photo: Maureen Haddock 41 HOMETOWN REFLECTIONS
The Sutherland Streetcar Line
HOME FRONT
We all have hopes and dreams, and if we’re really lucky, things unfold as they should. Some are lifelong goals that guide our professional careers and the mark we want to leave on the work we do. Some are about pursuing our passions and talents. Grand ones may be about what we’d like to do with our lives and the time we’ve been given. How do we make the very best of our contributions to our families, where we live, and those places and spaces most precious to us. Here at HOME, we like to delve into those dreams that touch on homes and what people do to make the absolute best of what they have or hope to aspire to one day. The notion of “if you can dream it, someone can build it” takes centre stage in this Winter issue.
With Saskatoon’s agricultural foundation as the backdrop, we take you through the evolution that led to a show-stopping Greenbryre build and keeps the family business at the forefront. Come with us to see a dream-fulfilling seamless farmhouse addition on an acreage. We take a look back to the early 1900s when the dream to connect the town of Sutherland with Saskatoon was realized with a streetcar line. Now it seems quaint; then, it was a vital connection between communities. What if the dream is to create a close-knit community of friends and neighbours? Find out about the new rules for duplexes throughout the city. And what about a dream to play the best golf game ever—in the winter, right here in Saskatoon? Learn how to build a golf simulator, one that not only helps golfers keep on top of their game, but also creates a place for friends to gather on chilly winter nights. If you build it, they will come!
Enjoy this showcase of Saskatonians who are achieving their HOME dreams. We hope the stories we share can nudge you a little closer toward realizing yours.
Happy Reading!
Issue 72, Winter 2025
ISSN 1916-2324
info@saskatoon-home.ca
Publishers
Amanda Soulodre
Rob Soulodre
Editor
Karin Melberg Schwier
Contributors
Julie Barnes
Ashlyn George
Maureen Haddock
Karin Melberg Schwier
Jeff O’Brien
Scott Prokop
Eymeric Wilding
The booking deadline for advertising in the Spring 2025 issue is January 18, 2026 Contact Amanda for more information. Email: amanda@saskatoon-home.ca Phone: 306-373-1833 Text: 306-717-0663
Saskatoon HOME is printed four times a year. Subscribe to receive every issue direct to your mailbox for $20/year. Visit www.gethomemagazine.ca
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BY: JULIE BARNES
MODERN TAKE ON FARMHOUSE STYLE
The Art of the Seamless Addition
A well-designed addition doesn’t announce itself—it blends seamlessly with the rest of the home.
For one extensive renovation, Curtis Elmy and Trevor Ciona, owners of Atmosphere Interior Design, focused on connection:
between new and old, indoors and out.
The client “wanted to make sure that there was a balance of new versus existing,” says Curtis.
Situated on an acreage south of Saskatoon, the home had begun to feel too
small for the family of five, who had lived there for 15 years before reaching out to Atmosphere.
Expanding the Footprint
Inspired by the indooroutdoor living they’d seen on trips to Arizona, the family
knew they wanted to extend the home’s rectangular footprint into a U-shape, adding more square footage off both ends of the house. The two new additions face south, and a shared deck between them forms a sunny, courtyard-style retreat.
PHOTOS: EYMERIC WILDING
“There are sliding doors on either side of the deck, so you can get to the other side of the house through the deck,” says Curtis.
The new kitchen occupies the southeast addition, while the family room fills the southwest addition.
A Warm, Inviting Kitchen
The family wanted more
space to spread out—and a bigger kitchen was key.
“It was a really small kitchen before,” says Curtis. He adds that the clients’ goal was to create spaces that were “warm, inviting and casual.”
Wrapped in rich wood tones and natural textures, the new kitchen radiates warmth from the
moment one steps inside. Dark-stained oak cabinetry grounds the space, while sunlight from the southfacing windows glistens on the porcelain counters, backsplash and the white handmade Moroccan zellige tiles. Soft linen drapes gently frame the view, adding a tactile softness that balances the room’s sleek surfaces.
The porcelain’s veined detailing captures the elegance of marble without the upkeep. “It uses less glue and you can digitally print it a little bit easier, so you can get those really dramatic visuals of marble without the maintenance and cost,” says Curtis.
Panelled appliances keep the look seamless, allowing the warmth of the cabinetry to take centre stage. A walk-through pantry behind the cooktop wall keeps the detritus of daily life tucked away.
Faux beams punctuate the shiplap ceiling, drawing the eye upward.
“You would never know they are faux beams,” Curtis says. Made of fibreglass and stained with a wood grain, they’re lighter, easier to work with and far less expensive than the real thing.
Tucked between two cabinet towers, a custom plaster hood fan adds a textured, matte contrast against the shimmering tiles.
“The plaster hood fan really plays into the modern farmhouse look,” says Curtis.
A Modern Take
That modern farmhouse aesthetic was intentional, reflecting the home’s acreage setting.
“This is our take on farmhouse,” says Curtis. “We are always sort
A new double-sided gas fireplace separates the kitchen from the adjoining lounge area.
