Plan calls for a small ceremony space south of Meewasin Park that would be open to users of all faiths.
A quiet portion of Saskatoon’s riverbank may be converted into a space for people to say one last goodbye to their loved ones.
City council’s planning, development and community services committee unanimously endorsed a recommendation to put a project up for consideration at budget time to build a dedicated space for scattering ashes into the South Saskatchewan River.
The Hindu Society of Saskatchewan in 2021 asked the city for a dedicated site to spread ashes in the river — an important ritual for them and people of many other faiths.
Wednesday’s report to the PDCS committee included a conceptual plan for a small ceremony site south of Meewasin Park. The site is away from higher-traffic areas and already has a gently sloping pathway leading down to a shallow point in the river.
The report notes the site would be open to people of all faiths, with no booking process required.
The city’s guidelines for scattering ashes in the South Saskatchewan River include a restriction only permitting the practice between May 1 and Oct. 31, and a note advising people not to enter the river, with a warning that anyone who does go in the water does so at their own risk.
City staff estimate it will cost $300,000 to design and build the site. During questions, Mayor Charlie Clark suggested he’d heard interest in the community about raising donations for a site.
General manager of community services Lynn Lacroix confirmed that city staff had also heard expressions of interest in donations during their consultations. She said this could be further explored once a submission for a capital project is complete.
Any project will be subject to final approval by council during the 2024-25 budget deliberations.
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