King George, Saskatoon
Encyclopedia
King George is an older inner city
neighbourhood located near the center of Saskatoon
, Saskatchewan
, Canada
. It consists mostly of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2006, the area is home to 1,885 residents. The neighbourhood is considered a lower-income area, with an average family income of $36,345, an average dwelling value of $103,677 and a home ownership rate of 67.2%.
) was sold to settler and entrepreneur, Frank Butler. Shortly thereafter, the land was subdivided and housing constructed despite an earlier plan that identified the riverbank be reserved for public use. When the City of Saskatoon acquired the land for recreational park purposes, all of the Butler subdivision (with the exception of the gardener's residence) was removed.
In 1911, the Public School Board decided to relocate Prince of Wales School to the present site of King George School at 721 Avenue K South. In 1912 the name of the school was changed to honour King George V. Around 1929 the neighborhood was renamed to incorporate the name of the new public school, and the boundary was redrawn to include the west portion of Spadina Crescent, along Victoria Park. The new boundaries also enclosed an area called Andrews Addition, identified on a 1913 map of registered subdivisions.
Saskatoon's Municipal Swimming Pool (now Riversdale Pool) on Avenue H in Victoria Park opened on July 15, 1925, replacing the "swimming hole" cordoned off at the river's edge. Filtration and chlorination systems were primitive, and the pool was quickly dubbed the "Avenue Itch" pool. Despite having "its own peculiar smell, which was obvious for blocks", the pool was hugely popular with the people of Saskatoon. During the Great Depression
, admission was "five cents if you had it, free if you didn't".
The housing stock in King George was mostly built before 1960, with a slight majority being constructed prior to World War II
. In 1980, the Saskatoon Public School Board designated King George as an Interagency Community School, being one of the first in the province to receive that designation.
King George has struggled in its recent history, with a sizeable portion of the population living below the poverty line. The social ills that accompany poverty - substance abuse, violent crime and dilapidated housing - have often cast the area in a negative light. The municipal government and community groups are working to improve the neighbourhood and the lives of its residents.
of the Conservative Party of Canada
, first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2006.
Provincially, the area overlaps two constituencies. The west part is within the constituency of Saskatoon Riversdale
. It is currently represented by Lorne Calvert
of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
(NDP), first elected in a 2001 by-election, and re-elected in 2003 and 2007. Previously, Calvert had been the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Moose Jaw South since 1986. The east part lies within the constituency of Saskatoon Centre
. It is currently represented by David Forbes
of the NDP, first elected in a 2001 by-election, and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
In Saskatoon's non-partisan municipal politics, King George lies within ward 2. It is currently represented by Councillor Pat Lorje. She first elected in 1979, and was re-elected in 1982, 1985, and 1988. Lorje then moved into provincial politics; she ran for the NDP and was elected in 1991, and re-elected in 1995 and 1999. She left politics in 2003 and moved to San Francisco with her husband. She returned to Saskatoon after a couple of years, and was again elected as Ward 2 councillor in 2006.
The King George Community and School Association was created to promote a positive image of the neighbourhood and assist in the development of the cultural, educational, recreational, and social well-being of residents.
to the east. The northern boundary starts at South Saskatchewan River
and follows west down 17th Street; it then runs down the easement between Avenues M and N until 16th Street; finally, it follows 16th Street to Avenue P. Roads are laid out in a grid fashion; streets run east-west, avenues run north-south.
Inner city
The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis. In the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland, the term is often applied to the lower-income residential districts in the city centre and nearby areas...
neighbourhood located near the center of Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It consists mostly of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2006, the area is home to 1,885 residents. The neighbourhood is considered a lower-income area, with an average family income of $36,345, an average dwelling value of $103,677 and a home ownership rate of 67.2%.