Curtis and Trevor chose a durable porcelain with a marble-style veining for the kitchen counters.
The new kitchen is situated in one of the two additions. A walk-through pantry is conveniently tucked behind the wall shown at right.
of cautious when we’re going into something that is extremely popular. It’s a style that’s not intimidating to people because it’s not formal and not super casual.”
Farmhouse style often features abundant trim and panelling, but the Atmosphere team balanced these details with clean, contemporary lines throughout.
A stone-clad, doublesided gas fireplace anchors the wall dividing the kitchen from the lounge area—the point where the original footprint ended. With the new kitchen’s vaulted ceiling, the freestanding fireplace serves as a visual and structural transition between the different ceiling heights.
The adjacent lounge offers a relaxed gathering space for family and friends.
“It really allows the homeowners to seat a lot of people, while still being at arm’s length. They can still carry on conversations and be together,” says Curtis.
Elegant Entertaining
Just beyond the lounge, the dining room bridges the two additions, striking the same balance of comfort and sophistication. The same stone used on the fireplace reappears here, drawing focus to a built-in bar and wine display.
A long, solid wood table seating for ten was a musthave, says Curtis.
For the homeowners, “scratches or marks on the table are memories—they really wanted this to be a great family space, but also for entertaining with adults. It’s an entertaining space, but you can also see a Christmas dinner here.”
The same stone from the fireplace is repeated on the dining room wall (and again in the family room), creating a sense of harmony throughout the house.
Vent strips on the mudroom lockers allow air to circulate and keep outdoor wear and sports equipment from developing odours or mildew.
Leather swivel chairs in the lounge area provide additional seating for conversation while maintaining a connection to the activity in the kitchen.
Light-coloured furnishings create a bold contrast against the dark walls in the new sunlight-filled family room.
A Dramatic Family Room
Beyond the dining room, the new family room makes a bold statement. Soaring vaulted ceilings and dark grey walls give the space a cocooning, cosy feel.
“Mid-renovation, Trevor decided that with all the windows, and if we kept the furnishings light, that painting the room a dark grey—almost black—would be really dramatic, and it is,” says Curtis.
“Having clients who are so open and trusting is really great for us, because you can throw these ideas out that keep you up at night, and it doesn’t derail them. It gives them an opportunity to look at something in a different way.”
A distressed wood pool table—chosen to echo the home’s beams—looks tailor-
made for the room, while a nearby bar repeats the same stone, millwork and porcelain finishes as the kitchen for a cohesive feel.
At the far end, a U-shaped sectional and plaid ottoman form an inviting space to curl up with a book or watch TV.
Mixing Eras and Materials
“There’s a common thread that ties everything together,” says Curtis. “It’s showing that you can have more contemporary areas mixed with very traditional areas.”
The new bathroom, located near the family room, is a prime example. The countertop cascades down the front of the vanity in a fresh take on an apron sink, while black plumbing fixtures provide bold contrast against white zellige tiles.
The pool table’s distressed wood echoes the wood in the ceiling beams.
eXp Realty 220 20th St W #211, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W9
“Black fixtures can be very contemporary,” says Curtis. “But we found a way to blend in more contemporary pieces here with some traditional elements.”
At the other end of the home, an existing powder room received a refresh. The layout remained the same but the fixtures and finishes were updated. Wainscotting, warm brass details, botanical wallpaper and hammered metal sconces add a traditional touch in the snug space.
Curtis says he appreciates that the homeowners were
open to traditional elements, as they complement the home’s traditional exterior.
He adds that while people often feel intimidated about mixing metals—like black, chrome and brass—that’s where timeless design lies.
“That’s where we find the longevity in a renovation, or even a new build—as you mix all these things in a nice, balanced way,” he says.
“It’s really hard to tell what year and era your house was done in because you haven’t overly used the things that were popular in, say, 2020— you’re pulling things from
past decades that you still think are classic and still look good together.”
Timeless Touches
With its timeless appeal, the laundry room is one of Curtis’s favourite spaces.
Opting for a farmhouse table instead of an island keeps the room looking light and open.
The checkerboard floor adds a classic touch—making the room look like it’s always been there.
That sentiment is echoed by the homeowners at the project’s completion: every room feels familiar
and comfortable, like it has always been there.
“I think a lot of people are hesitant when they take on a renovation where there’s an addition because there’s always that fear. They don’t want it to look like an addition,” says Curtis.
Thanks to thoughtful, layered design, the home feels cohesive, connected and enduring—showcasing that the best additions don’t stand out, they simply belong.
Julie Barnes
A porcelain checkerboard floor offers a timeless touch in the laundry room.
Curtis says that while zellige tile (shown on the bathroom walls here) is very popular, “using it in an unexpected pattern is a great way to give it a personal look.”
FARM FAMILY INFLUENCED
BY: KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER
Infused with Elegance and Charm
Sometimes the best laid plans…turn out far better than ever expected.
Not long after Joanne Lefevre, a town girl from Rosetown, and Jim Winny, a farm kid from Sovereign, were married in 1987, they moved onto the old Fraser farm just west of Zealandia. The rickety farmhouse came with the deal. Serviceable
enough, it was where they began their family. And spent the next 32 years.
