Saskatoon city greenhouse falling apart, may soon be condemned

The City of Saskatoon will be outsourcing all of the flowers and bedding plants placed in civic parks, planters and buildings this year.

Saskatoon’s city greenhouse, operated by the parks department at the Vic Rempel Yards since 1958, will soon close its doors for good.

According to a report to the city’s Planning, Development and Community Services Committee, a recent engineering assessment found the greenhouse’s wood was rotting and glass was cracking and falling apart. The report also raised concerns about snow loads during the winter.

Replacing the greenhouse has been on the city’s radar since 2016, but no money has been made available for the project.

The report said the greenhouse could be condemned at any time.

According to the report, replacing the greenhouse could cost anywhere from $2.5 million to $6 million, depending on the size and complexity of the new structure.

This year, the city has made plans to buy bedding plants from commercial producers at wholesale pricing. One of the risks, however, is that the quality of the plants may not match what was produced at the city greenhouse.

The report did not mention whether any staff positions will be affected by the greenhouse closure. Unique or valued community plants, like a banana tree and fat pork plant, will be moved to other community buildings.

Another report, expected by early fall, will outline recommendations for 2024 along with the cost of buying plants from commercial outlets.