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Nov 16, 2024
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The Prairie Lily, the red and white riverboat that has sailed the South Saskatchewan River for the past 13 years, will set sail for the last time under its current owners in 2025.
“It is now nearing our time to enjoy summer holidays in Saskatoon, so we have decided 2025 will be our last sailing season,” read an announcement on the riverboat’s website.
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“It is our hope someone in Saskatoon will be interested in purchasing and operating The Prairie Lily so our city can continue to enjoy all she provides.”
The Prairie Lily has announced next summer will be its final season.
Here’s what we know so far ⤵️@CKOMNews @ErinMcNutt @CJMENews #yxe pic.twitter.com/N54mVDpwd1— Alex Brown (@AlexBrownYXE) September 20, 2024
“I’m going to be 65 years old in January and at some point a person wants to retire,” said Mike Steckhan, captain and co-owner of the Prairie Lily. “It just seemed like the right time.”
The Prairie Lily was built in 1989 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 2012, the ship was purchased by Prairie River Cruises when Mike and Joan Steckhan partnered with Mike and Valerie Kingsmill. The 120-passenger ship offers a variety of sightseeing and dining cruises from May to September.
Joan said she’s noticed one big change since they first began operations.
“I think the change has been the growth in the community and passion for the ship,” said Joan. “Someone told us one time that we’ve made Saskatoon a river boat town.”
“We had a nice couple come on one of our cruises,” said Mike. “The lady pulled me aside and said ‘We just came off a river boat cruise in Paris and this is nicer,’.”
Joan said that they’ve received a few calls from people expressing interest in the purchasing the Lily, and Mike said he was confident that there would be new owners by the summer of 2026.
“I think it’s a popular enough attraction,” said Mike. “When people see the numbers I think that’s going to be a no-brainer for an investor.”
The Prairie Lily will sail under its current owners for the final time in 2025. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)
Mike Steckhan, the ship’s captain, said the 107 gross ton ship was built for navigating shallow channels like the South Saskatchewan, but cruising the river does come with some challenges as well.
“It does get very tight, and the river has been getting smaller the last four years,” Steckhan explained in an interview with 650 CKOM in May. “So the valley gets smaller along with it, which is why you see all the sandbars appearing. But there’s still a stream there and we can still operate.”
For anyone interested in taking over the business, the owners shared detailed information on the requirements, including registration, inspections, regulations and more, on the riverboat’s website.
–with files from 650 CKOM’s Brittany Caffet and Alex Brown