“It had already been added on to and we just kept it up,” says Joanne. “We ended up having five kids and another addition. I think every addition gave more opportunity for animals. I mean wildlife. Mice. I thought one day I’d walk around the
corner and see skunks and gophers in the hallway!”
Once the couple considered building a new home, it was always going to be on the farm. They discussed ideas, budgets, styles. They drew up plans. Time went by. But then Jim had another idea.
With two large working farms, one near Rosetown and the other in Choiceland—
and retirement in the near future—why not build in between the two? JTK Winny Ag, a multigenerational farm operation produces grain and pulse crops. Easy access to both locations from a Saskatoon home for Jim and Joanne’s retirement would be ideal.
“Jim had this vision about moving to Saskatoon,”
PHOTOS: SCOTT PROKOP
says Joanne, a registered nurse in Rosetown for over 30 years. The couple looked at a few homes, but none had the space for Jim’s must-haves: green space and a large garage; he restores classic vehicles.
Joanne’s wish list was pretty simple.
“First off, I wanted no mice!” Joanne laughs. “And I had never had a kitchen with a window so I wanted plenty of light in the kitchen.”
They finally made the decision in 2022 to build in Greenbryre in Corman Park. But other than a few wish list items, what sort of house?
“We knew Jason Doell. Rock Ridge Homes has a reputation for quality and we liked his ‘no hidden costs’ approach,” says Joanne. “We trusted him to come up with something that felt right.”
What felt right turned out to be a four-bedroom, four-bathroom bungalow with 4,000 square feet of living space with a walk-out basement, all high-end
Joanne wanted a wood feature in the front foyer beside the basement stairs, but nothing that would block the light. This custom abstract piece fit the bill.
Lots of light, a stunning view, wood accents and stone create a comfortable relaxation space just off the entrance.
finishes, a four-car garage (with lift) and a south view of the first tee and its water feature.
It Begins with Being Personal
Jason Doell has been building homes for 30 years, and Rock Ridge marked its 20th anniversary in 2025. Pure custom is how Jason approaches his niche in the home building industry.
“I’ve always felt my job is to bring out the unique customer personality and vision, and reflect that in the home we build for them. Everyone has something a little unique and every home we build is, too,” he says.
“We do a ton of work on the front end. We talk. A lot,” Jason explains. “Part of it is asking key questions, but it’s more than that. It’s being intuitive enough to really listen to what they’re saying. Sometimes it’s also what they’re not saying, so it’s up to me to figure that out.”
“We met with Jason a lot
Get Holiday Ready
in the beginning,” Joanne agrees. “He would listen and then would come up with suggestions. Somehow he just seemed to know what we were thinking.”
Farmhouse Cosy
“This is a farming family. Agriculture is a huge identity for them so we took modern farmhouse ideas, like shiplap ceilings, into the planning,” says Jason. “They also enjoy being at Candle Lake, and the northern environment where their Choiceland farm is. So we incorporated timber frame accents, full beams inside, stone for a unique flair that suggests country living,” he adds.
Joanne agrees the end result captures the essence of their farm family and gives them the functionality they always wanted.
“Jim and I enjoyed raising our five children on the farm. We started out as grain farmers and the business grew over the years. Two
A convenient, easy-to-clean cooking area with quartz countertops features a favourite element: the pot filler.
of our boys and one girl are in agriculture. One daughter is a nurse practitioner, and another who is a chemical engineer. One son manages the north farm and the other the southwest operation.”
Joanne retired in 2018, but Jim is still fully active in the business. They knew people at Greenbryre, and although they’re not “big golfers,” having the course nearby was a bonus. The Winnys wanted a retirement home that would be, as any farmhouse is meant to be, a place of welcome for extended family and friends.
“I’m from a family of 10,” Joanne says. “Jim has three siblings. The farm table always had room for someone else. I did meals for seeding and harvest, sometimes seven to 17 people,” she recalls. “Jim would say, ‘We’re working late so can do you do extra food?’ The kids would come in with friends. Since moving to Saskatoon, we’ve welcomed two grandchildren and recently another new one. We really wanted the space here for everybody.”
Relationships are King
Jason started building homes as a sideline hobby while working full time in the IT industry after university. This building and selling for himself turned into helping friends and family, then others who asked him to build a home. This evolution ultimately inspired Jason to start Rock Ridge Homes.
“As a farm kid, you’re always doing stuff on your own,” he explains. “My grandfather wasn’t school-trained, but he’d be considered a master carpenter. He was so good with wood, with building. I
The well-lit walk-out basement serves not only as additional entertainment space, but can transform into a private living area for overnight and long-term guests. A few family heirloom pieces of furniture complement the contemporary style.
found I was really good at finish carpentry. I was able to really visualize what the end result should be on a project, how it’s going to look and feel in real life.”
He says one of the biggest keys to being a successful custom builder is “building relationships.”
