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The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is moving their office out of the Riversdale neighbourhood, citing safety concerns, months after their director was attacked in broad daylight.
SSO made the announcement in a post on their website Monday penned by executive director Mark Turner.
Turner was stabbed in the eye with the blunt end of a fork on July 31 by a man who walked into the organization’s office on 20th Street West.
A 37-year-old man from Saskatoon was arrested later that day and charged with aggravated assault, mischief, obstructing an officer and possession of hydromorphone.
The public post marked the first time Turner had spoken out since the attack.
“The first thought I had in the moment was that I wouldn’t be able to play piano the same way again,” he wrote on the SSO website.
” My life did not flash before my eyes (no pun intended), and time neither stood still nor flew by.”
The 36-year-old suffered bruising, swelling, fractures and eye complications — but has now made a full recovery.
However, Turner said the psychological effects have scarred him and the attack frightened other members of the SSO.
As a result, he and the SSO Board of Directors have decided to move the orchestra’s office to a space at 602B 51st Street East in November.
“The room changed for all of us,” he told 650 CKOM Tuesday afternoon.
Turner said at first they discussed other options, including security systems, to help staff feel more comfortable. However, it became clear a move was needed.
“The psychological trauma from the event makes it very difficult to be productive in a space where something like that happened,” he said.
He emphasized the move has nothing to do with their opinion on neighbourhood safety in Riversdale.
In the website post, he explains it’s only about the horrible memories elicited by the office.
“This isn’t about us running away from what happened, or turning our backs on the friends we’ve made in Riversdale – this decision was solely selfish: we needed to provide the team that brings you the SSO a space where they could feel productive again,” Turner wrote.
BID REACTS TO MOVE
Randy Pshebylo, executive director of the Riversdale Business Improvement District (BID), said he was disappointed by the news.
“(The SSO) was a welcome addition to the many merchants we have on the street,” he said.
He noted the BID will be speaking to the police board of commissioners on Thursday to talk about crime issues in the area.
Pshebylo said crime has been a rising issue since Saskatoon police vacated their outpost off 20th Street.
“The BID has found themselves dealing with property crimes more so than they are used to,” he said. “The call is to reinstate some permanent (officers) in the Riversdale area to reverse these trends.”
He added the issues haven’t affected the ability of the neighbourhood to attract businesses to the area, with three already enquiring about the office SSO is about to vacate.