SASKATOON — Located within the Lakewood Suburban Development Area, Saskatoon’s Wildwood community is bounded by 8th Street to the north, Boychuk Drive to the east, Taylor Street to the south and Circle Drive to the west.
Historically, before being part of Saskatoon, the land for Wildwood was used for agriculture. George Stephenson, who ranched in the Dundurn area in the late 1800s. operated a dairy farm along 8th Street until 1911. The intersection of 8th Street and Central Avenue, now known as Acadia Drive, was referred to Stephenson’s Corner for many years.
A key component, summer recreation hub and landmark in the neighborhood is the well-known Wildwood Golf Course. Interesting to note that this golf course was opened July 1, 1931, before any residential development occurred, marking it as Saskatoon’s first golf course. The golf course’s name became the name attached to this new neighborhood, which construction was at its peak from 1971 until 1980.
The Saskatoon Stock Car Association once operated a racing oval on land between the present-day Moss Avenue and McKercher Drive, however, the SSRCA was forced to find a new home when the City of Saskatoon announce its intention to expand eastward and annex the land.
Three significant components of Wildwood are the Wildwood School, opening in May of 1978, Bishop Pocock School, also opened in 1978 and renowned Lakewood Civic Centre, which opened ten years later in 1988. Lakewood Civic Centre houses a swimming pool, waterslide, fitness facilities, meeting and recreational space as well as the Cliff Wright Branch Library, all in one facility.
Next to Lakewood Civic Centre is an indoor tennis centre and a skate park.
Parks are plentiful, offering multiple acres of outdoor recreation green space. Parts of Lakewood Park’s 14.51 acres are landscaped with natural prairie grassland vegetation, as well as a constructed wetland area, designed to remove pollutants from stormwater and control runoff. The wetland’s waters and native plans provide habitat for native aquatic animals, insects and birds.
The Wildwood Community Association coordinates recreational programs and social activities, maintains the park and outdoor rink, and promotes the well-being of residents. The volunteer-run association also provides a voice for the community on issues of local concern. https://ourwildwood.ca/
Wildwood includes part of the 8th Street business district.
Did you know many of streets in Wildwood bear names that were originally given to streets and subdivisions planned before the first World War. For example, Boychuk bears the name of Mike Boychuk who was an Eatonia farmer who moved to the city for the winter of 1945-46, starting a construction company and became known for a major home builder and real estate developer in Saskatoon.