“You’re not only project manager, builder; you’re sometimes a marital therapist when a couple doesn’t see eye to eye on a project, not that that happened with Jim and Joanne!” He laughs. “And it’s about developing good tradespeople relationships, too. My wife Laurae is from the valley area north of Saskatoon where we’ve lived for many years. It’s well known for generational tradespeople with a reputation as very skilled, professional craftspeople who work well together.”
In the housing industry, there are a lot of players and ‘custom’ doesn’t always mean the same thing. Joanne says everything about this build was “right from scratch.”
“This wasn’t us just choosing the one we liked
most out of several options,” she says. “Some things we didn’t even really know we wanted until Jason suggested them.”
The Prairie Gamble Rock Ridge had a busy 20th anniversary year. There
were many builds underway at Candle Lake—not lake ‘cabins,’ but high-end lake homes, some well over 4,500 square feet. One tipped the scales at 7,000. It was also a year of road bans in the spring and forest fires which paused work
The master bedroom ensuite is sleek and contemporary, with non-slip two by two Calacatta flooring, spa shower and his ’n hers vanities.
on builds. That meant the loss of valuable time and compressed the standard building season.
“I thrive a little bit on pressure,” Jason says, a proud “farm kid” who grew up in Davidson. The family farm was located between that town and Loreburn. “It comes down to experience. But with curve balls from Mother Nature, the building season doesn’t always go as planned. I’m a farm kid so I know farming is the biggest gamble with the highest risk of almost any industry in the world,” he says. “Sometimes you just have to have faith, say a little prayer and let the dice roll. You trust your experience and your people, and get it done.”
Farming may be a high risk gamble, and the most successful farmers have a tenacious streak of hope. Home building, as with farming, is more than good luck. There’s a lot of planning, organization and solid craftsmanship. The best outcome just feels right.
“This home a beautiful example of timeless classic elegance with a farm feel,” Jason says. “We think we really infused Joanne and Jim’s personalities into the build.”
“Wherever we’ve lived, it’s been a good place to be,” says Joanne. “Even the old Zealandia farmhouse had its charm. This home is perfect for this phase of our lives, and the golf course ticks off that wish for green space Jim was hoping for. It’s everything we wanted.”
Karin Melberg Schwier
The beautifully appointed Greenbryre home overlooks the verdant golf course and features the roomy multi-car garage with aspartic flooring and a lift, ticking off items on Jim’s ‘most wanted’ list.
BY: ASHLYN GEORGE
TEE TIME, ANYTIME
The Rise of Home Golf Simulators
The thwack of a driver connecting with a golf ball cuts through the air as laughter fills the room. In an outbuilding on Joel and Tracy’s estate property, a high-tech golf simulator, pool table, bar and sitting area form the ultimate year-round entertainment space. On a crisp autumn
evening, friends have already gathered, half watching a football game on a corner television above the bar, half cheering on the next swing.
“It’s not about the golf,” Joel says with a grin, leaning on the bar he and Tracy built together one Sunday. “It’s a tool to get good friends together.”
From Horse Barn to Digital Golf Course
When they bought their acreage 20 minutes south of Saskatoon in May 2024, they knew it came with possibilities, and a bit of work. The property included a large outbuilding once used for horses.
“There were two stalls
and a tack room out back,” Joel explains. ”We’ve never owned horses and weren’t about to start, but I had a vision for what this space could be.”
That idea evolved into a full transformation. Joel had a concrete floor poured and proceeded to insulate, drywall and finished
the space himself. “It was a labour of love,” he says. “I wanted to see if I could do it and do it properly.”
The project was put on hold briefly when Joel tore his Achilles tendon that winter, but by Christmas, he was driving to Alberta to pick up a previously owned golf simulator he’d found on Kijiji.
“We picked it on December 23 in Three Hills,” he recalls.
The Rise of Home Golf Simulators
In recent years, private indoor golf simulators have grown from niche gadgets to specialized home setups. Modern systems use highspeed cameras and advanced software to track the details of a golfer’s swing, from club speed to ball trajectory. They allow players to virtually visit courses around the world.
While prices vary widely, entry-level setups start around $5,000, with high-end packages exceeding $50,000. Some homeowners, like Joel, have found secondhand systems that make the dream more attainable.
Indoor golf simulators are becoming a popular ways to enjoy a night out with your friends in the comfort of one's own home.
It’s BYOC “bring your own clubs” on Thursday nights at Joel’s entertainment space.
From playing pool to golfing, the space is also used to host gatherings and celebrations.
Designing a Rustic Retreat
With its 12-foot ceilings, the 24x30-foot building now feels like a cosy sports lodge. Joel and Tracy opted for practical, durable finishes and a warm, rustic look. The corner bar was hand-constructed from fir wood one afternoon. “We already had the stools and just matched the look from there,” Joel explains.
Shelves made from the same wood hold bottles for mixing drinks. Sports jerseys hang on the walls, a mix of personal ones and several from pro athletes like George Reed and Wayne Gretzky.
While the space is nearly complete, additional plans include a small bathroom facility in the back area, a full-size refrigerator and a few more finishing touches, including fir strips across the ceiling to mask the drywall and enhance the rustic feel.