History
A buffalo kill site was found in the King George area, documenting its history back 6000 years. In modern times, the neighborhood was surveyed in 1907 and originally named Riverview. After the arrival of the Barr Colonists in 1903, the land now referred to as Victoria Park (named after Queen VictoriaVictoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
) was sold to settler and entrepreneur, Frank Butler. Shortly thereafter, the land was subdivided and housing constructed despite an earlier plan that identified the riverbank be reserved for public use. When the City of Saskatoon acquired the land for recreational park purposes, all of the Butler subdivision (with the exception of the gardener's residence) was removed.
In 1911, the Public School Board decided to relocate Prince of Wales School to the present site of King George School at 721 Avenue K South. In 1912 the name of the school was changed to honour King George V. Around 1929 the neighborhood was renamed to incorporate the name of the new public school, and the boundary was redrawn to include the west portion of Spadina Crescent, along Victoria Park. The new boundaries also enclosed an area called Andrews Addition, identified on a 1913 map of registered subdivisions.
Saskatoon's Municipal Swimming Pool (now Riversdale Pool) on Avenue H in Victoria Park opened on July 15, 1925, replacing the "swimming hole" cordoned off at the river's edge. Filtration and chlorination systems were primitive, and the pool was quickly dubbed the "Avenue Itch" pool. Despite having "its own peculiar smell, which was obvious for blocks", the pool was hugely popular with the people of Saskatoon. During the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, admission was "five cents if you had it, free if you didn't".
The housing stock in King George was mostly built before 1960, with a slight majority being constructed prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1980, the Saskatoon Public School Board designated King George as an Interagency Community School, being one of the first in the province to receive that designation.
King George has struggled in its recent history, with a sizeable portion of the population living below the poverty line. The social ills that accompany poverty - substance abuse, violent crime and dilapidated housing - have often cast the area in a negative light. The municipal government and community groups are working to improve the neighbourhood and the lives of its residents.
Government and politics
King George exists within the federal electoral district of Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar. It is currently represented by Carol SkeltonCarol Skelton
Carol Skelton, PC is a Canadian politician. She is a member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee which oversees the operation of Canadian Security Intelligence Service...
of the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
, first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2006.
Provincially, the area overlaps two constituencies. The west part is within the constituency of Saskatoon Riversdale
Saskatoon Riversdale
Saskatoon Riversdale is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada. It has been held by the Premier of Saskatchewan from 1991 to 2007...
. It is currently represented by Lorne Calvert
Lorne Calvert
Lorne Albert Calvert, MLA was the 13th Premier of Saskatchewan, from 2001 to 2007. Calvert, was the leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party from 2001 to June 6, 2009, when he was succeeded by Dwain Lingenfelter.In 1975, Calvert married Betty Sluzalo of Perdue, Saskatchewan. After attending...
of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It currently forms the official opposition, but has been a dominant force in Saskatchewan politics since the 1940s...
(NDP), first elected in a 2001 by-election, and re-elected in 2003 and 2007. Previously, Calvert had been the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Moose Jaw South since 1986. The east part lies within the constituency of Saskatoon Centre
Saskatoon Centre
Saskatoon Centre is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada. It is one of 12 districts covering the province's largest city, Saskatoon.-Members of the Legislative Assembly:-Electoral history:...
. It is currently represented by David Forbes
David Forbes (politician)
David Forbes is a Canadian provincial politician. He is currently the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Saskatoon Centre.He serrves as the Opposition critic for Social Services, Disabilities, Housing and the CBO...
of the NDP, first elected in a 2001 by-election, and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
In Saskatoon's non-partisan municipal politics, King George lies within ward 2. It is currently represented by Councillor Pat Lorje. She first elected in 1979, and was re-elected in 1982, 1985, and 1988. Lorje then moved into provincial politics; she ran for the NDP and was elected in 1991, and re-elected in 1995 and 1999. She left politics in 2003 and moved to San Francisco with her husband. She returned to Saskatoon after a couple of years, and was again elected as Ward 2 councillor in 2006.
