Fitness fans can celebrate as the City of Saskatoon is rolling out a four-month program of free fitness classes at Kiwanis Park.

Stonebridge's new mall promises to be pedestrian and cyclist friendly says one city councillor.

“There’s quite a bit of emphasis given to pedestrian connectivity and safety which is really an asset of this proposal,” said Ward 7 councillor Mairin Loewen.

On Monday, city council reviewed a proposal from North Ridge Development, for a $120 million mall similar to the layout at Market Mall.

Originally North Ridge Development proposed a 250,000 sq. ft. project, featuring big box stores such as Wal-Mart and Lowe’s.

The debate on snow removal in Saskatoon hit a breaking point in council chambers on Monday night.

After many councillors expressed frustration with the current level of service the City of Saskatoon is offering its taxpayers, Mayor Don Atchison put in his two cents on the subject, reminding everyone in chambers who approved this level of service at budget time.

If you think cruising through ruts is hard in your vehicle, imagine doing it in a fire truck.

As some cars are forced to park on the outside of giant snow banks, narrow streets are posing a problem for Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services.

“We do have some issues the way some people are parking or have to park. The trucks do have some trouble negotiating down the streets because it is so narrow,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bill Coffin. 

As of Sunday the city has spent more money shaving ruts than it would have cost to clear all residential streets once this winter, with no end in sight.

Since Monday, graders and sanders have worked around the clock to clear residential roadways at a cost of $80,000 to $100,000 a day, according to Mike Gutek, general manager of infrastructure for the City of Saskatoon.

In December, city council voted down a motion to clear all residential streets once for $600,000, the same amount it has now spent clearing the ruts.

The City of Saskatoon has unveiled a new way for residents to report badly rutted streets.

Infrastructure services general manager Mike Gutek said the city has been receiving between 400-700 calls a day from people asking for a city crew to come clear their streets.

Saskatoon’s Visual Arts Placement jury is looking for public  feedback on its community art program.

Currently the city is spending about $70,000 per year to lease several sculptures and works of art, at an average of $1,500 per year.

Allan Wallace, manager of planning and development with the City of Saskatoon, said the arts jury simply wants to gauge the public’s interest and knowledge of the program.

The City of Saskatoon is asking residents to bear with them as they try and get graders out to clear the city's worst roads.

"We're doing our best. We've got crews out seven days a week. We're motoring through as quickly as we can, but it is taking time," said Pat Hyde, branch manager with the City of Saskatoon's public works department.

In some Saskatoon neighbourhoods, it can feel more like you're off-roading than driving home.

"I certainly understand people's frustrations. Our priority roads ... are in good conditions, but it's the road in front of your home that's got those ruts," said Mayor Don Atchison, in conversation with the Brent Loucks Show on Friday morning.

He said crews are working 80 hours a week, which is the maximum they are allowed to work.

During 2013 budget deliberations the matter of budgeting $600,000 for one residential snow clearing was voted down by city council.

Now, a few months later, city councillors are getting an ear-full from constituents unhappy with what they have to deal with on residential streets, and it's not potholes.

"The bigger issue in my ward is snow ice and slush, we have huge ruts on streets," said Ward 5 councillor Randy Donauer.