The Simulator Setup
Even with the simulator taking centre stage, there’s plenty of space to move around. The golf mat is several feet from the couch.
“While someone is on the mat and swinging, you can still walk behind or around to the bar without getting in the way,” explains Joel.
The simulator system itself is impressive: a 10x12-foot screen with a 10-foot hitting distance, and twin cameras that read both club speed and ball flight. Omni Golf software is loaded with over fifty virtual courses. It’s easy to play famous courses like Pebble Beach in California and St. Andrews in Scotland or even computer-generated courses.
“We’ve only hit maybe half of them,” Joel says. “We like trying a new one almost every week.”
During Saskatchewan’s
long winters, it offers a way to stay golf-ready all year, but also to stay social. “We use it two or three nights a week,”
Joel says. “At least one of those nights is with friends.”
Thursday evenings have become a tradition. Joel sends a message out to about a dozen friends, and whoever can make it shows up. “Usually, four or five guys come out. We have some laughs and swing the clubs. Everybody blames me for having the system cheat for me, because I make some putts here or there,” he jokes.
Tracy is planning her own version of a ladies’ night where friends can play comfortably while improving their game over a glass of wine. For her, it’s easier to get together at home, where she doesn’t have to book tee times or worry about the weather.
Beyond the Fairway
While the simulator keeps their swings sharp, the space has evolved into something larger—a gathering spot for all kinds of occasions. They hosted their son’s grad party in the space and projected photos onto the screen. They’ve also watched the 4 Nations Cup, Super Bowl and Grey Cup using a Fire TV Stick and Bluetooth speaker. Guests’ first impressions are almost always the same. “My buddy Tony came in and said, ‘I’ll see you every week,’” Joel laughs. “It’s a cheap night out. You bring a few beers, play a round of golf, hang out with your buddies and you’ve got a football or hockey game in the background. It’s better than going to the local pub and spending a hundred bucks.”
C USTOM H OMES AND R ENOVATIONS
Partner with our experienced team to transform your existing home or bring your dream home to life from the ground up. Whether you’re looking to reimagine what you have or start fresh, we’re here to guide you through every step of the journey. Let’s connect and explore how we can turn your vision into reality.
For Joel, the simulator has also been a practical way to keep swinging. “Simulator golf is easier than real golf,” he admits. “There are no elements to deal with.”
Eighteen holes with friends can take just over two hours, depending on how much conversation happens between shots. On his own, he can come out and hit a round in less than an hour. Whether playing solo or with company, the simulator makes golf effortless and fun.
As the prairie night deepens, a golf ball arcs towards the screen and the room erupts in cheers. It’s not Pebble Beach or St. Andrews but it might be better—a place built by hand, shared with friends and filled with laughter.
Ashlyn George
Joel and Tracy built their bar area one afternoon, using fir wood to create a rustic look.
OPENING THE DOOR TO SECONDARY SUITES
Duplexes Are Given the Green Light
Recent changes to Saskatoon’s Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan make it easier for homeowners to add secondary suites, not just to single detached homes, but also to semi-detached homes—duplexes. It’s all part of a package aimed at easing the affordability crisis in housing and helping address issues arising from
urban sprawl.
In 2022, the Canadian government introduced the Housing Accelerator Fund to provide federal money to municipalities to help increase Canada’s housing stock. But the money came with conditions. Cities were required to make bylaw changes to encourage infill development and increased density in residential areas,
and to make it easier to add additional dwelling units to a property. In March 2025, Saskatoon’s City Council amended the city’s Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan to allow secondary suites in semidetached homes.
We’ve Been Here Before
During the booms and busts of the 20th century,
people here frequently struggled to find affordable— or often any—housing. In the years after the Second World War, Saskatoon’s population doubled, first with the return of thousands of soldiers (many with wives and families) and then as the population continued to grow through the 1950s. People need to live somewhere, and in a city bursting at the
BY: JEFF O’BRIEN
seams, that meant often having more than one family living in a single home.
The post-war housing crisis was solved by a wave of prosperity that saw thousands of new homes added, and much of Saskatoon substandard housing replaced. But the way we built cities was changing.
Changes to the city’s building and zoning bylaws, coupled with increased
PHOTOS: ROHIT HOMES
The new rules that allow secondary suites in duplexes are designed to improve Saskatoon’s housing inventory and address the housing shortage.
enforcement and changes to federal regulations under the National Housing Act, were deliberately intended to limit the numbers of secondary dwelling units in newer parts of the city. And this is how it was from the 1950s until the 1990s. For Saskatoon, that took the city from a fairly compact footprint to a more sprawling one. Residential suburbs were full of big houses on big lots.
Until 1998, secondary suites in Saskatoon were only allowed in single detached homes in areas developed before 1970. That year, the rules were changed to allow them in new neighourhoods, too. And the reasons for the change were much the same as we see today: to increase the supply of rental properties, to improve affordability and to promote density, making better use of civic infrastructure and ultimately helping to make Saskatoon a more efficient and more sustainable community.
