News Release - Highlights of the Meewasin Board Meeting - June 4, 2010

1. Meewasin approved the application to re-construct the section of Meewasin Trail behind the Water Treatment Plant affected by recent renovations to the facility. The 300 m trail construction to be done by Meewasin also includes a series of interpretive nodes focusing on the importance of source water protection.



2. Meewasin approved the application of the City of Saskatoon to construct the first phase of Circle Drive South through the Meewasin Conservation Zone and crossing the South Saskatchewan River 73.5 m north of the CN Rail crossing subject to conditions relating to the pedestrian walkway trail.



3. Meewasin appointed three new members to the Design Advisory Committee: Jyhling Lee, John Penner and Ryan Walker. The Design Advisory Committee assists the board in its work to ensure the “fit”, as defined in the “100 Year Conceptual Plan”, of the built environment in the context of the natural valley environment. They advise the board on proactive design policies for improvements to public land in accordance with the Meewasin Development Plan; advise the board on public needs relative to design standards; and provide the board an assessment of the artistic merit of proposed cultural arts.



4. The Board received an audio-visual presentation on Factoria, an historical site within Meewasin’s Conservation Zone, located on the riverbank east of Mallin Drive.
   
   Background: In 1909, William “Billy” Silverwood, a livestock dealer from Southern Ontario, bought riverfront property located in present day Silverwood, Saskatoon. He made this purchase because of the natural springs located on the property and soon began bottling water for sale in Saskatoon and area. In 1912, Robert E. Glass, a Chicago entrepreneur, purchased the bottling plant from Silverwood in hopes of turning it into a brewery. Glass only wanted 80 acres but was forced to buy a 493 acre plot, as Silverwood would not break up the property for sale. Glass then decided to expand beyond a brewery and envisioned a bigger industrial community, the “Magic City” to become Factoria. As conserver of the cultural and natural resources of the Meewasin Valley, Meewasin has researched the Factoria story to be told in its interpretive centre and to be used as a basis for developing a future plan for public access and protection of this important archeological and historic site.

For more information contact Susan Lamb or Doug Porteous at Meewasin 665.6887
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