Capital Projects

Below you can read more about some of the exciting projects we’ve tackled and are working on to enhance our infrastructures and facilities in our community.

Wastewater Treatment Upgrades (Lagoon)

The City of Humboldt was pleased when the Government of Saskatchewan and the Federal Government approved and commitment to fund a significant portion of the much needed Wastewater Treatment System Upgrades under the “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program” (“ICIP”). The total cost for this project is estimated to be approximately $40,000,000. The Federal and Provincial Governments have committed a total financial contribution of $24,971,065 to the project cost. The City of Humboldt will be responsible to fund the remaining approximate $15,028,935.This is a significant investment for the City of Humboldt as it not only replaces the existing aged system with an entirely new system; but also retrofits two older sewage lift stations in the city as they require upgrades as part of this wastewater project. As of December 2023, a general contractor has been awarded the majority of wastewater project and is planning to start construction in early 2024. The two lift station upgrades will follow in a separate tender once fully designed.

Click to view the Conceptual Plan

Overview/Background:

The City currently has a traditional lagoon system which is constructed to accommodate a population of approximately 6000 people. As treatment was nearing capacity, the city set out to explore upgrade options in 2017. In February 2020 Council selected to proceed with improving the existing lagoons along with the addition of a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR) system. Since that time, the project has evolved significantly as many regulations and constructability challenges were intercepted during the design stages. A decision was made in early 2023 to no longer pursue modifying the existing lagoon systems and to proceed with building an entirely new system east of the existing system. This decision simplified the constructability and therefore reduced costs compared to attempting to modify the existing lagoons. In addition, the existing treatment system can continue to treat wastewater as normal until the new system is ready to be commissioned which significantly simplifies the construction process and better ensures that the city is properly treating the wastewater during the construction. The upgrade will increase the city’s treatment capacity to a population of 10,000 with expansion capabilities up to approximately 14,000 people.

The Planned Wastewater Treatment System:

Will meet current Environmental Regulations;
Designed for fish bearing water bodies;
Proven system performance in similar cold climates;
Meets one of the lowest Phosphorus limits in Saskatchewan;
Engineered to maximize performance and minimize cost;
Sustainably designed;
Low Maintenance compared to other systems;
Produces high quality effluent;
Wet weather resilient (Heavy rainfall events);
Simple, capable, and expandable;
Of quality construction and materials for long term performance

Carl Schenn Dry Pond Project

PROJECT UPDATE – OCTOBER 4, 2024

Paving on nearby roads occurred in September and fencing around the park has been removed.

The park is now open to the public.

PROJECT UPDATE – AUGUST 29, 2024:

General Contractor Wilco is watering and taking care of the grass seed and plants very well. The dry pond hasn’t been flooded/used this year yet but the City is looking forward to seeing it in action and serving the area when needed.

Fencing will likely be removed in the late fall and it will be open to the public over winter and available for use summer 2025.

A small section of Barnes Crescent, as well as the longer section of 12th Avenue from Stebbings to 21st Street is nearing base and spot concrete replacement completion. Paving will occur in early September.

Community and Leisure Services has ordered several picnic tables and benches which will be placed in the park for the finishing touches.

PROJECT UPDATE – JANUARY 16, 2024:

The majority of the dry pond construction was completed in 2023 and is now completely functional in the event that the city experiences a heavy rainstorm in 2024. In spring/summer 2024, landscaping will occur including grass seeding, tree/shrub planting, and trail paving.

The large field portion of the park will remain closed until the fall of 2024 to allow for the grass to establish. The field will be irrigated throughout 2024 until the time it is opened back up for public use.

The playground structure will remain open as much as possible but needs to be closed periodically to complete piping and pathway construction. Alleys will also be closed periodically as needed for the work. Excavated road locations for the pipe installations will be re-paved in 2024. 12th Avenue from Stebbings Crescent to 21st Street is also planned to be rebuilt in 2024. For your safety, please obey all construction signs and fences.