While secondary suites in semi-detached homes in
Saskatoon are new, they have been allowed for years in Regina, Warman, Prince Albert, Weyburn, Lloydminster and other centres without difficulties, all of which seem to be managing the change without difficulties.
Which Brings Us to the Present Day
These changes will open up a substantial number of homes here to re-development, and will affect planning for new home builds.
“Our experience in the other markets we build in is that this approach has created opportunities for individuals who may not have been able to enter the housing market on their own financially,” says Gordon Vindevoghel of Rohit Homes. “It allows them to generate additional income, helping to offset monthly expenses, accelerate mortgage repayment and ultimately leverage the property as an asset increasing the resale value.”
More generally, he adds,
constructed include a legal suite within the home, either as part of the new build, or added shortly afterwards.
Saskatoon’s share of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund works out to $41.3 million, which will directly support the building of 940 new housing units. Implementing the changes in zoning and permitting will result in an additional 25,000 units over ten years.
it will help improve the availability of attainable housing. Outside of Saskatoon, Gordon estimates that over half of semidetached homes they’ve
There will be changes. They won’t happen overnight, but they will happen. “Incremental” is the word civic officials often use. And Saskatoon is definitely changing—growing, and growing quickly—and with that growth comes an increasing need for safe, affordable accommodations for everyone.
Jeff O’Brien
BUILDING NEW OR ADDING ON?
Planning to add a suite to an existing home?
The City of Saskatoon publishes a Secondary Suites Handbook (www.saskatoon.ca/content/ secondary-suites-handbook) that’s chock-full of good advice. But it’s complex. If building new, including a secondary suite as part of the initial plans will simplify things. This also means the cost of it will be rolled into the overall cost of the house, instead of being added on later. Adding on a secondary suite to an existing home may require the help of professionals.
When considering the cost, it’s advised to factor in long term costs and conveniences. For example, Gordon Vindevoghel of Rohit Homes suggests that adding a dedicated furnace may seem like an unnecessary expense, but a second furnace will result in lower overall heating costs, less friction between homeowner and the tenant (resulting in lower tenant turnover) and ultimately, a better resale value.
These are the kinds of decisions a reputable builder or construction professional can help make.
More Than A House.
Get the keys to style, simplicity, and value built into every corner.
Rohit Homes offers more than a house. We offer peaceful living with homes conveniently located in some of Saskatchewan’s most desirable communities, and our promise of Design Included™ means your home comes with timeless finishes, modern layouts, and a space that feels like home from day one.
Looking to add more value to your home? We do legal suites right, and we’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to.
• A separate furnace for efficient suite heating.
• A separate side entrance with a concrete sidewalk.
• Separate washer and dryer rough-ins: no shared units needed.
Get in touch today!
BY: MAUREEN HADDOCK
MAUREEN’S KITCHEN
Festive Cranberry Torte
Festive Cranberry Torte is delightful served after a rich winter dinner. Having a light, fluffy showstopper tucked away in your freezer is the perfect solution for this social
time of year. In a matter of minutes, the dessert is thawed enough to slice. Freshly ground cranberries, fluffy egg whites and a hint of citrus create a refreshing flavour-burst for the taste buds. Your guests will never forget their first bite.
My mom used to make a cranberry orange jellied salad, and she ground the cranberries with her grey cast-iron meat grinder. Sometimes she allowed me to turn the handle. I remember the unusual sound of the berries pushing
through the holes into the bowl, crunchy and juicy all at once. Nowadays we have options like blenders or food processors for grinding.
The goal in this recipe is to grind, not puree, the berries. It is best to use the pulse setting on modern electric appliances. I have a manual Tupperware food chopper that allows me to keep a close eye on the task.
In Saskatchewan, fresh cranberries are typically available in stores from mid-October into November. They keep for a month in home refrigerators, which allows you to prepare this dessert a few weeks ahead of the festive season.
Years ago, my friend, who is a home economist, persuaded me that using raw eggs in uncooked recipes was unwise. So, for this unbaked recipe, I use pasteurized egg whites from a carton. I usually purchase Simply Egg Whites, and the results are perfect every time.
A springform pan is a versatile addition to any kitchen. They have removable
sides. A clasp can be closed to wrap the sides tightly around the pan’s bottom or released to loosen the sides to remove the food. Having the sides removed makes slicing easy and presentation dramatic. If you don’t own a springform pan, treat yourself to one. Try to find one without a delicate coated surface. The pan must be knife-friendly because the metal bottom stays in place under the dessert. My enamel-coated springform pan has a textured bottom, allowing the dessert to release easily from the base. It isn’t easily scratched by a knife. I also have an aluminum springform pan, which is also durable. I have used springform pans for baking batter cakes, cheesecakes and even quiches.
Here’s to having a winter full of fabulous celebrations planned well ahead, allowing time to enjoy our friends and family. Let’s fill our freezers with home cooking long before our guests arrive.