Education
- King George School - public elementary, part of the Saskatoon Public School DivisionSaskatoon Public School DivisionSaskatoon Public Schools is the largest school system in Saskatoon and is the second largest in Saskatchewan.Saskatoon Public Schools has approximately 22,000 students with 44 elementary schools and 9 high schools. The offices of the Saskatoon School Board are housed in the Eaton's Building. ...
. This school was built in 1913 from a design by David WebsterDavid Webster (architect)David Webster was a Scottish-Canadian architect best known for his designs of elementary schools in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. His school designs were often in a Collegiate Gothic style emphasizing a central tower, locally referred to as a "castle style"...
, and constructed with Estevan brick with stone trim. The Masonic symbols on the façade are typical of Webster's designs. Plans called for a domestic science room on the upper floor, quarters for the caretaker, and a dining room. The final cost of construction was $156,210.
Other
- Royal Canadian Legion Chapter 63 - This branch of the Royal Canadian LegionRoyal Canadian LegionThe Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
was originally located in downtown Saskatoon. It relocated to the Pensioners and Pioneers Pavilion on Spadina Crescent West in 2007, when the Legion Hall on 19th Street was sold and demolished as part of the River LandingRiver LandingRiver Landing is an ongoing redevelopment district in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan that will create a commercial/cultural development along the bank of the South Saskatchewan River in downtown Saskatoon.River Landing is divided into two phases...
development. - Water Treatment Plant - Originally built in 1906 as a power plant, a filter plant for water services was added in 1911. Two unique features of the Plant include a geodesic dome built in 1988 to cover one of the clarifiers used in the water treatment process, and the reuse of the old Bay walkway that spanned 2nd Avenue between the former Bay building and its adjacent parking lot.
Parks and recreation
- St. Andrews Park (2.3 acres)
- Victoria Park (38.8 acres) - named for Queen VictoriaVictoria of the United KingdomVictoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, this public park houses many facilities. While most of the park is in King George, a small portion of the park lies within the RiversdaleRiversdale, SaskatoonRiversdale is an older inner city neighbourhood located near the center of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It includes the business district of 20th Street. It consists mostly of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2006, the area is home to 2,335 residents...
neighbourhood. The facilities in the park include: - Riverside Lawn Bowling Club - Lawn bowling club that operates from April to October.
- Riverside Badminton and Tennis Club - Members-only tennis club with both indoor and outdoor courts.
- Lions Skatepark - Skateboard park opened in 2003 with 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) of space.
- Riversdale Pool - Features a 180 ft (54.9 m) waterslide, zero depth water for toddlers, diving boards, playground, volleyball court, basketball, lawn area with electric barbecueBarbecueBarbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
and concession. - Boat house and launch - Owned by the city, its tenants are the Saskatoon Rowing Club, Saskatoon Racing Canoe Club, Saskatoon Canoe Club, and Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club.
The King George Community and School Association was created to promote a positive image of the neighbourhood and assist in the development of the cultural, educational, recreational, and social well-being of residents.
Commercial
Only a few businesses are located in King George, on Avenue P and Avenue H. 16 home-based businesses are based in the neighbourhood.Location
King George is located within the Core Neighbourhoods Suburban Development Area. It is bounded by 11th Street to the south, Avenue P to the west and the South Saskatchewan RiverSouth Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada that flows through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan....
to the east. The northern boundary starts at South Saskatchewan River
South Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada that flows through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan....
and follows west down 17th Street; it then runs down the easement between Avenues M and N until 16th Street; finally, it follows 16th Street to Avenue P. Roads are laid out in a grid fashion; streets run east-west, avenues run north-south.
External links
- King George Community Association
- King George Community Association
- King George neighbourhood profile - 2007
- City of Saskatoon City of Saskatoon · Departments · Community Services · City Planning · ZAM Maps
- Populace Spring 2006
- King George Local Area Plan
- Narratives of Saskatoon 1882-1912
- Saskatoon Neighborhoods Word Search Puzzle