YXE downtown metamorphosis

Build it and they will come, at least Saskatoon’s City Council hopes so.

As they endeavour to bring a new downtown arena to fruition it’s worth noting the changes that have already taken place in the core.

And how the new arena will only thrive in it.

Continue Reading

Can a grocery store in a district with too few residents work?

The current Saskatoon downtown population is 3,106 individuals according to eHealth Saskatchewan which is down from a high of 3,331 in 2020.

With this limited population base, Saskatoon has struggled to attract a downtown grocery store.

Continue Reading

Gap narrowing between CRE financing and returns

The markets are pricing in five, quarter point interest rate increases in 2022 which will result in commercial mortgage rates ranging between 4 to over 5 per cent.

What will be the consequences of this increase to the commercial real estate investment market?

Continue Reading

Good news stories during pandemic

I can’t handle reading any more news on how the pandemic has decimated the economy.

If you know my background, you aren’t surprised that I have a lot opinions about how media is operating these days.

Overstating the obvious isn’t making anything better, I liken it to reporting on the umpteenth snowstorm this winter.

So I am on a personal mission (at least this week) to report only on the uplifting stories despite the pandemic!

Continue Reading

Saskatoon’s commercial real estate markets demonstrate resiliency

We’ve just released our 2Q21 market surveys and all three sectors are reporting a reduction in vacancy.

Remarkable statistics considering the economic storm we’ve been passing through!

It appears that our resource rich economy is only going to continue to improve with the recent upcycle in commodity markets.

International demand for food, fertilizer and fuel have turned the corner after a slow 2020.

Let’s take a look at each sector individually.

Continue Reading

Permanent pandemic practices for the good

Saskatchewan has entered step three of our reopening plan and most restrictions from public health orders have been lifted.

But does that mean we should all go back to business as usual?

I think there are a few pandemic measures we could all just continue with.

Continue Reading

Prairieland won’t be saddled with losing bet

Administration at Prairieland Park has disclosed they have endured ongoing losses at Marquis Downs over $500,000 annually during the last five years prior to the pandemic. 

With no place to relocate, this will effectively end professional horse racing in Saskatchewan.

There seem to be a lot of mistruths circulating about whether or not Prairieland has the authority to discontinue the sport on their site.

You bet they can.

Continue Reading