Maureen Haddock
Festive Cranberry Torte
Ingredients for Cranberry Glaze: Make First 1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions for Glaze
3/4 cup fresh cranberries
1/3 cup water
In a saucepan, stir together sugar and cornstarch. Add cranberries and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, just until the cranberry skins pop. Cool to room temperature. Do NOT refrigerate.
Ingredients for Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I toasted the pecans; see tip.)
Instructions for Crust
1/4 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons melted butter
In a mixing bowl, combine the graham crumbs, pecans, sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of a buttered 8-inch springform pan. Chill.
Tip for Toasting Pecans
In a 350°F oven, toast pecans on an aluminum pan for approximately 8 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes.
1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup whipping cream
In a large stand-mixer bowl, combine ground cranberries and sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add unbeaten egg whites, orange juice concentrate, vanilla and salt. Beat on low speed of electric mixer until frothy. Then beat at high speed for 6 to 8 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
Whip cream in a small mixer bowl until it forms soft peaks, with the tips curling over. Fold the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture and pour it into the chilled crust. Cover and freeze until firm.
Serving Suggestions
To serve, release the sides from the springform pan and place the torte, still on the base of the pan, onto a serving plate. Spoon the cranberry glaze over the dessert. Garnish with orange slices. Serve wedges of dessert on festive plates. Return the leftovers to the freezer. I store the extra torte, sliced, in airtight storage containers. This way, later I can quickly serve as many slices as I like. I have been known to serve one slice for myself. For other recipes, visit www.getabiggerwagon.com.
Build the Life
Crossmount is a 55+ aging-in-place community settled into 480 acres of natural prairies. Located 5 km south of Saskatoon on Lorne Avenue (Highway 219), all homes are built on one level, without any stairs, for safe aging-in-place. Health services are available if health needs change and homes are security monitored so residents can travel with peace of mind. Home maintenance, snow removal, garbage and recycling pick-up, and landscaping are taken care of by our considerate staff.
Residents in the Crossmount community can enjoy community gardens, a pet-friendly environment with spaces to walk dogs, numerous activities and clubs, on-site doctors and medical clinic, and lots of fresh air and sunshine. As well, residents have access to our agri-tourism area with a restaurant, creamery, cidery and event venue. This area, known as The Glen, is also open to the public.
A New Beginning is Just Around the Corner
House sites in our second neighbourhood of independent homes are now available. For further information or to secure your future home please email info@crossmount.ca, phone 306-374-9890 or connect through our website.
HOMEtown Reflections
BY: JEFF O’BRIEN
THE SUTHERLAND STREET CAR LINE
People nowadays often forget that until 1956, Sutherland was a town in its own right, separate from Saskatoon. But from the very beginning there were ties that bound the two together. Of these, none
was so literal, or so visible, as the Sutherland line of the Saskatoon Municipal Railway.
The streetcars of the Saskatoon Municipal Railway rolled onto city streets for the first time on January 1, 1913.
There were three routes, laid out so that everyone in Saskatoon lived within a quarter mile of a streetcar (the accepted service level at the time.) Saskatoon was booming in those days. The population was estimated at
28,000 people, and for those living on the fringes of the fast-growing city, the street railway was a godsend.
Development Delirium Real estate speculators (of which there was an
A streetcar conductor on 2nd Avenue waits to welcome passengers aboard, 1914.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-3752
abundance in Saskatoon in those days) were also excited. Within days, an otherwise unidentified group of east side investors offered to pay for the construction of a streetcar line from Broadway out 8th Street to Sutherland. It was an open secret that they owned the land adjoining the proposed route and expected to make a killing on sales as a consequence.
In this, Saskatoon was simply following the lead of every other city in North America.
There were confident predictions of 50,000 people here by 1915, and 100,000 by 1920. Growth like that was only sustainable if you had somewhere to put them.
‘Streetcar suburbs’, as they were called, allowed people to live in affordably-priced areas on the city’s fringes
shorter, more direct route from the University terminal on College Drive to a nearby CPR spur track leading to Sutherland. This would not only provide better, faster service for Sutherland, a rapidly-growing community of 2,000 people, it would be cheaper to operate.
But the Nutana Ratepayers Association pointed out that the University line, which turned off Broadway at 12th then followed Temperance up to College Drive, was only really convenient for people living near the river. For everyone else living east of Broadway, what was needed was a southern route. This argument, plus the willingness of the local businessmen to pay the entire cost of construction ($70,000 in total) seems to have sold the City on the 8th Street proposal.
Eighth Street Excitement Fizzles
and still have cheap, reliable access to downtown.
But there were those who objected to the plan, including the SaskatoonDaily Star, which argued that it was bad precedent to let private interests dictate public policy. Moreover, Saskatoon was still going to be responsible for operating costs, and there were those on City Council who pushed for a much
The Sutherland Car Line went into service on December 17, 1913. There was a celebration to mark the occasion, with dignitaries and speeches and school children all lined up in their Sunday best. But the line had been unofficially christened during a test run that October when a patron in the bar on the corner of Central and 108th Street raced out with a schooner of beer and poured it over the streetcar’s headlight, dubbing it “The Hanson” after a Sutherland real estate man. “As Mr. Hanson is a strict disciplinarian,” the newspaper noted, “the headlight was the only thing that was soused on the way home.”