This project aims to aid in flooding that occurs following heavy rainfall events within the nearby residential areas of Carl Schenn Park. Click the image below to view the Conceptual Drawing.

CONSTRUCTION:

Wilco Contracting was the successful bidder for the dry pond project. They have completed the last 3 dry ponds for the City of Saskatoon. (See below to view their success story.)

The Carl Schenn project was started in the summer of 2023 with the installation of construction fencing, topsoil removal, removal of necessary trees, and excavation of the dry pond. To limit road damage to the area, the excavated clay was hauled westward along 12^th Avenue towards the future Peck Road. Once the dry pond area was excavated, the piping installations were completed.

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

A public open house was held on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 7 pm – 9 pm. City of Humboldt representatives were on hand and met with residents and answered their questions.

Thank you to all who attended!

PROJECT BACKGROUND

In June of 2021, Council approved ISL Engineering to complete the City-Wide Heavy Rainfall Stormwater Modelling Assessment. After collecting additional data and evaluating many options, the report is complete and for information.

The report includes a comprehensive modelling of the current and anticipated future upgrades recommended for the City’s storm sewer network. The modelling used precision surface details from the City’s Lidar* data and created a 2D model which was used to establish solutions and can be used in the future evaluations. The models included up to a 1 in 100-year intensity storm event.

* “LiDAR is Light Detection and Ranging”, a technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches). 

Click here to view the report.

FAQ’s

W.W. ASHLEY PARK, SASKATOON: DRY POND SUCCESS STORY

One of the many areas in Saskatoon that was known as a “flood zone” to it’s residents experienced a devastating rainfall event in 2017. To assist with remediation, the City of Saskatoon constructed a dry pond in W.W. Ashley Park in 2021. In June 2022, a similar rainfall event occurred but without consequences or damages due to the nearly constructed dry pond in W.W. Ashley Park.

Click to view comparison photos of Ashley Park and what Carl Schenn could look like.

Watch the CTV News clip from June 2022 following a major rainfall event in Saskatoon and how their dry pond in the W.W. Ashley park saved the neighborhood from extensive flooding damages.

Centennial Park

The City of Humboldt is very pleased with the work done at Centennial Park, a joint effort done by our Community & Leisure Services department and our Public Works & Utilities department.

Centennial Park 2020-21 Concept Plan – Click to Enlarge

The following is a summary of work completed at Centennial Park, with an estimated cost of $1.8 million.

Part 1: Ball Diamond Development

Completion of the grey water irrigation system that will pump water from behind Canadian Tire to each of the 6 ball diamonds and the green space for irrigation and dust control as required
Complete the development of two new ball diamonds
Replace all side and home run fences on the existing four ball diamonds
Construction of a parking lot at the north side of the existing ball diamonds using recycled asphalt millings
Development of Trails throughout the grounds, including the berm along Hwy 5
Installation of water and sewer lines to service a future concession/washroom facility near the skateboard park

Part 2: Parking Lot and Roadway Improvements

Creation of a paved access off of Hwy 5 into Centennial Park with a paved roadway leading to the main entrance of the Uniplex
Improved drop off area in front of the Uniplex including upgrades to drainage and entry points to the parking lot
Paving a large portion of the existing parking lot between the Uniplex Main Entrance and the green space
Paving of the roadway in front of the south arena entrances and curling rink entrance
Improved lighting for the parking area and trail running along 5^th Avenue

If you have any questions about this project, please contact Mike Ulriksen at 306.682.2597, ext. 203.

Green Initiatives

Glenn Hall Park Irrigation Conversion
- Converted the irrigation system at Glenn Hall Park from using treated water to using reclaimed water from Water Ridge pond
- Total cost $45,050
New LED Lighting in Aquatics Centre
- Energy efficient
- Total cost $24,000

Outdoor Winter and Summer Flex Space

Located in Centennial Park west of the Uniplex and north of the skateboard park
Funding provided from MEEP for a total estimated cost of $350,000
Ice surface constructed in Winter 2021-22
Hard-surfaced courts, lighting and fencing will be constructed in 2022