The street railway played a critical role in the growth of Saskatoon as people
A resident walks along Central Avenue in Sutherland, ca. 1915.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-3910
clustered along the streetcar lines where they snaked out to the city’s fringes. But not 8th Street. The Sutherland car line turned out to be not quite the moneymaker its backers had expected. The hordes of prospective homeowners never did
show up, and until the 1950s, Saskatoon effectively ended at the corner of 8th Street and Clarence, petering out into the open country beyond, with a house or two here and there, alone and lonely far beyond the city lights. It was just bad timing.
The real estate boom that had been rolling along so merrily in early 1913, cratered almost immediately after the Sutherland line opened that December. In consequence, most users were those commuting in from Sutherland itself, and
the line only barely paid the cost to operate it.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Travelling across the open prairie, the Sutherland car was particularly vulnerable to snowstorms, often defeating the best
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Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-3963
Sutherland, 110th Street, ca. 1913—two blocks north of the streetcar terminal.
efforts of the sweeper car. After one storm in 1915, all four miles of the line had to be shoveled out by hand. On a photo taken after another storm a few years later, one optimist wrote, “Snowstorm of March 15, 1927… enough moisture for a 500,000,000 bushel crop!”
The isolation of the Sutherland line may have been what prompted three enterprising gentlemen to
hold it up one summer day in 1931. The motorman had stopped on Broadway to pick up two bank employees taking a satchel of money to a branch in Sutherland. This was a regular occurrence, something the thieves, two of whom had got on downtown, must have known. When the car reached the turn at Stephenson’s Corners—8th Street and Acadia, nowadays—the third
man got on. All three then produced pistols and relieved the bank employees of the cash, nearly $1,200 dollars, then fled to their waiting car, parked nearby.
The RCMP were soon on their tail, catching up to them on the old settler trail to Dundurn, south of Saskatoon. A running gun battle ensued that saw the getaway car lose its rear windshield before finally
escaping. But the robbers had little time to enjoy their ill-gotten gains. They were arrested a few days later in Calgary and brought back to Saskatoon for trial.
Competition Emerges
Under the 1913 construction agreement, Saskatoon was committed to operating the Sutherland line for 20 years. In May of 1933, anticipating, perhaps, that the city would
Photo: Local History Room -
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-2611
Saskatoon Municipal Railway staff gather for a commemorative portrait, with the “Sanatorium-Sutherland” bus, 1945.
Winter conditions were always a concern on Central Avenue, ca. 1930.
let the service lapse, a local taxi company established the King George Bus and Baggage Service—a private bus line from downtown into Sutherland. It took the direct route across the University Bridge then east on College Drive, travelling half the distance of the streetcar and getting there in half the time.
The service was popular. It even made a trip to the Forestry Farm
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public
Following the blizzard of March 15, 1927, it took two days to clear the Sutherland car line.
on Sundays—a popular destination for Saskatoon residents in the summer. It was also cheaper than the city streetcar, which charged a premium on the Sutherland line.
Revenues on the Sutherland car line plummeted. City officials, who had no intention of discontinuing the service, pointed out that there wasn’t sufficient demand to support two competing lines. At the city’s urging, the provincial Public Utilities Board ordered the bus company to
raise its rates to match the Sutherland streetcar fares.
Following that, in 1934, the Board declined to renew the bus license.
And that was that. It may have helped that the provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs, Howard McConnell, was an ex-Mayor of Saskatoon.
The Motor Bus Emerges
But the writing was on the wall anyway. The street railway struggled financially during the Depression, and City Council had already
talked about taking out the Sutherland line as a costcutting measure, replacing it with a motor bus, following the College Drive route. A study done in 1934 reported that the majority of people in Sutherland preferred the motor bus over the streetcar, saying that it provided faster, more frequent and more convenient service. But also that it was more up-to-date and more in accordance with “modern ideas of transportation.” Put simply, people thought the bus was more fashionable.
In 1938, following a review of transit operations in other cities, George Archibald, the street railway superintendent, recommended a series of sweeping changes, beginning with the immediate replacement of the Sutherland car line with a bus.
Like the private service before it, the new Sutherland bus would follow the College Drive route, crossing the river on the University Bridge and even making side trips to the Forestry Farm. For those living along 8th Street, service would be provided at intervals by the Haultain bus, an auxiliary motor coach route serving the Haultain district on Clarence Avenue South.
A new bus was quickly purchased, and after nearly a quarter of a century, the Sutherland streetcar made its final run on August 9, 1938. It was the end of an era thought of now as quaint, but which during its heyday provided vital transportation to many commuters in Saskatoon.
Jeff O’Brien
The Sutherland bus, a more ‘modern’ mode of transportation, is ready for work on 25th Street in front of King Edward School, ca. 1940s.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - A-1661
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - A-1663
Saskatoon’s first municipally-owned diesel bus is parked on the Westmount-8th Street route, 1937.
